Effective July 1, Nevada State College may be renamed Nevada State University.
Local media reported that the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents voted 9-4 on Friday to approve the name change.
However, this is dependent on a change in Nevada law that would create a second-tier teaching university within the state system.
Nevada State College President DeRionne Pollard told the Regents that a prioritization bill had been drafted and there was interest in the legislature.
Pollard stressed that the name change would be funded by donations and would not affect the school’s funding formula, admissions standards or the institution’s mission.
Nevada State opened in 2002 in Henderson and has over 7,200 students enrolled. It offers bachelor’s degrees as well as a master’s degree in speech therapy.
For his part, UNLV President Keith Whitfield was among dozens of prominent officials who signed a letter of support for the name change and is also backed by the two US senators from Nevada and the Democratic congressional delegation. .
Regent Stephanie Goodman voted against the motion, saying the change could have unintended consequences down the road, such as salary negotiations with staff, according to local media.