Facebook backlash as Leeds Met plans ‘£250,000’ name change

Leeds Met is proposing to change it name to one of three alternatives: Leeds Beckett, Leeds Headingley or Leeds Ridings University. Its vice chancellor Professor Susan Price said that name change was being considered because the university had outgrown its “metropolitan” name.

However the group on Facebook questions why the name change is needed and how much it is going to cost - amid reports suggesting a rebranding exercise could cost Leeds Met £250,000.

The group, Save Leeds Met Uni - Don’t Change the Name, had 2,628 members signed by this afternoon.

Leeds Met student Rob Lazenby,a member of the group, said: “Basically the general feeling is that the three names they have come up with are poor.” He said the university’s identity now seemed confused after it had previously pursued and then abandoned plans to change its name to Leeds Carnegie University.

The Carnegie brand has been used by the university in its sporting partnerships with Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Leeds’ rugby sides.

A university spokeswoman said: “We appreciate that any change of name will prompt debate and discussion, both of which are tenets of a thriving university community.

“We welcome our students’ feedback on the proposed names for our university and would encourage them to register this via our website. Following initial positive meetings with a number of staff groups across the university, an informal consultation was held earlier this year when all staff and students were asked for their suggestions. We are now holding a formal consultation on the proposed names following the board of governors meeting on May 24.”

On the cost of the exercise she added: “There will of course be a cost associated with any change of name and we will minimize this wherever possible. We believe that the time and resource that is invested will result in increased distinctiveness for our university in a highly competitive global marketplace with beneficial impact on our recruitment.”

Any university name change has to be approved by the Privy Council.