Fortress Hays

Ever since Fort Hays State University’s Structural Review Committee released its recommendation that the university should strongly consider renaming itself – possibly as the University of Western Kansas – quite a brouhaha has erupted, with many students fiercely defending the status quo. A Facebook group titled “We are Fort Hays State University! Not the University of Western Kansas!” has 1780 members at the time I’m writing this post. The primary line of reasoning I can see in the resistance movement is “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Hard to argue with that.

I have to admit a certain ambivalence on the topic. On the one hand I tend to agree that there’s nothing wrong with Fort Hays State University, and I can certainly sympathize with those who want to hold onto tradition. Obviously, this blog’s name is a nod toward that tradition, so I’ve got my own reasons for appreciating the status quo. It’s certainly true that the university has undergone name changes in the past to reflect the changing nature of our mission – we were originally the Western Branch of the Kansas Normal School – suggesting that the University of Western Kansas would actually reflect our historical heritage, too. One strike against the University of Western Kansas would be that it makes us just another compass point university – I tend to agree that this is not the best way to differentiate ourselves. Others have suggested a name change to “Eisenhower University” to honor Ike (a Kansan and respected general and president), thus freeing us of a geographic limitation in an era that we’re increasingly trying to reach out to an international student population.

However, the alternative name that has struck a chord with me is one suggested by Dr. Elmer Finck of the Biology Department: “University of the Great Plains”. It seems to me that the Great Plains are central to the American experience, encompassing a rich cultural heritage and a unique geographic setting. “Great Plains” accurately describes our university’s location in a way that is far more evocative, and at the same time less geographically limiting, than either Fort Hays or Western Kansas. It would also lend itself nicely to slogans that invoke the “frontier” spirit and appeal to a sense of discovery and growth – I know many students are quite eager to get rid of “Affordable Success” (though I think it’s hard to argue against the success of that slogan in marketing the university).

So to sum up, even though I’m ambivalent about the need to change the university’s name, if it’s going to happen I’d really like to see us go with “Great Plains”, either as “University of the Great Plains” or simply “Great Plains University”. Either one is a name I could be proud of.

What do you think? Is there another alternative that would be even better?