Only your first and last names are displayed in university directories, such as in Outlook Address Book or in Illinois State University People Search. Your name is displayed in a Last Name, First Name format. For example, Reggie Redbird's name is displayed as Redbird, Reggie.

If you would like your name to be displayed differently, you can set up a preferred name.

Your Preferred Name

Setting up a preferred name allows you to decide how your name should be displayed in online systems and university directories. You can do this even if your legal name has not changed.

Your preferred name appears instead of your first name in university directories, like the Illinois State University People Search. If you are faculty/staff, your preferred name will also appear in the Outlook Address Book.

Examples of Preferred Names

• Your name is William Smith, but you go by Bill Smith. You may set up Bill as your preferred name. Your name is then displayed as Smith, Bill.
• Your legal name is Mary Sue Smith. You go by Mary Sue, but the university directories list your name as Smith, Mary. You may set up Mary Sue as your preferred name. Your name is then displayed as Smith, Mary Sue.
• Your name is Mark T. Smith. You always use your middle initial to distinguish yourself from other Mark Smiths, but the university directories list your name as Smith, Mark. You may set up Mark T. as your preferred name. Your name is then displayed as Smith, Mark T.
  
  

Set Up a Preferred Name

Faculty and Staff

Faculty, staff (including student workers), and students can set up preferred names through ULID Account Management on the Technology Support Center website.

1. Open an internet browser and navigate to your Account Management page.
2. Log in using your ULID and password. Click the Log in button.
3. Click the Change Preferred Name button underneath Preferred Name. (Figure 1)
   Figure1:
   
4. Enter what you would like your preferred first and last name to be.
5. Click Change Preferred Name.

You will then see a message saying that your Preferred Name Request has been submitted.

• If you already have a preferred name set and would like to remove it, check the remove button next to Remove my preferred name. Then, click the button labeled Please complete the form.

Your Legal Name

Your legal name is stored in the university Campus Solutions system. Your legal name typically includes your first, middle, and last names. However, depending on the name you provided when you joined the University, your legal name might only include your middle initial (instead of your middle name), or it may not include a middle name or middle initial at all.

Update Your Legal Name

If your legal name has changed for any reason, you should update your legal name so it is correct in the University's system.

Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff can file a legal name change by visiting Human Resources, Nelson Smith Building 101, in person, and providing a photo ID with the new name, and a social security card (must be original). Human Resources will then provide a form to fill out and return.

If you wish to complete the form before visiting HR, you can find the form at http://hr.illinoisstate.edu/downloads/Name_Change_Process.pdf

Students

Students can file a legal name change by visiting the Registrar Service Center, Moulton 107, and providing a photo ID with the new name, as well as any other relevant documentation. Students may also fax the request, and the documentation to the Office of the Registrar at (309) 438-8652.

Visit https://registrar.illinoisstate.edu/personal-information/ for more information.

How to Get Help

• Technical assistance is available through the Technology Support Center at (309) 438-4357, by email at SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu, or by Live Chat at Help.IllinoisState.edu.
• Students may obtain additional assistance regarding their personal information by contacting the Registrar Service Center at 309-438-2811, or by email at Registrar@IllinoisState.edu.
• Technical assistance is available through the Technology Support Center at (309) 438-4357, by email at SupportCenter@IllinoisState.edu, or by Live Chat at Help.IllinoisState.edu.