Name Changes for Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni

What is a Name Change?

A name change is a change to how a student, employee, or alumnus is referred to in the university's systems. This article presents instructions to change three types of UCO names.

Types of UCO Names

There are three types of names used at UCO:

Display Name/Chosen Name/Preferred Name: The given (“first”) name by which a student or employee wishes to be known and to be addressed.

Legal Name: The name that appears on a student’s or employee’s government-issued documents, such as a birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, Social Security card, or permanent resident card.

Systems Name/Username: The Systems Name or Username is first letter of first name and last name of the user combined with a number (if necessary) to create a unique name, i.e. jsmith23, bbroncho. It is used as the first part of the user’s email address, and is also referred to as the UCONNECT username, or login name.

Procedures

Change Your Display/Preferred/Chosen Name

As of Spring 2025, students, employees, and alumni can change their chosen name and have their Chosen Name appear in the following UCO online systems:

• Banner (includes UCONNECT Class Roster)
• Central Alert
• Centralities
• D2L (learn.uco.edu)
• Email (UCO Gmail and Outlook)
• IT Service Desk (TeamDynamix)
• Microsoft Office 365
• Paycom
• UCO Bookstore

Future phases will continue to expand the range of where chosen name appears.

NOTE: A chosen name does not change the user name or email address. It is only the name displayed within systems.
Example: Legal first name is Ulysses, but you go by your middle name James

Students & Student Employees

1. Sign in to the Name Change Form with your existing UCO credentials and complete the form.
2. Allow up to 48 hours for updates to appear in UCO systems.

NOTE: If the chosen name does not appear in Gmail after 48 hours, you will need a password reset.

Faculty and Staff

1. Sign in to employee.uco.edu with your existing UCO credentials.
2. Navigate to Information (Icon is a thumbprint).
   
3. Click Address and Contact Information.
4. Click Add Preferred Name.
   • Complete required fields.
   • Choose if you want the preferred name on your paystub.
5. Click Add Preferred Name.
6. Click Update.

Allow up to 48 hours for updates to appear in UCO systems.

Change Your Legal Name

Supporting Documentation Requirements: Students, employees, and alumni are required to present government-issued documentation of a name change (birth certificate, marriage license, passport, driver’s license, Social Security card, permanent resident card etc.) to change their surname (“last” or “family” name) in the university’s records and systems.

Students

1. Sign in to the Name Change Form with your existing UCO credentials and complete the form.
2. Submit the completed form and upload digital copies of government-issued documents confirming your name change.
3. Your name change request will be processed by authorized Enrollment Management personnel upon receiving the form and legal documentation.
4. You may also submit the name change request in person at the Broncho OneStop in 124 Nigh University Center. Make sure you bring all required documentation. Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30am - 5:00pm and Wednesday from 9:00am - 5:00pm

Employees

All employees need to update their legal name with Human Resources and provide copies of government-issued documents confirming the name change.

• Bausher Place, Office Suite 208
• 405-974-2366
• hr@uco.edu

Alumni

1. Obtain the Name Change Request Form by contacting the Alumni Office by phone (405)-974-2421 or by email (alumni@uco.edu). Or complete the online form  at centralconnection.org/updateinformation 
2. Present government-issued documentation that confirms the change birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, Social Security card, permanent resident card, etc.) along with the completed form to the Alumni Relations Office in Evans Hall, Room 101.
3. Your name change request will be authorized by the Office of Graduate Services upon receiving the form and documentation.

Change Your Systems Name / Username

The Systems Name / Username is used to access various computer systems on campus. It’s generally the first initial and last name of the user combined with a number if necessary to create a unique ID. A change to the Systems Name/Username can only be requested after a Legal Name change is complete.

Students and Employees

1. Complete a Legal Name change (directions above)
2. Submit a service request ticket to OIT for your name change at Login Support.
3. Your systems name / username will be changed, all UCO systems updated, and you will be notified.

NOTE: The Systems Name / Username will not be changed for alumni.

Need additional assistance?

• For technology assistance on name changes contact the Service Desk.
• For student assistance in name changes contact OneStop.
• For employee assistance in name changes contact Human Resources.