University Speaking: Stockton Changes Name, Upgrades Status

Don’t call it a college.

The Board of Trustees voted on Wednesday to officially change the name from The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey to Stockton University.

“Since its founding in 1969, Stockton has had many names, but one consistent mission: excellence in teaching, dedication to learning, and a tradition of community service,” President Herman Saatkamp said. “In becoming a university, we honor those values while continuing our journey as an environment for excellence and a partner in New Jersey’s social and economic development.”

Stockton’s various names have included: Richard Stockton State College, Stockton State, and most recently, The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

Rochelle Hendricks, New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education, approved the most recent name change after after research and study by her office and outside consultants, who visited the campus and recommended that Stockton be recognized as a comprehensive university.

The Executive Committee of the New Jersey Presidents Council, made up of the presidents of the state’s public, private and community colleges and universities that receive state aid, also voted for the change.

“It was with pleasure that I signed a letter approving Richard Stockton College’s petition to be granted university status and to change its name to Stockton University,” Hendricks said. “I congratulate the new university and know it will continue its strong commitment to academic excellence.”

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, U.S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review already recognized the school as a university. Stockton had already met the requirements for more than five years.

Comprehensive universities emphasize teaching, and offer master’s degrees in a variety of academic disciplines and professional fields.

Research universities place more emphasis on faculty members’ research publications in refereed journals and books for promotion and tenure.

Nearby Rowan University in Glassboro achieved research university last summer following the passage of 2012’s New Jersey Medical and Health Sciences Education Restructuring Act.

Stockton’s graduate programs have grown since the first master’s degree program, the Master of Physical Therapy, was approved in 1994. The first doctoral program, the Doctor of Physical Therapy, was approved in 2006.

On Wednesday, the board authorized a step in the state approval process for a new doctoral degree in organizational leadership to be offered in the School of Education.

Once it obtains the necessary approvals, the program is expected to be offered at the Atlantic City Island Campus in 2016, which would bring Stockton’s total number of graduate programs to 14.

The Atlantic City Island Campus is the campus that will be located in the former Showboat Casino building.

Stockton purchased the building for $18.4 million in December. It is set to open in the fall of 2015.

Stockton is ranked ninth among public Regional Universities of the North by U.S. News & World Reportin its 2015 edition of “America’s Best Colleges.” Stockton also is ranked No. 41 overall out of 135 public and private Northern universities by U.S. News & World Report. Stockton advanced in both categories last year, continuing its top tier designation.

Stockton has expanded physically as well, including a $28.62 million expansion project to double the size of the College’s Unified Science Center.

Classes began in the Mayflower Hotel on the Atlantic City Boardwalk in 1971 with 1,000 students, 97 staff and 60 full-time faculty. The school moved to the Galloway campus on 2,000 acres in the Pinelands National Reserve in 1972.

“The Board of Trustees is very pleased that the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education recognizes Stockton’s academic achievements in designating the college now as Stockton University,” Board of Trustees Chairman Dean Pappas said. “We are very proud of this milestone. We will continue to focus on providing the best possible education for our students in the most effective manner.”

A large banner with the new university logo was unveiled at the celebration held at the Campus Center following the Board of Trustees meeting. Attendees received baseball caps with the new logo.

Prior to the decision to seek university designation, college officials studied the subject for nearly two years.

Faculty, staff, students, prospective students and parents, alumni and over 1,400 members of the public in South Jersey were surveyed, and “town hall” discussions were held for the Stockton community.

The results of the surveys, independent research and other feedback led the Pan-College Task Force on University Status resulted in the recommendation in September that the president ask the Board of Trustees to pursue the change.

The Task Force was made up of faculty, staff, students, alumni and members of the community.

Other potential benefits outlined in a report presented to the full Faculty Senate last year, included:

· the enhancement of the potential for recruitment, particularly among international students and faculty, where the word “college” causes confusion. The change would also benefit Stockton in forging partnerships with institutions in other countries;

· the enhancement of the potential to attract more graduate students to Stockton’s growing programs;

· capitalizing on the perceived increase in status that the name “university” confers within higher education and among the general public. This may aid in fundraising as well as recruitment.

The change also would highlight Stockton’s tremendous growth in academic achievements and new programs as well as its new facilities, including instructional sites in three counties, including Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean.

The estimated costs of a name change, which are expected to be phased in over five or more years, range from $654,208 to $956,082, depending on what is included. The range covers replacing signage and updating institutional and marketing materials such as stationery, business cards, flags, seals and banners. Some of those materials are updated and reprinted annually and their costs would be absorbed in existing budgets. Some items of historical significance may not be changed.

“The institution’s culture as a community committed to student-centered education will continue to flourish as Stockton University,” President Saatkamp said.

For more information, visit stockton.edu/university

The attached photo was posted on Stockton University’s Facebook page.