Associated Press

PUEBLO — The University of Southern Colorado will get a new name to go with its changing mission under legislation signed into law by Gov. Bill Owens on campus Wednesday.

The university's name will change to Colorado State University-Pueblo on July 1, 2003. The school, which became a four-year college in 1963, is part of the CSU system.

Robert Glennen, the university's president, said along with the name change will come an expanded focus. The school will offer new bachelor's and master's degrees.

"The name change is just a small part of what we're doing," Glennen said. "We're changing our mission, admissions standards, faculty (standards), and we plan to increase enrollment."

Enrollment is about 4,200.

The legislation signed by Owens represented more than two years of debate by lawmakers. A move to revamp the university failed in the Legislature last year.

Opponents feared the CSU's main campus in Fort Collins would dictate to the smaller university. They also argued that CSU has done little for the school even though it has been in the CSU system since 1986.

CSU President Al Yates said the new direction for the University of Southern Colorado has strong backing from the main university, board of directors and alumni association. He said the two campuses are already collaborating.

The governor also signed legislation protecting active-duty Colorado National Guard members from losing their jobs, being evicted and getting into trouble with payments in some cases.

May 30, 2002

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