MUW: Name change in the wind?

By Staff
special to The Star
Nov. 24, 2002
COLUMBUS In spring 2003, Mississippi University for Women President Claudia Limbert plans to make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning either to keep or to change the university's name.
Limbert will not recommend a change to the university's emphasis on women's education.
In a recent e-mail to faculty, staff, students and alumni, Limbert said that in the upcoming months she will visit alumni, business and industry leaders, political leaders, education officials and the media.
Comments welcome
Limbert anticipates hearing from people about the university's name.
The institution has had two name changes. Initially founded as Industrial Institute &College in 1884 as the first public college for women America, the Legislature changed the name to Mississippi State College for Women in 1920.
The current name has been in existence since 1974. Men have been admitted to The W since 1982.
Limbert is not counting just on the statewide conversation to hear from people. She has set up an e-mail address, name@muw.edu, "so that anyone can e-mail me his or her opinion about the name of the university."
In expressing support for the women's emphasis mission of The W, Limbert noted that the university's role has evolved over time.
Marketing study
The university's name may be addressed in a report from the consultant hired by The W to conduct a marketing study. That report will be submitted to the university in mid-December.
The study's purpose is "to measure the awareness, perceptions and interests of students and a smaller number of parents of students who have considered attending MUW or to whom MUW might direct future recruiting efforts."
The timeline for concluding the study includes a meeting in early December between the consultant and the MUW Campus Client Committee, which has served as a sounding board for the consultant, followed by the final report and recommendations in mid-December.
Early next year, the consultant will meet with faculty, staff and students to review the findings and recommendations. A similar review will be held at a joint MUW Alumni and MUW Foundation Board meeting in early February.
Limbert said the decision regarding the name of the university would be addressed in a deliberative manner with input from all constituencies.