What’s in a name? For a university department in Saskatchewan, a great deal, say academics and alumni.
But that’s where the University of Saskatchewan College of Agriculture’s faculty and some of its graduates disagree.
Agriculture is one of the founding colleges of the U of S and remains an anchor for the 100-year-old institution.
Last fall, the department’s professors voted to change its name and that has caused the dean Ernie Barber “a fair bit of grief so far. This is a tradition that people seem hard-pressed to part with.”
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One rumoured option for a new name is College of the Biosphere.
“That one hasn’t been well received in too many camps,” said Barber.
Former dean Don Rennie said the issue of the name change goes back years.
“Saskatchewan is the only agriculture college at a Canadian university, that I can think of, that hasn’t changed its name,” said the now retired Rennie.
“Name changes at colleges have benefits, but there is always the risk of alienating some of your supporters.”
Glen Hass, the former registrar of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists and a past professor at the college, said the college’s undergraduate enrolment has declined in recent years, while its research and scholarship programs have expanded.
In the past, students who might have chosen agriculture at the beginning of their training, for later specialization in environmental sciences, food research or economics, now choose to pursue those studies directly, outside of the agriculture department and most likely at other institutions, said Red Williams, a professor emeritus who has worked in various posts with the college for 60 years.
Research grants that once might have been a natural fit for the agriculture department are harder to attract. Money for research in non-traditional areas at the department may be hindered by the agricultural moniker.
Over the years, the college has spread its mandate to include forestry and wildlife, medicine, environmental sciences, chemical and bioengineering of new food and non-food products, conservation and land use and rural tourism and recreation.
The expanded mandate is another factor creating the need for a new name, said Barber.
As well, in recent years the ag college has struggled to maintain influence within a more entrepreneurial university.
“There are issues within campuses over funding. Having clear, agreed terms and mandates spelled out within the administration reduces the amount of interpretation that goes on,” said Barber.
Williams agreed, saying the name change is long overdue.
“Traditionally held views about agriculture fail the modern industry and they’ve been failing it for some time. This controversy goes beyond whether the name change is good for the college. Pride in being an Agro (the term for school alumni) is part of this,” he said.
Kevin Hursh, an agricultural consultant and graduate of the program, agreed that agriculture has changed.
“I can’t say I believe the name of the school needs to change, but if it does, it needs to retain agriculture in the new name,” he said.
“We haven’t promoted agriculture properly. In some sectors of society it’s seen as being quaint or outdated or worse. Agriculture is dynamic and very much alive.”
Brian Drew is a Saskatoon based agronomy consultant and former graduate whose family has financially supported the college.
“If the college feels a name change will attract more research money from large biotechnology companies or make it a better sell to governments, then it might be necessary, but they need to be careful not to alienate their base of support in the farming community.”
Drew said the pride in being a graduate of the program might fuel some of the discontent over a possible name change.
Rob Stone of Davidson, Sask., graduated in 1999 from the college.
“If there is dropping enrolment then we need to address that as an issue of failing to promote what modern agriculture is. If we need to attract more international students or research money and a name change is necessary to make it sexier, then we also be aware that at some point we failed to market the name and reputation of both the college and agriculture,” he said.
Stone worries that if the name is changed, the culture will erode and with it, the school’s relationship to farming.
He cited as an example the University of Alberta’s agricultural college name change to Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science.
He said students within the U of A programs don’t graduate together or necessarily identify with each other as being in the school of agriculture.
Barber said the college must pay more attention to attracting endowments and donations from the farming community in spite of a change in the college’s name.
Hass said the change could allow the college to take further steps to expand its scope.
“The problem is finding a name that describes what we do. The College of Applied Bio-resources could be right. My head says leave the word agriculture out. My heart doesn’t agree. I am glad I don’t have to make the decision,” said Haas.
Barber said the new name will be decided upon after consultations with alumni and the industry.
It is expected to be announced in 2006, will avoid clichés and will likely maintain the word agriculture in its title, said the dean.
