LU Policy Number: AS.043
Effective Date: 1/7/2019
Approval Date: 01/23/19
Purpose: To outline acceptable legal name usage on commencement materials and Diploma
Additional Authority: N/A
Scope: All Students (COC&CGUS) of Life University
Approval Authority: President
Responsible Authority: Academic Affairs-Student
Definitions:
Commencement Materials – Printed materials used for ceremonial purposes; This includes (but is not limited to) the commencement program, name card and awards.
Diploma – Certificate or deed issued by Life University that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course of study.
Recipients: Registrar
Publications: 2018-2019 Academic Catalog & Winter ‘19 Quarterly Announcements
Policy Title
Diploma & Commencement Name Policy
Policy Statement
A student must use their legal name on commencement materials and diploma. Appropriate documentation will be required for any legal name change.
Procedure(s)
The diploma name is determined by the potential student/graduate when submitting the Graduation Application. This name is also utilized for various commencement materials pertaining to the student/graduate. A candidate for degree may choose to legally change their name prior to the commencement ceremony by submitting a Legal Name Change form and two forms of supporting legal documentation (i.e. government issued ID, court documents, etc.). If proper legal documentation has not been provided before the commencement materials and diploma are produced, the student/graduate name will revert to the full name on University record. Candidates for degree should confirm their diploma name on the Graduation Application. Some variations of a students legal name are acceptable:
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Full First Name, Full Middle Name, Full Last Name
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Full First Name, Initial of Middle Name, Full Last Name
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Initial of First Name, Full Middle Name, Full Last Name
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No First Name, Full Middle Name, Full Last Name
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Full First Name, No Middle name/Initial, Full Last Name
The Office of the Registrar will correct any student/graduate name that has been entered in all capital letters, is missing pertinent punctuation, or has been changed without proper approval. Students can appeal these corrections by contacting the Office of the Registrar at luregistrar@life.edu.
Replacement Diploma
The student/graduate will be responsible for the cost of a replacement diploma if a legal name change request is received after the initial order has been placed. A replacement diploma may be ordered with a different name than the original diploma if a student submits the Replacement Diploma form along with one form of supporting legal documentation (driver’s license, marriage certificate, passport, etc.). Any change in legal name after the student/graduate leaves the university, will only be reflected on the replacement diploma, and will not be recorded on University record.
International Students
It is strongly recommended for international students to match the name printed on their diploma to the exact name as it appears on their passport. Various international governments and verification agencies will not accept a student’s diploma as an official document if the name does not match the name on university record and legal form of identification.
Other Notes
N/A
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