Cheyenne, Wyo. - Laramie County Community College's proposed name change to Wyoming State College has been approved.
However, President Brad Tyndall of Central Wyoming College says while the name change may be great for LCCC, it may come at a cost for other colleges in the state.
"In a way, strategically, it is brilliant, it's just also selfish and self-serving, and it hurts the University of Wyoming. It kind of implies that there is a state school out there. I think it is blatantly obvious that it will help them and it will hurt others," says Tyndall.
After months of discussion, the Laramie County Community College Board of Trustees approved the name change two weeks ago.
LCCC likes it, but when reaching out to the University of Wyoming to get their take, they declined an interview, telling Wyoming News Now UW remains neutral.
UW says, "Regardless of the distinct missions given community colleges and the University, we should be working together to ensure every citizen of Wyoming who wants to utilize high education to better themselves and their families can do so."
As for Central Wyoming College, they still think it is a bad idea.
"It is plain and simple false advertising. You have a college that officially, by the state, has a two-county service area; Laramie County and Albany County," says Tyndall, "and so to say state is just misrepresenting for advertising purposes, it's really pretty blatantly obvious."
Tyndall also says search algorithms will be a huge problem.
When a student looks at where to attend college, the algorithm will prefer a school with the name "State" rather than a Community College or even a University.
LCCC also opted for a written statement when asked to share their side.
In this statement, they acknowledge CWC's opinion but say, "Wyoming will not overcome these challenges by preserving the status quo or preventing institutions from pursuing bold strategies designed to address them"
This in reference to LCCC's claim of lower college attendance rates as a whole across the state.
Speaking with LCCC President Joe Shaffer before 'Wyoming State College' was approved, he told us the goal is to reach more people.
"Requires us to reach more broadly, that's what this name change is about. It is helping us do that so at the end of the day, Laramie County can succeed." says Shaffer.
CWC does however say that LCCC as a school is wonderful and people should attend the college.
However, CWC claims it feels a little undermining, as it goes against the golden rule "do unto others as you would unto yourself."