University at Buffalo (UB)
At UB, students may choose to use a name other than their legal name to identify themselves. The university will use a student’s preferred/chosen name when possible unless the student’s legal name is required by law. For identity verification purposes, students must use their legal last name.
The University at Buffalo is committed to promoting a campus community welcoming of a diverse faculty, staff and student body. UB recognizes that using a preferred/chosen name may be beneficial to a student’s experience at the university. We encourage students to use the preferred/chosen first and middle name fields in the HUB Student Center if they wish to be known as anything other than their legal name.
A preferred/chosen name is any name a student chooses to use other than their legal name. For example, a student may wish to shorten their first name (e.g. Steven to Steve) or to be referred to by their middle name or a nickname.
Students may change their first and middle name to a name of their choice to be used across some university systems.
The university reserves the right to review all preferred/chosen name changes. Please see the Code of Conduct and university policy for more information, including consequences for not following the Code of Conduct and university policy.
At this time, certain system and legal limitations prevent us from displaying a student’s preferred/chosen name on all systems used by students, faculty and staff.
We are currently working on system improvements which will display preferred/chosen names across more UB systems. We will continue to update the list below as modifications are made.
It is important to note that while UB takes great care in where preferred/chosen names display and when a preferred/chosen name is used, human and system error may occur, causing the incorrect name to display.
Currently, preferred/chosen names appear in the following systems:
Preferred/chosen names that are provided to the university are considered directory information. Therefore, the University at Buffalo and the Office of the Registrar cannot be held responsible for the release of preferred/chosen name information.
Students can elect to be removed from the Online Directory by submitting the Request for Directory and Information Release/Non-Release form.
Communications from UB offices may use either legal or preferred/chosen names. Preferred/chosen names may be:
If students have a preferred/chosen name designated in HUB, it will print on their unofficial transcript.
It is recommended that the diploma name match the student's official legal name; however, a preferred/chosen name may be considered. Please refer to the diploma name guidance for more information.
In some instances, the university is required to use a student’s legal first name. This includes, but is not limited to, the following official records and reports:
Communications from UB offices may use either legal or preferred/chosen names. Preferred/chosen names may be:
Only the student’s official, legal name will be included on an official transcript.
It is recommended that the diploma name match the student's official legal name; however, a preferred/chosen name may be considered. Please refer to the diploma name guidance for more information.
Students who change their legal name may update their legal name of record through the Office of the Registrar using the Name Change form. A legal name change will not impact a student’s ability to select a preferred/chosen name.
Students can enter their preferred/chosen name in the HUB Student Center. Students who do not have access to their student center may contact the Office of the Registrar for assistance with entering a preferred/chosen name.
While a student’s preferred/chosen name will appear in their Student Center and class rosters as soon as the name is saved, it will take one to two (1-2) business day to appear on other systems, including UBlearns. Preferred/chosen names will display on grade rosters when grade rosters are generated.
There is no limitation to the amount of times a student can change their name.
The student’s preferred/chosen name will also appear on correspondence sent to their home address. If the student does not wish for others to know about their chosen name, they may wish to speak with Equity, Diversity and Inclusion about alternatives to entering a preferred/chosen name.
At this time, individuals who are both students and also have an appointment with the university will only see their student name change. Students experiencing difficulty with their faculty, TA or GA name through Human Resources should contact UB’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for resources and assistance.
If a student experiences an issue related to faculty or staff misuse of their preferred/chosen name or if they experience discrimination, they should contact UB’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
1Capen (North Campus), Buffalo, NY 14260-1631; 1Diefendorf (South Campus)
Phone: 716-645-5698; Fax: 716-645-7762
Email: ubregistrar@buffalo.edu