Beginning July 1, 2017...

Quote:----- Forwarded message from President@rice.edu -----
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2017 16:00:53 -0500 (CDT)
From: President@rice.edu
Reply-To: President@rice.edu
Subject: A message from the president and dean of undergraduates regarding “college master” title

Dear Rice Faculty and Staff:

We write to inform you of an important change in the title of “college master.” As you may know, we have been discussing this possible change, especially with the college masters, for over a year. In late 2015, the Committee of Masters initiated the discussion, considering both the appropriateness of their current title and the negative historical connotation which can be associated with the term “master.” That connotation has sometimes created a serious issue in explaining the usage of the term “master” at Rice to those who are not part of our campus community, including family members of current students and staff as well as prospective students and faculty recruits. The Committee of Masters submitted a recommendation to the president, provost and dean of undergraduates in early 2016 that the title be changed.

We followed up on that recommendation by engaging the Rice community in the discussion. The Student Association ran a survey in fall 2016 of student opinion about making a change. We solicited input from the faculty in November and held a forum for interested faculty members in December. Alumni input was solicited from the board of the Association of Rice Alumni. Many who personally did not feel the need for a change nonetheless supported it out of consideration for others who might experience the use of the title differently.

With this additional input, we accepted the recommendation of the Committee of Masters that the title be changed. We asked for recommendations for a new title that would resolve the concerns about the existing title while preserving the historical culture of the role. A number of options were discussed over an extended period of time, but late in the process, the group enthusiastically presented an option that was accepted by us and the provost.

We are therefore pleased to announce that beginning with academic year 2017-18, the position title will be “college magister.” “Magister” is a classical Latin word meaning “teacher” and has been used historically as an academic title for a scholar. It conveys the traditional role and duties of the people holding this position, without the negative historical connotation of the word “master.” We believe that “college magister” preserves our cultural history while eliminating the concerns and confusion about the previous title. The term clearly connotes the academic role of the college magisters, including providing the prestige deserved by those who serve in this vital role in the university. The uniqueness of the title also helps convey the unique aspects, and success, of the Rice college system.

Official changes in the title will occur this summer when we begin using it for events and correspondence. Common usage may take more time. Change takes time and, as we have throughout this process, we should be comfortable taking the necessary time.

It is particularly notable that at Rice, this change has come from faculty initiative, collaboration and constructive dialog across our campus, and not from confrontation or controversy. Such is the strength of our community.

With warm regards,

David W. Leebron
President

John Hutchinson
Dean of Undergraduates

Some students may need a safe-space to cope with the stress from the change.

Wonder how much tuition will have to go up to pay for all of the studies and panels it took to make this stupid decision. Is Rice going to start calling them "Magisters" degrees in engineering or economics?

Does Will Rice still have "Fellows?"

(04-06-2017 04:52 PM)JSA Wrote:  Does Will Rice still have "Fellows?"

Only if they are fine...

Yawn

Harry Potter fans will probably approve, even if there's no direct tie-in.

Can I now change my resume so I have a Magister's Degree?

Sounds like East Texas ebonics.

I'd rather they had spent the time, effort and money to figure out how to make Rice relevant in D1 athletics.

(04-06-2017 05:36 PM)I45owl Wrote:  Harry Potter fans will probably approve, even if there's no direct tie-in.

Can I now change my resume so I have a Magister's Degree?

More Game of Thrones than Harry Potter. Of course, college life at Rice more Harry Potter than Game of Thrones. One hopes.

I guess now students will need to display a magistery of the subject matter to pass a course.

(04-06-2017 08:28 PM)InterestedX Wrote:  I guess now students will need to display a magistery of the subject matter to pass a course.

Yep. And I'm sure they'll be changing Master's degrees to Magister's degrees. I'll have to find the white-out.

I see that Mickelson is currently tied for fourth at The Magisters in Augusta.

Will the change apply to the Master Batters intramural softball team?

"A thousand pardons, Your Magister . . ."

"for over a year. In late 2015"

Oh ok, so still faster than our multi-year sports logo task force.

I could see it shortened to -- or maybe used as a more pronouncable plural -- to "Magi" ... then "The Wise (Wo)Men" ...

(04-06-2017 07:57 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  I'd rather they had spent the time, effort and money to figure out how to make Rice relevant in D1 athletics.

And by D1 athletics I presume you're referring to our department of interscholastic exercitium intelligentes?

I will have you all know that Magister-baiting is a mortal sin. Therefore, I do not think we should deliberately taunt or target for ridicule the University for this decision.