UMKC has held a series of forums this month to give students, staff and alumni a chance to weigh in on the proposal to drop the University of Missouri designation from the school’s name. School administration has emphasized that a name change won’t affect UMKC’s affiliation with the UM System, nor would this name change be the first for either UMKC or the UM System. UMKC was the “University of Kansas City” from its inception in 1929 until it joined the UM System and became UMKC in July 1963. In 2008, the reverse happened when the University of Missouri-Rolla dropped the UM designation from its name to become the Missouri University of Science and Technology. Throughout September, name change forums have been held by the Student Government Association, Faculty Senate and Staff … Read entire article »

When Chancellor Leo Morton suggested a potential name change for UMKC earlier this year, the idea met both support and opposition. Morton’s suggestion supported the change from “University of Missouri-Kansas City” back to the university’s original identity, “University of Kansas City.” Morton and other supporters believe the name change could uniquely distinguish UMKC as “Kansas City’s university.” The change to UKC, however, would not signal a departure from the University of Missouri system. Others believe the UM designation in the school’s name gives it more national credibility, distinguishing it from for-profit colleges named after cities. Because many students come from the Kansas City area, Morton is hopeful the university’s proposed name change will garner increased community support. Morton intends to pursue further research and discussion to determine if a name change would ultimately benefit the … Read entire article »