Researching a Name Change
The University-College Task Team began its work in earnest last October, under the leadership of co-chairs Marjorie Mathison Hance ’70 (vice president for external relations) and longtime faculty member and administrator Julie Belle White-Newman (special assistant to the president for special initiatives).
The task team, appointed by the president, included six alumnae, five faculty members, four trustees, a student representative, a cabinet member, and admissions and marketing staff members. Click here for a complete list of names.
Before the task force began its research, the co-chairs presented the question to faculty and staff at an all-college workshop in August.
There, more than 300 participants weighed in on the perceived pros and cons of becoming a university. Advantages included prestige, a sense that the larger name would better explain the institution to the public and international presence (the word college in many countries refers to the equivalent of a U.S. high school).
Disadvantages of not remaining a college included fears that St. Kate’s might lose its intimate, collegial nature, a diminished emphasis on the liberal arts and the perception that the institution was following a national trend of colleges renaming themselves universities.
Examining other institutions
Because so many colleges nationwide have become universities, the task team had fertile ground in which to dig and discover how other institutions have handled the renaming question. The task team interviewed key officials of 14 colleges that considered a similar change.
Among the lessons from those case studies:
- The name change helped recruit students and drive donations when it was connected to other strategic initiatives, such as a curricular restructuring or new programs, and when it was marketed well.
- Any objections, especially from students and alums, tended to be short lived, once people understood the reasons behind the change.
- Communication with faculty was important around questions of salary, class sizes and time allocations to research and teaching.
Constituent participation
Internally, every major constituent group of the College of St. Catherine weighed in as well. The task team co-chairs met throughout the fall and winter with the Alumnae Association Board of Directors, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondolet, the Student Senate, the Graduate Student Advisory Board, the Associate Student Advisory Board and the Weekend College Advisory Board.
Sessions also were presented to College Council and the president’s cabinet.
Literature review
A literature review by the task team showed that about 70 percent of prospective students prefer the name “university” than “college.” We also learned, as did other institutions, that a name change can help signal our complexity. For instance, when we announced the School of Health last fall, many people — including some who are close to us — were astounded to learn that St. Kate’s has 21 healthcare programs.
In general, a move to become a university is done to enhance prestige and better reflect what an institution has become.
The cabinet and academic deans have done additional work to determine which name best suits the strategic direction of the College.
Read more about the proposed curricular realignment >>