Updating Personal Information

Update or Change Preferred First Name

Rice University recognizes that students may choose to use a preferred first name other than their legal first name to identify themselves. The university allows a student to submit a preferred first name that will appear in place of the student's legal first name in most university systems and records, such as in ESTHER, Canvas, Degree Works, Navigate, class rosters, and the university's online directory.

{NEW} We are in the process of moving to a new and improved ESTHER interface. Please use this new interface when updating or changing your Preferred First Name. To make the update:

  1. Login to ESTHER.
  2. From the Main Menu, click on the link in the yellow “Rice Students!” banner located at the top of the page.
  3. On the Welcome to Esther Beta Version landing page, click on the Personal Information box.
  4. On the Personal Information page, review the Personal Details section at the top.
  5. Click on the Edit button in the upper-right corner of the Personal Details section.
  6. Enter, update, or change your Preferred First Name.
  7. Click on the large Update box.

For more information on Preferred First Name (and Legal Name), please click here.

Changes made to a Preferred First Name will be reflected immediately on course rosters and within 24 hours in the Rice Directory.

Update or Change Gender Identity or Personal Pronouns

Rice University supports the right of students to update or change how their gender identity is identified in the university’s student system. Providing gender identity information is an optional feature and entirely voluntary. Students may add, edit, or remove their gender identity at any time within ESTHER, and their entered gender identity may be different from the legal sex. Similarly, students have the option of adding their personal pronouns to their records in the university’s student system. Adding this information is entirely voluntary, and not required. Please note that Personal Pronouns information does appear on course rosters.

{NEW} We are in the process of moving to a new and improved ESTHER interface. Please use this new interface when updating or changing your Gender Identity or Personal Pronouns. To make the update:

  1. Login to ESTHER.
  2. From the Main Menu, click on the link in the yellow “Rice Students!” banner located at the top of the page.
  3. On the Welcome to Esther Beta Version landing page, click on the Personal Information box.
  4. On the Personal Information page, review the Personal Details section at the top.
  5. Click on the Edit button in the upper-right corner of the Personal Details section.
  6. Enter, update, or change your Gender Identity or Personal Pronouns.
  7. Click on the large Update box.

Please Note: Access to gender identity information in the university’s student system is and will be limited to individuals who have a legitimate business or educational need for this information. All requests for access to gender identity information must be approved by the University Registrar.

Record or Update Your Name Pronunciation - NameCoach

All students are asked to record and upload the pronunciation of your full name. When recording, please be certain to clearly articulate your full name (your preferred first name, your middle name (optional), followed by your last name). To make the update:

  1. Login to ESTHER
  2. From the Main Menu, click on the Personal Information tab at the top of the page.
  3. From the list of Personal Information options, click Update Name Pronunciation (NameCoach).
  4. Click the NameCoach button.
  5. Enter/update your full name or your name as you would like it to be said/announced.
  6. Enter/update the phonetic spelling of your name.
  7. Select an option to record your name.
    1. Web Recorder will allow you to press Record and record your name when you follow the on-screen prompts.
    2. Phone will allow you to enter a phone number. You will receive an automated call that will allow you to speak your name for recording. Please be sure to follow the prompts. Please be sure to wait until it indicates "Call is completed" before proceeding to the next step.
  8. Click on Save all the changes to save the submitted changes.
  9. Click Close to close the window

Manage Addresses and Phone Information

To Verify Current Information:

  1. Login to ESTHER.
  2. From the Main Menu, click on the Personal Information tab at the top of the page.
  3. Click Manage Addresses and Phone Information.

To Change Current Information:

  1. Login to ESTHER.
  2. From the Main Menu, click on the Personal Information tab at the top of the page.
  3. Click Update Addresses and Phones.
  4. To change your address or phone, click Current next to the address that you want to change.
  5. Make any necessary changes, click Submit.

Manage Contact Information for Personal Emergency Situations and Parent/Guardian Information

Your emergency contact information indicates who you would like us to contact in the event that you, personally, are involved in an emergency situation. This information may or may not be the same as the information you have entered into the Rice University Emergency Notification System, the broadcast system used when campus-wide notification is desired.

To Verify Contact Information

  1. Login to ESTHER.
  2. From the Main Menu, click on the Personal Information tab at the top of the page.
  3. Click View Contact Information for PERSONAL Emergency Situations.

To Change Contact Information:

  1. Login to ESTHER
  2. From the Main Menu, click on the Personal Information tab at the top of the page.
  3. Click Update Contact Information for PERSONAL Emergency Situations and/or Parent/Guardian Information.
  4. To change your emergency contact information, click Name for the emergency contact that you want to change.
  5. Make any necessary changes, click Submit Changes.

Request to Withhold Directory Information

Should you desire, you have the right to request the withholding of your directory information.

A listing of directory information is available on the main FERPA page.

Please note:

  • Rice University reserves the right to release your directory information unless you have instructed the university to withhold it.
  • If you request to withhold your directory information, you will not appear in the online directory, the printed directory, the printed President's Honor Roll (if qualified), or other official lists.

To Withhold Directory Information:

  1. Login to ESTHER.
  2. From the Main Menu, click on the Personal Information tab at the top of the page.
  3. Click Students - Request to Withhold Directory Information.
  4. In the Type your Full Name field, type your first name, middle initial or name, and last name.
  5. In the Withhold my Directory Information field, select Yes to withhold your information or No to release your information (if you previously restricted it).
  6. The Date Last Executed and Last Response fields will display when you last updated this information and the current status of your directory information.

Consent to Release Educational Record Information

Educational records are all records that contain information directly related to a student and are maintained by an educational agency or institution, or by a party acting on its behalf. Under FERPA, these types of records are considered confidential and are only released with written consent from the student. The appropriate form for releasing educational records is the Consent to Release Student Information Form and it should be completed by the student.

Update Biographical and Demographical Information (Name(s), SSN, etc.)

Students who wish to change their legal name, update or correct their social security number (SSN), date of birth, or citizenship status should supply the supporting legal documentation and complete the Biographical and Demographical Update Form for submission to the Office of the Registrar.

To request that your academic record reflect a change in legal sex, please contact the Office of the Registrar for procedural information, including the required supporting documentation.

NOTE: For students seeking to request a social security number (SSN) for the first time, to change the printed name on your SSN card, or to replace a lost card, information on these processes is available from the Social Security Administration at https://www.ssa.gov/

Declare Veteran Status

You can declare your status as a United States veteran by completing the Veteran's Administration Information Sheet and submit the form to the Office of the Registrar along with the required supporting documentation as listed on the form.

Secure Submission of Documents to OTR

The upload mechanism used below has been approved by Rice IT Security for the transfer of confidential and sensitive information in accordance with Rice Policy 808 - Protection of Personally Identifiable Information. You may submit biographical information to OTR using the upload mechanism below.