Feedback on Name Change
Faculty
A CHANGE MIGHT INCREASE IDENTIFIABILITY OUTSIDE THE REGION - SIMILAR TOMANKATO UNIV. REASON FOR CHANGING. IF ALL/MOST OF THE MNSCU CAMPUS CENTERS ADOPTED SIMILAR NAMES (AS IS THECASE IN WISCONSIN AND NEW YORK) IT WOULD PROVIDE A COHERENT NAME RECOGNITION IN A WIDER CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE
staff
The name should remain as it is, for historical reasons. If, in the future, the state university (and college) system disbands, "Winona University" sounds good. The system is not what is important about MnSCU; what's important are the individual universities. I think it is the quality of the parts that give credence to a system, not the other way around. The folks in Wisconsin probably would dispute the point.
faculty
Our current name establishes our region and makes us unique. IF we change to MSU-Winona, we sound like just another branch campus. Our identity and any indication of independence is gone.
faculty
(1) A name change is something one does when trying to shed an image or negative perceptions. The change gives the institution a fresh start so to speak. WSU has a good and growing reputation right now. Hence a name change would be counterproductive - we would lose some of the positive image and perceptions that accompany our name currently. (2) The acronym WSU is convenient and attractive and not shared with too many other Universities. Other possible acronyms would be less convenient and slow to be adopted. (3) A change to a name such as Mankato's would be disastrous - just a stupid thing to do! MSU, Winona brings to mind a satellite campus of a large centralized univeristy - definitely not us! We are a distinctive institution with our own identity - we shouldn't share it with a host of other MSUs! (Incidentally, many of the State University of New York (SUNY) campuses in an effort to gain heir own identities have in recent years made the opposite change to that being considered here - For instance SUNY Purchase (where I used to be employed) changed its name to Purchase College, SUNY in 1995). If it were to be changed it should be changed to a distinctive name that resembles that of a higher echelon private university. Honor could be given to somebody important to Winona's history. Something like Minne University?, Somsen University at Winona? something like that faculty It is a matter of identity, and, I believe we can do it best by sticking to WSU.
faculty
I believe it should not. Winona State University is a unique name and has historical significance. It's relatively short and thus stands out from the Us of and the Minnesota States...
alumni
Long Range Planning Committee - My name is (name) and I attended WSU as an undergraduate from 1993 - 1997. I am now working full-time at WSU as Publishing Coordinator for the WINGS Electronic Portfolio Program. I strongly support changing WSU's name to Minnesota State University, Winona. Winona State University is not a recognizable name to most people outside of the tri-state area. This has proven to put our graduates at a great disadvantage when applying for graduate schools or employment in different areas of the country. Most people outside of the state I have talked with during my time as an undergrad, my application process to graduate school, and currently as an employee do not even realize that WSU is a state institution. The quality of education here is by far higher than some of the better known large universities but people outside the area do not credit it as such because they don't recognize the name. By still including Winona in the name, Winona residents can still take pride in and identify with the institution, however, our graduates will be better served by the name recognition upon graduation. I think it would also help in recruiting new students by becoming more recognizable to high school students. I came to WSU from Iowa and not a single person in my graduating class had heard of WSU, however had the name been Minnesota State University, Winona, they would have included it among the high calibre state institutions such as Iowa State University of University of Iowa and identified it as a state school. I appreciate that you are seeking out opinions of university students, faculty and staff. Thank you for your time.
Staff
I really like maintaining the "Winona" identity in our name; we have a long, rich heritage of which to be proud; we have made exemplary strides, particularly in the last decade, to set WSU apart from other members of the state univeristy system (now MnSCU). As an alum, parent of a student, and staff member, I would prefer to see WSU stay WSU. Changing our name would not change "who" we are, it would be very costly, and I don't see any particular benefit in doing it. If there would be a strong case made for why we should take on a new identity, I may be convinced to support it, but I would have to weigh the reasoning carefully. I would NOT be in favor of Minnesota State University, Winona. I think it waters down who we are and accomplishes little if anything. If we were to change the name, I would like to see something unique and distinctive; perhaps name it after one of our founding fathers or some prominent person from this area or history. eg., Ford State University, Winona. Dr. John D. Ford of Winona was largely responsible for the legislative efforts that created the first Normal School System of Minnesota. (according to Jean Talbot's centennial edition of WSC). Good luck with your deliberation; I'm sure there will be as many opinions as there are people who respond!
Faculty
I do not believe a change in name brings any added credibility to an institution, especially in cases such as Mankato. The message I read from such a name is that it is subordinate to the flagship university of the state, and has some sort of inferiority complex about itself. For example, Kearney State in Nebraska changed its name a few years back to "University of Nebraska at Kearney." It sounds like an institution that has abandoned its pride in its own identity, and instead wants to latch on to the ethos of the state flagship institution, despite the obvious: Kearny is not Lincoln. I think WSU benfits from its own identity, and would be wary of watering it down with assosicative names. Minnesota does not have an A. and M. school like Iowa State, Oklohoma State, Colorado State, TX A&M, etc. Were smaller schools to change their names to MN state at X, they may appear to be trying to give off that impression- that they are a land grant school. I would prefer the university take pride in its own identity.
Faculty
I believe that WSU should change it is name to Minnesota State University, Winona. My reasons are that: - We are one of the State Universities of Minnesota. We happen to be at Winona. We better show that we are one of the seven universities. - Since State of Minnesota is known of good educational system, we bettershow that we are a part of Minnesota educational system. This will be accomplished easier by being known as MN State University. - Winona is not a well-known city in the nation but Minnesota as a State is pretty much known. I feel we gain more recognition by the Minnesota name. As a faculty in meetings and conferences we need to explain where Winona is before we talk about our university. Change it is name to: Minnesota State University, Winona.
Staff member and faculty groupie.
Winona State University has name recognition already. Why change it, unless the new name will give the same or greater recognition? On the negative side, it is fairly well known that Mankato changed its name in a marketing move of desperation. Finally, every time I read or hear "Minnesota State University" I think of that stupid TV sitcom: Coach! Who needs it? Okay, if it must be changed, here are my suggestions: Harvard, Princeton, Oxford See how it is?
faculty
I am against a name change. It would cause confusion. Winona State has been working hard to be recognized as an excellent academic institution and name recognition is part of that. A name change can also suggest unstability. In general, I am unaware of any good reason to change the name right now.
Faculty
I can see no good reason to change our name at this time. Changing our name will only cost money that can better be used elsewhere.
Faculty
Winona does not have any national or statewide reputation. If you drive 50 miles away from this town, no body will recognize the name WINONA. e.g. Do you where Glassboro State University is? Minnesota State University, Winona Minnesota State University-Winona State University of MN, Winona Everyone in this country and other countries know where MN is, and MN has a very good reputation for higher education (mostly because U of M). So lets capitalize on this asset.
FACULTY
I CAN'T SEE ANY REASON AT THIS TIME TO CHANGE OUR NAME. WE ALREADY A A VIABLE IDENTITY THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND CANNOT SEE HOW A NAME CHANGE WOULD BENEFIT US.
Faculty
I suggest no name change is best. By changing our name it would be like starting over to try to gain name recognition. Winona State University has some unique offerings, our good reputation and name can go together.
Student
Junior Geoscience student. I think it woul be beneficial to the University to have a unique name. I think that it would bring more students in where a name like Winona State University, like a lot of colleges, would not. I am not sure what we could call it. I really like the U of M, Winona name. A lot of people haven't heard of WSU, where they have heard of the U of M and we could pull more students in that way.
faculty
I do not think that WSU should change it's name. WSU will loose it's identity if it became MSU at Winona. This is a very good small university with a life of it's own. With the name change people will look at us differently. We would just become a satalite campus of the Minnesota State University. This could even affect how the legislature looks at us and since we are only a satalite we won't need as much money. Leave well enough alone and let Winona keep its unique identity. This is an off the cuff response, I may follow with more.
faculty
The main reason would be for name recognition outside the immediate region. The name "WSU" does not tell someone where the U is. This fact should be weighed against how many out-of-state students we typically have, and if we have a goal of increasing the out-of-state student ratio (compared to within-state). In my opinion, "Minnesota State University, Winona" sounds slightly more professional (i.e. more academically rigorous) than "WSU". It's a close call. Reasons against changing it from WSU depend on how widespread our name recognition is already. I have no idea about that. If many people will have a hard time locating us because they are looking for "WSU" and will not think to look for "MSU,W" this could adversly affect us. We could maintain transitional web pages and print resource listings under "WSU", directing researchers to "see MSU,W" that would minimize this problem. Another factor is cost. Is there an estimate on how much it will cost to change all our gear over? Of course, in OUR dept. we still use plenty of stuff labeled Winona State Teacher's College. That label is useful in dating things. Transitioning to a new name clearly is accomplished over time. How much will it cost to change the important things to the new name? Perhaps the most important factor is what the other State U.'s are doing. If we are the only holdouts, does that put us at a disadvantage or "distinguish" us? My guess is that we might get more support from MnSCU if we follow (or lead) the crowd. Minnesota State University, Winona Minnesota State University at Winona Winona Minnesota State University
faculty
name_idea_one: Minnesota State University---Winona As one of my colleagues said when I acquired a job here, "Winona State University? I didn't know Winona was a state!" As is the trend in other states, I think having the name "Minnesota" is important as it quickly informs people of the location of the university. Also, being clearly affiliated with a state-wideuniversity system somehow lends credibility (in the minds of some) to the institution that otherwise would not be there. One additional advantage to changing our name to something like "Minnesota State University---Winona" would be that MAYBE we could shorten our e-mail addresses/web addresses to something of a more reasonable length, like "jstudent@msuw.edu" and "www.msuw.edu". This assumes, of course, that "msus" is in our electronic addresses so that others may know that we are part of This would not be necessary if our name itself included that information.
Faculty
Do NOT change the name. Winona State University has a long honorable history. It has "name recognition" in MANY places, I have had people at International conferences say they recognized the name and asked if it really was as good as the impression they had. As the oldest of the MSUS we should maintain tradition and honor the name. References to a location also honor that location. Anyone reading a title such as Mankato adopted will ignore or fail to include the "at....." part. If Mankato wishes to be associated with the TV program "Coach", fine. WE are a quality institution and need a separate identity. IF IT BECAME REQUIRED I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE US BECOME THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, WINONA BRANCH.
staff
name_idea_one: MSU - Winona name_idea_two: Minnesota University When I go into a job interview and say Winona State University, alot of the time I get an answer of "so where is that"? I think it would benefit WSU alumni and students to somehow incorporate Minnesota into the title.
student
I think WSU should simply remain WSU. I think changing the name would be a waste of time and money. Everything here says "WSU" already. Shirts, hats, letterhead, pens, glasses, I could go on and on. Everyone knows WSU as WSU. Changing the name seems ridiculous to me.
student
The name of a school should be original. WSU has numerous qualities that many of the other State schools do not. Changing the name to say, U of M Winona, would only make WSU unoriginal. I think it would be a mistake to change WSU's name. Do not change it.
Student
I do not believe WSU should change its name. -It is not going to make this a better college. -Winona State is Unique as a name. -It will cost more money to change the name than to leave it alone.
Student.
I am also employed under work/study. I think it is very stupid to change our name just because other schools are doing it. It should remain WSU for tradition's sake, if nothing else. College is a place to go, grow as an individual and find out who you are...not to learn to follow the crowd and be uniform and change the name of your school because some other school did. WSU is a small college. Many people chose to go here because it was a good school of a small size. If I wanted to go somewhere that sounded more affiliated with the U of M, I would have skipped the middle man and went right to the U of M. I think we should be proud of who we are. If people don't know where "Winona" is that's their problem. They're missing out on a great educational institution. How about "Jump off a Cliff State" because apparently if everyone else did it...we would too.
student
In thinking about this issue one has many points to ponder. Pondering these points I believe that there should be no name change for the following reasons: 1:History The name Winona State University(and previously Winona State College) have a long and proud heritage symbolizing the values that the University was founded on. Changing the name is akin to changing the Values this University was established on. 2.Community Identy By calling our selves Winona State University we establish a a strong statement saying we are a Part of Winona first and MN second. 3.Cost Changin every thing that says Winona State University on it will cost lots of money. From letterheads,signs,envelopes, to proffesors buisness cards all with have to be changed at a substanial cost. 4. As my grandfather was fond of saying "Why fix it if its not broken?"
Student
NO. "Winona State University" provides identiy to this school. Not saying that it is better or worse than any other name, but it is the name. In my eyes, even the suggestion of changing the name is stupid. Why not just change the name of the town we call "Winona", or the name of the state we call "Minnesota"? This whole proposal is just beyond my comprehension.
student
name_idea_one: University of Minn- Winona name_idea_two: University of Winona, Minn name_idea_three: River Valley University, Minn I think it should to promote its location. Many people from Milwaukee, where I am from, never heard of it. They have no idea where Winona is. Also, I think it would be in the best interest for the University to lose the "state" part of its name. This makes it should like a community or cheap public school with a low level of education. The school should try to promote its scenic area and strong academic reputation. There are not a lot of schools overall that have great reputations with the public that share a state name. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Is known just as Wisconsin all over the country but no one is familiar with U of Wisconsin- Whitewater. The same can be seen if Winona State University would change its name to a "extension" name with a hyphen or comma in it. Be creative.
student
I THINK THAT WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY SHOULD KEEP ITS WSU NAME INSTEAD OF CHANING IT BECAUSE OTHERWISE IT WOULD BE JUST ANOTHER MINNESOTA STATE COLLEGE, NOT THAT IT ISNT A MINNESOTA COLLEGE NOW, BUT WITH WSU WE HAVE OUR OWN PERSONAL NAME LIKE NO ONE ELSE AND THAT MAKES THIS COLLEGE DIFFERENT AND I LIKE IT BEING CALLED WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
student
I think the school should NOT change its name. Why change our name now when we have had this name for so long? What is the point? I think there really is no point to changing the name. People know the school by its name, recognize it by its name. It would cost the school more money because it would have to spend an abundance of money on changing signs and all the places where the name has been posted or anything would have to be changed, this could be very costly. It is very inconvient. What is wrong with the name now?
student
SHOULDN"T because 1. I think that Mankato's new name is unoriginal. If the name is changed then it should be changed to something original. For example: Winona State University, Minnesota. 2. Winona State University is a good name, why change it.
student
Winona State should not change its name. The way we have the name now gives it individuality. We may not have many students here, but there are many people in a wide radius of states who know about this school for various reasons. "Winona State" is how we students identify ourselves. "Minnesota State University, Winona" is a very long name, and it would take away the individuality. I think many people would connect us or confuse us with the University of Minnesota system. In this world, we can't be afraid to be different. Changing the name would be conforming, or following a leader. We need to keep our identity, and keep our name as it is.
Student
SHOULD NOT!!! Plain and simple this would take away our indentity. Sure, some may argue that plastering U of M at Winona may give Winona State more recognition but...why try to be something we are not? Why not continue to be proud of who we are?
student
I guess that I really do not care if we change our name. I do like it the way it is though. Lets not be like Mankato. I do not like their name change.
student
I do not think that the name should be changed. There is name recognition in the midwest area and we students are comfortable with it as it is. What good would it do to call it a new name, it is still the same school.
student
University of Minnesota Winona, UMW - UM Winona because when some people hear the name they don't know what Winona is
student
It sould not change it's name because it is an individual school with individual needs. Also Winona State has developed a wonderful name for itself with the name it has, last year it was in the top schools for the best education for the lest amount. Which in my eyes is a big plus and if the name is changes people may not see it as the same school. I also came from a town where the college changed it's name to Montana State University- Northern, too long!!!! Well those are my reason hopefully they can help in the fight agenst WSU's lossing it's identity. NOTHING PLEASE!!!!
student
name_idea_one: University of Minnesota, Winona To show that there shouldn't be a difference in the quality of education from one school to another.
student
I really don't see the purpose of changing WSU's name, except to be more trouble than its worth. I think each Minnesota state school is already known and its name correlates to the town or area to which its in.
I find that the Universities of Wisconsin are alike because of their name, however, each is quite different. So, please explain to me the purpose of changing names?
student
I believe that WSU should NOT CHANGE its name reason being that the university is well know thoughtout it the 5 state region. Also it has been around since 1858, the name has just growen with the university. If the name does get change, it would be a big mistake!! I personaly hope that it does not get change! I like it as WSU!!
student
Winona State University SHOULD NOT change it's name because of tradition. Why mess with a good thing? Changing the name of the university would cost the community and students more money because of new signs, logo memorabilia, etc. Why not spend the money on something more meaningful, for example, scantrons. The University cannot complain to the students that there is not enough money in the curriculum for scantrons and then purchase millions of dollars worth of signs, logo memorabilia, ect. I believe that it would be an unnecessary hassle to the students, faculty, and community to change the name of the university. Why mess with tradition?
faculty
name_idea_one: Southeastern State University I think that WSU should keep it name because of the hassle changing it would cause. We would have to chang all of our uniforms, letterhead, sighns, merchandise in the bookstore. In addition the wsU cheerleaders would have to come up with all new cheers.
Student
I dont think WSU should change its name. It has gained its reputation and is just starting to make an even BETTER name for its self, and to change it would set the university back in that it would take ANOTHER number of years to re-associate the new name with the good education available here in Winona. If it was ABSOLUTELY necessary that WSU changed it name I think It should be something like University of Winona. But definately NOT Minnesota State University, Winona. I think the MSU example just sounds kind of cheap.
student
Winona State shouldn't even consider the issue. Changeing the name of the university would prove to be very costly compared to any possible gain in prestige or student enrollment. This issue is quite transparent to the fact that it is simply change for the sake of change rather than change with any sort of planning. Furthermore, any name change would likely be to a longer name, such as the suggested, "University of Minnesota at Winona". Such names are cumbersome and akward and full of useless syllables.
Faculty member
WSU should not change its name just to keep up with MSU because: WSU has a long history and name recognition based on reputation, WSU is a division III school and a name change will not change its status, WSU is a regional institution and the name recognition means something locally, a name change requires mental effort to link to the familiar (this puzzlement is already plagueing Mankato ("Oh, you mean Mankato!"); an unfamiliar name is a peculiar, pretentious and unnecessary barrier to communication requiring mental effort to complete the communication. In the case of Minnesota State University, it is a mouthful and would inevitably be shortened to MSU-Winona (which is acceptable, but it just doesn't roll off the tongue like "Winona State.") I don't want a change, but if we really want a change and tourist area description try: MSU-Mississippi Palisades . Most forthright and specific are: MSU-Rochester/Winona, MSU-Winona/Rochester
student
I am indifferent at this point in my education, as long as I get the same type of education a name change would not effect me in any way.
student
NO, I do not think the university should change it's name. In changing the name of the university the historical emphasis place on the unity recognized with the former name, Winona State University, will be lost. With no specific reason to change the name, why do it. Changing the name will also become very expensive, changing logos and signs. The cost incured changing the name would be better applied to the business of educating the students of Winona State for which we should all agree is our main goal.
Sophomore Student
I do not believe that WSU should change its name. What is the big deal. Everyone knows that it is a State School, and it will still hold the same rank as it always has. I think that the committee or whatever should spend more time and money on finding funding to reduce tuition for us than worry about a name that doesn't really matter to us. third year student I do not think that Winona should change it's name at all. It have been know for years as Winona State University. It has a reputation as a good education school under this name. A name change would be confusing for future students and alumni. A name change is needless. Changing to semesters, school colors, lap top university, whatever is fine, but change a name is just is really pointless. It is not going to improve WSU one way or another. I think that time should be spent actually improving the univeristy internally. Helping students is any and all ways. This is a waste of time, money and energy. I do not wish to see a name change at WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
student
I think that WSU should not change it's name because the name gives us some ownership to our college. If we change the name, many people may not know exactly where WSU is, it will just be another name for a state college. WSU is unique I think that it will hurt us more that help us. The ownership of our college is in the name WSU, we are a different college, not a name with Minnesota first.
Faculty
I suppose the main reason for changing the name would be that we claim (and aim) to have an academic reputation that extends beyond the original service region. Hence, a less region-specific name might be more useful. If Northeast Missouri State U. is one of the models we have for our evolving mission, consider what they did, a name change using one of the favorite sons of Missouri. I think that was a brilliant move myself. Unfortunately, we don't have a favorite son in Minnesota famous or beloved enough that we can use. Humphrey University does not seem to cut it - aside from the fact that he had nothing to do with that. While I love our town of Winona, the drawback in using the name if we want to go bigger time is that nobody really knows Winona as a place and in fact for some (or many outside of this area) Winona is kind of a hick name. I don't know if we can prove or disprove this assertion but I wonder how many reviewers of larger and more prestigious funding agencies look at a proposal coming from Winona and immediately deduct points in their own mind just because of the name. Again, I am not asserting this to be true. I am just wondering. Will a name change have a long-lasting effect? My feeling is that if we don't have the product to back it up, it won't matter what we name ourselves. On the other hand, I can't help but wonder if, provided we have a good product to sell, a name change wouldn't help. One wonders why corporations spend inordinate sums on market research just to come up with product names. As for a name, I would throw in something like the University of Southern Minnesota - although I suppose the Gophers would kill us if we did that. If Jesse wouldn't mind, we could be Ventura U. - where the body meets the mind. Anyway, those are my initial thoughts.
