Muleskinner

Issue date: 9/21/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Brian Tebbencamp / University Relations WHAT'S IN A NAME- (third from right) President Podolefsky and Board of Governors (L-R) Michelle Patterson Wimes, Palmer Nichols II, Dee Hudson, Anthony Arton, Larry Fick, Deleta Williams, Richard Phillips and Jennifer Hill Nixon participated in a press conference following the announcement.

In their open session Wednesday, the CMSU Board of Governors passed the motion to change the school's name to the University of Central Missouri, with the implementation process to begin immediately.

For approval, four "aye" votes were required, but even after they were given, BOG President Lawrence Fick expressed the importance of showing unanimous support from the Board.

He then allowed the vote to continue until each person had voted, ultimately passing the motion unanimously. University President Aaron Podolefsky said this was an attempt to prove that despite differing opinions, each person supported this decision.

"The [University of Central Missouri] name change will help us achieve our new vision [as a] small college learning opportunity with large university opportunities," Podolefsky said. "We are very excited today about this change."

He added that the new name will help the institution be recognized for real faculty in the classroom, a central concern for students and a world-class education.

The expected date for the University to begin selling merchandise is Oct. 9. At this point, old merchandise bearing the CMSU name or logo will no longer be sold. The goal for the implementation process to be complete is July 2007.

"Those who want the old CMSU merchandise, should get it while it lasts," Podolefsky said. "I'll even sign shirts at no extra charge."

Students graduating during the implementation process will receive two diplomas, "but not two degrees," Podolefsky said. This will give students the option to choose which diploma they would like to use.

"It is the culture of CMSU to put the students first," Podolefsky said. "I would not want students to leave here saying, 'I wish I could have had this,' or 'I wish I could have had that.'"

Other Missouri universities that have changed their names, like Southwest Missouri State to Missouri State, have seen a positive impact on their community.

"Usually there is a positive response [on the community in response to a name change]," Podolefsky said. "We didn't do it for that reason, but that's typically what happens. Whatever our name is, it's what we do that matters."

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