I feel that Rochester College is a college much like Kalamazoo College, Aquinas, Adrian, etc. If the name were changed to Rochester University, that would infer that it encompassed several schools such as education, engineering, business, nursing, medicine, etc. I think students looking to attend a university are looking for something different than those looking for a smaller college atmosphere. I look to my niece, a senior in Ann Arbor, who has purposefully applied to several colleges in addition to a few universities because she is interested in the small atmosphere of a college. I do find that there are people who recall that Rochester College started out as a 2-yr junior college, and are unaware that it is now a 4-yr college. Maybe more publicity is needed to focus on that. I attended GMI which is now Kettering University. Kettering no longer focuses only on manufacturing and business, but has now broadened it focus to encompass medicine and other areas of study. Part of their reason for taking on the title of university was to show the break with the strictly automotive manufacturing past.

I attend the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN (class of '85) - They have since expanded their programs and campus' markedly and changed their name to the University of St. Thomas sometime in the 90's...it definately isn't the same feeling school that I attended!! Much less personal in its growth... The hazy distinctionin my mind was always based on whether or not there was a graduate program within the institution - If not - it was a college offering 4 year degrees; If it had a grad program - it stepped up to University status... Back when we were evaluating school choices - the community colleges weren't really a factor - seems now they are much more prevelent... It follows then that maybe the word 'college' isn't associated automatically with a 4-year degree minimum institution like it used to be - hence perhaps the word Univeristy might be a better marketing adjective - Personally speaking, as a Rochester resident - I definately love the sound of a local 'college' better than a local 'univeristy' - in America - most of us still 'send our kids off to college'; In Europe - they 'attend Univeristy' - The reallity is...changing the name of your school could easily change the personality and the expectations of the school's atmospshere - unintended consequences?? I'd say keep the 'college' but up the marketing! :)

changing the name from Michigan Christian College to Rochester College was a big transition to alumni and those of use who were attending at the time, My Associates degree was conferred from Michigan Christian College, my bachelors from Rochester College, honestly it concerns me as to what are the benefits to changing the name again. I thought the purpose in changing the name to RC was to make it more marketable. “In the last several years, our recruiters in the Midwest and Great Lakes area have been running into a problem: They are having to spend too much time clarifying to potential students that Rochester College is a four-year degree granting institution- not a two year community college." What about focusing on the colleges mission when recruiting? "Rochester College cultivates academic excellence, principled character, servant leadership, and global awareness through a rigorous educational experience that integrates liberal arts and professional studies within an inclusive Christian heritage."

In full disclosure, I am a recent alumnus. I came into RC via the matriculation agreement with Specs Howard Media/Broadcasting school. The designation "college" vs. "university" was neither here nor there with me. The main issue I looked at was the opportunity to transfer my credits post-Specs, along with most of my other college experiences, and enroll in the CEL program to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in mass communications/broadcasting. I'm simply glad that the opportunity existed to gain a 4-year degree. As an aesthetic issue, if this is the will of the broader student/faculty populace to change it, so be it. If it is the will of the broader populace to not change it, so be it. I can see the attraction for "University" status-- hopefully as time goes on, in the near future more academic programs will be added, for more majors/degrees, both at the undergraduate level and postgraduate level. Hopefully the campus can be expanded with more buildings and facilities, for teaching and sports.

Although I understand why one would want to change RC's name to Rochester University, I don't think our school lives up to the name. I love the school, don't get me wrong. However, there are certain small things that I believe would need to be changed in order to call this school a University. Like someone above me said, first and foremost I think that the term "University" implies that there is a wide variety of options at our school - there is not... at all. There is not an option to major in computer science, engineering, math, physical therapy, economics, and many others at our school. There are also only a one or a few professors on campus for each subject, and I think this poses a problem as well. Usually at Universities, there are many many more options. Along with this - and this is going to seem petty, I know - most universities do not have an attendance policy. The fact that our school does, I think, makes it stand out as separate from many other colleges. Basically, I think that calling it a "University" would almost seem like false advertising (even if it technically isn't.) The type of college RC is, does not reflect a normal University that an incoming student would expect.

You have raised several good points. I'd be interested to see your stats about university attendance policies. I have taught at a state university and at another private Christian university, each in different states. Both had attendance policies similar to RC. My colleagues teaching in higher education across the US all are supposed to enforce attendance policies set by their respectives institutions. Some do and some don't.

I would encourage that if RC is going to change the name once again, that they incorporate the word "Christian" back into the title. Although I understand that it was a "marketing move", I was never in favor of the name changing from MCC to RC. Further, I realize that not having the name "Christian" in the title does not make the school less Christian, but it shouldn't hurt either to proclaim with the name what the school is: a Christian institution. If the college is considering moving into a University status, then what would be the harm in calling it Rochester Christian University, or even Michigan Christian University? Surely the public is not going to assume that a University is only a bible college, so why not add Christian back into the title?

I think that this change which is bound to happen in the near future for the school could be very beneficial. Yes, there would be a small period of transition with adjusting to the new title and branding, but those are things that can be easily implemented if done correctly. It would help raise awareness for the school, and give the opportunity for the school to re-present itself to the community as an institution. As a current student, I went through what it seems many did, with the questions of where I would be finishing out my studies and why I would choose such a small (and unfortunately the implied feelings of pretentious) school. Unfortunately, RC has a pretty negative connotation with the local younger crowd, and while you can never please all opinions, I think it would be beneficial for the school to really present its case and purpose to both perspective students and community members. Many students leaving high school dream of a great time in college, which many assume going away is necessary to achieve. It is important to show people that our school is a great time while having boundaries, and that the two can coexist happily. Another thing presented in the comments above that I agree with is that I would surely hope the "university" title would help bring expansion to the school's departments. There are honestly not many options to consider when coming here. This is one of the reasons I almost opted out of attending. There is no children's ministry program, math, computer sciences, or advertising to name a few. Also, there are no options of art majors of any kind without spending an additional 14 grand on extra off-campus schooling, much less classes that have to do with applied arts. I realize that these are not immediate changes that can be made, but with an expanding population on campus, and our hopes for future growth, there needs to become more options to suit a larger number of people. Additionally, there unfortunately happens to be a very difficult lack of communication between the few departments of the school. As of right now, our school does not exactly reach the University name, but I truly believe it can. I think it's a challenge that would bring improvement. RC has so much potential and I hope to see it flourish during the rest of my time here, possibly even as RU. Let's show people what kind of school we are and can be.