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Preferred/Legal/Canvas Name Change Requests - Student and Employee

This article covers the types of name change requests and procedures for students and faculty/staff.

Contents


Students

Preferred Name Change Request

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee recognizes that students may choose to identify themselves within the university community with a preferred first and/or middle name that differs from their legal name. The goal of the Student Preferred Name option at UWM is to provide a consistent preferred name experience across University systems and use of one's preferred name wherever legal name is not absolutely necessary.

A Preferred Name Request form is available for students via the One Stop Enrollment and Financial Services page, to request that their name (first & middle only) be set to display differently than the legal name shown in PAWS. As long as the use of the preferred first and/or middle name is not for the purpose of misrepresentation, it will appear instead of the legal name in select university systems and documents except where the use of the legal name is required by university business or legal need.

Places where preferred name will appear:
  • PAWS
  • Class roster
  • Grade roster
  • Student Center
  • Student Services Center (staff-view)
  • Online Academic Advisement Report
  • Canvas
  • UWM Online Campus Directory
  • Office 365
Places where preferred name will NOT appear (Legal Name is required):
  • Official UWM Transcript
  • Enrollment Verification
  • Student Financial Accounts
  • Financial Aid Documents
  • Student Employment Documents

PAWS/Legal Name Change Request

If you change your name while you are a student or after you've graduated, or if you find that your name is misspelled in PAWS, you can complete a Student Record Data Change Form in person at the Registrar's Office in Mellencamp 274 (or fax to 414-229-6940) or submit it electronically via web form or fax to 414-229-6940. You will have to bring legal documentation of your name change (such as marriage certificate, divorce papers, or court papers documenting name change. More information is available on the the One Stop Enrollment and Financial Services page.
 
After the your name has been changed in PAWS, there will be a synchronization delay. Office 365, Canvas and the UWM white pages will reflect this change shortly thereafter.

Canvas Name Change Request

Occasionally, a student's name will be misspelled or otherwise incorrect in Canvas. If you notice that your name is incorrect in Canvas, please contact the UWM Help desk at (414) 229-4040 or by sending an email to helpdesk@it.uwm.edu.

Note:  If the name in PAWS does not match the desired name in Canvas, then a legal name change or preferred name may be the proper course of action.

  

 


Employees

Preferred Name Change Request

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee recognizes that employees may choose to identify themselves within the university community with a preferred first and/or middle name that differs from their legal name. A change of their Employee Directory name to a preferred name may be requested. Requests are managed in the order that they are received. As long as the use of the preferred first and/or middle name is not for the purpose of misrepresentation, it will appear instead of the legal name in select University systems and documents except where the use of the legal name is required by university business or legal need. Employee directory information is reflected in:

  • Office 365
  • White pages
  • PAWS
  • Canvas

If the you would like to request a preferred name change to your Employee Directory information, please contact the UWM Help desk at (414) 229-4040 or by sending an email to helpdesk@it.uwm.edu.

PAWS/Legal Name Change 

Employees wishing to change their name must go to the Human Resources office with proof of change. Alternately, if you find your name has been misspelled in PAWS or HRS, you will need to go to Human Resources with proof.  A SSN card is required to verify that the new names match for payroll and tax purposes, which is based upon the requirements of the W-4 form. A Change a Person form and Health Insurance form will need to be completed. The HR office should be contacted at hr-contact@uwm.edu or by going to Engelmann Hall, Room 125.