Union Institute Name Change: The Latest

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by levicoff, Aug 3, 2001.

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  1. levicoff

    levicoff Guest

    The following e-mail has just been sent out by Dr. Judith Sturnick, president of The Union Institute (or, as we sometimes call it here, the real TUI):

    The site is especially worth checking out for its list of suggested names - a true ROTFLMAO collection.

    (One thing for which I have to give them credit - unlike the University of Sarasota and some other schools that have changed their names recently, they are seeking input from their at-large community.)
     
  2. Jonathan Liu

    Jonathan Liu Member

    Hi Welcome back.

    I don't like Union International University.
    Sounds like a mill. I prefer Ohio Union University or Vermont Union University.

    ------------------
    Jonathan Liu
    http://www.geocities.com/liu_jonathan/distance.html
     
  3. Bill Highsmith

    Bill Highsmith New Member

    I'm large, so here is my "contribution":

    Some philosophical names:
    Descarte University
    (father of modern philosophy)
    John Locke University
    (the liberal nature of TUI)
    Thomas Paine University
    (English-American, Common Sense,
    the Rights of Man, etc.)

    I personally like Erasmus Univ. but
    know it has less than zero chance.

    Expansive names:
    Union National University
    (Forget "International"; no
    justification and it smells.)
    Academic Union (University)

    My funny (?) suggestions:
    Skidless Univ.
    Oprah U.
    Three Fingers U. (tuition fees)
    Saint Hillary (have you read the
    diss. topics?)
    Oxrhodes (the Oxford connection)

    Bill Highsmith
     
  4. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    As a potential student...ooops....learner, I would greatly prefer if they just stayed as The Union Institute. I really don't see the need to change the name, and some absurd new name may very well drive me away from the school. It took me long enough to accept Capella as it is.

    My silly suggestions;
    Trinity Union College & University
    The New Columbia State University
    Johann Keppler School of Advanced Studies

    My favorite name suggested so far (not by me);
    Faber College (Animal House)

    Bruce
     
  5. drwetsch

    drwetsch New Member

    I did see someone post "Excelsior University."


    John
     
  6. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member

    There certainly does seem to be a trend toward changing names. Claremont Graduate School, one of the Claremont colleges and rather prestigious, changed its name to Claremont Graduate University. Everybody wants to be a university now.


    Tom Nixon
     
  7. tcnixon

    tcnixon Active Member

    Anyone notice that under the "Stimulation" links, they provide one to "Distance Education Guru" which is, of course, Michael Storrs of Canyon College.

    Do you really want TUI associated with Canyon? Hmmm...


    Tom Nixon
     
  8. DWCox

    DWCox member

    Does anyone(other than Union's graduates)care what The Union Institute changes its name to?

    ?????????
    Wes
     
  9. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Yes!! I'm still considering Union for my doctorate, but I'll scratch them right off my short list if they change their name to something stupid like "Vertigo University". Don't laugh, the University of Sarasota is in the process of changing their name to "Argosy University". Does Argosy sound like a skin disease or what?

    I really don't understand the current fascination with changing school names. The Union Institute has a well recognized and well respected name...why in the hell would they want to change it? It just boggles my mind to think about it.

    Bruce
     
  10. Michael

    Michael Member

    On the old "Rocky and Bullwinkle" cartoon show, there was a college called "Wossamatta U." [​IMG] Maybe Union should consider that!
     
  11. Guest

    Guest Guest

    I still think "Thurston Howell University" has some merit! The guy was a millionaire!

    Russell
     
  12. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    While it's not something I am spending sleepless nights worring about, I'm interested.

    Less serious suggestions:

    Oxbridge-Ivy Exclusive International University and Seminary.

    Or perhaps Toptier-Prestige Royal Commonwealth University of the British Virgin Islands

    More serious thought: I don't have a clue.

    It all depends on what their reasons are for wanting to change their name. Whatever the new name is will have to address those issues.

    Do they want to incorporate the word "university"? Outside the US, 'university' has a lot more clout than 'institute'. (Though Cal Tech and MIT do OK.) Is this change part of their acquisition of Vermont College? Do they want to present sort of an 'alternative' persona?

    So... how do they want to present themselves?

    How about Ethan Allan University?

    It has a Vermont connection, plus Allan was a revolutionary. And it's 18th century and historic, so it adds that slightly phony touch of class.
     
  13. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    At the time of Union Institute and University's name change, I didn't have much input. (I thought I was working with a certain Mexican university, but it turned out to be a bunch of Floridian banditos instead.) As an active learner, however, I do have an opinion:

    I hate the name. I'm convinced it is a product of "group think." The name got out there, got some momentum, and no one would say "no."

    That said, I note that the school retains its www.tui.edu domain. I thought I'd try www.uiu.edu and see what I came up with. I got Upper Iowa University, a pioneer in delivering bachelor's degrees by correspondence study. (Many Air Force NCOs did their degrees at Upper Iowa, completing most of the program by correspondence with a semester on campus.)

    Anyway, another reason to return "UIU" to its rightful owner (Upper Iowa) and try again. What are the odds of that?

    NB: My choice would be Sagan University, but I'm partial to corduroy. Or Bucky Fuller U.
     
  14. irat

    irat New Member

    name branding and logos

    A name can designate an area (UNH, UMaine), it can designate sense of self (capella? argosy?). I don't know if it can do both.
    How about
    Student Union of Vermont=================SUV
    Vermont Institute for Education and Welfare====view
    Sanders Union College Institute============suci
    north american student union lyceum========nasul
    Really they are looking at business name and a department name.
    Union University, with a department of the Vermont Institute.

    (Bernie Sanders is the progressive Fed. Rep. in congress from VT
    All the best!
     
  15. defii

    defii New Member

    Wasn't It Already Changed?

    I was under the impression that the name had already been changed from The Union Institute to The Union Institute & University. The latter is what is on their web site. Might I add that I find the name rather awkward. Either stick with The Union Institute or change the name all together.
     
  16. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Re: Wasn't It Already Changed?

    Yes, it has. I don't believe anything posted recently belies that. (This thread began when the issue was still up in the air, however.)
     

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