You MUST always enter a last name and/or first name (or partial strings) in order to do a search. While you can search just on a first name (or partial first name), we will only display, at most, 50 possible matches for what you enter. The most effective search involves entering something in the last name, or last name/first name boxes.

• The Online Directory will first attempt a search based on the exact characters you enter in the last name/first name fields.

• If a single match is found for what you entered, the directory entry for that person will display. If there are multiple matches, you will be presented with a list of those people whose last name/first name match what you entered in the search boxes.

• If there are no exact matches based on what you entered, the Online Directory will then attempt to do a "fuzzy match" on last name using soundex, and present a list of POSSIBLE matches from which you can select a single individual.

• You can enter a partial string when searching on either last name or last name/first name. For example, entering "CHAM" in the last name box will bring up ALL students/faculty/staff whose last name begins with those 4 characters. The more information you provide, the more successful your search efforts will be.

• If you do not know the entire first name or if you wish to narrow your search, you can enter a first initial or even partial first name. For example, entering "D" in the first name search box will give you all the David's, Daniel's, Donald's, Doris', etc in conjunction with the last name entered. But entering "DO" in the first name box will narrow that list down to just the Donald's and Doris', as well as any other person whose first name begins with "DO".

• There is no need to enter an apostrophe (') or an embedded space in the last name search box, even if you suspect that the person you are looking for spells their name with one. For example, you can search for "O'BRIEN" by entering either "OBRIEN", "O'BRIEN", or "O BRIEN" and they will all generate the same results.

• Use variations on the spelling of a last name. If your search for "MCKENNA" does not produce the person you are looking for, try entering "MACKENNA" in the last name search box.