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Preferred Name

Purpose

This provides members with the ability to submit a Preferred Name Request via the Student Dashboard.

This can be used to change a member's first name to their preferred name, which will then display in relevant areas of the website and the Student Dashboard.

The member's first name, as per the datafeed, will still appear within SUMS (e.g. within their member profile) so that you retain a reference of their first name based on what the University are providing.

Settings

2 settings are available that can be configured relating to Preferred Name Request:

  • Staff Email Address - This email address will be notified whenever there is a Preferred Name Request submitted by a student.

  • Sender Email Address - This is the sender address for the 'Accepted' or 'Declined' email that will be sent to the student. (This email must be whitelisted and able to send emails through SUMS already otherwise no email will be sent.)

These settings can be found under System Configuration > Settings > Preferred Name.

How does a member submit a Preferred Name Request?

  1. Members will need to log in to their Student Dashboard via your SU website and select Settings (on the sidebar on the left)
  2. Next to their Full Name they will need to select Change First Name
  3. From here they can enter their preferred first name and click 'Submit'

An email will then be sent to the Staff Email Address you set as per the above to confirm that a Preferred Name Request has been submitted.

How do I approve or decline Preferred Name requests?

  1. Navigate to the Preferred Name section of the Members module to view the submission
  2. Review the submission and click 'Approve' or 'Decline'
  3. An email will then be sent to the member confirming the decision.

Please note: A member can reset their first name at any time, but must submit another request if they wish to change it back to their preferred name at a later date.

Updated on 28th August 2025