Preferred Name

Willamette University recognizes that as a community many of its members use names other than their legal names to identify themselves. Willamette acknowledges that a preferred name can and should be used wherever possible in the course of University business and education. Accordingly, Willamette students, faculty and staff may choose to identify themselves in the University's information systems with a preferred name (in addition to a legal name). Preferred Name changes generally will take effect the next day, but may take longer in some systems.

The goal of this initiative is to reduce the visibility of legal name in information systems to only those systems where it is required for legal reasons or by University policy. The transition to using preferred names is in process, and it will take some time to update all of the university’s systems. Information regarding the status of preferred name usage in individual information systems is below.

Community members are not required to select a preferred name; legal names will be used unless a preferred name has been specified. Preferred names shall not be used for the purpose misrepresentation, avoiding legal obligations, or otherwise in any manner that violates University policies or federal, state, or local laws. The University reserves the right to remove any Preferred Name without prior notice. Abuse or misuse of the preferred name privilege may be subject to disciplinary action.

Systems Currently Displaying Preferred Name

Systems Expected to Display Preferred Name in the Near Future

System Using Legal Name