Gower on Vic name change

Patrick Gower writes:

The plan to change the name of Victoria University to Wellington University is one of the most breathtakingly stupid ideas I have ever seen.

Tell us what you think Paddy.

It is gutting because ‘Vic’ is a cool nickname – it is an institution in so many ways.

It is appalling because the idea to replace it is so lame – plain old ‘University of Wellington’.

And the student association would become UWSA which is even lamer.

And it is a disgusting waste of money from taxpayers and student fees that will go on the re-branding – millions and millions of dollars will be spent changing signs and letterheads.

It will cost many millions more for decent rebranding campaign, locally and internationally.

The cost is already in the hundreds of thousands.

The Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and University Council need to realise it is not their university, and it is not their money to throw away.

The name belongs to everyone – the students and teachers both past and present and to the good people of Wellington.

At a minimum VUW should survey all staff, students and graduates.