‘College’ vs ‘University’ – Does It Really Matter?

With Augustana switching from 'College' to 'University', I've got to wonder if it really matters in the big scheme of things? Don't get me wrong, I have a daughter attending Augustana and she likes the name change idea, but I can't stop thinking about the cost.

Is all the added expense really worth the hassle? Can you image how much it's going to cost to change all the signage, letterhead, envelopes, business cards, promotional material, etc - the list goes on and on. I can't even image where you would begin.

I get what the administration is trying to accomplish - you're finding fewer and fewer 'colleges' around the country. Nowadays, the word 'college' is instead used to describe a specific area of study, which then falls underneath the overall umbrella of a 'university.'

• Augustana College is Changing to Augustana University

Again, I want to be perfectly clear, I'm not against the name change. Actually, I think it's kind of cool that my daughter will be part of the first ever graduating class of Augustana University. But I do have a few questions to throw out there. For example:

• When was the last time you heard someone ask, "When do you have to go back to university?" Usually, they ask, "When do you have to go back to college?"

• Or have you ever head someone ask a student, "What they're studying in university?" Nope, me either. Usually, it's "What are you studying in college?"

I know, I'm knit-picking. Seems the older I get, the more and more I'm becoming my dad (if I ever become old grumpy guy who chases kids off his front lawn, you have permission to intervene). I guess the plain and short of it is - it's a 'me thing' more than anything.

Augustana's administration is quoted as saying they hope the name change will help in attracting more students. Let's hope it works, otherwise I'm betting my daughter's college bill - scratch that, university bill - will be going up in the future.