Preferred Name Policy

At Rasmussen University, creating an inclusive environment for our diverse student body is a priority. We recognize that some students prefer to be identified by a first name other than their legal name. All Rasmussen potential students and students have the option to use a first name different than their legal name on certain University records. Any student may choose to identify a preferred first name, also known as their lived name, in addition to their legal name (as listed on the driver’s license, Social Security card, passport, etc.) The University will display the preferred name to the University community where feasible and appropriate and make a good faith effort to update records, documents and systems accordingly. This procedure applies to those students who wish to use a preferred name on campus.

The student is free to determine the preferred name they want to be known by, regardless of whether they have legally changed their name.

The University reserves the right to remove a preferred name if it is used inappropriately, including but not limited to, avoiding a legal obligation or for the purpose of misrepresentation.

The legal name will continue to be used in university-related systems, business processes, and documents such as reporting, financial aid, transcripts, payroll and tax documents, and other records where use of legal first name is required by law or Rasmussen policy. 

A student who indicates a preferred name will see it used whenever possible in campus systems and documents, with the exception of cases where the student’s legal name is required by law. Legal first and last names can only be changed with documentation of a legal name change.

A student may update their preferred name at any time through the Rasmussen Student Portal, within the Account Center Preferred Name and Pronoun Update tab. The preferred name will be the default name printed on quarterly academic achievement awards, as well as the diploma. A student may change the default to their legal name prior to the last date of each quarter for which the awards are calculated.

*Please note: When providing your name, it is important to consider situations in which you will be using your preferred name, and decide if your first name will need to be consistent on all records and forms of ID. For example, when searching for a job, which name will you be using on your resume and in all interviews? Remember that your legal name will appear on your transcript, financial aid documents, visa documents, and W-2 forms. It is important to know that you may change your preferred name back to your legal name for any reason.

Places Where Preferred Name Will Appear
Once the Registrar’s Office makes the updates, our university will then make every effort to update our many independent systems across the university to reflect your preferred name where possible. Generally, you can expect to see your preferred name in the following places:

• Rasmussen Classroom IT Support (IT Support System)
• Learning Management System
• Class rosters
• Grade Reports / Degree Progress Audit
• Quarterly Deans & Honors Awards and Credential Awards
• Commencement programs
• Diplomas
• University marketing materials where a student has consented to have their name identified (student may choose the name to be used)
• Directory listings (telephone, online, hardcopy)
• Co-curricular rosters (athletic rosters, student organization membership, etc. and related reporting)

Places Where Legal Name Will Appear

• Network login
• Email display of name
• Enrollment Acceptance communications
• Financial Aid and Tuition Billing
• Official and unofficial transcripts
• Enrollment verification
• Accounts payable & student refund checks
• Paychecks & paystubs
• Required information reporting to the IRS (W2, 1098T, 1042S, etc.)
• Certain official forms or correspondence from the University (financial aid awards, new hire forms, etc.)
• Disciplinary records, including Safety & Security reports
• Federal immigration documents
• Official correspondence/reporting with external entities