What do we think of the name "Excelsior" now?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by John Bear, Mar 1, 2003.

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How do you feel about the name "Excelsior College" now?

  1. I like it.

    12 vote(s)
    15.0%
  2. I don't think about it; it's just another name.

    24 vote(s)
    30.0%
  3. I am not happy with it, but can live with it.

    13 vote(s)
    16.3%
  4. I am not happy with it, and think they should change it.

    15 vote(s)
    18.8%
  5. Fingernails scraping on a blackboard.

    13 vote(s)
    16.3%
  6. None of the above; other

    3 vote(s)
    3.8%
  1. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    I was sitting hear reading a post about Excelsior, and thinking that after a year or more, the name still has some element of fingers scraping on a blackboard for me. There was a lot of comment on their name change when it wsa announced, but little or nothing since. So I decided to post my first poll to see what the current thinking is.
     
  2. Dennis Ruhl

    Dennis Ruhl member

    They could try for more respect. What about Regents' College of The University of the State of New York. Who knows, it might work.
     
  3. DaveHayden

    DaveHayden New Member

    They can't use Regents because of their seperation agreement with USNY. They also can not use University due to NY state laws. I think Lawrie was pretty on the mark in his series of posts that suggested at least technically move out of state and use something generic but respectable like Albany University. It still amazes me that the administration doesn't understand the marketing value of a well thought out name. Degree mill operators sure do. As of this morning 66% of respondents strongly dislike the EC name.
     
  4. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    I agree. The name sounds dumb--either like packing material or like something from those cheesy military recruiting ads with knights in armor. A name from NY history, say, Cornford College, or a place name, say, Skaneateles State, would be much better.
    Alternatively, a simple, descriptive acronym-friendly name like New York Assessment College would work, creating the same mixup with Nyack College (NYAC and Nyack) which the University of South Australia (UniSA) and the University of South Africa (UNISA) currently enjoy.
    Seriously, a simple name like College of New York, New York College, or something similar would be a better choice than Excelsior. The state motto connection is opaque, the Latin meaning equally so. Almost anything (other than Argosy) would be an improvement.
     
  5. decimon

    decimon Well-Known Member

    excelsior: fine curled wood shavings used especially for packing fragile items

    May be appropriate.

    The "Excelsior" of the New York State motto means "still higher."

    To me the name sounds both pretentious and frivolous. Maybe in time it will be just another name.

    What were they thinking of when they named Marymount College?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 1, 2003
  6. me again

    me again Well-Known Member

    I think it sounds regal. :)

    It has a high-quality ring to it. :)

    Very impressive name. :D

    And I've never attended that particular school. :p
     
  7. wfready

    wfready New Member

    I don't know... I just doesnt roll of the tongue to well when it is said.

    "Where did you get your degree from?"
    "Excelsior College"

    Sounds like a drink or spaceship or something. However, when I tell someone where I received my degree from they don't cringe nearly as much as I do when I say it.. (so it may be just me..)

    Best Regards,
    Bill
     
  8. oxpecker

    oxpecker New Member

    I think Excelsior sounds pretentious. Albany College or Hudson College would be good. Though Google reveals that there already is an Albany College of Pharmacy, and a religious school called Hudson College (offering DL programs, no less).
     
  9. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    How about Middle States College? (it worked for North Central U. ):D

    How about "The College Formerly Known as Regents College of the University of the State of New York" with an accompanying incoherent symbol? (it worked for Prince):p

    How about MIGS? (I understand that the name is available) :)

    How about I shut up now?

    Tony
     
  10. wfready

    wfready New Member

    It could be a worse name...

    Like CLL (College of Lifelong Learning) which is part of the university system of New Hampshire (UNH, Keene, and NHC belong to I believe). I don't think its a BAD school (they have custom tailored degree programs that sound good). Just something to consider.

    BR,
    Bill
     
  11. drwetsch

    drwetsch New Member

    I have come to like the name and respect it. It helps retain the New York connection, the College still comes under the USNY banner as a member institution (as do all New York institutions). I think the College is doing well, over 100,000 alumni and enrollment is strong.

    John
     
  12. DaveHayden

    DaveHayden New Member

    No doubt EC is doing fine and offers some great programs. It is equally clear more than 50% of people dislike the name. The point is they could be doing much better with a better name. I personally like University of Albany, Albany University and Empire State University. If they must stay with College then Albany State College.
     
  13. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    My recent research implies that a weird name might matter. HR professionals surveyed rated Columbia State University higher than Capella University and Education America, both properly accredited.

    (I say "implied" because this was not one of the research questions measured.)

    I think "Excelsior" is fine. However, I agree with those who suggest the school should have adopted a more normal-sounding name. Many nontraditional schools have gone this route (guess the changed name of each):

    The Graduate School of America
    Connecticut Board for State Academic Awards
    Vermont Institute of Community Involvement
    American Open International University
    Campus-Free College
    Koh-I-Nor University
    Humanistic Psychology Institute
    California Institute for Asian Studies
    Western Regional Learning Center
    Dyke College

    I wish Union Institute and University would take the hint. Even "Union Institute" was better. ("UECU" was not. But "Union Graduate School" was.While not the institution's over-arching name, it was its colloquial moniker.)
     
  14. ericbowers

    ericbowers New Member

    Well, it's better than Bromo-celsior College or Alka-celsior...

    (Can never resist a bad pun.)

    -EB
     
  15. plumbdog10

    plumbdog10 New Member

    After looking at numerous d.l. schools, I found that Excelsior was the best option for completing my B.A. I did not, however, enroll. I simply did not like the name. It sounded like either a degree mill or a non-RA school. I know that's not the case, and I have nothing against Excelsior, but I felt that if I was going to spend my time and money, I should end up with a diploma I liked. I suspect that I am not alone.
     
  16. telefax

    telefax Member

    Dubious name choice

    Plumbdog: "I simply did not like the name. It sounded like either a degree mill or a non-RA school."

    That has been the reaction of many co-workers of mine seeking a way to finish college non-residentially, whom I refer to Bear or degree.net. Excelsior's model of education may be valuable, but the name sounds phony to people.
     
  17. plumbdog10

    plumbdog10 New Member

    I just can't understand why these d.l. only schools insist on naming themselves with unusual names. The average person generally thinks of a university as being named after their geographic location (except in the case of old, established institutions).
     
  18. John Bear

    John Bear Senior Member

    As of a few years ago, and probably still, New York requires a school to have at least three separate doctoral programs before they can use the word "university."

    So what's the most prestigious school that is not called "University"? My initial thought would be Dartmouth.
     
  19. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    I don't have strong feelings about the name 'Excelsior', one way or another.

    But what I can't even begin to understand is why so many Degreeinfo denizens hate the name.

    You ultra-refined name-aesthetes rag on Excelsior' all day and all night. Well at least it isn't in a city that calls itself "Buffalo". ('Tyrannosaurus' would have been way cooler...)

    "University of Chicago"? Sounds like a head cold to me. Gesundheit.

    "The Mayo Clinic?" You betcha.

    'Niagra Falls' is OK, but 'Excelsior College' isn't? Want to explain that one to me again slowly?

    "University of Toronto"? Wasn't Toronto the Lone Ranger's Indian sidekick for God's sake??

    Stop and think for a moment what the name 'Oxford' originally meant.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 3, 2003
  20. Orson

    Orson New Member

    I too resisted. But onlearning that the state motto was not "The Empire state"--a name taken anyway--but "Excelsior," directly like Charter Oak in Connecticut (somebody help me here on the parallel?), I had to fall in line. Soon, I was liking it.

    --Orson
    P.S. I had an additional problem with the name: I'm from Minnesota, and a western Minneapolis suburb is the town Excelsior--on the shores of Lake Minnetonka (YUP! Where Tonka Toys hail from). But for all I know, the town's founders came from upstate New York and brought the motto with them!
     

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