[Permissions] Disable option to change your display name for only certain users

[rnewton5]

Problem statement:

Currently, allowing students to change their display names on Canvas is an "all or nothing" proposition. Either administrators allow all students to change their display names, or no one can change their display names. When the institution setting is enabled on Canvas, students can change their displayed name. This facilitates a more welcoming and affirming learning environment, as students can select their own nickname or preferred name, so it shows up in class discussions and communications. This also helps large classes where more than one student may have the same roster name and can therefore select a nickname to be differentiated from classmates. This does not change the name listed on the course roster, but it allows the instructor and other students to see how the student prefers to be addressed and then communicate with them accordingly. https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Troubleshooting/Updating-my-displayed-name-in-Canvas/ta-p/853 Institutions may disable this feature out of the fear that students may abuse it by changing their name too often or changing their name in a way that may harass, mislead, or offend others. As a result, administrators may block this feature for everyone as opposed to addressing particular offenders and trusting students to take advantage of its intended purpose.

Proposed solution:

It would be helpful to allow all students to change their display name and give administrators and/or instructors the flexibility to disable this option for particular users in cases of abuse. If an instructor/administrator encounters an individual student user who is abusing the system and changing their name in such a way that it harms other members of the class, then it would be helpful to disable the feature of updating their display name for that individual student who was causing harm. This way, any cases of abuse could be mitigated without restricting the overall student body's ability to change their display names, have their identities affirmed, and create a welcoming learning environment.

User role(s):

admin,instructor,student

[jpoulos]

Thanks for submitting your idea! I've associated your idea to the theme "Make account configuration more flexible through new account settings".