Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

What's In A Name?
Nicki Busdieker, Corner Post Staff

February 17, 2004 - Pride, tradition, history, love, emotion, excitement and heart are all parts of whom we are and where we come from. They all shine through one simple but vital part of each one of us, our name. Whether it is our last name passed down through the generations, the name of an organization that we are active in, or our school, our name is more than just the letters that form it.

What's in a name?

This year at the National FFA Convention the organization proudly clarified what's in their name when they explained to the over 450,000 members that the letters F-F-A still stand for Future Farmers of America, even though the organization is "doing business as" the National FFA Organization.

Students at the University of Missouri exclaim what it means to be a tiger when they sing and chant at football games, basketball games and other events.

So, with all of the things that come with a name, how could anyone leave their own behind? This is the question that has been raised over the last couple of years and heatedly discussed over the last month.

On January 29th, the Missouri Senate heatedly debated SB 0714, the bill that would change the name of Southwest Missouri State University to Missouri State University. HB 777 is the house bill for the same motion. The change, although only dropping one word from their name, drops the one word that is who they are and explains where they come from.

"Regional universities such as Southwest Missouri State University have had their names changed four times since 1905," Mike Sutherland, Missouri State Representative of the 99th District, said.

"In the Senate, Senator Ken Jacob led a filibuster on the floor. Once it was through, the bill was set aside without being voted on. The bill is still alive and could come back. If the bill is able to pass the senate, it would move to the house to be voted on. But as it stands, the bill is dead in the House because it was defeated in the house 73 for and 83 against." Representative Sutherland explained.

There are numerous arguments supporting and against the name change.

Some comments for it explain how the name change could bring new money for higher education to the state, the economic boost to Southwest Missouri, and economic growth to the state. Those supporters believe that the change is needed because of the increased size of the university. They explain that the name will heighten the status of their campus here and in Japan.

However, opponents of the bill have arguments of their own. Opponents explain how changing the name will create another tier in higher education and how that is not needed. They argue that it is an issue of regionalism, being afraid of classification as a regional school. They believe that it is just a marketing aspect. Another hot issue is that the University of Missouri has also been known as Missouri State University. That name is on the wall of the capitol and on old football jerseys.

Yet, no matter which way you look at it, a change in the name is a change in the name. That name is what they stand for and who they are. With the defeat in the house and motion being set aside in the Senate, the fight is not over for SMSU students. The fight is not over for MU students. The arguments seem even and when it comes down to it there is one argument that stands out. Who is Southwest Missouri State University? Is it so bad to be from Southwest Missouri? Does it demean an individual to be from a regional school?

When you talk to a student from SMS they speak with pride in their school, pride in being from Southwest Missouri State University. They chose the area, the people, and the school. Their pride, tradition, history, love, emotion, excitement and heart all shine through their name just as ours does through the University of Missouri.

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