Chosen Name for Employees
Last updated: 04/05/2022
Chosen Name
An employee may choose a name other than their legal name to identify themselves at Missouri State University. A chosen name is different than the employee’s legal name. Refer to the Chosen Name policy for more information.
Employees can provide their chosen first and middle names in the Profile tab of My Missouri State
Legal Name
Adding a chosen name does not change an employee’s official name as a part of their personnel records. An employee’s official name is their legal name. If you wish to change your legal name, please take your social security card to Payroll.
Display of Chosen Name
The primary goal of the chosen name policy is to provide a consistent chosen name experience across university systems. Once an employee provides a chosen name, some systems will display it immediately. Others may take up to 24 hours to reflect the change.
Systems that display Chosen Name
- Advisee List
- Advising Notes/Releases
- Class List
- Blackboard Learn
- Email Display Name (July)
- BearPass Card (July)
- Employee Directory
- Employee Raise Notifications
- Employee Fee Waiver Credit
More systems may be added as they are evaluated. Refer to Chosen Name FAQ for information about why legal name must remain.
Systems under Assessment
University infrastructure is multi-faceted and complex. Each system must be evaluated individually. As systems are evaluated, administrators for those systems will be included in the development and discussion.
Systems 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
- Employment, payroll, and benefit documentation, web pages and forms
- Magers Health and Wellness Center (prescriptions, medical history, etc.)
- International Services systems (SEVIS)
- Financial Services systems, web pages and forms