Affirmed (Preferred) First Name
Cal State LA recognizes that some individuals prefer to use an Affirmed First Name—also known as a Preferred or Chosen First Name—instead of their legal name. A preferred first name should be the name an individual uses in social interactions and the name you want others to use when referring to you.
Employees can easily add or update their preferred first name in the PeopleSoft (PS) HRM system. Log into the my.CalStateLA.edu portal to view instructions page.
After submitting an update, please allow a few business days for the change to appear in systems such as Microsoft Outlook Address Book. Each system is updated separately, and may require manual processing.
Please note that your preferred first name will not replace your legal name in official business processes or payroll records.
The University values inclusion and respectful name use. However, Cal State LA reserves the right to review and deny any preferred first name requests that are inappropriate—for example, names used for fraud, misrepresentation, evasion of legal obligations, or those containing profane, vulgar, discriminatory, or sexually suggestive language.
Click here to access the instructions on how to update your preferred name. Log-in is required.
- Different First Name: Your legal name is Samuel Jones but you go by “Sam”. You may set up “Sam” as your preferred name. Your preferred name will now be displayed as “Sam Jones”
- First and Middle Name: Your legal name is Mary Sue Smith. You go by “Mary Sue” but the university directories list your name as “Smith, Mary”. You may set up “Mary Sue” as your preferred first name. Your preferred name will be displayed as “Mary Sue Smith.”
- Middle Name as your First Name: Your legal name is William Robert Smith. You go by “Bob Smith”. You may set up “Bob” as your preferred first name. Your preferred name will be displayed as “Bob Smith”.
- An individual may not use a preferred name for the purpose of fraud, misrepresentation, perpetration of another person’s identity, or to evade legal obligations.
- Preferred names may not include profanity, vulgarity, discriminatory language, or sexually suggestive words.
- Cal State LA reserves the right to remove a preferred name if it contains inappropriate or offensive language.
Question: Can I set my preferred first name to whatever I want?
Answer: Yes, but improper use (fraud, offensive language) will result in removal.
Question: Can I use my preferred first name for everything?
Answer: No, legal name continues for payroll and official records.
Question: Who can I ask for additional assistance?
Answer: Please email [email protected].