The University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) recognizes that many students use names other than their legal names to identify themselves. Students can update their preferred name in MyView.
Legal vs. Preferred Name
Adding a chosen or preferred name does not change a student’s legal name, which remains the official name of record used for:
- Financial aid documentation
- International student I-20 forms
- Other official university-required documents
Where Preferred Names Appear
Once updated in MyView, a student’s preferred name may appear in the following university systems:
- MyView Student Center
- MyView Class Roster
- MyView Grade Roster
- Canvas
- MyConnect
Guidelines and Usage
Students choosing to use a preferred name are subject to the University Collected Rules and Regulations and the UMSL Acceptable Use Policy.
According to policy, preferred names can be shown on:
- University Transcript (select preferred name when requesting)
- Diploma (enter degree name when applying for graduation)
For alumni, a duplicate diploma request may be submitted, including the preferred name for printing.
Important Notes
- Preferred name usage applies only to first or middle names. To change a last name, students must submit an official name change with proper documentation.
Resources