Student Records FAQs
Preferred Name
Ìð¹ÏÊÓƵapp recognizes that students may prefer to use a name that is different from their legal name. Under WCU’s Preferred Name policy, any student may identify a preferred first name of their choosing. Preferred first names may not be fraudulent or misrepresent or be inappropriate or offensive. Once a student indicates their preferred first name in myWCU, it will be used in many but not all university contexts.
A Preferred Name is the name that a student wishes to be known by in the university community that is different than the student’s Legal Name.
No. WCU’s Preferred Name policy only allows a student to designate a preferred first name. Operationally, a student’s preferred first name and legal last name become their Preferred Name.
The preferred first name, singularly or in combination with the last name may appear, as possible, in the following locations:
- Cat Card
- Class rosters generated by the WCU’s student information system
- The official WCU learning management system, Canvas
- Official WCU directories, unless the information is withheld pursuant to law or policy
- Information used by the Advising Center that is generated by WCU's student information system
- Graduation ceremonies
- Printed diploma
A student’s Legal Name will be used in business and legal processes that require the use of a Legal Name. A student’s Preferred Name may not appear in the following locations:
- WCUID account created in WCU’s Active Directory as a student’s identity for most WCU licensed systems. For students, these accounts end in @catamount.wcu.edu.
- Financial Aid
- Transcripts
- Certifications
- Athletics Rosters
- Campus Police
- Emergency Services
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Any behavior or discipline record
- Any medical or medical history database system (Health Services and Counseling & Psychological Services systems do collect and use Preferred Names)
University administrators, University Police Department, and offices providing medical and mental health services.
Students can request two Preferred Name changes in an academic year. Additional changes are at the discretion of the Registrar or their designee.
Please know that while WCU values and supports the use of Preferred Names, Preferred Names are not necessarily supported in off campus situations and services.
For more information:
Address Change
To change the address on file:
- Log into myWCU
- Under Quick Links select "Personal Services", select "Personal Information", then choose "Update Address/Phone"
- Select the type of address you would like to update; i.e. Current Student, Permanent Mailing Address, Emergency Contact, etc. A permanent mailing address MUST be on file or an "Address Hold" will be placed on the student's account
Tuition Surcharge
Effective Fall 2019, students enrolled at a UNC constituent institution and who exceed 140 attempted hours prior to earning a baccalaureate degree are no longer subject to a tuition surcharge. North Carolina’s mandatory tuition surcharge which has been in effect since 1994 is repealed.