Vic’s name change

You have ably provided a forum to debate the proposed change of Victoria University of Wellington’s name.

One inaccuracy marred the Sept 25 report, using ‘‘university’’ to refer to nine members of the VUW Council who voted to change the name. As stated in the 1961 act that established our current name, we are a community of which the council is only one component.

The alumni, who overwhelmingly opposed the change, are another important constituent element. The approximately 1500 submitters who opposed the change appreciate your coverage of an issue about which we feel deeply.

A Saturday correspondent noted that two regional mayors opposed the change contrary to a statement by a VUW spokesman. Mike O’Donnell endorsed the change because VUW is a ‘‘commercial enterprise’’ in a crowded ‘‘marketplace’’. Is this appropriate language for a university dedicated to teaching, research, and acting as a ‘‘critic and conscience’’?

An advertisement asked for feedback on a ‘‘new’’ crest which appeared to consign Victoria’s history to the empty space between 1897 and a taniwha. The ‘‘new’’ name appeared hastily added with an awkwardly dangling ‘‘of’’ possibly indicating uncertainty about what it represented. I share that perplexity.

Dolores Janiewski, Highbury