Names, Pronouns, and Databases

At Boston University, we believe it is important that employees’ lived name and pronouns be used in the workplace and reflected in BU systems. If you have a lived name that is different than your legal name, your name can be updated in the following places:

  • BU Login Name/BU Email Address
  • BU Directory (will change Outlook, Teams and other Microsoft Applications)   
  • BU Terrier Card
  • Zoom
  • Blackboard

      BU is continuing to make progress with its information systems and technology in order to support the needs of our employees and will continue to update this page as progress is made. Please note that for legal requirements, certain systems (e.g., tax documents, payroll, legal documents, airplane tickets, financial aid award letters, etc.) require one’s legal name to be used. Therefore, there are certain records that may be inconsistent with your lived name. 

      Please review and let HR know the places and spaces where this information may appear and if changes are needed to reflect your lived name.

      Legal Name Changes

      Human Resources facilitates employees’ legal names in BUworks/SAP.  To begin a legal name change, please contact the HR Service Center (HRSC) at hr@bu.edu or 617-353-2380. Proof of your legal name change (court document or a new state/federally issued form of identification) is required.

      Once your legal name is changed, BU login name changes with IS&T can be completed free of charge by submitting a request.

      Changing How Your Name Displays (where available)

      BU Login Name/BU Email Address 

      Your BU login name identifies you on campus computing systems throughout your association with the University and is part of your email address. Because it is a unique identifier stored in many different locations, changes to a login name require considerable staff time and coordination.

      If you need to change your BU login name, you can submit a ticket to the IT Help Center. Requests for legal name changes will be accepted with no fee. Legal name changes must be completed by HR (see above) prior to requesting a BU login name change.

      BU Directory  

      The BU Directory (also known as the Online Directory) is available at www.bu.edu/directory. The BU Directory combines typical directory information about people from the University Registrar and Human Resources. You can search by first name, last name, or BU Email Address/login name.

      Updates to your Directory entry can be completed using the My Directory Listing website. This can be used to change your Full Name (First, Middle, Last) display in BU systems regardless of your legal name. You can also add or update your pronouns and gender identity, if you wish.

      You can find instructions to update your BU Directory listing on IS&T’s website.

      Updating your display name here will automatically update:

      Note: Changes made in your BU Directory listing may take up to 24 hours to populate the connected systems listed above. After 24 hours, if you or your colleagues do not see the updates, contact IS&T for assistance.

      BU Identification Card (Terrier Card)

      The BU Terrier Card is the official ID card for Boston University students, faculty, and staff. If you update your display name in the BU Directory, your Terrier Card can be re-printed to reflect the updated name.

      For Terrier Card replacements, please complete this form to make your request. For any additional questions, please email hr@bu.edu.  

      Zoom  

      Zoom Meetings provides a robust platform for online collaboration and meetings, pairing full video and audio conferencing capabilities with content sharing and cloud recording. You can take advantage of the personalization settings on your BU Zoom account to add a profile image, update your display name, include preferred pronouns, and change your default reaction skin tone.

      Blackboard Learn

      Blackboard Learn is the primary learning management system at Boston University; it is used in on- and off-campus courses, certificate programs, and clerkships. Students can access course materials at any time and from any computer with an Internet connection. If you are using Blackboard, the profile page allows you to update your first name display, and now includes the ability to specify your pronouns and the pronunciation of your name.