WNCC to lose a "C"

Nevada's university system regents have approved Western Nevada Community College's request to change its name to Western Nevada College.

The decision came during the Board of Regents' regular meeting today at the WNCC Carson City campus.

The board also approved a request by Community College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas to change its name to College of Southern Nevada. The new names will become effective July 1.

WNCC's request was submitted after the college was approved in December to offer a Bachelor of Technology degree in construction management. The name change follows a national trend where community colleges that offer both associate and bachelor's degrees are removing the word "community" from their names.

Such a change first took place in Nevada more than a decade ago when Northern Nevada Community College in Elko changed its name to Great Basin College in 1995, at a time when it began offering select baccalaureate degrees.

"Community colleges are generally perceived as educational institutions that grant only certificates and associate degrees," said WNCC President Carol Lucey. "As community colleges around the country have begun to offer select bachelor's degrees as well, many are changing their names to avoid confusion for degree-holders as they enter the work force."