1. What is a preferred name?Jaqueline Tong2024-09-03T15:58:12-04:00
1. What is a preferred name?
A preferred name, or display first name, is one picked by an individual because it represents who they are and how they wish to be known while at the University of Toronto. It may be a formal or informal name. You can select a preferred name as your “display first name” within several University applications when a formal legal name is not required.
2. Can anyone select a preferred name?Jaqueline Tong2024-09-03T15:58:37-04:00
2. Can anyone select a preferred name?
Yes, all students, faculty, staff and librarians can opt to set their preferred name.
3. Do I have to specify a preferred name?Jaqueline Tong2024-09-03T16:00:07-04:00
3. Do I have to specify a preferred name?
No, you do not have to select a preferred name. Your first name as it appears on your official legal documentation will be used as the default name, unless you’ve specified a preferred name. Refer to “How do I change my legal name?” for information on changing your official legal name.
4. How do I change my preferred name?Jaqueline Tong2024-09-03T16:10:11-04:00
4. How do I change my preferred name?
Setting a preferred name is different than officially changing your name in University information systems. To change your preferred name, simply login to the my.auth.utoronto.ca system and follow the prompts.
5. Can I use my preferred name for all systems at U of T?Jaqueline Tong2024-09-03T16:11:48-04:00
5. Can I use my preferred name for all systems at U of T?
No, the preferred name currently has limited application.
If you choose to set a preferred name, it will appear in UTmail+/Office 365 and associated services, Quercus, Success Factors and Human Resource Information System (HRIS). Refer to “Services that use preferred name” for the current list of supported systems.
6. Where will my official legal name be used?Jaqueline Tong2024-03-21T10:06:06-04:00
6. Where will my official legal name be used?
Official legal names will be used in all instances when it is required by policy or law, such as on T4 slips for income tax purposes and student academic records.
7. When will my preferred name show up in the campus directory or my class rosters?Jaqueline Tong2024-09-03T16:12:31-04:00
7. When will my preferred name show up in the campus directory or my class rosters?
Changes take approximately 24 hours to populate. For those resources that do not use HRIS or UTORauth as their data source (i.e., departmental website directories), this time may be longer.
8. Can I change my preferred name to whatever I want?Jaqueline Tong2024-09-03T16:13:23-04:00
8. Can I change my preferred name to whatever I want?
If you choose to set a preferred name, remember that this name will be widely displayed to members of the University community. Names that are intentionally offensive or promote hatred or illegal behaviour (or the like) are discouraged.
There is currently no set limit to the number of times your preferred name is changed; however, please be aware that this name is used to identify you to your instructors, peers and the administration and frequent changes may cause confusion for these individuals.
9. How do I delete my preferred name?Jaqueline Tong2024-09-03T16:14:21-04:00
9. How do I delete my preferred name?
You change or remove your preferred name using the my.auth.utoronto.ca system. If you no longer wish to be known by your chosen preferred name, you must save a ‘blank’ entry over your preferred name. To do this, delete the preferred name and then save an empty field. Your legal first name will then be used.
10. How do I change or correct my formal legal name?Jaqueline Tong2024-03-21T10:18:33-04:00
10. How do I change or correct my formal legal name?
Information on how to change a formal legal name, and the procedure for changing your gender identity information at the University are outlined on the Sexual and Gender Diversity Office website. Refer to the information for students and for staff and faculty.
11. Does changing my preferred name automatically update my University username and email address?Jaqueline Tong2024-09-03T16:15:56-04:00
11. Does changing my preferred name automatically update my University username and email address?
Yes and no. Changing your preferred name automatically updates your email display name, but not your username or email address.
For example, if your official legal name is Desma Upton and your email address is [email protected], and you want to change your preferred name to “Dee”, your update will result in Dee Upton becoming the preferred name people see, but your email address will remain [email protected].
Preferred name changes take up to 24 hours to appear.
12. My name includes an international character or accent, why doesn’t it appear in my preferred name?Jaqueline Tong2024-09-03T16:16:16-04:00
12. My name includes an international character or accent, why doesn’t it appear in my preferred name?
At present, the my.auth.utoronto.ca system does not support international characters. We hope to address this issue in a future update.
13. Will my preferred name appear on my TCard?Jaqueline Tong2024-09-03T16:16:38-04:00
13. Will my preferred name appear on my TCard?
No, only your formal legal name appears on the TCard.
14. How does the preferred name guideline affect international students?Jaqueline Tong2024-09-03T16:16:58-04:00
14. How does the preferred name guideline affect international students?
The guideline is applied equally to all students – international and domestic.
15. I have more questions about selecting a preferred name. Who do I contact?Jaqueline Tong2024-09-03T16:17:14-04:00
15. I have more questions about selecting a preferred name. Who do I contact?
Students should contact their registrar’s office, and employees should contact their divisional human resources office.
