Name/Name Change Policies and Procedures

Definitions

Legal name: The name that appears on government issued identification. This name is used where legally required.

Campus Name: A name other than the legal name; may not be used to avoid legal obligation or with the intention to misrepresent. This name is considered public directory information and can be viewed by family members, employees of the College, and/or the general public.*
*the use of student names adheres to FERPA directory information policy

Community Name: A name other than the legal name that is distinct from the campus name. This name is not considered public directory information and is limited to select rosters used for internal Warren Wilson College use. Please note, this name is not private as there is no way to ensure that this name remains confidential.

Processes to Change Name

Campus and Community Name Change

Please use the following information and steps when requesting changes to your campus and/or community name.

Step 1: Review definitions of legal, campus, and community name
Step 2: Review Warren Wilson College Name Use policy and Where Names are Used to ensure understanding of how names are used at Warren Wilson College
Step 3: Complete the form in the "Name and Email" section of this page; This form will not change your name in Moodle or Gmail. For details on how to do this visit the Moodle and Gmail section of this page.
Step 4: Review confirmation email - Upon completion of this form, you will receive an email confirming the updates that you made. Please review for accuracy.

Legal Name Change

Currently and formerly enrolled students who wish for a legal name change on Warren Wilson college records should take the following steps:

Step 1: Review the definition of legal name
Step 2: Review Warren Wilson College Name Use policy to ensure understanding of how the legal name is used.
Step 3: Provide government-issued documentation that proves the legal name change request to the Registrar’s Office. This documentation can be provided in one of two ways:

In Person: Name changes may be requested in person at the Office of the Registrar, located in Laursen, second floor, room 207. Requests submitted in person require a current photo ID and specific legal documentation as outlined below. The Request for Name Change form must also be completed.
By Mail: Name changes may be requested by mail. The Request for Name Change form must be completed and signed. Appropriate legal documentation should be attached and both the name change form and documentation must be notarized showing the original notary seal and signature of the notary and mailed to the address listed on the form.

Acceptable types of legal documentation:

The type of legal documentation to include with your request depends upon the type of name change you are requesting. All requests require a current photo ID (state-issued photo ID, driver’s license, or passport) and the following:

Adoption: A change of name due to adoption requires the original court order or a notarized copy of the adoption court order.
Divorce: A change of name due to divorce requires the original divorce decree or a notarized copy of the divorce decree.
Legal Change: A change of name due to legal issues requires the original court order or a notarized copy of the court order.
Marriage: A change of name due to marriage requires the original marriage certificate or a notarized copy of the marriage certificate.
Corrections: A change of name due to a spelling error requires only your driver's license or a notarized copy of your driver’s license.
Other: A change of name for any other reason requires one of the following: current naturalization papers, social security card, or court order of name change or a notarized copy of those that are listed.

If the reason for your name change is not included above, please contact our office to ask about the documentation you should submit.

All name change requests require the Request for Name Change form to be submitted as well as the legal documentation supporting your request.

Note: Copies of documentation received that are not notarized will not be accepted. Legal documentation must be notarized or the original copy brought to the Office of the Registrar so that a copy can be made and uploaded to your WWC student record.

Changing Name in Moodle

In Moodle, you can edit your profile there and change your "First Name" to be whatever you like. Recommended: Use your WWC Community name. Teachers and other students will see that name in their course rosters and be more likely to call you with that name.

Changing Name in Google

Here are instructions for updating your name in your Gmail Profile.

Name and Email Update

* Required

Name and Email

You can update your campus name, community name, and non-Wilson email address below.

Important note: The system pads your name with spaces on the end and has a maximum length. If you find you can't type in a field, delete the content that is there first including the spaces.

Campus (First) Name
(max length 15 chars)

WWC Community (First) Name
(max length 30 chars)

Your Warren Wilson Email

Personal Email (non-wwc)

Once submitted for review and approved, the change will appear throughout Wilson. We will apply your Campus Name to the name used in your Warren Wilson login account as well. Your Warren Wilson username and email address will remain unchanged.

Where Names are Used

Legal Name

The LEGAL NAME must appear in the following places:

Transcripts
Enrollment verification forms
Financial aid documents and portal
Tuition, billing and fees
Student employment records
Payroll and tax documents
Health insurance (administered by a 3rd party)
Any other documents required by law.
Student ID**

**Students will each receive two student ID cards: (1) One with legal name for compliance with voter id laws, and (2) one with community name for daily campus use.

Campus Name

The CAMPUS NAME will appear in the following locations / systems:

Class rosters
Work crew rosters
Advising rosters
Athletics rosters (internal)
Mailings sent to home address (with the exception of mailings sent from Student Accounts and Financial Aid Offices)
myWWC
External-facing publications, and communications (including Dean’s list, Commencement Program, Honors and Awards)*
Public-facing Athletics rosters*
Software used by campus offices (Career, Community Engagement, and Judicial Conduct platforms).

*the use of student names strictly adheres to FERPA directory information policy

Community Name

The COMMUNITY NAME will appear in the following locations / systems:

Select rosters for internal campus use; of note, myWWC rosters will show the campus name. Advisee Dashboard, utilized by advisors, lists the Community Name.
Student ID**