One Mississippi public university is pausing its efforts to change its name to one that does not include the word “women’s.”
Mississippi Women’s University President Nora Miller said in a statement Wednesday that students, alumni and others should discuss the issue more.
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The college in Columbus has admitted men since 1982, and about 22 percent of its current student body of 2,230 are men. But university leaders say having “female” in the name makes hiring more difficult.
Miller, a graduate of MUW, said he recognized the “challenges, failures, frustrations and uncertainties” posed by the rebranding effort.
“As we continue to work on a future name change, we are revisiting the process, how to engage our alumni base, and the many needs necessary to find a name that captures the University’s unique history and contemporary qualities. We will review and reconsider,” Miller wrote.
Her statement came eight days after Miller announced that the school would seek legislative approval to become Mississippi State University of Wimbridge. The university’s name is still allowed to be marketed under its long-standing nickname, “The W.”
A Mississippi Women’s University banner decorates the campus on October 23, 2023 in Columbus, Michigan. The university, which has admitted men since 1982, announced on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, that it would suspend efforts to select a new university. A name that does not contain the word “female”. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Amanda Clay Powers, the university’s director of library services and co-chair of the naming task force, said on February 13 that Winbridge is a “bridge that creatively combines the Old English ‘W’ to connect past and present.” ”.” And future W graduates. ”
Alumni backlash prompted university officials to withdraw an alternative name announced in January, Mississippi Brightwell University.
Miller announced in 2022 that he would form a special committee to consider the name change, months after the university’s Council of Deans sent him a letter saying there were “challenges” with the current name.
Alumni have blocked previous attempts to change the name.
In 2009, the university’s president, Claudia Limbert, announced that the name would be changed to Renault University, in honor of Sally Renault, who wrote a letter to Mississippi’s governor in the mid-19th century proposing the establishment of a public university for women. proposed.
The school was chartered as an industrial institute and university in 1884 and was located on the campus of an existing private school, the Columbus Female Institute. The original mission of the university was to provide higher education and vocational training to women.
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In 1920, the name was changed to Mississippi State University for Women, and in 1974, it became Mississippi State University for Women.
