http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/1808093 <B><font size=5>Southwest Texas State on move to new name</font> By JENNIFER McINNIS Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau </B><I> AUSTIN -- Legislation was filed Thursday to change the name of Southwest Texas State University to Texas State University at San Marcos, a move supporters say will boost the institution's image. Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, filed the legislation at the request of the university's Associated Student Government. Supporters say the name change, which has been discussed for at least four years, would give the university more recognition, attract more private funding and rid it of a regional connotation that does not reflect the school's location. The proposal also is supported by the SWT Alumni Association Board of Directors, academic deans, vice presidents and other members of the university community. Last year, then-President Jerome Supple presented the proposal to the Texas State University System Board of Regents, but the board postponed a decision, pending the arrival of Supple's successor. SWT's enrollment of more than 25,000 makes it the largest school in the Texas State University System. It accounts for 44 percent of the system's budget and 39 percent of its students. It also has the third-highest number of student applications among Texas universities. Wentworth said the name change wouldn't cost the taxpayers any money. Alumni have pledged $1.4 million, a figure well above the estimated $400,000 needed to make changes, such as signs, related to a new name. "Changing Southwest Texas State University to Texas State University at San Marcos would make it easier for students interested in Texas colleges and universities to distinguish a top-tier public university from community and private colleges," Wentworth said. "It needs to move away from name-implied regionalism." Robert Doerr, student body president, agrees. "We could pick up the university and move it out to Big Bend somewhere, but I think changing the name is much easier and more appropriate," Doerr said. "Right now, we have a fantastic opportunity before us to better the university community for the next 100 years." The university's name has changed four times since it was established in 1899. "Each of those name changes reflected a change in the school's academic focus. Students, alumni, faculty and staff are asking that the name be changed again, this time to denote a doctoral granting university," Wentworth said. Rep. Vilma Luna, D-Corpus Christi, a Southwest alumna, will co-author a similar bill in the House.</I> I personally don't like it, but I understand the reason for it. People will never think of the name Southwest Texas as anything other than a party school, even though Money Magazine ranked it as a top 10 Best Buy state school in the entire nation a few years ago. Hopefully this will raise it's image to reflect the serious university it is. Whatever name the university goes by, it'll still be the only Texas school to produce a U.S. President.
Well, Texas State University at San Marcos does sound "more professional", I suppose. But I'll miss SWT, and I didn't even go there.
Yeah, I will too. When I'm 70 and telling my grandchildren where I went to college, they'll say "where"? It always did annoy me that SWT wasn't in southwest Texas though.
Dude, don't be so sensitive, its more a knock on UT. BTW, it is kind of funny that if you walk around A&M's campus and they claim Bush Sr. like he's an alum. Man, can't they pick a better president to claim, the guy was voted out of office.
You're right, the president does get to pick, so it shouldn't be knock on UT. I guess, you're upset because he snubbed you guys. Sorry.
Not upset at all. I think it's smart to put it in the state capital, just like Clinton is doing. I never understood really why Bush put his in College Station (no offense to Aggies meant, just why would you put it in an out of the way town?), and I won't understand it if Dubya puts it his anywhere other than SMU.
Listen Sherlock....The only reason guys like you have a place to teach is because guys like me donate buildings I'm sure a college would name a building after Saddam Hussein if he offered enough money...
I don't think they're using it to really attract more students, especially since they're only behind A&M and UT in number of students. They want to get away from the stigma associated with the name Southwest Texas. It won't happen overnight, but it'll probably work in a few generations.
I wonder if we'll get to buy new diplomas that have TSU instead of SWT. We could hang them next to each other and look cool. We have a street named after LBJ thats as good as a library right?
Maybe, but how liberal was UT in the 1960s? I don't think Rice or SMU is really the bastion of liberalism either.
So SWT will now have the same acronym as Texas Southern University? Or will they call themselves TSUSM?
It might have also had to do with the fact Texas has 2 flagship universities. Seeing as 1 already had a presidential library, it would only make sense for Bush Sr. to build it at the other flagship. It's his adopted homestate and university. Don't be surprised if Bush Jr. builds his library at Baylor.
