Name Discrepancies in Canvas

Quick Links: | Understanding Name Discrepancies | Resolve name discrepancies |

Understanding Name Discrepancies

Students and faculty members may notice a discrepancy in the names displayed in Canvas compared to those shown in Student Center or Faculty Center. This issue may appear in several ways:

  • A student's or faculty member's name in Canvas does not match the name listed in Student Center or Faculty Center.
  • A student in Canvas does not appear on the official course roster in Faculty Center, or a student listed on the official roster does not appear to be enrolled in Canvas.
  • A name appears correctly in Canvas but is incorrect in Student Center or Faculty Center.

Chico State uses multiple systems to manage user information:

  • PeopleSoft: The administrative system used for managing student records, including personal information, enrollment, grades, and other critical administrative tasks. This system provides the Student Center and Faculty Center.
  • Account Center: The system used for managing a user’s accounts across campus systems, including display name preferences.
  • Canvas: The Learning Management System (LMS) used for coursework, assignments, grades, and communication.

Individuals can manage how their name appears across these systems. The Account Center allows users to set a display name that may differ from their name in PeopleSoft (legal or lived name). For example, someone may use a shortened name in Canvas and other systems, while their full legal or lived name appears in Student Center or Faculty Center.

Because of this, Canvas may display a user’s chosen display name, while PeopleSoft continues to show the officially recorded legal or preferred name until a formal update is processed.

Resolving Name Discrepancies

To resolve discrepancies between names displayed in PeopleSoft and Canvas, individuals have two options:

  • Update Display Name: If the discrepancy is due to a display name set in Account Center, users can align their Canvas display name with their PeopleSoft name by updating their preferences. This does not change official records. For more information, see Updating Your Display Name in Account Center.
  • Legal or Affirmed Name Change: To update a name in PeopleSoft and official university records, students must submit a request through the Registrar, and employees must submit a request through Human Resources (HR). These changes typically sync across systems, including Canvas, within 48 hours.

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