ITS Documentation
The U-M Preferred Names Policy and Your Directory Entry
R1461 • August 2009

This document explains the U-M Preferred Names Policy and how it affects your U-M Online Directory entry. It also provides instructions for setting a preferred name.

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What Is a Preferred Name?

You may prefer to go by a name that is different from your legal name. Also, you may want to have this name appear instead of your legal name in your U-M Online Directory entry and in other University records and documents. The University allows you to do this by setting a preferred name. You must set the preferred name in Wolverine Access, and it will then appear in your directory entry and other records. Some records, such as paychecks, that require use of a legal name, may not be able to use your preferred name. However, whenever possible, your preferred name will be used.

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The Preferred Names Policy

The University released its Preferred Names Policy in April 2007. The Office of the Provost, Human Resources and Affirmative Action, and Michigan Administrative Information Services on the Ann Arbor campus led the effort to develop and implement the policy.

Here is the text of the policy:

The University recognizes that as a community many of its members use names other than their legal names to identify themselves. As long as the use of this different name is not for the purposes of misrepresentation, the University acknowledges that a "preferred name" can and should be used wherever possible in the course of University business and education.

Therefore, it is the policy of the University that any student, active or retired faculty or staff member, or alumni may choose to identify themselves within the University's information systems with a preferred name in addition to the person's legal name. It is further understood that the person's preferred name shall be used in all University communications and reporting except where the use of the legal name is required by University business or legal need.

The individual is free to determine the preferred name he or she wants to be known by in the University's information systems. However, inappropriate use of the preferred name policy (including but not limited to avoiding a legal obligation or misrepresentation) may be cause for denying the request.

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Who Can Set a Preferred Name?

Because preferred names are set using Wolverine Access, only those who can use Wolverine Access can set preferred names. Students on the Ann Arbor campus and employees of the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses can set preferred names.

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Setting a Preferred Name in Wolverine Access

Use Wolverine Access to set your preferred name online. Students can do this under Student Business, and faculty and staff can do it under Employee Business.

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Display of Your Preferred Name in Your Directory Entry

Your preferred name will appear at the top of your U-M Online Directory entry under Name. It will also appear under Also Known As. For details about your directory entry, see The U-M Online Directory Via the Web: Finding and Changing Your Personal Entry (S4276).

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Preferred Names FAQ

  1. Can any member of the U-M community set a preferred name?
    No. Because preferred names are set using Wolverine Access, only those who can use Wolverine Access can set preferred names for now. Students on the Ann Arbor campus and employees of the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses can set preferred names.

  2. How do I set a preferred name?
    Use Wolverine Access. Students can do this under Student Business, and faculty and staff can do it under Employee Business.

  3. Can I set my preferred name to whatever I want?
    Yes, but the University reserves the right to remove a preferred name if it is used inappropriately (such as for misrepresentation).

  4. Can I use my preferred name for everything at the University?
    No. Your legal name will continue to be used in business processes that require use of the legal name, such as for payroll records and student transcripts.

  5. I set a preferred name in Wolverine Access, but it doesn't show up in the directory. Why not?
    The U-M Online Directory receives updated data from Wolverine Access once a week (on Tuesdays). Therefore, depending on when you set a preferred name in Wolverine Access, there may be a delay of up to a week before that name appears in the directory.

  6. I set a preferred name and later changed it to something else in Wolverine Access. Why does my old preferred name still show up in the list of Also Known As names in my directory entry? How can I get rid of it?
    When you set a preferred name in Wolverine Access, that name is added to your list of Also Known As names in your directory entry. There is no mechanism for automatically deleting these names. If you wish to have a name deleted from your list of Also Known As names, you can contact the ITS Accounts Office (itcs.accounts@umich.edu or 764-8000, Option 3) to request this.

  7. I don't want my legal name to show up in my U-M Online Directory entry. How can I hide it?
    Your legal name will continue to be displayed in the list of Also Known As names in your directory entry, even if you have set a preferrred name. Contact the ITS Accounts Office (itcs.accounts@umich.edu or 764-8000, Option 3) to request that it be hidden. For now, hiding your legal name can only be done using a manual process that must be handled by the Accounts Office.

  8. How do I correct or change my legal name for University systems?

    • Students can contact the Registrar's Office (ro.registration.questions@umich.edu or 647-3507).

    • Employees can file a legal name change by completing the Address/Personal Data Form available on the HRRIS Forms Online page or contact the HR/Payroll Service Center (615-2000 or toll-free at 1-866-647-7657).

  9. My question about preferred names is not in this list. Where can I get help?

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Additional Resources

Visit ITS's Information System to obtain ITS computer documentation and other resources. A list of relevant documents follows:

We welcome your comments; please send e-mail.

ITS's Online Help Desk provides a variety of computing help resources.

For further help with setting a preferred name or working with your U-M Online Directory entry, send e-mail or phone (734) 764-HELP.

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