MnSCU To Adopt 'Minnesota State' As New Nickname

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Minnesota State Colleges and Universities will soon be referring to itself as Minnesota State, instead of MnSCU, after the initiative was approved Tuesday.

According to board of trustees' chairman Michael Vekich, research shows that a vast majority of Minnesotans don't know what MnSCU means – making it critical for the organization to make a clearer identity a priority.

"Minnesota State should be known and understood as a system of colleges and universities united to provide an extraordinary education that is affordable and accessible, enhancing quality of life, and ensuring prosperous communities," Minnesota State Chancellor Steven Rosenstone said. "More clearly communicating this will help prospective students and the communities we serve to better understand the tremendous value our colleges and universities deliver."

The move will not change the education system's legal name, which is written in state statute.

The renaming process will begin in July.