Preferred First Name Policy

Recognizing that many students use preferred first names other than their legal ones to identify themselves, the University of San Francisco offers the option of the use of a preferred first name. The University extends this accommodation in order to help foster a more welcoming, supportive, and respectful campus climate for all of its students.

Note: The preferred first name is not a legal name change. Students who are legally changing their name should follow the instructions listed at SSN and Name Changes.

Inappropriate use of a preferred first name, including, but not limited to, misrepresentation or attempting to avoid a legal obligation, may be cause for denying a student’s use of the name. The preferred first name will be maintained by the Office of the Registrar in the University’s Banner Student System. The preferred first name will appear in many internal locations, including class lists, grade rosters, and the internal (unofficial) transcript.

Places Where Preferred First Name is Used

  • Class lists
  • Grade roster
  • Internal/unofficial transcript
  • Canvas
  • Degree Works
  • Most university communications
  • Gleeson Library
  • Mapp Works
  • Student ID Card
  • SHaRE
  • USF Connect/myUSF
  • Diploma

Places Where Legal First Name is Used

  • Official Transcript
  • Enrollment Verification
  • Degree Verification
  • Commencement Program
  • Student Accounts
  • Financial Aid
  • Student Employment
  • SEVIS (Immigration status reporting)
  • Federal and State Agency Reporting

Procedure for Updating Preferred First Name

  1. Log on to myUSF.
  2. Click the Banner Self-Service (Student) app.  If you do not see it in your Top Apps, click the View All Apps link and then click Banner Self-Service (Student). 
  3. You are now in Banner Self-Service on the Student Services landing page.  In the upper-left corner of the page, click the Banner (four-square) menu icon.
  4. Click on Banner --> My Profile --> Personal Information.
  5. In the Personal Details section, click the Edit button.
  6. Enter, update, or delete your preferred first name.
  7. Click the Update button to save your changes.

 

Replacement ID Card

Students who elect a preferred first name may visit the One Card Office in Lone Mountain 130 for a new ID card displaying their preferred first name. There is a nominal $5 charge for the new card.

Note: Students who choose to replace their ID card with one displaying their preferred first name should be advised that, if they have no other form of photo ID, the ID card with the preferred first name can no longer be used as proof of legal identity for employment verification or other uses requiring a photo ID as proof of legal identity.

Email Address Change

Students who elect a preferred first name may have their USF Dons email address updated with the initial of their preferred first name by emailing a request to the ITS Help Desk (itshelp@usfca.edu). Students should include their preferred first name in their request. ITS would verify the preferred first name in Banner in order to update the email address with the preferred first name initial.

Questions

Please contact the Office of the University Registrar at registrar@usfca.edu with questions.

Law School students should contact the Office of the Law Registrar at lawregistrar@usfca.edu.