TU is making best efforts to implement Chosen / Preferred Names into its systems and
applications. Please contact OIIEnamechange AT_TOWSON with any issues or questions.
Do not use this form to correct errors in legal name as displayed across university
systems. Please contact the Registrar’s Office (students) or the Office of Human Resources
(faculty and staff) for assistance with legal name changes.
These are the steps in the process:
- The process is initiated by current students, faculty and staff by submitting a Chosen / Preferred Name Change Form. If you experience any issues, please contact us at OIIEnamechange AT_TOWSON. The individual filling out the form will be prompted to fill in their chosen / preferred
name as they would like it to appear in the systems and applications that currently
support chosen / preferred Names, and where a Legal Name is not required. Requests
will be considered by OIIE.
- Individual requestor is notified by TU of approval (or non-approval) decision. Once
the form is submitted, it will be considered and approved if found to be appropriate.
The requestor will be notified of an approval decision within 3-5 business days, through
their TU email address. In the event that a request is not approved, notes should
be provided regarding why the request was not approved. After reviewing the notes,
an individual may resubmit with changes.
- Integration of the approved chosen / preferred name into TU systems. The chosen /
preferred name should be integrated into the following systems and application within
approximately 48 hours of notification of approval:
- PeopleSoft Campus Solutions and PeopleSoft Human Capital Management pages for example:
Class and Grade Roster, Personal Data and Information Summary. Additional PeopleSoft
page updates will be made over time.
- Blackboard
- Office 365 (OneDrive, SharePoint, and faculty / staff email)
- Google (student email)
- OneCard System
- Other Applications (Handshake, Marching Orders, Phonebook, RMS, Fusion, EAB, StudentApps
/ Mobile Experience)
- OneCard update by the individual requestor. To update a OneCard with a chosen / preferred
name change, individuals should visit Auxiliary Services Business Office after the
48 hour waiting period described above has concluded. There is no fee for one chosen
/ preferred name change, but the old OneCard will need to be turned in. Charges may
apply for additional chosen / preferred name changes on the OneCard.
- Other systems get updated manually by TU application owners. There are some systems
that do not auto-synchronize with Office of Technology - managed systems. For those
systems, an email will be sent to the application manager requesting a manual update
to the system. TU will make best efforts to make these updates in a timely manner.
- TU will make every effort to accommodate chosen / preferred name when appropriate
in new applications, systems and processes.
Areas Where a Legal Name is Required
A chosen / preferred name does not constitute a change to an individual’s Legal Name.
TU is obligated to use the Legal Name for certain purposes. TU will use a chosen / preferred name when feasible and make good faith efforts to update reports, documents, and systems
appropriately. Nonetheless, TU cannot guarantee an individual’s chosen / preferred name will necessarily be used in every instance or in a fashion entirely consistent with
an individual’s expectation. Legal Names are required to be used on the following:
- transcripts
- financial aid
- payroll
- financials (for example 1098T Federal forms, billing, refund checks, non-payment communications,
payment plans contracts, and collection letters)
- and any other instances where a Legal Name is required by law or University Policy
Other Name Change Processes
Legal Name
A chosen / preferred name does not constitute a change to an individual's Legal Name. For information regarding
the Legal Name change process in Maryland please visit Maryland Courts Name Change. Please note that each state has its own procedures for Legal Name changes, so if
you reside outside of the state of Maryland, please contact the state in which you
reside.
Students should still submit requests through the Registrar’s Office using their Change of Name form (PDF) and their Online File Drop. Faculty and staff should still follow HR’s process for current employees through
myTU's manage my profile. Questions about legal name changes should be directed to those associated offices.
NetID and Email Address
An individual's NetlD and email address will not automatically be changed when a chosen / preferred name is approved. To update a NetlD or email address after the chosen / preferred name change has been approved, submit a TechHelp service request or call 410-704-5151.
Housing information: contact Housing and Residence Life at housing AT_TOWSON.
Alumni: contact University Advancement at alumni AT_TOWSON.
Commencement
For students participating in commencement activities that would like their chosen
/ preferred name to be used for the name card, screen projection, program and their
diploma, they must apply for graduation and have their chosen / preferred name change approved by the following dates:
- Spring Graduation: March 1
- Summer Graduation: August 1
- Fall Graduation/Winter Ceremonies: October 1
Anyone that does not apply for graduation and / or have a completed name change approved
by these deadlines, will still have the opportunity to update their chosen / preferred
name for their diploma. The chosen / preferred name must be updated in the system
by the last day of their graduating term to guarantee it can be printed on their diploma.
Please note this exception to the deadline only refers to the diploma.
Students updating their name after the deadlines above, will automatically have their
legal name appear in the commencement program and on the commencement registration
form as it is listed on their PeopleSoft account. Students will have the option to
enter a preferred name in the Commencement Registration process, but this preference
will only be used for the ceremonies.
What is meant by a “Chosen / Preferred Name” and “Legal Name”?
- A “Chosen / Preferred Name” is the name that an individual identifies themselves as
for general use, other than their “Legal Name”. A “Primary Name” is an inclusive term
that includes both “Chosen Name” and “Preferred Name”. Please note, that in PeopleSoft
“Primary” denotes one’s Legal Name opposed to the broader definition above.
- A “Legal Name” is a name as it appears on government issued identity documents, such
as passport, state issued identification card or driver’s license, birth certificate,
social security card, etc.
Where will my Legal Name continue to be used?
Unless specified, a Legal Name is the default name that will appear in Towson University
related documents and systems. If a Chosen / Preferred name is approved, a Legal Name
will still appear on Official Transcripts, Financial Aid, Payroll, Student Financials,
and any other instances where a Legal Name is required by law or University Policy.
May I specify a Chosen / Preferred last name?
Yes! Your Chosen / Preferred Name can be updated for your prefix, first name, middle
name, last name, suffix, and as a mononym.
What happens if I leave my middle name blank when submitting a Chosen / Preferred
name?
Middle names are not required. If no middle name is filled out, no middle name will
be used when a Chosen / Preferred name appears.
How do I change my Legal Name on TU records?
First, legally change your name in your county, state, or country of residence (If
a legal resident of Maryland please visit Maryland Courts). Students should submit requests through the Registrar’s Office using their Change of Name form (PDF) and their Online File Drop. Faculty / staff should still follow HR’s process for current employees through PeopleSoft
Self Service. Questions about legal name changes should be directed to those associated
offices.
What should I do once I receive my legal name change?
Do I have to provide a Chosen / Preferred Name?
Chosen / Preferred Names are not required. In cases where there is no Chosen / Preferred
Name listed, a legal name will be used as the default for university documents and
systems.
Can I select anything as a Chosen / Preferred Name?
Most names will be approved, names that contain special and non-English characters
(at this time) other than A-Z, hyphen (-), space ( ) and apostrophe ('), are explicit
or offensive in nature, identifiers submitted to avoid a legal obligation, or to misrepresent
oneself will not be approved. If you believe your Chosen / Preferred Name has been
denied unfairly, please contact OIIEnamechange AT_TOWSON or 410-704-0203.
Will my university NetID and email address change to match my Chosen / Preferred Name?
Once approved, Chosen / Preferred Name will appear as your display/hover-over name;
however, your university NetID and email address will not change (i.e. Ryan Smith
whose legal name is John Smith will still have an email address of jsmith@towson.edu
or jsmith123@students.towson.edu). To update your email address, please contact the
Office of Technology Services.
How do I get a new OneCard with my Chosen / Preferred Name?
Once your Chosen / Preferred Name is approved, please allow 48 hours for the change
to go through, after which time you can go to the OneCard Office to ask for a new OneCard. Your first, new OneCard will be issued for free when you
surrender your old OneCard.
What if a university staff member or faculty refuses to use my Chosen / Preferred
Name?
If you believe you are being discriminated against based on your identity, please
contact us at OIIE AT_TOWSON or 410-704-0203.
What name will appear on my diploma, transcripts, and be read at commencement?
Official transcripts will show your Legal Name. You will be able to select which name
you want on your diploma and for the Commencement ceremony (legal or Chosen / Preferred
Name).
How often can I change my Chosen / Preferred Name?
Once a Chosen / Preferred Name form is submitted, another submission cannot be requested
until the prior submission is approved or denied. You may update your Chosen / Preferred
Name, as necessary and within reason.
How do I change my gender marker?
Individuals wishing to change their sex / gender marker may do so after providing
legal documentation of a gender / sex marker change. Students should contact the Registrar’s Office at 410-704-2701 and faculty and staff should contact Human Resources at 410-704-2162.
If I am an alumnus/a with a Chosen / Preferred Name, will I automatically receive
a new diploma with my Chosen / Preferred Name?
No. To receive an updated diploma with your Chosen / Preferred Name you must contact
the Registrar’s Office.
Will my Chosen / Preferred Name appear on my Housing and Residence Hall information
and door tags?
Your Chosen / Preferred Name will only be updated in Housing and Residence Halls after
you contact Housing and Residence Life (HRL) at housing AT_TOWSON, otherwise your Legal Name will appear. HRL can also help you change your name after
move in, as necessary.