New Name for MNSCU

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is getting a new name.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports the public college and university system will be known as Minnesota State. The board of trustees agreed Tuesday that a new name and logo could aid with establishing the reputation of the system's schools as affordable and quality options.

Chancellor Steven Rosenstone says the name MnSCU (MIN'-skew) has been found to be confusing in brand research. The system has paid $272,000 to a public relations firm for branding research, and there's another $345,000 contract out for the effort to rebrand.

The system plans to begin updating logos online in the coming weeks and do a comprehensive rollout of the new brand in July. Current names and logos will be kept by individual schools.