Preferred Name Change

If you use a first name that differs from your legal name, you can update it for general communications and on your public safety Student ID card. Your Tufts Username will not change and your legal name will continue to be used in systems that require it, including financial records, government reporting, official University records, and medical records. Please note that students can have their names updated on class and grade rosters, but diploma records will reflect your legal name.

The Preferred Names Policy and Process provides additional information and guidelines for the use of preferred names at Tufts.

Students

Medford/SMFA Students

Follow these instructions: https://students.tufts.edu/registrar/make-request/update-your-name.

Boston/Grafton Students

1. Update your preferred name in SIS. This will update your preferred name on class rosters and grade rosters, Directory and Canvas. To update: click the pencil icon next to your name in the About Me tab.

2. Contact Public Safety if you would like to obtain a new Student ID with your preferred name. Incoming students requesting their first Student ID card do not need to contact Public Safety but will have their preferred name appear on their ID card automatically. Please note preferred names can be printed on Student ID cards if they contain alpha characters only.

3. Submit a request to it@tufts.edu to update your Email alias/address and any other Tufts services you may use (see below).

4. Update your name in other systems you may use:

   • Tufts Alert emergency notification system

   • Zoom conferencing tool

Faculty/Staff

1. Update your name in the Tufts Directory:
   1. Go to directory.tufts.edu
   2. Click User Login (SSO) link on the left-hand side
   3. Login with Tufts username and password
   4. Enter your Tufts username in the search field, click Go
   5. Click the Edit Your Entry button
   6. Update your name, then click Submit Changes
2. Submit a request to it@tufts.edu to update your Email alias/address and any other Tufts services you may use (see below)
3. Faculty only: Submit a request to elements-support@tufts.edu to update your preferred name in the Faculty Information System (FIS) and FIS-integrated websites. Changes can take 24-48 hours to propagate through the systems.
4. Update your name in other systems you may use:
   • Tufts Alert emergency notification system
   • Zoom conferencing tool

Other Tufts services

The following are additional Tufts services and systems where you can update your legal name. For systems not listed here, please contact Tufts Technology Services for assistance.

• eList – Tufts email distribution lists
• Box – Tufts file storage and sharing tool
• TerraDotta – Tufts travel registry