Preferred Name Policy Embraces Student Identities

UB Seal on Crosby Hall.

Published July 10, 2017 This content is archived.

The Student Preferred Name Policy, approved and signed by President Tripathi, is available in the University Policy Library

Overview

Print

The University at Buffalo recognizes that students may use a first and/or middle name other than their legal name to identify themselves. The university will use a student’s preferred name, when possible, in the course of university education and business unless the student’s birth name and/or legal name is required by law or the preferred name is used for purposes of misidentification, fraud, or misrepresentation. For identity verification purposes, students must use their legal last name.

The Office of the Registrar activated HUB (PeopleSoft) functionality giving students the option to enter a preferred name quickly and discreetly, and without needing to ask for accommodations or assistance from university staff. When a preferred name is entered, the preferred name appears on certain high-impact screens within HUB and other support systems allowing faculty and staff to refer to a student by their preferred name.

Applicability

This policy applies to students who wish to use the preferred name fields.

Faculty and staff interested in changing their preferred name may contact the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at 716-645-2266 or diversity@buffalo.edu

Guidance

Questions can be directed to the Office of the Registrar at 716-645-5698 or UBregistrar@buffalo.edu.