March 23, 2007
What is the purpose of this blog?
UMR launched the Name Change Conversations blog as part of an effort to provide UMR alumni, students, faculty, staff and others with another opportunity to provide input on a proposed name change. In addition to providing a forum for discussion, this blog also serves as a means for the university to provide information about the name change proposal and process to those interested.
Why consider a name change for UMR?
The University of Missouri-Rolla is unique among the four University of Missouri campuses because of its mission to serve as a technological research university. Yet the university's name does not reflect the campus' distinctive nature.
A more distinctive name may afford UMR several advantages in recruiting students on a national level. While UMR is well known in the Midwest for its academic excellence, it is less well known on a national scale.
UMR Chancellor John F. Carney III has set a goal to make UMR one of the nation's top five technological research universities. Many of UMR’s "competitors" for that position have names that better reflect their mission. (For example: California Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.)
What is a "technological research university"?
UMR has defined a technological research university as one in which:
1.) at least one-fourth of the student body major in engineering
2.) a majority of students are enrolled in the study of engineering, the sciences, business or mathematics;
3.) a robust graduate program exists in each of those fields;
4.) a strong research culture exists within the university; and
5.) exceptional liberal arts, humanities and social sciences degree programs thrive so as to complement and lend context to the technological strengths of the university.
What name is being proposed?
Missouri University of Science and Technology
How will it be abbreviated?
Missouri S&T is the preferred abbreviation. "MST" is also acceptable. "Missouri S&T" is the official abbreviation or nickname. Either the full university name or the nickname will be used on all official university materials, such as stationery, business cards, marketing materials and apparel.
What other names were considered?
Among the other names considered were:
- Missouri University of Science and Engineering
- University of Missouri Institute of Technology
- Missouri Science and Technology University
- Missouri Science and Engineering University
- Missouri Institute of Technology
- Missouri Technological University
- Missouri Polytechnic University
- Technological University of Missouri
- University of Missouri-Rolla
Why was Missouri S&T proposed?
“Missouri S&T” best identifies our unique mission and traditional strengths in science and technology.
Based on the results of our market research, UMR proposed a name that resonates more with prospective students and high school counselors and that will allow UMR to better recruit students nationally.
The S&T title is well recognized among some of the top international technological research universities.
What UMR groups support the name change proposal?
The proposal has received the unanimous support of the UMR Board of Trustees.
Other organizations to endorse the proposal include:
The UMR Academy of Engineering Management
The UMR Academy of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers
The UMR Corporate Development Council
The School of Management and Information Systems Advisory Council
The School of Management and Information Systems Executive Committee
The UMR Order of the Golden Shillelagh (OGS) Executive Committee
The UMR Enrollment Development Team
The UMR Recruitment Committee
When will the name change take effect?
If approved by the UM System Board of Curators, UMR proposes that the name change take effect Jan. 1, 2008
What input have students, alumni, faculty, staff and others had on the process?
Throughout the process, the university has tried to reach out to various constituencies.
Public forums were held with current students, faculty, staff and alumni during the fall semester. Chancellor Carney also consulted key alumni, community leaders and legislators.
An alumni survey appeared in the Winter 2006 issue of the quarterly alumni magazine, UMR Magazine. Results were compiled in January 2007.
Faculty, staff and current students were surveyed electronically in late January and early February 2007. The results were compiled in February 2007.
In early February 2007, UMR contracted with consulting firm SimpsonScarborough to perform market research. Preliminary information was provided to university officials on March 12. The final report was sent March 22, 2007. SimpsonScarborough surveyed community leaders, corporate recruiters, prospective students and high school guidance counselors.
In addition to the formal research and surveys, the university gathered input informally through email, letters and comments posted on the Name Change Conversations weblog (namechange.mst.edu).
Based on the research results and additional input from various groups, Chancellor Carney submitted a proposal to the UM System Board of Curators, which will take up the issue at its meeting on April 5-6, 2007.
What are the research results?
A majority of alumni, faculty, staff and graduate students believe a name other than UMR would best describe the university, while a majority of current students believe the current name best describes the university. Details are provided in the post Survey results at a glance.
In addition, research conducted for UMR by SimpsonScarborough indicates that a majority of prospective students, guidance counselors, corporate recruiters and community leaders believe Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) is the most appealing name for the university. These groups all also cited University of Missouri-Rolla as the least appealing name.
Will the name of the alumni association change?
This is an issue to be decided by the MSM-UMR Alumni Association board of directors.
Is this name change part of the campus reorganization plan that is resulting in the elimination of the schools and college?
The name change discussion is a separate issue.
Who must approve the name change?
The University of Missouri Board of Curators must approve a name change. The Board will vote on the proposed name change at its April 5-6 meeting in Rolla.
Will the Coordinating Board for Higher Education, the legislature, or any other governing bodies be required to approve a name change?
The only required approval for a name change comes from the University of Missouri Board of Curators, as provided for in the Missouri Constitution, Article IX, Section 9(a).
Will the university still be part of the four-campus University of Missouri?
Yes. The campus intends to remain the technological research campus of the University of Missouri.
How much will it cost to convert signage, publicity materials, etc., to a new name?
Estimates of other Missouri institutions that have undergone name changes range from $200,000 to $250,000. Initial estimates place the cost at approximately $100,000 in one-time expenditures. Some expenses, such as new signage, publications and uniforms, are already budgeted and therefore are not included in this estimate.
Timeline: UMR’s evolution from MSM
1870 – The campus was established as the University of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy. It soon became known as MSM, or the Missouri School of Mines. When the first class was called to order on Nov. 6, 1871, the campus offered degrees in mining engineering, metallurgical engineering, civil engineering (etc) as well as supporting programs in mathematics, chemistry and the natural sciences. MSM was the second campus of the University of Missouri and the first technological school west of the Mississippi River.
1964 – The University of Missouri expanded into a four-campus system to include campuses in Kansas City and St. Louis. The University of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy was renamed the University of Missouri at Rolla.
1968 – The University of Missouri at Rolla became known as the University of Missouri-Rolla.
2006 – In his second State of the University Address since arriving on campus, UMR Chancellor John F. Carney III announces that he wants the campus community, alumni and other supporters of the university to "enter into a discussion" about the benefits and disadvantages of changing the University of Missouri-Rolla's name to something that better reflects the campus' role as a technological research university.
Historical information taken from UM-Rolla: A History of MSM/UMR, by Lawrence O. Christensen and Jack B. Ridley (Columbia, Missouri: University of Missouri Printing Services, 1983). Christensen and Ridley are Curators’ Teaching Professors emeritus of history at UMR.
It seems to me to be a mistake to not have "Engineering" in the new name. Goodness, it seems to me that the greatest number of graduates that came out of MSM and later UMR receive engineering degrees. This new name completely ignores that fact. Shame on Y'all for allowing this to happen. The new name makes it sound like the University is not much more than a technical vocational school that confers associate degrees rather than graduate degrees and advanced degrees. I am deeply saddened with this new name change.
Phil: Somehow the "Massachusetts Institute of Engineering" just does not seem to have the same ring. Tech has helped a lot schools prosper and offer broader curriculum and research areas. You cant argue that the general public confuses Cal Tech, RPI, Stephens Tech, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Texas Tech, IIT, etc with vocational schools.
Change is always difficult. Based on my personal experience and after reviewing the data, a change was probably appropriate. Missouri S&T is okay with me.
I agree totally with Chancellor Carney. After MSM I did the following:
Naval Aviator, USN Postgrad School,BS Aeronautics, RPI MS Management Engineering, Weapons Development, Test Pilot School, Weapons Project Management, Prog Mg Pacific Missile Range, Advanced Development, Lockheed. In contact with many Govt Tech activities and Civilian Companies, coast to coast.
In 1975 Lockheed toured the country looking for technical grads. I could not convince them to visit Rolla. Personnel had never heard of MSM. Since then I have campaigned with every one I could to start toward a new name for MSM, etc. I think Missouri S and T is perfect!
Gordon Raymer
I think new name 'Missouri University of Science and Technology'- Missouri S&T rightly reflects the school's character. Carney has offered a multi-level strategic plan that includes a name change, less administration, more funding for teaching, a research park, greater industry and international partnerships, and a broader outreach effort. A research park would really make a big difference. All in All - thumbs up !!
For twenty-five years, I've had people look quizzically at my conference name tags wondering what "Mo-Rolla" was. We needed a new name! And I think "Missouri University of Science and Technology," as an official moniker, is just fine.
In sum, I'm completely behind the name change up to the point where we are told that "Missouri S&T" is to be the official nickname. I just don't see how "Missouri S&T"--as an everyday name for us, is an improvement over "UMR."
"Missouri S&T" doesn't say anything new about us. Instead, it sounds like a bank or a railroad--I heard some students joking: what kind of engineer would that be?
I don't think students will be comfortable saying they're going to "Missouri S&T."
I sincerely hope we can reconsider how we talk about ourselves--perhaps "Missouri Sci-Tech" would work? A "Missouri" logo in the traditional font with "Sci-Tech" emblazoned over it?
But maybe I'm wrong--I'm quite pleased with "Missouri University of Science and Technology," but please explain the rationale behind encouraging everyone to refer to us as "Missouri S&T." So far, that just doesn't work for me.
Lance - Thanks for the comments. It's probably more difficult coming up with the right shorthand for the official name. (And then of course there's the graphic identity, whether that be a logo or a word mark or some combination, a tagline or no tagline, etc., all of which will be hammered out in the coming months.) A few of the reasons for "Missouri S&T" as the official shorthand/nickname:
Those are my thoughts on the matter.
Will the school colors change? I was told they are currently silver and gold, although most people I've spoken to on campus did not know that.
Cathy - The school colors of silver and gold will not change. The use of the official school colors, as well as the complementary color green, will be outlined in a graphic standards manual to be developed and distributed this fall.
Should alumni now say they graduated from Missouri S&T or UMR?
Jerry - Alumni are welcome to use the new name when talking about their alma mater. However, on resumes and formal documents, alumni may wish to write something along the lines of "Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri-Rolla)" at least for the next year or two.