With the state’s next legislative session two and a half months away, questions abound as to whether or not renaming Mississippi University for Women will be on the agenda.
The proposed new name — Reneau University — hasn’t yet been taken up by the College Board.
And, according to local legislators, the would-be new name has never stood a chance.
“I’ve heard from several of my colleagues, and they have already been contacted by W alums and they are opposed to the name Reneau. I’m opposed to the name Reneau,” said Rep. Gary Chism, R-Columbus, who admits he doesn’t want the college’s name to change at all.
Chism met with MUW President Claudia Limbert years ago and advised her to get members of the former MUW Alumnnae Association — now called Mississippi’s First Alumnae Association — on board with the name change.
Without their support, said Chism, the name change is dead in the water.
“W alums are in every county in this state and every House district of this state, and they are going to let their legislators know that they are not in support of changing the name,” he added.
“I haven’t heard much of anybody in support for the name Reneau,” said Betty Lou Jones, a 1966 graduate of MUW, who was president of the MUWAA when Limbert severed ties with the group.
“I have heard plenty of opposition,” she continued, noting the name “takes out the word Mississippi and anything that ties it to the history of the university.
“There’s just no relevance. I mean it’s just a horrible choice. People have said it reminds them of a French car. ‘What is it?’ ‘Who is it?’”
Despite a lack of support from the old alumni group — a new group was formed in 2007 when Limbert disaffiliated from the MUWAA — Perry Sansing, assistant to the MUW president, cites positive responses from potential students and their parents.
“Sallie Reneau is a remarkable person and her efforts are the primary reason this university was established,” said Sansing. “The university will continue to work with the IHL board and the Legislature to move forward in a way that best serves the interests of the university.”
Rep. Jeff Smith, D-Columbus, is willing to introduce legislation to change the college’s name, but he, like Chism, would prefer a geographical name.
Sen. Terry Brown, R-Columbus, agrees.
“I have supported the name change,” said Brown. “I’m not hung up on (Reneau University). I personally would like for it to be more regional. ... It needs to be as non-gender specific as possible.”
Chism offered Mississippi University at Columbus as an alternative to Reneau University. Brown proposed including Northeast Mississippi in the name. Naming the school “after a lady” doesn’t help much in making the name less gender-specific, Chism said.
“I don’t care for it at all,” said Smith of the proposed new name.
“I think I have had three phone calls for it and I can’t even say how much against it — more e-mails than anything else — so I wouldn’t support changing it to Reneau, no,” he added. “I think the sense of our delegation is that Reneau wouldn’t pass muster, but most of us would support a name change.
“It’s a public university. You just run into opposition when you start naming it after people. That’s sort of what the school districts have run into. Everyone has likes and dislikes, and you can’t please everyone when you name it after an individual.”
“I think you need to get away from persons, in my opinion,” Brown echoed. “I think it needs to be more region-specific.”
The State Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning is waiting on the Columbus-Lowndes Development Link before moving on the matter.
“The Link will decide the best time to bring forward any proposals for a name change,” said Scott Ross, president of the College Board. “The campus has made its decision, and we respect that work. The Link is fully vetting it now.”
However long the Link vets the name change and the choice of a new name, changing the name still could be on the table in January.
And, lawmakers have said, Limbert’s recent announcement she’ll retire in June 2010, has little to no impact on the issue.
“All it takes for it to come up in January is for a legislator to file a bill,” said Smith, who suggested charging the IHL with selecting a new name for the college if and when a name-change bill passes the Legislature.
“In fact, like I said, some of the staff members have talked with me and the thought is, don’t let the distraction of the retirement sidetrack the name change.”
“I see it as no bearing,” Chism said of Limbert’s retirement and its effect on the name change. “I don’t see the name change going through whether she stays or goes.
“What’s going to happen is, I think it’s going to stay Mississippi University for Women.”
“I would say yes, it probably does affect it somewhat,” Brown said of Limbert’s retirement. It’s kind of split the Senate anyway. I’ve talked to a lot of members; a lot of them don’t want to address it.”
Some senate members might use the MUW president’s retirement announcement as a reason to delay discussions of the university’s name, he speculated.
If approved by lawmakers, the historic university will face its third name change since its founding in 1884 as the Industrial Institute and College. In 1920, II and C became Mississippi State College for Women. The school adopted its current name in 1974 and has retained it despite admitting men since 1982.
Rep. Esther Harrison, D-Columbus, hasn’t taken a position on the name change.
“I have not decided how I’m going to vote on that yet,” she said. “We are still discussing it.”
While Limbert’s retirement may not make or break MUW’s name-change efforts, Jones believes it will help to unify the alumni.
“There is and always is a desire on the part of the alums to come together, and I feel like as we move through this transition period, you’re going to see a lot more movement in that direction,” Jones said. “We are anxious and willing and stand ready to move toward reunification of our alums and to channel our energy and channel our resources together toward making things a lot better.
“I think that Dr. Limbert’s retirement will have a very positive influence on us being able to mend some fences.”
She went on to wish Limbert well, saying she and other alumnae “hope that her retirement will be very gratifying to her and that she will be able to write and spend more time with her family.”
Mississippi’s First Alumnae Association has continued its financial and other support of MUW with endowed scholarships and contributions.
Jones admits some members of the association have stopped contributing and have avoided campus activities.
“I anticipate that there will be a major change in that,” she said.
Garthia Burnett is the News Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
HK | 10/19/2009 10:48:00 AMmark as inappropriate Reneau was a lady that all about change--equality for women and equal rights.. so I say--just leave it the same--the W--if you are going to rename it a woman's name that was all about letting women in the school systems--then I say leave it the same--it is all still about women's rights with the name the W or Reneau..
W supporter | 10/19/2009 11:27:00 AMmark as inappropriate "Chism met with MUW President Claudia Limbert years ago and advised her to get members of the former MUW Alumnnae Association -- now called Mississippi's First Alumnae Association -- on board with the name change.
Without their support, said Chism, the name change is dead in the water"
This is exactly the reason Limbert severed ties with the original alumnae association, among other reasons.. She knew this association would NOT support the name change so she had to make sure they were history before she implemented her "name change" agenda. Its all becoming pretty obvious how she was manipulating everybody.
The obit reads: Died of declining attendance caused by people stuck in the past. By the time they finally woke up, it was too late.
JC | 10/19/2009 3:10:00 PMmark as inappropriate Reneau Le Car University has a nice ring to it.
Somethingsmells | 10/19/2009 5:56:00 PMmark as inappropriate "The Link will decide the best time to bring forward any proposals for a name change," said Scott Ross, president of the College Board. "The campus has made its decision, and we respect that work. The Link is fully vetting it now."
A entity dealing with mostly private business is now going to decide for the IHL what name might be best for a PUBLIC university?!
"All it takes for it to come up in January is for a legislator to file a bill," said Smith, who suggested charging the IHL with selecting a new name for the college if and when a name-change bill passes the Legislature.
And this qoute sounds like the Legislature doesn't want to have to deal with the question at all, so they want to put the ball back in the IHL's court and shed their responsibility to the public.
A little back-room shenanigans going on? Doesn't seem to pass the smell test to me.
mac | 10/19/2009 6:13:00 PMmark as inappropriate For Betty Lou to suggest that there is not "much of anybody in support of the name Reneau" is ridiculous. Those in support are not going to contact Betty Lou. The problem is that it is obvious that our legislators are only hearing from opposition. If the name is going to change, that is going to have to change as well.
Somethingsmells | 10/19/2009 6:54:00 PMmark as inappropriate "The Link will decide the best time to bring forward any proposals for a name change," said Scott Ross, president of the College Board. "The campus has made its decision, and we respect that work. The Link is fully vetting it now."
A entity dealing with mostly private business is now going to decide for the IHL what name might be best for a PUBLIC university?!
"All it takes for it to come up in January is for a legislator to file a bill," said Smith, who suggested charging the IHL with selecting a new name for the college if and when a name-change bill passes the Legislature.
And this qoute sounds like the Legislature doesn't want to have to deal with the question at all, so they want to put the ball back in the IHL's court and shed their responsibility to the public.
A little back-room shenanigans going on? Doesn't seem to pass the smell test to me.
Somethingsmells | 10/19/2009 10:32:00 PMmark as inappropriate "The Link will decide the best time to bring forward any proposals for a name change," said Scott Ross, president of the College Board. "The campus has made its decision, and we respect that work. The Link is fully vetting it now."
A entity dealing with mostly private business is now going to decide for the IHL what name might be best for a PUBLIC university?!
"All it takes for it to come up in January is for a legislator to file a bill," said Smith, who suggested charging the IHL with selecting a new name for the college if and when a name-change bill passes the Legislature.
And this qoute sounds like the Legislature doesn't want to have to deal with the question at all, so they want to put the ball back in the IHL's court and shed their responsibility to the public.
A little back-room shenanigans going on? Doesn't seem to pass the smell test to me.
TD | 10/19/2009 11:26:00 PMmark as inappropriate I got a better idea -- just close the place down.
Why does the state need to fund a university in Columbus and another one in Starkville? Why does the state need to pay a Business School Dean or a VP for Finance at MSU and another one at MUW or RU (or whatever they want to call it)?
WhatAsurprise | 10/20/2009 1:36:00 AMmark as inappropriate How pathetic Chism, Betty Lou, and all of the other yayhoos that are stuck in the past are!
It's this kind of living-in-the-past mentality that has resulted in MS being last on every list of positive aspects and first on every list of bad qualities.
Sure. let's avoid change at all costs! 17% unemployment in Columbus? No problem! Declining population figures? Sounds good to me!
You know, they say that you get the government that you deserve. Well, there you are.
EndearingOne | 10/20/2009 7:07:00 AMmark as inappropriate Betty Lou Jones reminds me of my two-year-old grandson. He is constantly repeating his newest phrase, "I don't like that."
w grad | 10/20/2009 7:50:00 AMmark as inappropriate i graduated from MUW. When I went to south alabama to get a job as a teacher, I was told that I graduated from a fine school. They all new about the, what did they call it, oh yeah, "the W" as it is known. I was so proud of my alma mater! I wondered if I had graduated years later under the new name if I would have gotten the same response? Heck no! Stop bickering and get over it. Leave the name the same! Men wont come to the W because the degree they are wanting is probably not offered at the W. Call it Columbus A&E, Agriculture and Education, and they might just come!
Wgrad2 | 10/20/2009 11:07:00 AMmark as inappropriate "Mississippi's First Alumnae Association has continued its financial and other support of MUW with endowed scholarships and contributions."
Contributions to who/whom? Not to the school I can guarantee. What endowed scholarships? Proof please!
Walum | 10/20/2009 12:06:00 PMmark as inappropriate Wgrad2,
I am not sure what position you are in to guarantee what other alums do, but I can assure you I give to an endowed scholarship through the MUW Foundation. You will find my name on the list of donors to the Foundation, and I can show you a canceled check! I also proudly claim my membership in the Mississippi's First Alumnae Association".
Have you given anything lately? I won't ask you for proof.
George | 10/20/2009 12:24:00 PMmark as inappropriate w grad you seem to be contradicting yourself in one short paragraph.
I am curious. What kind of teacher uses the word "new" in a sentence that requires "knew"?
The name should have been changed years ago when they started admitting men. This is decades past due. If the "W" doesn't start thinking ahead and making some positive CHANGES they will be lucky to survive as a satellite campus of Mississippi State.
A&E??? What agricultural programs do they have at the W? None. The closest thing is Biology. Are you sure you graduated from the W?
Clearing Up.... | 10/20/2009 2:02:00 PMmark as inappropriate @Walum >> "Wgrad2" is questioning the statement that MS's First Alumnae Association, the one that Limbert gave the boot, is supporting MUW with contributions and scholarships. He/she is not saying that individual alumnae/i are not still giving to the university.
Mary Libby Payne | 10/20/2009 2:37:00 PMmark as inappropriate In regard to MS First Alumnae Assn. giving, the Patsy McDaniel Endowed Scholarship was established by the members of that group; the members contribute to their respective class year scholarships; and others like me also contribute to the Lenore Loving Prather scholarship. We generally do not give to the annual fund because of the way the Foundation has handled it. Look to the PEER report for additional information.
Wgirlie | 10/20/2009 2:51:00 PMmark as inappropriate Mississppi's First Alumnae Association has continued to support the university with at least 3 endowed scholarships since disaffiliation and is currently seeking to endow another scholarship. Board members come back to campus to support campus activities (theatrical performances, lectures, art exhibits, etc.). In 2009 alone the MFAeA has hosted 4 outstanding events for alums, faculty and students. The MFAeA continues to honor outstanding alumni with the Alumni Acheivement Awards. And several chapters of the MFAeA have taken on different projects of support for the university and have raised money for scholarships to award current students. The MFAeA may have to hold all meetings and events off-campus and without the support of the current administration but it has been hard at work supporting the university in very positive ways.
CC | 10/20/2009 3:06:00 PMmark as inappropriate New name should be: Mississippi State University-Columbus branch
MUWGirl | 10/20/2009 3:24:00 PMmark as inappropriate In addition to the scholarship donations Mary Libby Payne mentioned, Mississippi's First Alumnae Association currently supports two culinary arts scholarships that were fully funded by the Association through sales of Southern Grace. Several of the Association's local chapters also support scholarships of their own (Lowndes County and Arkansas come to mind off the top of my head). The Association also once maintained several accounts within the Foundation, although last I heard the Foundation had "seized" those accounts and was refusing to allow the Association access to its own money.
Outside of those scholarships, the Association also supports recruitment efforts and maintains contact with the student body. This year, the Association hosted a back-to-school party that introduced students to local businesses through prize give-aways (thereby supporting the community as well). That doesn't even cover the numerous one-on-one networking opportunities that Association members provide for students -- all without assistance from the University's top administrators.
The Association also continues to support the City of Columbus by holding its quarterly meetings in Columbus despite the fact that it is not permitted to meet on campus. When those alums do come to campus, they stay in hotels and B&Bs, eat at local restaurants, and shop in local stores. I'm sure many of the board members would rather meet at the beach or closer to home, but they love the W and they consider Columbus a second home because the W is there.
Perhaps those who are so quick to criticize Mississippi's First Alumnae Association and its individual members should sit down and take a cold, hard look at the facts.
I, as an individual, no longer provide direct financial support to the Foundation because I felt that the Foundation wasn't handling donations properly -- after reading the PEER report, I'm convinced that's true.
Jimmie Moomaw | 10/20/2009 5:28:00 PMmark as inappropriate Mississippi's First Alumnae Association Continues to Support the W
WGrad02 asked for evidence of the claim that MFAeA has continued to support the W throughout the entire disaffiliation and name change conflicts? Below find a partial listing of service and contributions donated by MFAeA and its 37 affiliated chapters that criss-cross the country and serve as the springboard for much of this heartfelt work benefiting the W.
The Lowndes County Chapter raised $100,000 and created an endowed scholarship benefiting deserving students from their county. The chapter also contributes significant funds to MUW's Culinary Arts program. And recently, members served as "stage moms" for the cast and crew of MUW's production of "Streetcar Named Desire," hosting an opening night party, as well as meals and refreshments throughout the run of the show.
The Delta Chapter awards two annual scholarships to outstanding students from their six-county Delta area.
The Oktibbeha County Chapter proudly awards an annual scholarship to an outstanding Oktibbeha County student attending MUW.
The Jackson Metro Chapter provides a scholarship annually for a deserving Jackson area student.
The Arkansas Chapter offers an annual scholarship to a student from Arkansas.
In addition, when members of the MUW Office of Admissions were unable to attend a fall College Night hosted by the Little Rock School District, several Arkansas alumnae stepped up as volunteers and represented MUW at the event, attended by several thousand high school students. The alums worked with the Office of Admissions and "were delighted to lend a hand and introduce students in this area to MUW.
Other alumnae associated with MFAeA provided valuable assistance in documenting oral histories of many of the W's Golden Girls. Others provided mentoring opportunities for students.
The Atlanta Mag Chain chapter opted to raise money to support the Oral History project - specifically by providing funding for travel when interviewees are unable to come to the campus. Members also agreed to serve as volunteers to record any interviews that need to be gathered anywhere in the state of Georgia. A check will be presented to Dr. Pieschel at the Fall Board meeting.
The Memphis Chapter joined with a local bookstore to host a book-signing event featuring MUW professor of English Bridget Smith Pieschel '79.
The Association lends support to the university in a host of other ways. Sales from its beautiful "Southern Grace Cookbook" fund a culinary arts scholarship. Association members fully endowed the Patsy Lockhart McDaniel '63 Scholarship, honoring the longtime director of the Office of Alumni Relations. Outstanding alums are recognized annually with Achievement Awards. This year, MFAeA is hosting a reception in honor of the outstanding authors presenting during the Welty Writers symposium.
Plans are under way to present awards recognizing an outstanding faculty member from each of the four colleges, as well as an outstanding young faculty member.
This fall MFAeA hosted its first Welcome Back Party for students at the Rosenzweig Arts Center in downtown Columbus. More than 25 local merchants donated 60 gift certificates and other door prizes.
Unfortunately, the support has not been reciprocated. MFAeA is not allowed to meet on campus. Once when we did meet on campus, the administration refused to even provide pens and paper for our meeting.
Q | 10/20/2009 5:29:00 PMmark as inappropriate W, Reneau, Welty, it doesn't matter what you name it. The fact is, the "W" has outlived its usefulness as a "stand alone" institution. It would better serve this region and the people of Mississippi as a branch of one of the two MAJOR universities in the state. It would be silly to affiliate it with MSU, since it is only a 30 mile drive to Starkville. It should become the University of Mississippi at Columbus to give us more choice in higher education here in the Golden Triangle.
George | 10/20/2009 7:42:00 PMmark as inappropriate Yeah, if they affiliated with Ole Miss then they could offer graduate degrees in coloring books and basket weaving and hold classes between parties.
ccruby | 10/20/2009 8:57:00 PMmark as inappropriate I would like to go on record as stating that I sent a check to the MUW Foundation this year for $100.--not a tremendous amount, but every penny helps. I designated it for my graduating class scholarship fund. I received a letter from the MUW Foundation thanking me for my contribution to the GENERAL FUND!!! I am a proud member of the MFAeA.
