Overview
The Chosen Name Project allows students, faculty, and staff to select a Chosen Name in MyMadison, which will display instead of their legal name in an increasing number of JMU systems. Legal names will continue to be used whenever required by University Policy, State or Federal Law, and in systems not included in this project.
Individual students or employees are responsible for keeping their legal name up-to-date with the Office of the Registrar or the Human Resources Department, respectively, and, if desired, selecting a Chosen Name in MyMadison.
How can I get this Service?
Students
- Go to the Student tab in MyMadison and click the Student Center link.
- In the Personal Information section, click Chosen Name/Campus Directory.
- Enter the desired Chosen Name.
- If you would like for the Chosen Name to appear in the JMU Campus Directory instead of your legal name, select Yes, I would like my chosen name to appear in the JMU Campus Directory.
- All Chosen Name requests must be reviewed by the Office of the Registrar. Click the link entitled Chosen Name Form to submit your request to the Office of the Registrar. Or, you may access the Chosen Name Form here.
- Click Save.
Faculty/Staff
- Go to the Employee tab in MyMadison.
- In the Personal Information section, click Chosen Name/Campus Directory.
- Enter the desired Chosen Name.
An employee's Chosen Name in MyMadison will be passed over to the Student Administration (SA) system on a regular basis for active faculty and advisors. However, if an employee is also a student, then the student name in the SA system will prevail.
Where can I get Help/Support?
Information Technology Help Desk at (540) 568-3555, IT Service Portal or helpdesk@jmu.edu
FAQs
Which systems currently use Chosen Names?
As of September 2023, these are the systems complete or in progress:
Campus Directory (complete)
Canvas (complete)
Medicat (complete)
Cherwell (complete)
Advocate (complete)
Microsoft 365 and Global Address List (in progress)
MyMadison (in progress)
Parking (in progress)
Accommodate (in progress)
CampusGroups (in progress)
Follett (in progress)
Library (in progress)
UREC (in progress)
Teamworks (in progress)
Terra Dotta Study Abroad (in progress)
Note: if a system is not listed above, then it will not feature Chosen Names.
