The Case for a Name Change John F. Carney III, Ph.D., PE November 2006

Goal of University UMR will be one of the top five technological research universities in the United States by 2010.

Objective: Enhance the national reputation of the University to increase the value of degree.

Are we seeking an enhanced national reputation with a branch campus, regional name?

Missouri Public HS Graduates to (actual), to (projected) WICHE: Knocking at the College Door, 2003

Missouri’s 2005 Student Funnel for All Engineering Fields  Public High School Seniors Cohort:67,074  Public High School Graduates:57,495  All ACT Testers/College Bound: 42,705  Any Engineering Interest, all scores: 1,519  Engineering Interest, +21 comp. score: 1,028 (21 = MO average score / 50%)  Engineering Interest, +24 comp. score: 769 (24 = UM minimum for auto admission)  UMR’s Freshmen Engineering Majors 560 from Missouri

+9 > 20 % +11% to +20% 0% to +10% Decreases Projected Change in High School Graduates NCES, 2003

Trends in Engineering (<5%)

Name Recognition Among College-Bound Students Outside of Missouri  Even with the increased recruiting efforts since 2000, of the more than 1.1 million ACT testers in 2006, only 551 non-Missouri high school seniors sent ACT scores to UMR.  238 of the 551 out-of-state ACT scores were from students interested in engineering.  UMR is 9 th in Missouri for number of ACT scores received from out-of-state students.

Conclusion: Our University needs to attract students from all parts of the United States.

What does the name University of Missouri-Rolla tell you about the intrinsic nature of our University? Answer: Nothing

How does the name University of Missouri-Rolla differentiate us from the other UM campuses? Answer: It does not

What is a technological research university?

Technological Research Universities  Engineering enrollment ≥ 25%  Engineering, Business, Physical Sciences, and Mathematics enrollment ≥ 50%  Cutting-edge graduate research program  master’s and Ph.D. degrees awarded  significant external research funding

Average enrollment is 6,457 Average enrollment is 29,391

Average enrollment is 6,457

Average enrollment is 29,391

Should UMR change its name?

We will engage the entire University community  faculty  students  alumni  staff  friends of the University in considering this important question.

Some possible names which would accurately describe our University...

Possible Names  Missouri University of Science and Technology  Missouri University of Science and Engineering  Missouri Technological University  Missouri Science and Technology University  Missouri Science and Engineering University  Other names?

Would a name change affect our relationship with the University of Missouri System? Answer: No

Who would have to approve a name change for UMR? Answer: The Board of Curators

Would state appropriations and/or student fees be used to pay for the one-time cost associated with a possible name change for the University? Answer: No

The Arts and Sciences departments are critically important to the future of our University.

Arts and Sciences  UMR hired a total of 18 new tenure track faculty members in FY06 and FY07.  8 tenure track hires were in Arts and Sciences, including English, Philosophy, and Psychology  Currently searching for tenure track faculty in Computer Science, History, Spanish, and Technical Communication  This years’ A&S budget has been supplemented by over $890,000  Potential graduate programs

Interesting Fact: Outstanding programs in Business, Economics, English, Finance, History, Management Information Systems, Psychology, etc. exist at technological research universities. Examples:  Massachusetts Institute of Technology  Georgia Institute of Technology  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Summary  Increasing our national reputation and prestige will enhance the long-term value of your degree.  Our University’s goal is to be one of the top 5 technological research universities in the United States.  We need attract more students from other parts of the United States and the world.  It is difficult to promote our national reputation with a branch campus, regional name that does not describe the mission of our University.