Chosen Name For Students

Display of chosen name

The primary goal of the chosen name policy is to provide a consistent chosen name experience across university systems. Students may choose a first and middle name other than their legal name to identify themselves at Missouri State. Historical notes in systems will not be updated to reflect chosen name changes. More University systems will be reviewed for use of chosen name when technically feasible and where legal name is not required.

Students can provide their chosen first and middle names in the "Chosen Name" link in the "Personal Information" card in My Missouri State.


Where legal name must remain

Legal name is used where required by university business processes, federal or state codes and regulations or where use of chosen name is not technically feasible. Legal name will remain in:

  • Magers Health and Wellness Center
  • Financial Aid systems and forms
  • International Services systems and forms (SEVIS)
  • Employment, payroll and benefit documentation, web pages and forms
  • External clinical placements
  • Licensing certification agencies

Students may use the Change of Student Information form to update their legal name.


Additional information

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a student’s name, including chosen name, may be disclosed to the public as directory information unless the student opts not to permit such disclosure (i.e., FERPA Hold). To revoke the disclosure of directory information or learn more about FERPA, visit the FERPA website.

Frequently asked questions

General

Student

Employee

Op1.07 Chosen Name Policy

It is the policy of Missouri State University that any student, faculty, or staff may choose to be identified within the University Community with a chosen name that differs from the individual’s legal first name.

Students, faculty, and staff who want to use a chosen name should initiate the process in the University’s web portal (My Missouri State). A person’s chosen name will appear instead of or in addition to the person’s legal first name in university-related systems and documents where it is technically feasible and where the use of the legal first name is not required by university business or legal need.

Missouri State University reserves the right to deny or remove any chosen name for any reason, including but not limited to misuse, misrepresentation, attempting to avoid legal obligation, or the use of offensive names, with or without notice.

Under the University’s Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policy, a student’s chosen and legal name are both identified, along with other items, as directory information and may be disclosed to the public without the student’s consent unless the student opts not to permit such disclosure. To revoke the disclosure of directory information, a student has the option of requesting a “FERPA Hold” via the FERPA website.

For more information regarding chosen name, including instances in which it will be used, refer to the chosen name informational page.