The Primary Name is your official name for your student records at the University. All University documents (e.g., transcripts, Bursar statements, or official communications) will use your Primary Name. Your Primary Name also appears on your UCard, and in the UMass Amherst print and online directories.

To update your Primary Name, you must contact your most recent Registrar’s Office (you cannot update this name in SPIRE):

• Undergraduate Registrar's Office (213 Whitmore)
• Graduate School (534 Goodell)
• Continuing & Professional Education Records and Registration Office (100 Venture Way, Suite 201, Hadley, MA)

Fill out the name change form available in these offices or bring a signed letter requesting the change, together with copies of the relevant legal documentation (e.g., marriage certificate, etc.).

Non-work study & graduate student employees: Updating your Primary Name does not update your Human Resources Name. To update your Human Resources record, visit the Human Resources Employee Service Center (325 Whitmore).

Financial Aid applicants: If you change your name with the University, make sure your FAFSA information also reflects this change. For assistance, visit the Office of Financial Aid, 225 Whitmore.

You can use SPIRE to set-up a preferred (alternate) first name if you wish. Some examples of why you might want to use a Preferred Name are for nicknames (e.g., Peg instead of Margaret, Bill instead of William, Sue instead of Susan, etc.); to use a middle name or initials instead of your first name (e.g., PJ, JR, etc.); or if you prefer to use a name other than your first name.

Once added, your Preferred Name will appear on your Student Center and on class rosters (SPIRE, Mobius, SPARK, and WebCT). Grade rosters will list your Primary Name, with your Preferred Name appearing immediately afterward in parenthesis (e.g., Margaret Smith (Molly), George K. Jones (GK), Jennifer Chang (Buffy), etc.).

Note: Official University documents (e.g., transcripts, Bursar statements, etc.) will continue to use your Primary Name, even if you also have a Preferred Name on file. People Finder and the UMass print directories display only your Primary Name.

To add a Preferred Name:

1. On your Student Center, under Personal Information, click Names. The Names page opens, listing your names by type.
2. On the Names page, find your Preferred Name (your default Preferred Name is the same as your Primary Name). In the Preferred row, click Edit. The Change name page opens.
3. On the Change name page:
• In the First Name field, enter your preferred first name.

Note: Because of its availability on class rosters, we recommend that you use good judgment when adding or updating your Preferred Name.

• In the Date changes will take effect field, keep the default (today’s date) or use the Calendar icon to select a new date.
• Click Save, then OK to confirm the save and return to the Names page. Your new Preferred Name will appear in the names table.

If you are a non-work study or graduate student employee, the HumRes Name is your name on file with the Division of Human Resources. Typically, your Primary Name and HumanRes Name are the same.

To update your Human Resources Name, visit the Human Resources Employee Service Center (325 Whitmore).

Note: Updating your Human Resources Name does not update your Primary Name. To update your Primary Name, you must contact your most recent Registrar's Office.

If you encounter problems, submit an online Help Request.
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Contact the OIT Help Desk at 545-9400.