The people who look down their noses at directionals (or our cousins the hyphenates) don't give a fig what our names are.
It doesn't matter what the name is, those people look down on any school that isn't one of the primary public universities in a state or a private school. We could be the University of Ice Cream, Puppies, and Perfect Tits and get no more respect because NIU/UICPPT isn't U of I and doesn't charge $40k/year to attend.
UNC-Charlotte and UW-Milwaukee don't get any more respect because they downplay/ignore the hyphen. I can't imagine anyone in Virginia thinks any more of James Madison than Illinois residents think of any non U of I public university.
So yeah, sometimes the UNI thing happens. Sometimes dipshits routinely IU "the University of Indiana," too. Morons and unappeasable snobs are no reason to change a name that actually makes sense.
(This post was last modified: 03-10-2012 11:18 PM by DogTracks.)
(03-10-2012 11:10 PM)DogTracks Wrote: The people who look down their noses at directionals (or our cousins the hyphenates) don't give a fig what our names are.
It doesn't matter what the name is, those people look down on any school that isn't one of the primary public universities in a state or a private school. We could be the University of Ice Cream, Puppies, and Perfect Tits and get no more respect because NIU/UICPPT isn't U of I and doesn't charge $40k/year to attend.
UNC-Charlotte and UW-Milwaukee don't get any more respect because they downplay/ignore the hyphen. I can't imagine anyone in Virginia thinks any more of James Madison than Illinois residents think of any non U of I public university.
So yeah, sometimes the UNI thing happens. Sometimes ******** routinely IU "the University of Indiana," too. Morons and unappeasable snobs are no reason to change a name that actually makes sense.
:iagree: It's only March, but above is early leader for "Best Sentence of 2012".
(03-10-2012 11:10 PM)DogTracks Wrote: The people who look down their noses at directionals (or our cousins the hyphenates) don't give a fig what our names are.
It doesn't matter what the name is, those people look down on any school that isn't one of the primary public universities in a state or a private school. We could be the University of Ice Cream, Puppies, and Perfect Tits and get no more respect because NIU/UICPPT isn't U of I and doesn't charge $40k/year to attend.
UNC-Charlotte and UW-Milwaukee don't get any more respect because they downplay/ignore the hyphen. I can't imagine anyone in Virginia thinks any more of James Madison than Illinois residents think of any non U of I public university.
So yeah, sometimes the UNI thing happens. Sometimes ******** routinely IU "the University of Indiana," too. Morons and unappeasable snobs are no reason to change a name that actually makes sense.
I respect your opinion but disagree. Your average Virginia high school grad is more likely to feel positive about going to James Madison University than he/she is about telling his U. of Virginia-bound friends that he/she is going to "Northern Virginia", or "Southwestern Virginia". One sounds like a definitely unique, potentially important institution, the other inherently like a lesser support school created to pick up after the flagship. The press unfortunately applies the same logic, most marketing professors will agree in 5.4 seconds. Why do you think other schools have upgraded names/dropped directional nomenclature when given the chance? Sad to say but perception is sometimes more important than reality.
(I do agree about the hyphened schools though, also a marketing ball and chain present there.)
***Kindly call the folks at Missouri State ("Southwest Missouri State" just a few years ago), ask them why the retooled their name, and how insanely ecstatic they are with the results (increased applications, increased alumni support, upgraded respect in general... when all else stayed the same except the university's official name).
I love "NIU", but the same EXACT school with a non-directional, non-hyphenated name is 100% an easier marketing job. Other institutions have realized this and acted on it.
(This post was last modified: 03-11-2012 02:36 AM by NIUfilmmaker.)
(03-10-2012 11:10 PM)DogTracks Wrote: The people who look down their noses at directionals (or our cousins the hyphenates) don't give a fig what our names are.
It doesn't matter what the name is, those people look down on any school that isn't one of the primary public universities in a state or a private school. We could be the University of Ice Cream, Puppies, and Perfect Tits and get no more respect because NIU/UICPPT isn't U of I and doesn't charge $40k/year to attend.
UNC-Charlotte and UW-Milwaukee don't get any more respect because they downplay/ignore the hyphen. I can't imagine anyone in Virginia thinks any more of James Madison than Illinois residents think of any non U of I public university.
So yeah, sometimes the UNI thing happens. Sometimes ******** routinely IU "the University of Indiana," too. Morons and unappeasable snobs are no reason to change a name that actually
makes sense.
I respect your opinion but disagree. Your average Virginia high school grad is more likely to feel positive about going to James Madison University than he/she is about telling his U. of Virginia-bound friends that he/she is going to "Northern Virginia", or "Southwestern Virginia". One sounds like a definitely unique, potentially important institution, the other inherently like a lesser support school created to pick up after the flagship. The press unfortunately applies the same logic, most marketing professors will agree in 5.4 seconds. Why do you think other schools have upgraded names/dropped directional nomenclature when given the chance? Sad to say but perception is sometimes more important than reality.
(I do agree about the hyphened schools though, also a marketing ball and chain present there.)
***Kindly call the folks at Missouri State ("Southwest Missouri State" just a few years ago), ask them why the retooled their name, and how insanely ecstatic they are with the results (increased applications, increased alumni support, upgraded respect in general... when all else stayed the same except the university's official name).
I love "NIU", but the same EXACT school with a non-directional, non-hyphenated name is 100% an easier marketing job. Other institutions have realized this and acted on it.
(03-09-2012 10:12 PM)huskiebob Wrote: The current administration, specifically Dr. Peters, is committed to the NIU "brand." There won't be any discussion of changing our name as long as he's around.
The THE Northern Illinois University is half joking. The NIU brand thing is very serious, and addresses the 'directional' situation.