Belhaven College in Jackson, Miss., soon may become Belhaven University. A decision on whether to change the name likely will be made next month. Already, administrators are asking alumni and students for their thoughts on the switch. “This is something we’ve been examining for quite some time,” Belhaven President Roger Parrott said.

Parrott said he is not advocating one position or the other. The decision will be made based on feedback from alumni and students. The university has received at least 800 responses through a survey e-mailed to students and alumni, he said. Those in favor of the switch point out Belhaven already is treated as a university by accrediting agencies because it contains multiple academic schools and master’s programs.

Changing the name to “university” would help garner more prestige, they say. Meanwhile, those against it are concerned about campus tradition and whether a change is really needed.

“It’s good that things are changing and moving forward for us,” sophomore Janelle Asher said. But she’s torn over the prospect of starting school at Belhaven College and graduating from Belhaven University.

“It’s all small things,” she said. “They’re really not very good reasons.”
Asher’s concerns range from a fondness for the college’s historic signs marking the entrances to campus to the dread of having to learn all new cheers for sporting events. “I guess a lot of us are not ready for things to change,” she said. “If there really is no difference, I don’t think we should.”