LCSC considering adjusting its name

Apr. 28—Lewis-Clark State College could become a university in the near future.

Cynthia Pemberton, president of the school, announced in her weekly email Monday that she and others have been exploring a name change that would need to win approval from the State Board of Education and the Idaho Legislature.

In her Monday Message to the LCSC community, Pemberton noted the school has undergone several name changes over its 131 year history and switching from college to university would better reflect the educational opportunities it now offers.

"Today, as a comprehensive regional institution, LC State embodies and distinguishes itself more accurately as a university than a college," she wrote.

Pemberton, through LCSC spokesperson Logan Fowler, declined to be interviewed on the name change. Fowler said school officials would "reserve further comment until after upcoming conversations with the State Board of Education."

Those discussions are scheduled to take place in May and June. Pemberton's message said the pros and cons of changing the name have been discussed or shared with faculty, staff, alumni and student focus groups starting in December. However, some faculty members and emeritus professors who declined to comment on the record told the Tribune the idea has not been shared widely with staff or students.

Pemberton also wrote that she shared the idea during one-on-one meetings with legislators and with members of a subcommittee of the State Board of Education.

There is no hard and fast distinction between a college and university. But in general, colleges tend to be smaller, place a primary focus on undergraduate teaching and offer four-year bachelor's degrees. Universities tend to place a premium on published research and offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees. Both universities and colleges can offer two-year degrees and certificates as well.

In documents supporting the name change, the school noted there are five public institutions of higher education in Idaho that use college in their names. That includes the College of Eastern Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, College of Western Idaho and North Idaho College that are all community colleges that focus mostly on two-year degrees.

"The lack of naming distinction between LC State and our two-year sisters causes persistent confusion with the public and various stakeholder groups," according to a document shared with the LCSC community.

Retired LCSC professor Chris Norden said switching from college to university seems to be a trend and it's one he has no problem with. He noted the traditional differences between the two names and that LC may better fit in the college category. But Norden said changing the name may help the public be more aware of the school's success in meeting its undergraduate education mission. For example, Norden said LCSC has an excellent track record for launching students who go on to medical school and law school at bigger universities.

"To me it's not that important what we call ourselves. It's more important what we do. But it is also important that we communicate effectively what we are good at doing, and if calling it a university helps to that end, great."

He also said the name change may give the school a better chance at maintaining funding from the Idaho Legislature and said the trend in the state and nationally is to cut higher education funding, often for politically motivated reasons such as punishment for culture war topics, such as perceived wokeness or diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

"If calling ourselves a university maybe makes a slightly stronger case for the positive contributions we make to the state and the country, then bring it on," Norden said.

The document indicated that if the name is changed, the school will continue to place an emphasis on teaching and that changing signage and other materials is expected to cost less than $50,000.

The institution was founded in 1893 as the Lewiston State Normal School. It became the Northern Idaho College of Education in 1947 and Lewis-Clark Normal School in 1955. Lewis-Clark State College was adopted as the official name in 1971.

Barker may be contacted at ebarker@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2273.