GGC recognizes that individuals may wish to use a preferred or chosen first name instead of a legal name for a variety of reasons.

In keeping with GGC’s mission to ensure that all community members feel included in a welcoming environment, students and employees may choose to provide an optional preferred first name that will appear in the specific applications listed below.

If provided, the preferred first name will be displayed in the following systems:

  • Grizzly Den within Banner
  • MyCourses
  • Claw Mail / Office 365 / Microsoft Teams
  • Class Picture Book
  • Mentee Picture Book
  • StarRez

Additional applications may be added to this list in the future.

Student and employee legal names will remain unchanged in all other college-related systems. By providing a preferred first name, students and employees understand that a preferred first name may not be used for purposes of misrepresentation, and Georgia Gwinnett College reserves the right to remove a preferred first name that is not in keeping with the intended purpose of this service.

Please note:

  • Legal names will be required for students enrolled in eCore courses.
  • Preferred names will not be used in cases where legal name is required, including but not limited to, financial aid documents, official transcripts, diplomas, human resources and payroll records, and federal immigration documents.

Timeline 

Preferred first names will be enabled in the specified applications beginning August 3, 2022. Because this is a new offering, some previously entered data may need to be updated. Please follow the preferred name change process to update your information if necessary. If you need assistance, please contact @email.

How to Request a Preferred First Name Change

Students

Check and update preferred student first name via Grizzly Den within Banner.

Once a preferred first name is entered it may take up to 2 business days for the change to be reflected in the applications that support preferred first name.

Employees

Check and update preferred employee first name via OneUSG.

Once a preferred first name is entered it may take up to seven business days for the change to be reflected in the applications that support preferred first name.

Related Information

  • Legal name changes: If you have legally changed your name, students should visit the Registrar office and employees should visit Human Resources to update your legal name in college systems.
  • GGC directory profile update request

Frequently Asked Questions

    What is a preferred first name?

    A preferred first name is a name that a student/employee has chosen to be known by in the GGC community that is different from the student’s / employee’s legal first name.

    May I specify a preferred middle or last name?

    No. To update your middle or last name you will need to change your legal name.

    What is the difference between a preferred name and legal name?

    Your legal name is the name that is listed on government-issued identification, your birth certificate, and/or associated with your social security or tax ID number. A preferred name is a first name used by a student / employee that is different than their legal or given name. A student and employee may use a preferred name for a variety of reasons. Preferred first names are used internally at GGC and in place of the legal first name when possible.

    Do I have to use a preferred first name?

    No, use of a preferred first name is optional.

    Can I change my preferred first name back to my legal first name at a later date?

    Preferred first name may be updated at any time.

    Where will my preferred first name appear? Can I choose the places where my preferred first name is used?

    Preferred first name will automatically display in systems listed on this page.

    What are the submission deadlines for preferred first name changes?

    Individuals may choose when to update their preferred name. Changes and updates will begin showing up within eligible systems within two to seven business days.

    Where will my legal name appear?

    Any system not included on this page.

    Who do I contact with concerns and questions about my preferred first name?

    Students may contact the Registrar office. Employees may contact Human Resources.

    Why does GGC offer a preferred first name option?

    GGC recognizes that individuals may wish to use a preferred or chosen name instead of a legal name for a variety of reasons. In keeping with GGC’s mission to ensure that all community members feel included in a welcoming environment, students and employees may choose to provide an optional preferred first name.

    Will my preferred first name be reviewed by anyone?

    The college may review preferred names prior to changing / updating in eligible systems.

    Can I set my preferred first name to whatever I want?

    Individuals may determine and designate a preferred first name that they want to be known by in GGC systems. GGC reserves the right to remove a preferred name if it contains inappropriate or offensive language or is being used for fraud or misrepresentation.

    Will my preferred first name be used on my GGC Grizzly Card?

    Not at this time. Refer to the applications / systems listed on this page.

    How many times can I change my preferred first name?

    As often as you like. However, if your preferred first name changes frequently it may confuse colleagues, peers and instructors who you interact with regularly.

    I am a student as well as employee of GGC. Will I be able to use a preferred first name as a student and professionally?

    Students who are also considered student assistants must update their name in Grizzly Den within Banner. Employees who are also students must update their name in OneUSG. Please note, while employees can enter a preferred first name in Grizzly Den, OneUSG is the authoritative source for preferred first name data and as such will override preferred first name information entered directly in Grizzly Den.

    Why must employees check their preferred name if they don’t normally use one?

    OneUSG may show a preferred name that was entered by an individual into the system at some time during your employment. In reviewing preferred name data, Information Technology has come across data in the preferred name field that includes both first name and last name. Employees should check their OneUSG information for accuracy.

    I already have a preferred name in MyCourses (Brightspace by D2L). Do I still need to update OneUSG or Grizzly Den within Banner?

    Yes. After August 2, 2022, preferred name data for employees will exclusively be stored in OneUSG and in Grizzly Den within Banner for students. Those systems become the authoritative source for all preferred name information. If OneUSG or Grizzly Den within Banner do not have accurate preferred first name data, the systems that use this data will no longer be accurate.