| UMR vs UMMIT vs UMSM: How does the campus feel? |
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| Written by Emma Kessler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Our reporter spoke to students, faculty and administrators alike to see how they feel about the idea of a name change In 1870 University Missouri school of Mines and Metallurgy (MSM) was founded. In 1964, MSM was changed to University of Missouri at Rolla. Then in 1968, the ‘at’ was replaced by a dash. Dean Jay Goff (Dean of Enrollment) had a few good points on why the name should be changed, “There is a big difference between a technical school and a technological university. Technological means ‘High-end study of technology’ as opposed to being a technician. We’re talking about calling the school technological.” The Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor Kent Wray says, “We need a name that more accurately describes the school to avoid confusion [with University of Missouri at Columbia]. According to people outside the Midwest, most think that we are a secondary school to Mizzou (University of Missouri at Columbia), which is a reason why the name change came up as an idea. Dean Goff also points out that there is another UMR that was put together in 1999. This other UMR is called University of Minnesota, Rochester. Having two colleges named UMR confuse incoming college students, and one of the schools should change the name. “Why us, why not them?” you may ask. Dean Goff stated that, “The main issue is that there will be a 4-7% decline in incoming freshman this next year in the Midwest (which means we need to stick out more to high school students outside of the Midwest), and interest in engineering continues to decline.” According to the SAT/ACT scores, only 4.8% students showed interest in pursuing a degree in engineering and natural sciences. Matt Goodwin in the Administrative Department of Student Life said, “I think that it never hurts to have the discussion, and challenge most norms. In terms of Greek and student life, I don’t have a clear understanding on how it would impact student life at UMR.” UMR students had a chance to say what they think about the possible name change. Matt Lutz- “I think the name UMR to a lot of people, holds a lot of value. We might not get as much money from alumni. A lot of companies know UMR as UMR, not UMRIT.” Jeff Hardesty- “Being in the St. Louis area, the technical schools around us are two year schools, so calling us a University of Missouri-Tech school makes us sound like a two year vocational, due to the area that we are in. The name change is a good idea, just don’t throw tech in there.” Heather Parnell- “I feel our school is already known as UMR, and the name change won’t affect the income. It also messes with the students who don’t study engineering (non-engineering majors) trying to come to UMR. There will be less variety in different majored students.” Erin Sage- “It’s motivated by the other schools changing their names. People don’t know us for our name, they know us for our reputation.” Scott Pitsch- “I think it’s a tremendous idea. The name brings more money; more money means more scholarships, more scholarships mean higher quality students. Schools such as Georgia Tech, Texas tech, etc. are not affected by the title ‘technical institute’ in a negative way.” Wes Bevans- “I prefer UMR but if they change it, they need to come up with a better name that won’t sound like an unqualified school. The words technical institute and university cancel each other out.” Nathan Devine- “The benefit of a name change will allow people that know nothing about our school, understand what our graduates are capable of.” Eric Evola- “Putting tech at the end of it makes it sound like a tech school where you learn a trade, as opposed to a university.” Neil Rapp- “I think the name isn’t important. They need to work on improving the programs first before we worry about the name.” Jonita Harrison- “I don’t want them to change it because we’re more than just a technical school. We offer various other majors. YEAH, UMR!” Rachel Prewitt, alumni liaison for executive council, said, “Students need to stay open minded about the name change and the possible effects it may have in the future.” Student body president, Lauren Huchingson said, “I will not present my opinion, but present both sides to help students have the most informed opinion and facts as possible.” Alums went through a name change from MSM to UMR, and some feel that the name UMR isn’t fitting and there should be a new name to make it more tech oriented. There will be an open forum about this proposed name change on Monday, October 23, 2006 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM in the Leach Theater. The Chancellor will be there to discuss this possible name change, and Lauren Huchingson strongly encourages UMR students to attend this forum. Even though this name change is just an idea, it is definitely raising a lot of questions, concerns and opinions on the matter. The name change may help in the long run, but some point out it can be very expensive to change everything from bookstore merchandise, to the big signs on campus and on the Highway. There is no real way to tell whether or not the name change will help the school (in more ways that one), before anything is decided. The names suggested for this name change are, Missouri Institute of Technology, University of Missouri Institute of Technology, and Missouri technological University (or MO-Tech).
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