Preferred names
A preferred name is a first name that you may choose to be called that is different from your legal name. MVCC recognizes that many students, faculty, and staff prefer to use a name other than their legal name to identify themselves. As long as the use of this preferred name is not for the purpose of misrepresentation, the College acknowledges that a preferred name can be used where possible in the course of college business and education.
The College reserves the right to remove a preferred name if it is inappropriate, offensive, or will cause harm to another person or group of people. This determination is made at the discretion of the offices of Admissions or Records and Registration upon submission of the required form. Employees must contact Human Resources. There is no charge to designate or change a preferred name; however, the cost to get a replacement Student ID card is $5 ($10 for residential students). You may change your preferred name once an academic year and twice during your time at MVCC.
Please be advised that requesting a preferred name is not the same as legally changing your name through the courts. Wherever reasonably possible, the preferred first name is used in MVCC’s systems. Official transcripts, enrollment verifications, diplomas, third-party database systems, paychecks, medical records, financial aid documents, federal immigration documents, all external communications such as hometown newspapers (President’s List announcements, etc.), or any other College business requiring legal needs will continue to use your legal/official name. The College will attempt to display the preferred first name to the College community where feasible and appropriate and make a good faith effort to update reports, documents, and systems accordingly.
To change the name that is printed on official academic records, such as diplomas or transcripts, students must contact the Office of Records and Registration and complete the process for a legal name change. Employees must contact the Human Resources Office. Official and legal name changes require specific documentation.
To request a preferred name, fill out the Change of Name form under Registrar Office Forms on the MyMV app.
Preferred name frequently asked questions
A preferred name is a name that you choose to be called that is different from your legal first name.
Any student, faculty, or staff member may opt to use a preferred name.
If you are a student, go to MyMV - Registrar Office Forms - Change of Name. Forms must be submiited at least two weeks before the start of the semester. Faculty or staff members should contact the Office of Human Resources.
Generally yes, but the College reserves the right to disapprove or remove a preferred name if it is inappropriate, offensive, or will cause harm to another person or group of people. Nonsensical names and/or symbols are not permitted for use as preferred first names.
Students:
- Residential Life rosters
- Census class rosters
- Certain internal communications from the College to you
- The display and user name for your Brightspace, Degreeworks, and email accounts
- Your name announced at the Commencement ceremony
- ID card (legal name will appear on the reverse side)
Faculty/Staff:
- ID card (legal name will appear on the reverse side)
- Certain non-legal communications from the college to you
- The display and user name for your Brightspace and email accounts
No, your legal name will continue to be used in business processes that require use of the legal name, such as for official transcripts, enrollment verifications, diplomas, third party database systems, paychecks, tax forms, medical records, financial aid documents, federal immigration documents, all external communications such as hometown newspapers (President’s List announcements, etc). It is also not currently possible for anything but your legal name to appear in MyMV. The College will attempt to display preferred first name to the College community where feasible and appropriate and make a good faith effort to update reports, documents and systems accordingly.
You may change your preferred name once per academic year and limited to twice during your time at MVCC.
No, there is no charge; however, the cost to get a replacement ID card is $5 and $10 for residential students.
Your legal name is accessible to the MVCC employees that are designated to have access to all or part of your student or employee records.
Students fill out a Change of Name form under Registrar Office Forms on the MyMV app. Faculty and staff are asked to submit their change of legal name to Human Resources.