Metro State President Stephen Jordan today announced that the College is taking the next steps in the strategic name initiative that began last spring.

"Consistent with the guidance from the trustees at the board retreat in October, we are moving forward with the [initiative],” Jordan said at this morning’s Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting.

The initiative began with a BOT resolution in February 2010 to conduct a name assessment. Sector Brands was contracted to perform the assessment throughout the spring. The assessment results were presented at the June BOT meeting. The trustees then further discussed the results and what they would like the next steps to be at their retreat last fall.

“The trustees see the value and benefits that could accrue to students and alumni, were the College to vote to change its name to something that would increase its stature within the community,” said Trustee Chair Rob Cohen. “So we are 100 percent behind Dr. Jordan in taking the initiative to its next logical step.”

Among the assessment findings were that the current name does not reflect Metro State’s quality, size and complex offerings—including its recent addition of master’s degrees. It also revealed that there is confusion as to whether Metro State is a community college or a four-year institution.

The assessment also revealed that there was some concern on the part of certain populations that a change in name would signal a shift in mission. Jordan has indicated that he remains committed to the College’s mission of affordability, accessibility and high-quality education.

Jordan said that the starting point was a pool of 10 names. “There are four under consideration. We'll have a conversation about those four names, which includes the current name."

The four names are:

· Metropolitan State College of Denver

· Metropolitan State University of Denver

· University of Central Colorado

· Denver State University

The assessment’s results will be reviewed and the four names discussed at a Town Hall Meeting to be held from 7:30-9 a.m. on Feb. 9 in the Tivoli Turnhalle.

Starting next week and through the month of February, Sector Brands will test the four names through a survey, one-on-one interviews and focus groups with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community and business leaders. The electronic survey will be distributed to all faculty, staff, students and alumni, and will be available at www.mscd.edu/namechange beginning Feb. 10. Participants will be asked to rank the names in priority order and submit comments if they so choose.

A poll conducted last semester by the Student Government Assembly (SGA) found that most students are in favor of a name change, according to SGA President Sammantha O’Brien. “These days in this tough job market, you need every resource you can get from your college, including name recognition. Metro State needs to get on the map,” O’Brien said.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions that Jordan distributed at the meeting.