There's a new name for the system of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities as of Tuesday.
The Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities endorsed an initiative that changes how the system refers to itself from "MnSCU" to "Minnesota State." The move does not change the nation's fifth-largest higher education system's legal name, which is written in state statute.
Minnesota State is the new nickname for the system as a whole, as well as a system affiliation identifier. Individual state colleges and universities are not required to change their names, but they will use the system affiliation identifier in conjunction with their logos and brand identities to signify that they are members of the Minnesota State system.
The new nickname creates a platform for future communication and promotional materials that will raise awareness of how the colleges and universities of Minnesota State differ from other higher education institutions in the state.
Adenuga Atewologun, president of Riverland Community College says this name change is a great opportunity.
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"We look forward to it, it's going to help people understand that we are a higher education system that compares to the rest of the institutions in Minnesota."
Officials at Rochester Community and Technical College also agree.
"We want to show how much of an extraordinary education our schools offer," said Nate Stoltman, director of marketing and public relations for RCTC. "We are the most affordable, accessible and highest value in the state of Minnesota."
RCTC also hopes this change will elevate the image and brand recognition.
"A lot of work and research went into this," Stoltman said. " They determined this will be a good way to help everyone, which we are really looking forward to."
"It will be a great cohesive partnership between the individual campuses and the system itself," added Stoltman.
The Minnesota State system office will begin making the change in July by taking such steps as revising electronic letterhead, updating the website, and using it on newly printed mailers and brochures. Campuses will take steps to indicate they are a member of the Minnesota State system in phases over the next two years, as supplies of existing materials are depleted.
