Your Information

It’s important to keep your personal information up to date and to check your UWM Email Address frequently.

Your ePantherID and UWM Email Address
All students have an ePantherID, which is used to log into campus computers, campus email, PAWS, Canvas, and many other UWM systems. Your password is the same everywhere you use your ePantherID.

The most common way for you to receive communications is through your UWM Email Address. Your Academic Advisor, instructors, and departments such as Financial Aid will expect you to use your UWM Email Address and to check it often.

If you have trouble logging in to your UWM Email Address or if you can’t access a computer on campus, call the Help Desk at (414) 229-4040 or toll free at (877) 381-3459.
If you don’t know your Campus ID number, use the Campus ID Finder.

Your Contact Info
Anytime an item or a document needs to be sent to you from campus, (diplomas or financial aid refund checks, for example), it is sent to your PAWS Mailing Address. It’s important to keep this address current, especially if you’re an International, Online or Distance student.

To edit your PAWS Mailing Address, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to PAWS
  2. Under the yellow Personal Information header, click in the drop down menu and select Addresses, then click the yellow arrow button
  3. You can edit the current Mailing Address, or you can ADD A NEW ADDRESS
  4. For a new address, fill in the new information and select an effective date
  5. You can categorize multiple addresses as Mailing, Home, Business and Billing

If you live in a campus residence, your Campus address will appear automatically and you won’t be able to edit it.

In addition to your physical address, you can update phone numbers, non-UWM email addresses, and emergency contacts. Just log in to PAWS and select one of the drop down options under the yellow Personal Information header.

Changing Your Name
If you change your name while you are a student or after you’ve graduated, you can complete a Student Record Data Change Form in person at the Registrar’s Office in Mellencamp 274, by fax to 414-229-6940, by mail, or via email.

In addition to a completed Student Record Data Change Form, specific documentation is required to request a name change. Documentation of the new legal name may be:

  1. Any document from List A
  2. OR a document from List B and List C

Acceptable forms of documentation as proof of the name change are original, certified copy, or clear and legible photocopy of:

List A (Acceptable Photo ID Proof of Name Change)

  • State issued ID or Driver’s License (Must be a REAL ID compliant products (marked with a

    Ø) in accordance with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005

  • Valid/unexpired Passport or other federal ID
  • Military issued ID* (In-Person requests only)
  • Federal agency (CIA, OPM, FBI, etc.) or Law enforcement ID* (In-Person requests only)

List B (Photo ID which requires additional proof of name change)

  • Driver’s License or State issued ID (not a REAL ID)
  • UWM PantherID

List C (Documentation of Name Change, additional photo ID needed)

  • Marriage Certificate
  • Record of Divorce
  • Naturalization papers
  • Court papers documenting name change
  • Social Security cards are NOT acceptable documentation for proof of name change.

In-Person: The Registrar’s Office staff will make a photocopy of the documentation and/or ID for your student record.

Fax, Mail, or Email: Any submitted photocopy of the documentation/ID must be clean and legible, without deterioration in print quality.

Please note that if you are also an active or recent UWM employee, including a teaching assistant or student worker, you will need to update your name with UWM Human Resources in order for the change to take effect in PAWS.

International students who have a change to their Social Security number can also complete the Student Record Data Change Form in person at the Registrar’s Office. Just bring the new Social Security card.

You may also access the Student Record Data Change Form online and email the completed form to Regoff@uwm.edu or submit it via fax to 414-229-6940. Supporting documentation may be required based on the type of change requested.  Please contact the Registrar’s Office with any questions.

Adding/Updating Your Date of Birth

If you need to add or correct your date of birth, you must complete a Student Record Data Change Form.  In addition to the completed form, additional documentation is required:

  1. State issued ID or Driver’s License (Must be a REAL ID compliant products (marked with a star) in accordance with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005

OR

  1. Valid/unexpired Passport or other federal ID Military issued ID* (In-Person requests only) Federal agency (CIA, OPM, FBI, etc.) or Law enforcement ID* (In-Person requests only)

If you don’t have one of the documents above, you can provide a Driver’s License or State issued ID (that is not a REAL ID) or UWM PantherID AND a birth certificate instead.

We accept original documents, certified copies, or clear and legible photocopies, without deterioration in print quality. These can be submitted in person at the Registrar’s Office in Mellencamp 274, by mail, or via email to regoff@uwm.edu.

Adding/Updating Your Social Security Number
If you need to add or update your social security number in your UWM records while you are a student or after you’ve graduated, you can complete a Student Record Data Change Form in person at the Registrar’s Office in Mellencamp 274, by fax to 414-229-6940, by mail, or via email (regoff@uwm.edu). An actual written signature (not typed) is required on this form.

In addition to a completed Student Record Data Change Form, specific documentation is required.

  1. Any form of photo ID from the list below
    AND
  2. Your social security card

Acceptable Photo ID – must be valid/unexpired

  • UW Milwaukee student ID
  • State issued ID or Driver’s License
  • Passport or other federal ID
  • Military issued ID* (In-Person requests only)
  • Federal agency (CIA, OPM, FBI, etc.) or Law enforcement ID* (In-Person requests only)

In-Person: The Registrar’s Office staff will make a photocopy of the documentation and/or ID for your student record.

Fax, Mail, or Email: Any submitted photocopy of the documentation/ID must be clean and legible, without deterioration in print quality.

Please contact the Registrar’s Office with any questions.

Student Preferred Name
The University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee recognizes that students may choose to identify themselves within the university community with a preferred first and/or middle name that differs from their legal name.  The goal of the Student Preferred Name option at UWM is to provide a consistent preferred name experience across University systems and use of one’s preferred name wherever legal name is not absolutely necessary.

As long as the use of the preferred first and/or middle name is not for the purpose of misrepresentation, it will appear instead of the legal name in select university systems and documents except where the use of the legal name is required by university business or legal need.

Places Where Preferred Name Will Appear
  • PAWS
    • Class Roster
    • Grade Roster
    • Student Center and Student Services Center (staff-view)
    • Online Academic Advisement Report
  • Canvas
  • UWM Online Campus Directory
  • UWM Mobile App
  • Office 365
Places Where Preferred Name Will NOT Appear (Legal Name Required)
  • Official UWM Transcript
  • Unofficial UWM Transcript
  • Enrollment Verifications
  • Student Financial Accounts
  • Financial Aid
  • Panther Scholarship Portal
  • Human Resources (Student Employment)
  • UWM Diploma and Commencement book
Requesting a Preferred Name

If students indicated a preferred first name on their application to the University (eApp), this will automatically transfer over to their PAWS account.  Enrolled students can also use the Preferred Name Request Form to indicate a preferred first and/or middle name at a later time. This form also can be used to alter or remove an existing preferred name.

Requests are typically processed within 1-3 business days, at which time the preferred name will appear in the systems identified above.

Any questions about the processing of a preferred name request can be directed to the Registrar’s Office via our online contact form.

Preferred Name FAQ

Do I need to enter a preferred name?
No. Preferred name is a service for students who wish to be known by a name other than their legal name. If you regularly use your legal name, there is no need to indicate a preferred name. Requests for preferred names that match your legal name will not be processed.

Can I make my preferred name whatever I want?
Preferred names are limited to alphabetical characters, a space or hyphen (-). Your preferred name will appear as it’s entered on the request form.

You are not allowed to enter a preferred name for purposes of misrepresentation or fraud. Such attempts may also violate the UWS Student Nonacademic Misconduct Chapter 17.09.09, 17.09.10, and/or 17.09.11.

The Registrar’s Office will review all preferred name requests and consult other campus offices as needed and appropriate.

Can I submit a preferred name request as soon as I am admitted as a student to UWM?
You can include your preferred name on your application, or you can submit a preferred name request once you are admitted.

Is preferred name available for staff or instructors?
Not at this time.  Staff or instructors who would like to update their directory name that appears in Office 365 and the UWM Directory may do so by submitting a help request to University Information Technology Services (UITS).

How long will it take for my preferred name to start appearing in campus systems?
Typically, preferred name requests will be processed within 1-3 business days of submission. Once processed, the preferred name will immediately appear in PAWS, while there may be a delay of 1-3 additional business days for other campus systems.

Will my preferred name appear on my Panthercard (student ID card)?
Yes.  All Panther Cards are double-sided, preferred name on the front and legal name on the back.

Is my preferred name reflected in my ePanther ID?
No. Your ePanther ID (the part of your UWM email address that comes before the “@”) is based on your legal name. See the UITS Account & Access Management website for information on changing your ePanther ID.

How many times can I change my preferred name?
Indicating a preferred name can have ripple effects throughout your day-to-day experiences. Changing your preferred name more than once can lead to confusion regarding your identity, challenges in customer service, and/or the interruption of your ability to access some University systems.

Why am I not allowed to indicate a preferred last name?
To ensure that instructors and other staff are able to appropriately identify you for class attendance, grading, and other university purposes, your legal last name will always appear in conjunction with a preferred first and/or middle name.

How does my preferred name affect my F-1 and J-1 visa status?
Preferred name is for use within the university community. International students may feel free to select a preferred name for on-campus use. However, this does not apply in situations where one’s legal name is required to be used. For the purpose of F-1 or J-1 student visa status, the legal name must be used on I-20s and DS-2019s. An individual’s legal name is what appears in the passport.

How do I update my legal name at UWM?
Students: You can change the name that appears on your academic record by filling out a Student Record Data Change Form at the Registrar’s Office Information Center, Mellencamp Hall 274. Your completed form must be accompanied by a form of documentation showing your new name (i.e., marriage certificate or court order) and a photo ID.

Employees: Contact the UWM Department of Human Resources for information about changing your legal name.

Student Gender Identity

The University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee recognizes that students may choose to identify themselves within the university community with a gender that differs from the Male/Female designation that appears on government documents and is on record with UWM for aggregate federal/state reporting purposes.

Student gender identity information will be protected under FERPA and will not be used to discriminate in any manner. The gender identity information is intended to help inform support services, resources, and activities.  Submitting this information is voluntary and does not update the male/female designation on the academic record.  Please see the FAQ section below for more information.

Electing a Gender Identity

Students who are applying for admission in the Fall 2017 semester or later have the opportunity to provide a gender identity on the UW application.  Providing a gender identity on the application is not required.  Students who do indicate a gender identity through the admission process will have that information automatically loaded into PAWS along with their other application data.

All continuing students, regardless of admission date, can use the Gender Identity Request Form to indicate a gender identity in PAWS. This form also can be used to alter or remove an existing gender identity.

Requests are typically processed within 1-3 business days.

Any questions about the processing of a gender identity request can be directed to the Registrar’s Office via our online contact form.

Gender Identity FAQ
Do I need to elect a gender identity?

No. Gender identity is a service for students who wish to identify a gender other than the Male/Female designation that appears on government documents and is on record with UWM for aggregate federal/state reporting purposes.

How do I update my Male/Female designation on record with UWM?

Students can make a request to change the Male/Female designation on their academic record by completing a Student Record Data Change Form and by submitting one of the following documents to substantiate the change:

  • Documentation from a qualified health care provider.
  • A birth certificate or court order.
  • A valid driver’s license or passport.

The Student Record Data Change Form may be submitted at the Registrar’s Office Information Center, Mellencamp Hall 274. Your completed form must be accompanied by one of the forms of ID listed above, showing your new Male/Female designation. If you would like to submit the form and documentation electronically, or if you have additional questions, please go to contactro.uwm.edu and choose Student Records or email us at regoff@uwm.edu.

Can I make my gender identity whatever I want?

Gender identity options that appear on the UW application for admission include:

  • Woman
  • Man
  • Trans or Transgender
  • A gender not listed here
  • Prefer not to answer

Gender identity options that appear on the Gender Identity Request Form include:

  • Transgender woman
  • Transgender man
  • Cisgender woman
  • Cisgender man
  • A gender not listed here
  • Prefer not to answer

Applicants who wish to select one of the gender identity options included on the request form but not the application should wait until they are eligible to enroll to utilize the online form.

What is Cisgender?

Cisgender is the term for a person who is not transgender.  In other words, gender identity matches the sex assigned at birth.  

Is the gender identity request form available for instructors or staff?

Not at this time.

How long will it take for my gender identity request to be processed?
Typically, gender identity requests will be processed within 1-3 business days of submission.

Who will be able to see my gender identity in PAWS or other campus systems?
As is the case with all student data, protections are in place to ensure that only authorized users of campus systems have access to student data and that data is utilized for educationally-related purposes as defined under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Students should be aware that electing a gender identity with a campus system like PAWS will lead to a distribution of that data for a variety of university purposes.  No gender identity information will be used in a discriminatory manner.  The gender identity information will be used to help inform support services, resources, and activities.

How many times can I submit a gender identity request?
Students should be aware of the possible negative impacts of repeatedly changing information in a distributed campus system like PAWS, including disruptions to the support services, resources, and activities that are utilizing the gender identity information.