Preferred First Name Request

Farmingdale State College recognizes that many students, faculty and staff prefer to use names other than their legal ones 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 first name" can and should be used where possible in the course of college business and education.

The legal name is the name that appears on government issued identification. The legal name will continue to be used in college related systems, business processes, and documents such as reporting, financial aid, transcripts, tax documents, diplomas and certificates, payroll, and other records where use of legal first name is required by law or College Policy.

Inappropriate use of the preferred name, including but not limited to misrepresentation or attempting to avoid a legal obligation, may be cause for denying the request.

If you're interested in declaring a preferred name you will need to complete the Preferred Name Request Form, before doing so please review the FAQs regarding the policy below.

Where will preferred first name be used?

FSC 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. Specifically, the college will display a preferred first name in the following areas:

  • FSC ID Cards –(BOTH Legal and Preferred First Name will be visible)
  • Email address
  • Email display
  • Blackboard
  • Class rosters
  • Grade rosters
  • Advising screens – Degree Audit and other advising systems
  • Directory listings (telephone, online, hard copy)
  • Email list server interface
  • Campus registration and password expiration reset
Where will the college continue to use my legal first name? Some college departments interact with, and send reports to, federal, state and other third party services that verify the identity of faculty, staff and students using the legal name and other personally identifiable information which prohibits the use of a preferred first name. In these cases, your legal first name will appear on all other college records and communications such as:
  • Transcripts (official and unofficial)
  • Official enrollment and degree verification documents
  • Student billing and student accounts (including e-Bills)
  • Financial aid and scholarship records
  • Medical records
  • Insurance documents
  • Benefits enrollment
  • Retirement documents
  • Immigration documents
  • Payroll/tax records (including web time entry) and payment types
  • Education Department teacher certification records
  • Diploma name
Are there places where both my preferred first name and my legal first name will be used? Campus Staff with an administrative need (e.g., police, health services, financial services; deans' office staff) will see both legal first name and preferred first name. Similar to GPAs and other sensitive information, the +staff are trained on the implications of this access.
  • Emergency contact forms
  • Admissions records
  • Athletics recruiting
Can I get a new FSC ID Card with a new preferred first name listed on it? You can request a new FSC ID Card once your preferred first name request has been processed in student/employee information system (usually within 48 hours). The lost/replacement card fee applies to this service.
How many times can I change my preferred first name? Changing your preferred first name in FSC systems can have ripple effects on your day-to-day experiences. It can lead to confusion regarding your identity, challenges in customer service, and/or the interruption of your ability to access some college systems. As such, your preferred name can be changed no more than once an academic year and twice during your tenure at Farmingdale State College.
Do I have to provide and set a preferred first name? No. Using a preferred first name is entirely optional. If you regularly use your legal name, then please do not submit a preferred name.
If I have more questions about my preferred first name or the Preferred Name guidelines, who can I contact? Feel free to contact the Registrar's Office with any questions regarding this process if you are a student.  Faculty and staff should contact the Office of Human Resources.

Registrar's Office

Laffin Hall, Room 225
934-420-2776
regoffice@farmingdale.edu
Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:15pm