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| PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS CURRENT STUDENTS ALUMNI & FRIENDS COMMUNITY FACULTY & STAFF | |
The University of Missouri System recently started a weekly podcast to share topics of interest throughout the entire university community. Jennifer Hollingshead, the UM System's interim director of communications, conducts the interviews and produces these podcasts. She recently chatted with Andrew Careaga, director of communications at Missouri S&T, to talk about the name change.
Missouri S&T's IT department has set up an informative website with all the details you need to know about the decommissioning of umr.edu, and with tips on how you can help get the word out.
What you can do to help
If you still haven't purchased an old UMR sign from the university's eBay surplus store, you still have time. But not much time. The bidding on the last set of signs ends in just a few days.
Here's a sampling of the signage still available:
Act now to own a piece of campus history.
Starting with the May 2008 graduating class, Missouri S&T graduates will have their choice of diplomas -- the classic University of Missouri diploma or a redesigned version that includes the new name.
Here's the pre-name change version of the diploma:
And here's the redesigned diploma, which will be available starting in May (and also to alumni who wish to order the new version):
From the official news release:
The redesigned diplomas, approved recently by the University of Missouri administration, replace the former wording “Done at the University in the City of Rolla, State of Missouri,” with “Done at Missouri University of Science and Technology in the City of Rolla, State of Missouri.” The university’s full name is in bold type set in a larger font size – the same size as the graduating student’s name – to draw attention to the new name.All May 2008 Missouri S&T graduates will receive the new diploma in the mail, along with a coupon to order the previous University of Missouri diploma. The previous diploma will be available to graduating students at no charge over the next six years (through May 2013).
It's important to note that there never was a UMR diploma. As the images above depict, the diploma was always a "University of Missouri" diploma.
Alumni: Go here to order your new diploma.
If you still haven't purchased your old UMR sign from the University of Missouri surplus store on eBay, there are plenty left to pick from. And some of these deals are dirt cheap! (The Humanities-Social Sciences Building sign for only $5.50? An Allgood-Bailey Stadium sign for $10.50?) These deals won't last long, so get in there and bid while you can.
Most of the old UMR signage has given way to the new Missouri S&T signs. But anyone interested in owning a little bit of campus history may submit bids to purchase some of the old UMR signs through the university's online eBay store.
Several of the old UMR signs will be available beginning Tuesday, April 1 (no joke), on the University of Missouri's surplus store on eBay. To access the online store, log on to stores.ebay.com/University-of-Missouri-Surplus.
Alumni and friends: Keep an eye on your mailboxes, as the premier issue of Missouri S&T magazine is set to go out in the mail this week. It's the same great, award-winning quarterly publication you've come to know and love, but with a new name to reflect the university's new identity.
This debut issue is special in another way. We wanted to take a look at the technological issues that will confront society in the future and then talk about how Missouri S&T researchers are addressing some of those issues. The magazine opens with a conversation with Farouk El-Baz, a geology graduate who served on the National Academy of Engineering's blue-ribbon panel that identified the Grand Challenges of Engineering for the next century. From there, we look at the work Missouri S&T researchers are doing in the fields of renewable energy, infrastructure and biomedicine. It's another great issue of a great magazine for great alumni.
P.S. - About the "award-winning" part of the magazine's description: Once again this past year, your alumni magazine was recognized by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for excellence. This year, the magazine won a gold award for excellence in graphic design for the cover of the Fall 2007 issue. It was one of 13 awards the university picked up from CASE District VI in January.
The wait is over. Departments may now order any of three suites of Missouri S&T stationery using the online form.
Our graphic design team created three suites of materials -- business card, letterhead and envelope -- for campus use. Business cards of each version are shown below.
1. The standard green suite, for general business usage.
2. The recruiting suite, for use with student recruitment mailings, fact sheets, etc. Business cards are two-sided and formatted vertically.
3. The three-color package, which incorporates the official school colors of silver and gold with green. This package may also be used for general business correspondence as well as correspondence with alumni. Business cards are available in horizontal or vertical format. The vertical cards are two-sided and available in silver, gold or green on the reverse.
For those who need letterhead immediately (if you just can't wait for a printed version), a downloadable version of the standard green is available.
A lot of bloggers begin the new year with a look at upcoming trends. Here at Name Change Central, we meant to give you our forecast a little earlier in the year -- but better late than never, I suppose. So, to help you keep straight with all the changes, here's a side-by-side look at the old and the new.
We used to be... |
But now we are... |
|
|---|---|---|
| Official name: | University of Missouri-Rolla | Missouri University of Science and Technology |
| Nickname: | UMR | Missouri S&T* |
| Radio station call letters: | KUMR | KMST |
| Alumni association: | The MSM-UMR Alumni Association | The Miner Alumni Association |
| Alumni magazine: | UMR Magazine | Missouri S&T Magazine** |
| Web domain: | www.mst.edu | www.mst.edu |
| Email: | joeminer@umr.edu | joeminer@mst.edu |
* Missouri S&T is the "official" nickname for the campus. Not MST. Not MUST. Not MOST. Not MS&T. For more about the name usage, see this section of the Missouri S&T Editorial Style Guide.
** Effective with the Spring 2008 issue.
Faculty, staff and students: Looking for official Missouri S&T logos, letterhead, PowerPoint templates or guidelines on how to abbreviate the university's new name? Look no further than the Missouri S&T Identity Standards website, http://standards.mst.edu .
The standards website is still a work in progress, but makes the following information available to the campus community:
What began as a discussion among this university's board of trustees in the fall of 2006 became reality today. At the stroke of midnight today, Jan. 1, 2008, the University of Missouri-Rolla became Missouri University of Science and Technology.
But as regular readers of this blog know, the renaming was not an overnight occurrence. And talk about renaming the university began long before the fall of 2006. Talk of renaming this university goes all the way back to the early 1960s, when UMR came into being from our original name, the University of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (better known as the Missouri School of Mines, or MSM).
Then as now, not everyone was elated by the decision.
I'm not sure what the communications process involved back then. Blogs were not a part of the picture, and stakeholders were likely not as involved or as savvy to the ways of marketing and communications techniques as they are today. But whatever the processes employed by the university back then, it's evident that not everyone got on board. Even today, 43 or 44 years after the fact, a few alumni remain bitter with the decision to switch from MSM to UMR.
Over the past 11 months, we've tried to use this blog as an avenue to talk about the name change with our alumni, students, faculty and staff. As we said when we launched this site last January, we wanted it to be:
When this blog experiment began, the idea of a name change was still in proposal form. It is now reality. But even after moving from proposal to recommendation to unanimous endorsement from the University of Missouri Board of Curators and on through the process of picking a logo and other details of the implementation, I'd like to think that this blog has achieved its purpose.
I hope you agree. But if you don't, well, that's fine. It's not like we haven't had our disagreements in the past. But I hope you can at least agree that this forum has allowed you to freely express your opinions about the name change and to participate in a process that we have tried to make as open as possible.
In my opinion, "transparency" and "conversation" were two of the most overused buzzwords of 2007. But those two terms best express what we have tried to do with this blog. We have used this blog to make the process more transparent than it would have been otherwise, and we have used it to try to engage you in a meaningful conversation about this change in your university's identity.
We don't want the conversation to end. As always, your comments are welcome. Just remember to keep them relevant, respectful and as brief as possible.
Happy New Year from Missouri S&T!
The new Missouri S&T signage started going up around campus last week. Above is a shot of the new sign going up outside the historic Rolla Building. Below is the sign outside Norwood Hall.
What do you think? More signage photos on our Missouri S&T Flickr site.
B.A. Rupert photos
In preparation for the Jan. 1 launch, we're putting Missouri S&T out into the social mediasphere.
Any Twitter users out there? If so, sign up to follow Missouri S&T via that service. We plan to offer news updates from time to time on Twitter, if there's a demand for it.
Also, we've created a Missouri S&T photo-sharing site on Flickr. There, people may view and download images from campus.
Stay tuned for more social media experiments as UMR soon becomes Missouri University of Science and Technology.
Employees who would like to order the standard green stationery suite (business cards, letterhead and envelopes) can do so by going online to printingmail.mst.edu/ordercards/standard.html.
Orders for recruitment and three-color stationery suites can be done through printing services, located in G-8 Campus Support Facility. Online ordering for these suites will be available soon as well.
The standard green stationery is also available as a download (in Microsoft Word and a PDF formats) online at standards.mst.edu/logosgraphicidentity/letterhead-envelopes.html.
For more information, contact printing services at 341-4264.
We're celebrating New Year's a little bit early on campus with the launch of our revamped campus website. The site has a new look, using the Missouri S&T logo, the new name and the new domain, www.mst.edu.
The new look:
The previous UMR website:
Please take a few minutes to surf around the new site, then come back and tell us what you think -- either in the comments below or on this short survey (or both). Update: The survey closed on Feb. 14, 2008. Thank you for your input.
Today is the big day UMR switches its web and email domains from umr.edu to mst.edu.
A piece of cake, you say? Not exactly.
Our friends over at the IT Press blog are "liveblogging" the process throughout the day, and perhaps into the evening. "IT will provide periodic updates today as we switch our web and email servers to mst.edu," IT Press blogger Matt Shaner explains. "There is a strong possibility that something might not go quite as we planned, so your patience is requested."
On our side of campus, the folks in electronic marketing communications are working with IT on the switcheroo and getting ready to launch the first-ever version of the Missouri S&T website.
So, tune in to IT Press for the latest on the switch from umr.edu to mst.edu. And check back here later today for a look at the "Missouri S&T" website.
(Cake photo courtesy of IT Press, and it probably doesn't look like that anymore.)
Name Change News: Dec. 14, 2007
The latest news on the name change implementation. Also available on the Name Change Conversations weblog: http://namechange.mst.edu .
In this issue:
Things to do before the semester break
Missouri S&T is the new UMR
Signage swap-out
New ID cards available soon
Things to do before the semester break
If you’re leaving campus during the semester break and don’t plan on returning back to campus before Jan. 1 -- the date we officially become Missouri S&T -- please review this to-do list.
Missouri S&T is the new UMR
Please use Missouri S&T as the short version of Missouri University of Science and Technology. KMST is the name of the public radio station on campus. Our web presence will be characterized by mst.edu. These are the only exceptions. Please refrain from using MST or any other acronym to describe Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T).
Signage swap-out
As reported in Thursday’s entry on the name change blog (see http://namechange.mst.edu/2007/12/out_with_the_old.html), UMR staff members were busy removing UMR signage on Thursday, Dec. 14. Look for new signage to start appearing on campus next week.
New ID cards available soon
The “Miner Card” ID office is ready to introduce the new Missouri S&T Miner Card to students, faculty and staff beginning with the new year. For details, see the recent eConnection notice at http://econnection.mst.edu/2007/12/new_id_cards_available_soon.html.
In preparation for the change from UMR to Missouri S&T, campus staff members are removing the UMR signage this week. Look for new signage to start appearing around campus next week.
The Missouri S&T logo is getting out and about -- most recently on the side of one of our university's renowned solar cars, Solar Miner IV, in the vicinity of Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. Read more about the sun-powered car's recent tour of the south at the Experience This! blog .
There's been a bit of confusion over how to abbreviate the university's name, so perhaps it's time to discuss proper usage.
For starters, let's go back to the name change FAQ, which says:
What will be the new name for the university?And:Missouri University of Science and Technology.
How will it be abbreviated?"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.
Chapter 2: Missouri S&T or Missouri University of Science and Technology?For headlines, photo captions and other tight spots, shorter is always better. Thus, “Missouri S&T” is preferred. For news releases, use “Missouri University of Science and Technology” on first reference and “Missouri S&T” on subsequent references.
When writing to audiences familiar with the campus – such as alumni or students – Missouri S&T is acceptable in all references.
Never, under any circumstances, use “MUST” or “MST.” (The exception with “mst,” in lowercase, is in web and email addresses. See Internet terms.)
university identification. Use “University of Missouri System” when referring to all four UM campuses. On second reference, use “UM System” or “university system” when referring to the central administration of the four campuses or the Board of Curators. For first reference of any UM campus other than Missouri S&T, write the complete name: “University of Missouri-Columbia” (not “Missouri University” or “University of Missouri”), “University of Missouri-Kansas City” and “University of Missouri-St. Louis.” On second and subsequent references, the following rules apply:
For the University of Missouri-Columbia: MU is acceptable on second reference. This is in keeping with the University of Missouri Board of Curators’ Nov. 29, 2007, decision to allow the Columbia campus to use “University of Missouri,” “MU” or “Mizzou” on second and subsequent references. For the University of Missouri-Kansas City: UMKC is acceptable on second reference. For the University of Missouri-St. Louis: UMSL is acceptable on second reference. Use the lowercase “university” in the generic sense. For example, write: “The university’s Campus Performing Arts Series will host a performance of Evita tonight in Leach Theatre of Castleman Hall.”
Note: The email version of this newsletter went out to campus on Tuesday, Nov. 27, and included a promo for Unity Day, which was held Nov. 28, and for a bookstore event, which was held Nov. 29. I've left the blurbs intact for reasons of historical accuracy, but since the events have passed, I've struck through the text to indicate that this is old news. (Unity Day was great, by the way; we gave away 300 Missouri S&T t-shirts, and at least that many students, faculty and staff signed our "I Am Missouri S&T" graffiti board. Thanks to Student Affairs and Student Council for all their great work on Unity Day.)
Name Change News: Nov. 27, 2007
The latest news on the name change implementation. Also available on the Name Change Conversations weblog: http://namechange.mst.edu .
In this issue:
Missouri S&T merchandise now available
Unity Day: sign a table, get a shirt
Missouri S&T on parade
Reminder: order Missouri S&T name tags
Download fact sheet, sample letter
Reuse, recycle your UMR materials
Missouri S&T merchandise now available
Missouri S&T merchandise is now available at the Missouri S&T Bookstore, which is holding held customer appreciation events for students, faculty and staff this Thursday, Nov. 29. Student appreciation day will be was held from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. with a drawing for prizes at noon. Faculty and staff appreciation night will be was held from 3:30-5:30 p.m. with private shopping, light refreshments and prize drawings.
Unity Day: sign a table, get a shirt
Members of the campus community are encouraged to take part in Unity Day 2007 – and possibly get a special Missouri S&T t-shirt by signing a “graffiti board” that will be part of the event. “Performing with a Purpose: Celebrating the Art in Each of Us” is the theme for this year’s Unity Day, which will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28, in the Havener Center Atrium. The first 300 to write something on the graffiti board will win a special-issue “hello” Missouri S&T t-shirt.
Missouri S&T on parade
As part of the effort to increase awareness of the name change in the Rolla community, a group of students and staff members will distribute Missouri S&T goodies during the Rolla Holiday Parade this Saturday, Dec. 1, in downtown Rolla. The parade begins at 3 p.m.
Following the parade, the festivities continue at the Rolla Bandshell. The students and staff members, along with staff from the Missouri S&T Bookstore, will join the Rolla Chamber of Commerce and other organizations at the bandshell area to offer more goodies. Hot dogs will be provided courtesy of Chartwells, and several prizes will be awarded in a drawing. So be sure to attend the parade and stick around afterward for prizes, food and the lighting of Rolla’s Christmas tree.
Reminder: order Missouri S&T name tags
Kent Jewelry, which provides name tags for the campus, has set dates for production of new Missouri S&T name tags. The new tags will be silver and feature the Missouri S&T word mark in black. Departments may submit orders via email at orders@kentjewelry.com, by fax at 573-364-4446, or by dropping by the store at 110 W. Eighth St.
Orders received by Dec. 8 will be completed by Dec. 11. Orders received by Dec. 27 will be ready to pick up on Dec. 28.
Departments are responsible for the costs of their name tags.
As with any purchase, university purchasing procedures must be followed when ordering.
Download fact sheet, sample letter
Looking for an easy way to communicate the name change to your constituents? The communications staff has prepared a sample fact sheet and sample letter for campuswide use as templates to notify colleagues of the name change. Both documents are available in Microsoft Word format.
To download the fact sheet (which can be used for websites, newsletters, recruiting visits, etc.), go to http://namechange.mst.edu/documents/name change fact sheet.doc .
To download the sample letter (which can be used for memos, letters and email notices to notify colleagues, funding agencies and others about the name change, go to http://namechange.mst.edu/documents/sample letter.doc .
Reuse, recycle your old UMR materials
Wondering what to do with your old UMR letterhead? Reuse and recycle are always options. If you need ideas on how to reuse leftover paper products, contact Jesse Singleton in printing services at 341-4264.
Name Change News: Nov. 14, 2007
The latest news on the name change implementation. Also available on the Name Change Conversations weblog: http://namechange.mst.edu .
In this issue:
Order Missouri S&T name tags
Contact Enrollment Management for table banners
Download fact sheet, sample letter
FAQ update
Delay in providing some materials
Reuse, recycle your UMR materials
Order your Missouri S&T name tags
Kent Jewelry, which provides name tags for the campus, has set dates for production of new Missouri S&T name tags. The new tags will be silver and feature the Missouri S&T word mark in black. Departments may submit orders via email at orders@kentjewelry.com, by fax at 573-364-4446, or by dropping by the store at 110 W. Eighth St.
Orders received by Dec. 8 will be completed by Dec. 11. Orders received by Dec. 27 will be ready to pick up on Dec. 28.
Departments are responsible for the costs of their name tags.
As with any purchase, university purchasing procedures must be followed when ordering.
Contact Enrollment Management for table banners
To help coordinate the purchase of new display headers, table runners and standing banners, Shannon Stites in Enrollment Management is compiling a list of departments needing to replace these items. These items will be ordered in bulk. If your department plans to order new display headers, table runners or standing banners to integrate the new campus brand identity into your marketing materials, please contact Shannon Stites at 341-4378 or by email at sstites@umr.edu to get on the list. This will ensure that the university will receive a better price for the replacement of these items.
Download fact sheet, sample letter
Looking for an easy way to communicate the name change to your constituents? The communications staff has prepared a sample fact sheet and sample letter for campuswide use as templates to notify colleagues of the name change. Both documents are available in Microsoft Word format.
To download the fact sheet (which can be used for websites, newsletters, recruiting visits, etc.), go to http://namechange.mst.edu/documents/name change fact sheet.doc .
To download the sample letter (which can be used for memos, letters and email notices to notify colleagues, funding agencies and others about the name change, go to http://namechange.mst.edu/documents/sample letter.doc .
FAQ update
The latest version of the frequently asked questions on the name change has been updated. Visit http://namechange.mst.edu/faq/ for the latest information.
Delay in providing some materials
Earlier this month, the communications department reported that some materials, such as letterhead and business cards, would be available for order by early December. Due to some delays in the design of letterhead, business card, envelope and other templates, these materials will not be available by Dec. 1. We’ll provide an update on the production schedule as soon as possible. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Andrew Careaga, director of communications, at acareaga@umr.edu.
Reuse, recycle your old UMR materials
Wondering what to do with your old UMR letterhead? Reuse and recycle are always options. If you need ideas on how to reuse leftover paper products, contact Jesse Singleton in printing services at 341-4264.
The Missouri S&T web and email domain -- mst.edu -- went live last Thursday, Nov. 1, and most (but not all) umr.edu sites can now be reached via the mst.edu domain. The exceptions are some weblogs and wikis, but the main UMR sites are now accessible via an mst.edu domain.
The naming convention is the same as it was for umr.edu domains. (In other words, the admissions website, currently at admissions.mst.edu, will be admissions.mst.edu once the name change is completed. For now, typing the admissions.mst.edu redirects you to the UMR Admissions site (admissions.mst.edu).
More IT-related name change news over at the IT Press blog.
Among the items on the agenda during the MSM-UMR Alumni Association Board of Directors meeting over Homecoming Weekend was a recommendation to change the association's name. This name change came about as a result of the university name change from UMR to Missouri S&T. The board approved the executive committee's earlier recommendation to rename the association the Miner Alumni Association, effective Jan. 1. The board agreed with the executive committee's reasoning that, regardless of when alumni graduated or what the university's name was at that time, all alumni share one thing in common: they are all Miners.
The decision was also based on input from alumni who responded to a survey in the Summer 2007 issue of UMR Magazine.
Speaking of the magazine, the board also approved changing the magazine's name to UMR Magazine to Missouri S&T Magazine. That name change will take effect with the Spring 2008 issue.
Name Change News: Oct. 2, 2007
The latest news on the name change implementation. Also available on the Name Change Conversations weblog: http://namechange.mst.edu.
In this issue:
Contact Enrollment Management for table banners
Missouri S&T in the news
Got a question? Check the FAQ
Contact Enrollment Management for table banners
To help coordinate the purchase of new display headers, table runners and standing banners, Shannon Stites in Enrollment Management is compiling a list of departments needing to replace these items. These items will be ordered in bulk. If your department plans to order new display headers, table runners or standing banners to integrate the new campus brand identity into your marketing materials, please contact Shannon Stites at 341-4378 or by email at sstites@umr.edu to get on the list. This will ensure that the university will receive a better price for the replacement of these items.
Missouri S&T in the news
Want to see what the new Missouri S&T word mark looks like on television? Check out the news story that aired Monday night on KOLR 10, the CBS affiliate in Springfield, Mo. KOLR 10 was on campus last week to do a story about some UMR students attempting to break the collegiate land-speed record. The team’s human-powered vehicle’s paint job proudly displays the Missouri S&T word mark. See for yourself by logging on to http://ozarksfirst.com/content/fulltext/?cid=12382 and clicking the “watch” button.
You can also see some still photos of the vehicle and the team in their Missouri S&T uniforms on UMR’s “Experience This” blog (http://experiencethis.mst.edu/). Scroll down to the headline “Speed challenge team is Missouri S&T’s public debut,” or click http://experiencethis.mst.edu/2007/10/speed_challenge_team_is_missou.html
Got a question? Check the FAQ
For the latest information about the name change, please visit the latest version of the FAQ (frequently asked questions) document at http://namechange.mst.edu/faq/. FAQ Version 4 is the latest update.
Our friends over at the IT Press blog have an update on how the name change will affect campus email services and web addresses in the coming months leading up to the name change. Some key dates to remember:
Name Change News: Sept. 18, 2007
The latest news on the name change implementation. Also available on the Name Change Conversations weblog: http://namechange.mst.edu.
In this issue:
The Missouri S&T logo is here
But … please don’t start using it yet
The historic emblem and Joe Miner
New FAQ posted
The Missouri S&T logo is here
After weeks of review, revision and gathering input from current and prospective students, alumni, faculty and staff, and others, the campus unveiled the logo (word mark) for Missouri University of Science and Technology. The new image, in the serif Berkeley font, conveys the university’s historic significance while presenting a bold, oversized “S&T.” Full story.
But … please don’t start using it yet
Although we’ve officially announced the logo, please don’t start using it yet. The Brand Identity Team is still working to define color usage and other guidelines. Soon we’ll have a graphic identity manual that describes just how to use the logo for stationery, business cards and other materials. Stay tuned.
The historic emblem and Joe Miner
While the new word mark is a departure from UMR’s current graphic identity, two other familiar symbols – the historic emblem and Joe Miner – will remain intact. But their usage will remain limited.
The historic emblem is being revised (as depicted here) to incorporate the new name. As our current graphic identity standards explain, the historic emblem “is not a ‘logo’ and should not be used as such.”
Joe Miner will remain unchanged.
New FAQ posted
For the latest information about the logo and other name change news, please visit the latest version of the FAQ (frequently asked questions) document at http://namechange.mst.edu/faq/.
I want to offer a few comments about the logo selection and the next steps in the process that I hope will clarify a few things:
What about the historic emblem? The historic emblem (shown here) -- the so-called "gear" or "cog" symbol that has been around for as long as anyone can remember -- is not going away. But its usage will be limited to very specific purposes, just as it is now. As we explain in our current graphic identity manual, "The Historic Emblem is not a 'logo' and should not be used as such." UMR's graphic designers are revising the historic emblem to incorporate the new name.I hope that addresses some of the concerns expressed by some commenters. We are updating the FAQ page with more current information and will post that later today.
Updated September 22, 2007, to include an image of the current UMR wordmark for comparison.
At long last, after weeks of forums, surveys, focus groups and discussion, we have a logo for Missouri University of Science and Technology.
This will replace the current UMR wordmark, shown below.
The official news release follows.
Just a note to let all you faithful readers know that we plan to post the new Missouri S&T logo on this blog Monday, Sept. 17, so check back then.
Name Change News: Aug. 23, 2007
The latest news on the name change implementation. Also available on the Name Change Conversations weblog: http://namechange.mst.edu.
In this issue:
New time for Brand Identity Team meetings
Focus groups for logo concepts
Welcome new team members
New time for Brand Identity Team meetings
With the start of the new semester, the Brand Identity Team is shifting its weekly meeting time slightly to accommodate the schedules of team members. Starting next Tuesday, Aug. 28, the team will meet at 8:30 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. The meetings will continue to be held every Tuesday in the Silver and Gold Room of Havener Center. All members of the campus community are welcome to attend.
Focus groups for logo concepts
The consulting firm of SimpsonScarborough is sharing the latest round of logo concepts with focus groups of alumni and prospective students this week. The feedback from these sessions should help the team move forward with selecting this important component of Missouri S&T’s graphic identity. Plans call for announcing the new logo by mid-September.
Welcome new team members
Welcome to the latest member of the Brand Identity Team: Joann Stiritz, communications specialist and senior graphic designer in the communications department.
Quick note to say thanks to all of you who logged on to view the draft images and take the survey.
The survey, which I closed down this morning, garnered 438 responses -- confirmation that our students, alumni, faculty and staff are keenly interested in this process. In addition, 334 people who attended our series of forums on campus and in St. Louis completed paper surveys, giving us a total of 772 responses. We also took careful notes at the sessions and are busy compiling those comments, as well as those received here, on Facebook and via email, to help guide us as we move forward.
Following such an open process can be challenging, as everyone has an opinion about what, exactly, should constitute the future image of the university. Making the challenge even more complex is the fact that what we presented -- mere concepts -- can often be misinterpreted as some sort of "final round" of concepts. In fact, this was the first round of a complex and iterative design process. I know I've said it before -- here, and in other forums and conversations -- but it bears repeating. The four draft concepts were precisely that: conceptual drafts to be evaluated, dissected, critically appraised and discussed. Your comments on this blog, your participation in the online survey, and your email notes have been an important part of the process. Thank you.
Ed Sirianno, our consultant from Creative Communications Associates, snapped a few photos of our Hit the Ground Running students during one of Thursday's presentations of graphic design concepts.
The HGR students are some of the best and brightest members of our entering freshman class. They gave us a lot of thoughtful ideas about the brand concepts we presented this week. More photos from our session with the Hit the Ground Running students are posted below.
In all, more than 300 students, alumni, faculty and staff attended the sessions on campus and in St. Louis, and hundreds more have viewed the concepts presented here. We've received a lot of input. Don't forget to view the concepts and give us your input by this Sunday, July 29. We'll allow comments on this entry after the survey expires. Note: the survey and images are no longer available.
Also, if you're looking for something to read this weekend, and while you're thinking about the future image of your university, here's an article that might provide food for thought: What Makes a Great Logo.
Name Change News: July 24, 2007
The latest news on the name change implementation, a day later than usual. Also available on the Name Change Conversations weblog: http://namechange.mst.edu .
In this issue:
Reminder: view graphic concepts tomorrow through Friday
If you can’t possibly be here…
Reminder: view graphic concepts tomorrow through Friday
We want to remind everyone who is on campus to stop by the Havener Center to see the brand identity concepts under development for Missouri S&T.
We also want to remind everyone that the graphic concepts we will unveil are precisely that. They are concepts – not final logos. Even though the materials may look like finished products, we are still early in the information-gathering phase. What we’re presenting this week are not intended to be final designs.
Anyway, here’s the schedule for the “unveiling” sessions. Please try to attend one if you can. We want to ensure that as many students, faculty and staff as possible get a chance to see the concepts and share their opinions.
Here’s the schedule:
• Wednesday, July 25, 10 a.m.-noon, Carver-Turner Room, Havener Center
• Wednesday, July 25, 4-6 p.m., Carver-Turner Room, Havener Center
• Thursday, July 26, 10 a.m.-noon, Carver-Turner Room, Havener Center
• Thursday, July 26, 4-6 p.m., Carver-Turner Room, Havener center
• Friday, July 27, 9 a.m.-noon, Communications Conference Room, 105 Campus Support Facility
• Friday, July 27, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Communications Conference Room, 105 Campus Support Facility
In addition, we’re providing students and alumni in St. Louis the opportunity to view the brand concepts. On Wednesday, we’re holding two public sessions in St. Louis – one around the lunch hour in St. Louis County and another in the evening in downtown St. Louis.
Here’s the schedule for the St. Louis sessions:
• Wednesday, July 25, 11:15 a.m.-12:45 p.m. at Burns and McDonnell, 1630 Des Peres Road (at the intersection of Interstate 270 and I-44).
• Wednesday, July 25, 4:30-7 p.m., at Carmine’s, 20 S. Fourth St. (Fourth and Market streets), inside the Drury Plaza Hotel.
Any students, alumni or others in St. Louis on that date are encouraged to attend one of the sessions.
If you can’t possibly be here…
If you can’t be on campus or in St. Louis, we will also make the brand concepts available for online viewing. Concepts will be available via the Name Change Conversations weblog soon.