Concordia given permission to name itself a university

EDMONTON – In early July, the Government of Alberta announced that Concordia University College of Alberta (CUCA) was being granted permission to change its name from a “university college” to a “university.”

“By allowing Concordia to be named a university, the [government] is acknowledging the nationally and internationally recognized quality of Concordia’s undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs, as well as Concordia’s commitment to research,” a CUCA release reads. “The designation as a university will serve to support and enhance the already active faculty-led research culture at Concordia. But ultimately, this decision to name Concordia a university is for the sake of students and alumni, whose pursuit of future educational and career opportunities is thereby greatly enhanced.”

Four other university colleges in Alberta were also granted the right to begin calling themselves universities. An Edmonton Journal article noted that the name-change was something Concordia and the other university colleges had long been seeking. “We’re not even remotely connected to what is a college,” the article quotes Concordia President Gerald Krispin as saying, noting the school offers multiple bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and just applied for its first doctoral-level degree as well.

While the recent announcement allows Concordia and the other institutions to change their names, it does not represent a change in the provincial legislation regarding their mandates.

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