SUNY ESF
Lived/Preferred Name Process

Members of our community may go by a first name that is different from their legal name. To differentiate from legal name, this is sometimes referred to as a lived, chosen, or preferred name.

To Submit a Lived/Preferred Name

Log into your myESF portal (students) or Faculty Self-Service Banner (employees). Under the "Personal Information" tab, edit your personal details to include a "Preferred First Name." You may also update your personal pronouns and gender identity if desired. Within approximately 24 hours of updating the "Preferred First Name" field in myESF, your legal name will be automatically replaced by your lived/preferred name in the following places:

• ESF Information Systems

  • esf.edu email address display name
  • ESF class rosters
  • All myESF system greetings
  • Your myESF profile display name
  • ESF Handsake
  • ESF Engage

• Syracuse University Information Systems

  • BlackBoard
  • syr.edu email display name

  • SU Zoom display name

Important Notes

• MySlice and SU class rosters are NOT linked to myESF. Students are advised to update preferred name on MySlice for preferred names to be displayed on SU class rosters and any other systems provisioned directly by MySlice.
• Centennial Hall records are not linked to myESF. To update name for your door tag and other records, please update fields in the Residential Portal app. Please direct questions to centennialhall@greystar.com. Please note that legal contracts will reflect legal name.
• ID Cards with lived names can be printed upon request at no charge, but they are not issued automatically. Please visit the SU ID Card office in person, with old card, and state that you wish to have card reprinted with Lived Name. Please note that replacement of lost cards, cards reprinted just with new photos, or requests made online, will incur a fee.
• Some institutional, federal, and state documentation requires the use of legal name, for example transcripts, financial aid documentation, and international student documentation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does ESF use the combination term Lived/Preferred Name?

You may notice that our process uses the combination term "Lived/Preferred Name". This is done in order to remain consistent with language used within the ESF and SU information systems; we recognize that lived names are not merely a preference. We firmly believe that everyone should be referred to by the name that authentically reflects their identity.

Why isn’t my Lived/Preferred Name used everywhere?

We endeavor to use the lived name you provide in as many area as possible, including on mailings to permanent addresses. However, some institutional, federal, and state documentation requires the use of legal name, for example transcripts, financial aid documentation, and international student documentation.

We recognize that there are instances where, for safety reasons students may need to solely use a legal name in their home environment. If this is your situation, we encourage you to reach out to the Lived Name Committee at livedname@esf.edu to discuss alternatives to the standard process.

Can I submit a lived/preferred last name?

Please note that this process allows individuals to indicate only a lived first name. If there has been a legal name change, students should follow steps outlined by the Registrar, while employees should contact HR (hr@esf.edu).

What can I do if a college community member refuses to use my lived/preferred name or repeatedly neglects to use my lived/preferred name?

ESF is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for the benefit of our entire campus community. You have several options for reporting and/or support in this instance. These include connecting with the Lived Name Committee (livedname@esf.edu), the Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access, a trusted faculty or staff member, or by submitting a bias incident report (either anonymously or with your contact information attached).

What name will someone else with access to my records see?

If you have granted access to any of the above systems to someone else (parent/family/guardian/other), they will see the same name information that you see.

Contact the Lived Name Committee

If you would live help talking about your name and/or pronouns with anyone on campus or at Syracuse University, please contact the Lived Name Committee at livedname@esf.edu.

If you have any questions about this process, please check the "Frequently Asked Questions" list and/or reach out to the ESF Lived Name Committee at livedname@esf.edu.

To report an incident of hate or bias please report the incident(s) in our Bias Reporting Tool.

Bias Reporting Tool

Bias Incident Reporting Form

ESF's bias reporting system provides ESF students, staff, and faculty with an avenue to report incidents of bias, bigotry, or hate that occur on our campus or in off-campus settings that impact ESF. Reports may be submitted anonymously or with the reporter's name included. Please note that submitting a report anonymously may impact ESF's ability to fully respond to your concerns. ESF Community members who feel they have been the target of bias (or who have witnessed a bias-related incident) may report the incident online, or contact these Title IX Authorities.