MSU-Bottineau Considering a Name Change

South Dakota's Minot State University-Bottineau is considering a rebrand makeover; however, a change in status and relationship is not forthcoming. Even if the MSU name is dropped, the school will still remain affiliated with Minot State University. One of the reasons for the proposed change is that there are too many schools with the abbreviation MSU. Another, as Joseph Marks reported in the Grand Forks Herald is that a "nondescript name" may be successful in drawing students. One suggestion was to retrobrand to its former name of the "School of Forestry." Other names considered included the following: Northern Lights University, Peace Garden State University-Bottineau, Four Seasons State College, and Bottineau State College.

Any change in names would need the approval of the institution's president, the North Dakota Board of Education, and the North Dakota Legislature. The soonest total approval could occur is 2009.

New Hampshire Community and Technical Colleges all rebrand

Unlike the Lone Star Community College system which unified under a single brand, the New Hampshire Community and Technical Colleges divested themselves of the single brand in favor of individual brand identities. Signed into law in 2007, the new identities were announced on January 30, 2008. The name changes include the following:

• New Hampshire Community and Technical College-Berlin to White Mountains Community College
• New Hampshire Community and Technical College-Claremont to River Valley Community College
• New Hampshire Community and Technical College-Laconia to Lakes Region Community College
• New Hampshire Community and Technical College-Manchester to Manchester Community College
• New Hampshire Community and Technical College-Nashua to Nashua Community College
• New Hampshire Community and Technical College-Stratham/Portsmouth to Great Bay Community College
• New Hampshire Technical Institute to New Hampshire Technical Institute – Concord’s Community College

The schools are governed under the auspices of the Community College System of New Hampshire.

Name changes approved for community colleges

Community college to change name

NHCTC to change name: Will become Great Bay Community College
NHTI name change reflects college's role

Lone Star College System - New Name; New Logo

Formed in 1972, the North Harris Montgomery County College District was created by citizens served by the Aldine, Humble and Spring Independent School Districts to be a junior college district. Later, eight other school districts joined over the next 28 years. Unfortunately, the original name was no longer viable. The individual campuses were individually known as:

• Cy-Fair College
• Kingwood College
• Montgomery College
• North Harris College
• Tomball College

Several considerations regarding the new name were set forth by the "Name Review Committee." These criteria were as follows:

• Must be shorter than the current name.
• Must be distinctive and unique.
• Must connect all colleges, communities, member school districts.
• Must support the mission, purpose of the institution.
• Must reflect a “system” of colleges, not a geographic “district.”
• Must have an appropriate, easy-to-say acronym.
• Must reflect the institution’s image as a successful, quality, inclusive, diverse, comprehensive college.
• May include a key descriptor of the region’s geography, history or location.
• Should be inspiring and forward-thinking, but not faddish.
• Must not be the name of an individual.

Stakeholders were invited to participate in the process and the Board of Trustees approved the Lone Star College System name on November 1, 2007. The name became official on January 1, 2008. On January 16, a new logo and a unified color scheme was unveiled to the public.

The New Name Information Site
Lone Star College System Rises as the New Name for NHMCCD
Lone Star College Unveils New Logo for New Name

I love the new logo and the name really makes sense. This was an excellent rebranding scenario and it appears to have gone very smoothly.

New Name Suggested for Community College System in Alabama

This from today's Tuscaloosa News:

"Postsecondary Education Chancellor Bradley Byrne wants to change the name of the two-year college system from The Alabama College System to the Alabama Community College System."

"Martha Simmons, the system's communications director, said the name change will better reflect the role the system plays and will describe a more definitive role when marketed."

That is the extent of what's in the news. It sounds as though it is the right move as it does provide a name that matches their mission. Film at 11.

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Considering Bridgeway College Name Change

For several years, Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Minnesota has been considering a change of name that would accomplish three things. One: drop the "community college" designation to favor just "college." Two: rebrand itself with a new identity. Three: reduce any confusion between the college and two other educational entities with similar names.

The original name choice was Ardent College; however, this has been scrapped in favor of Bridgeway College. While intensive research has been conducted by the school, no concrete decision has been made on whether to continue with the present name or become Bridgeway College. The school provides their research procedures and rationale on their website. Although having known of this possible change, I did not include this school in my research as the name change was not definite.

See Anoka-Ramsey CommunityCollege Name Change Process

and

Questions and Answers.

Florida's Indian River Community College hopes to drop the "Community" Designation

Florida's Indian River Community College began offering classes in its newly approved Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree program today. This step is positioning the school for a new name: Indian River College. Unlike community colleges in a number states that have dropped the "community" designation, Indian River has justified the move based on its approval at the baccalaureate level by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The Florida legislature will vote on this change during the 2008 session. If passed, IRCC will begin phasing in the adjusted brand name.

See First day Of IRCC Bachelor’s Degree Classes Marks Historic First for College and Community

and

Indian River Community College Begins Bachelor's Degree Program