Name Game

Memorial University of Dannystan is looking for input:

A Memorial University committee is seeking input from the public on the renaming of Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, Memorial University's Corner Brook campus.

In recent years, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College has been challenged by its name. Specifically, the term "college" has presented challenges for student recruitment outside of the province, for securing research grants, and in attracting faculty and staff to a place that is not clearly labelled as a "university." With increasing competition to attract university students and faculty, renaming the college has been identified by both college officials and the provincial government as being critical to the campus' future enrolment growth and development as a post-secondary, degree-granting institution.

An announcement by the provincial government in December 2009 outlined a number of changes that would increase the Corner Brook campus' autonomy, which included changing the name of Sir Wilfred Grenfell College.

"The goal of this committee is to identify a name that reflects Grenfell's relationship with Memorial University, one that also acknowledges the legacy associated with the name Sir Wilfred Grenfell and identifies the campus as being part of a degree-granting university -- one that is positioned to find its place as a leading post-secondary university, recognized both nationally and globally," said Dr. Christopher Loomis, Memorial University's president pro tempore and chair of the task force that appointed the Communications and Nomenclature Committee.

It would appear that the good folks at MUD didn't get the memo:

A number of initiatives announced by the Provincial Government today will increase the independence of Sir Wilfred Grenfell and facilitate its growth. These initiatives build on the strengths of Grenfell and appropriately recognize its role as a university institution and not a college.

The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, made the announcement today in Corner Brook. He was joined by Bob Simmonds, Chair of the Memorial University Board of Regents, and the Honourable Tom Marshall, MHA for Humber East. Also in attendance were representatives from Grenfell and Memorial University, including Dr. Holly Pike, Grenfell Principal (acting), and Dr. Chris Loomis, President, pro tempore, of Memorial University.

To assist the growth and independence of Sir Wilfred Grenfell, the Provincial Government has formally requested that the Board of Regents:

• Rename Sir Wilfred Grenfell College to Memorial University of Newfoundland-Corner Brook to enhance its unique identity within the university system;