DENVER -- The Board of Trustees at Metropolitan State College of Denver voted 6-3 Thursday to change the school’s name to Metropolitan State University of Denver, school officials announced.
A bill allowing the name change will be introduced at the Colorado Legislature within the month. If approved, the name change will take effect in the fall.
“Because there is confusion about whether we are a four-year institution or a community college, this is affecting both employers and job seekers,” the school says on its Web site. “By aligning Metro State’s name with our reality, we can increase the value of our degrees and better brand this institution in the job market.”
The board had originally settled on Denver State University, but reconsidered after receiving objections from University of Denver officials who argued the names were too similar.
"What was most important to me was to increase the value of degrees for students today and all alumni and students into the future,” says Metro State President Stephen Jordan. “It reinforces our heritage; it makes a clear stake in the ground who we are. We are Metro State. We are the Roadrunners. We are the urban institution who is doing so much for our community.”
