A white paper outlining the rationale for considering a name change for UMR is now available online.

The white paper, titled “The Case for a Name Change,” outlines the potential benefits to the campus if it were to change its name to one that better describes its mission as a technological research university.

The document points out that a name change could differentiate UMR from other University of Missouri campuses, more accurately reflect the university’s national mission as a technological research university, help broaden the university’s market share nationally at a time when the number of high school graduates in Missouri and the Midwest is expected to decline, and improve the university’s national reputation.

UMR Chancellor John F. Carney III proposed a campuswide discussion about changing the name of the university during his State of the University Address on Oct. 9. “The University of Missouri-Rolla is unique among the four University of Missouri campuses because of our focus as a technological research university,” he said. “We believe a more distinctive name would afford UMR several advantages in recruiting students on a national level.”

Since that meeting, the chancellor has discussed the topic with students at an open forum, with the UMR Academic Council, and with several alumni groups.