University Computer Help Desk

How Your Name is Displayed

Only your first and last names are displayed in university directories, like the phone book and Illinois State People Search. Your name is displayed like this: "Last, First." For example, Reggie Redbird's name is displayed as "Redbird, Reggie."

If you want your name to be displayed differently, you can set up a preferred name.

Your Preferred Name

Setting up a preferred name allows you to decide how your name should be displayed in online systems and university directories. You can do this even if your legal name hasn't changed.

Your preferred name appears instead of your first name in university directories, like the Illinois State People Search. Your preferred name will also appear in the campus phone book.

Examples of Preferred Names

• Your name is William Smith, but you go by Bill Smith. You may set up "Bill" as your preferred name. Your name is then displayed as "Smith, Bill."
   
• Your legal name is Mary Sue Smith. You go by Mary Sue, but the university directories list your name as "Smith, Mary." You may set up "Mary Sue" as your preferred name. Your name is then displayed as "Smith, Mary Sue."
   
• Your name is Mark T. Smith. You always use your middle initial to distinguish yourself from other Mark Smiths, but the university directories list your name as "Smith, Mark." You may set up "Mark T." as your preferred name. Your name is then displayed as "Smith, Mark T."

Set Up a Preferred Name

Faculty and staff can set up preferred names through ULID Account Management on the Help Desk website.

1. Go to http://helpdesk.illinoisstate.edu/.
2. Click Account Management.
   • If you are not already logged in, click log in to manage your account and sign in to CentralLogin.
3. Click Preferred Name.
4. Enter what you would like your preferred name to be.
   • If you already have a preferred name set and would like to remove it, check the box labeled Remove my preferred name.
5. Click Submit Request.

It can take up to five business days to process a preferred name change. For more information, refer to the Preferred Name Frequently Asked Questions [PDF] on the Human Resources website.

Students can set up preferred names through the Registrar Service Center in Moulton 107. Students must make this change in person with a valid photo ID.

Your Legal Name

Your legal name is stored in university systems like the mainframe. Your legal name typically includes your first, middle, and last names.

However, depending on the name you provided when you joined the University, your legal name might only include your middle initial (instead of your middle name), or it may not include a middle name or middle initial at all.

Update Your Legal Name

If your legal name has changed, such as in marriage or divorce, you should update your legal name so it is correct in University's systems.

Faculty and staff can file a legal name change by taking required documentation (i.e. court order, marriage certificate, divorce decree, etc.) to Human Resources, Nelson Smith Building 101 (309-438-8311). Students should bring the same documentation to the Registrar Service Center, Moulton 107 (309-438-2188).