College of St. Catherine to become 'university'
The College of St. Catherine in St. Paul will be known as a university next year.
The school announced on Tuesday that the college's board of trustees has voted to change the school's name.
The new name hasn't been determined, but will include "St. Catherine's" and "university."
College President Andrea Lee says the new name would reflect the broad range of study St. Catherine's already offers.
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"That breadth of programs really speaks to the complexity and comprehensiveness of St. Catherine's," said Lee. "In fact we already are a university, and this name change will just make that official."
A task force appointed last summer concluded the name change could also help the university recruit students internationally.
Officials say the name change does not indicate a move away from the college's roots as a Catholic womens, liberal arts institution.
The term 'college' tends to connote an institution that focuses mainly on undergraduate degrees.
The administration will propose a new name to the board in August. The name change will take effect in June 2009.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)