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In Milwaukee Buzz Briefs

By OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers

Published April 5, 2006 at 4:26 p.m.

Tags: uwm, wsu, milwaukee, madison, name, nickname, panthers, uw-milwaukee, santiago, carlos, pearl, jeter

Students and alumni will rally Thursday at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to change the name of their school. They plan to launch an initiative that will turn UWM into Wisconsin State University (WSU).

The rally takes place at Spaights Plaza at 11:30 a.m. And according to journalism professor Jim Price, it's all about the battle against the hyphen in "UW-M."

"As UW-M, we will always fail to inspire the greatest confidence in those wrote write the big checks for research grants," says Price. "We will never break into the exalted ranks of 'the top schools.' And people will always be surprised when we win a basketball game against a unpunctuated opponent."

But Price isn't kidding. He cites Michigan and Michigan State, Colorado and Colorado State, and Arizona and Arizona State.

There is precedent, he says. And all of the aforementioned schools have separate and unique identities that are rarely confused.

Leaders of the name change movement say UWM has struggled with its identity for years. They say feel this is their chance to "stop playing second fiddle" to University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In fact, UWM has already changed names three times. UWM was founded as the Milwaukee State Normal School in 1880. In 1927, the Milwaukee State Normal School became the Wisconsin State Teachers College. This school quickly dropped all of its non-four-year degree programs in favor of Bachelor of Science degree programs for education.

Once the Legislature empowered state colleges to offer liberal arts programs in 1951, the school's name then became Wisconsin State College, Milwaukee. And, in 1955, a measure, which combined the Wisconsin State College of Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Extension Division, was passed. This measure, in 1956, officially formed the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM).

Organizers are enthusiastic about the possible change and have cited that UWM recently passed UW in the percentage of enrolled state students. Students have pushed for a referendum on the name change, too.

But not every alum is in favor of a name change.

"Milwaukee is Wisconsin's great city -- it's what put us on the map," says Cari Reisinger, a 2002 graduate with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications. "The people who live here and go to school here have Milwaukee pride, and in that sense, it would be a shame to lose the name association with the school. I feel like Wisconsin State University would too often be wrongly associated with Madison."

Whether it's a crazy idea or one with merit (and we're sure you'll let us know via the Talkback feature below this article), you're sure to hear more about the debate in the weeks to come. The group even has a Web site: uwm2wsu.com.

65 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by OMCreader on May 4, 2006 at 3:33 a.m. (report)

Ahmad Ali Saatnia said: Arash is my lost niece and now I have found it via this article. Would you please pass him my e-mail address and make an uncle happy? From Iran

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Posted by OMCreader on April 27, 2006 at 12:20 a.m. (report)

Adam Smith said: People, name change is the way to go! Wanting a name change does not mean that you want to inflate the name of the university, but it is more of a marketing decision. It's about the image of the school. On the other hand, the UW-system used to be WSU-system. Wisconsin State will just make the university DISTINGUISHABLE.

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Posted by OMCreader on April 24, 2006 at 5:51 a.m. (report)

Casey said: I think this whole thing is a waste of time and money. Personally, I am proud of the UWM name and I think internal changes should be made instead of changing the name "in order to move foreward.." Sorry to say but I do not think a name change is going to raise the morale or unity of the university. Most of the students at UWM are commuters and they WORK, some 2 or more jobs just to afford the rise in tuition! So for "fernando" to say that UWM students do not have "time" to appreciate the cultural side of Milwaukee is .. yeah you get the point. UWM students actually WORK! Sorry we don't have rich mommies and daddies to pay for everything and financial aid does not cover everything! I think things like text book costs and tuition increase deserve more attention than this issue.

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Posted by OMCreader on April 20, 2006 at 11:44 a.m. (report)

Jack said: Nathan makes some good points. If there is a change, I vote for University of Milwakee.

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Posted by OMCreader on April 19, 2006 at 5:06 p.m. (report)

nathan said: What all of you who are against the name change need to realize is that no one, no matter which side of the argument they are on, believes that changing the school’s name will skyrocket the university’s reputation to national prestige overnight. The idea behind a name change is simply laying the groundwork for the future. UWM is this state’s second largest university and quite possibly the fastest growing. It is located in the state’s largest and most diverse city. I’ll agree that there is much more that needs to be done outside of a simple name change to bring this school up to the level of a first-tier university. Honestly though, what is wrong with preparing for the future? A more unique and recognizable name will do a lot for this school. It will bring in a greater yearly endowment over time. Our current 7 million just doesn’t cut it when compared to UW-Madison’s over 300 million. It will attract and hold more national attention. UW-Milwaukee is one of those names you forget every March after the NCAA tournament is over, Not to be remembered unless you happen to see it again the following March. Personally, I cannot understand why anyone is against this. What is wrong with moving forward and standing out? If it’s the money and potential costs you are concerned with just get over it. Haven’t you ever heard that it takes money to make money? Improvement isn’t free. And it’s really hard to believe that in a city that increased taxes to build a new stadium for a second rate major league baseball team (at the time) in hopes of improvement, some people can’t do the same for a “second rate” university.

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