diff --git a/djangoapps/student/models.py b/djangoapps/student/models.py
index e21084e20f..a4c01d52fc 100644
--- a/djangoapps/student/models.py
+++ b/djangoapps/student/models.py
@@ -32,12 +32,12 @@ class UserProfile(models.Model):
 
     def get_meta(self):
         js_str = self.meta
-        if not js: 
-            js = dict()
+        if not js_str: 
+            js_str = dict()
         else:
-            js = json.reads(self.meta)
+            js_str = json.loads(self.meta)
 
-        return js
+        return js_str
 
     def set_meta(self,js):
         self.meta = json.dumps(js)
diff --git a/djangoapps/student/views.py b/djangoapps/student/views.py
index 4a1dfbb546..017e1b3bb5 100644
--- a/djangoapps/student/views.py
+++ b/djangoapps/student/views.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+import datetime
 import json
 import logging
 import random
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@ from django.db import connection
 from django.http import HttpResponse, Http404
 from django.shortcuts import redirect
 from mitxmako.shortcuts import render_to_response, render_to_string
+from mako import exceptions
 
 from django_future.csrf import ensure_csrf_cookie
 
@@ -373,7 +375,7 @@ def confirm_email_change(request, key):
     meta = up.get_meta()
     if 'old_emails' not in meta:
         meta['old_emails'] = []
-    meta['old_emails'].append(user.email)
+    meta['old_emails'].append([user.email, datetime.datetime.now().isoformat()])
     up.set_meta(meta)
     up.save()
     user.email = pec.new_email
@@ -450,7 +452,7 @@ def accept_name_change(request):
     meta = up.get_meta()
     if 'old_names' not in meta:
         meta['old_names'] = []
-    meta['old_names'].append(up.name)
+    meta['old_names'].append([up.name, pnc.rationale, datetime.datetime.now().isoformat()])
     up.set_meta(meta)
 
     up.name = pnc.new_name
diff --git a/templates/emails/confirm_email_change.txt b/templates/emails/confirm_email_change.txt
index 148b973384..b213847f98 100644
--- a/templates/emails/confirm_email_change.txt
+++ b/templates/emails/confirm_email_change.txt
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from ${old_email} to ${new_email}. If you did not make this request,
 please contact the course staff immediately. Contact information is
 listed at:
 
-  https://${sitename}/t/mitx_help.html
+  https://${ site }/t/mitx_help.html
 
 We keep a log of old e-mails, so if this request was unintentional, we
 can investigate.
diff --git a/templates/profile.html b/templates/profile.html
index 94eaba3cac..f63011243a 100644
--- a/templates/profile.html
+++ b/templates/profile.html
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ $(function() {
           if(data.success){
           $("#apply_name_change").html("<h1>Your request has been submitted.</h1><p>We'll send you an e-mail if we approve the change or need further information. Please allow for up to a week for us to process your request.</p>");
           } else {
-            $("#apply_name_change_error").html(data.error);
+            $("#change_name_error").html(data.error);
           }
        });
        log_event("profile", {"type":"name_change_request",