Opponents of the University of Bolton’s plan to change its name will have to present “evidence” rather than “opinion", says the Vice Chancellor.
Just last week the Office for Students launched a public consultation on the Deane Road university’s proposal to change its name to “University of Greater Manchester.”
Speaking to The Bolton News, Vice Chancellor Professor George E Holmes said any claims people may make that this is “misleading or confusing” must have a factual basis.
He said: “The issues here is that is isn’t an opinion survey, its not a popularity contest, its about if there is any evidence that it is misleading or confusing.
“If its someone’s opinion that its misleading or confusing then that is not evidence in itself.”
He added: “Now I’m interested to know what evidence there could be for either of those things.”
The University of Bolton first announced it was applying to change its name in September last year, prompting a mixed reaction in the town.
The consultation launched by university regulator The Office for Students poses the question “is the new title University of Greater Manchester misleading or confusing?”
But Professor Holmes has argued that given the university also has buildings and facilities in Bury, Manchester and Trafford the new name better reflects the area it represents.
He said: “My evidence is that we are not trying to mislead anybody because we are in the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester.
“We’re not claiming we are in Cumbria, we’re not claiming we’re in Yorkshire, we’re claiming we’re in Greater Manchester, which is where we are.”
Previously Professor Holmes had said how he foresaw a future for the city region which would be “like London”, with multiple universities.
He returned to this theme when addressing whether the name change could be considered “confusing.”
Professor Holmes said: “My evidence is that in London there are 17 different universities that all have the name London and university in different permutations.”
He added: “I would say it is difficult to maintain the argument that it is confusing when in London 17 universities exist cheek by jowl and no ones goes to the wrong university.”
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But last year Bolton Council passed a motion calling on university leaders to rethink their plans, while the University of Manchester has now also signalled its opposition.
A University of Manchester spokesperson said: "We are responding to the formal consultation regarding the proposed name change and will be registering our concerns.
“We believe the proposed name change will be very misleading and confusing.”
The consultation is expected to end in May with a decision expected by August this year.
Professor Holmes says that if approved the university hopes to be able to use its new name by September.
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