College Name Change FAQs
Iowa State University's College of Agriculture has proposed a new name: the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Here are some Questions and Answers about the change.
Why did the College of Agriculture propose a new name?
The College has been discussing a possible name change with its departmental leaders and advisory groups as a way to enhance student recruitment into the diverse programs and careers offered in the College, and also to better reflect the research capabilities and accomplishments of many biologically oriented departments. Today, potential students often are unaware of the diversity of career opportunities available by enrolling in the College. Their perception often equates “agriculture” with farming. About 85 percent of the College's graduates choose careers in areas other than production agriculture. A name change would help to more accurately represent programs in the College, which include agricultural, food, environmental and social sciences, and dispel the perception of “agriculture” meaning only production agriculture.
The “College of Agriculture and Life Sciences” more accurately describes both the long-held and the modern emphasis and breadth of the College, and will be beneficial in communicating its contemporary programs and directions. The change will be useful in recruiting and retaining students, as well as recruiting new faculty members.
Is this a national trend in agricultural colleges?
Yes. Over the past 30 years, most agricultural colleges have changed their names to better reflect their programs, student career interests and research and extension efforts. In 1999, there were 16 “Colleges of Agriculture” at universities around the country. Today, there are 8, including Iowa State's. Here are examples of names of agricultural colleges at other Midwest universities:
Illinois: College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
Kansas: College of Agriculture
Minnesota: College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Missouri: College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Nebraska: College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
North Dakota: College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources
South Dakota: College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences
Wisconsin: College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
What is “life sciences”?
Life sciences are branches of science dealing with living organisms, their life processes and their relationships to each other and their environment. Under that broad definition, 10 of the College's 15 departments work in life sciences.
Why add “life sciences” to the College of Agriculture name?
Life sciences in the College have gained new prominence in recent years. In 2003, the College of Agriculture and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences completed a reorganization to strengthen how basic life sciences is taught and researched. The new department structure fosters synergy among faculty and students studying similar processes, problems or issues in very different organisms, but using similar tools and research perspectives.
Students enrolled in the College can choose to study in many areas of life sciences, including agricultural biochemistry, agronomy, animal ecology, animal science, biology, dairy science, entomology, environmental science and studies, forestry, genetics, horticulture, microbiology, seed science, premedicine and preveterinary medicine. The College also provides significant leadership and collaboration in life-sciences-focused initiatives on campus, including plant sciences, animal genomics and biotechnology.
A name change increases the prominence of life sciences in the strategic view of the College, and will benefit the departments where fundamental science is taught and research conducted. Also, the new name strengthens and makes more transparent the relationship between the College of Agriculture and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. All life-sciences departments within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences are jointly administered with the College of Agriculture. Life-sciences programs will continue to be jointly administered, and life sciences will continue to enhance and foster natural interactions among other departments.
Does the name change signal a change of direction for the College?
No. The College's strategic plan and goals remains the same. The name change may be very useful in achieving strategic planning goals related to student and faculty recruitment, working with K-12 schools and community colleges and enhancing research priorities. The name change signals the importance of fundamental science in the College's portfolio of fundamental and applied research and education and convey to prospective students and clients the breadth of services, expertise and programs available within the College.
Does this mean the College is de-emphasizing traditional agriculture?
No. The word “agriculture” always will be prominent in the College's name, reflecting a legacy that is unparalleled - nearly 150 years of research, education and extension that continues today to enhance food, feed, fiber, fuel and consumer products for the benefit of Iowa and the nation. The College will remain a strong resource for enhancing agriculture in Iowa. New, exciting opportunities lie ahead for agriculture in Iowa, and the College will continue to provide science-based information and education to help Iowans take advantage of them. The name change will better indicate the strong emphasis on innovation in agriculture and natural resources and the importance of discoveries in both agricultural sciences and fundamental sciences for the future benefit of Iowans. It will better define the role and importance of fundamental sciences in the future of food, feed, fuel and fiber and other agricultural infrastructure of Iowa and the nation. Results of agricultural sciences and life sciences offer opportunities on which to build innovation.
College officials discussed the name change with leaders of Iowa's agricultural organizations that represent farmers. They have been supportive, knowing that research and extension on agricultural priorities remain and that a name change could help recruit new students into agriculture and related fields that offer opportunities, especially in Iowa. About two-thirds of the College's graduates begin their careers in Iowa. The College's placement rate for new graduates is 98 percent.
Did the College consider changing its name before?
Name change discussions are not new. A possible name change has been raised occasionally since the 1970s, both on campus and off campus. In 1995, the College of Agriculture's strategic planning committee recommended a name change because “the name of the College does not reflect the scope of its contemporary mission or programs and communicates a limited view to the citizens of Iowa, potential students and the world.” In 1999, the College's faculty and the university's Faculty Senate approved a name change (to College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources). However, state lawmakers subsequently urged the university to retain the name “College of Agriculture” and the proposal was not acted upon further.
How long has the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences been in existence?
In 2008, the College will celebrate 150 years of agricultural education, science and extension and outreach. Today's Iowa State University was founded as an agricultural college in 1858. The word “agriculture” was part of Iowa State's official name for 101 years. In 1959, the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts became Iowa State University, and the modern-day division of colleges began.
