Q:
Why did the University choose to change its name?
A: Finch University has had little awareness and name recognition in the key communities we serve. In addition, our new president's vision includes a strategic plan that requires a name that will open up a dialogue about what our University has to offer and where we are going in the future. In order to ensure our future as an innovative teaching and research institution, we must build a credible and dynamic image that will attract new students, donors and academic leaders.
Q:
When will the name officially be changed?
A: The name change officially took place March 1, 2004, with multiple communications and operational programs already in place to help assimilate the change for all members of the University family. While
it will be several months before we complete the many things that
are involved in changing the University's name, we are excited
to be able to celebrate our identity as Rosalind Franklin University
of Medicine and Science now.
Q:
Why did we choose Rosalind Franklin?
A: In searching for a name for our University, we recognized the need to honor a person in the field of science or medicine who personifies our mission to be an innovative teaching and research institution. Our University is a medical institution that is dedicated to the education of health and biomedical professionals on predictive and preventive medicine, which wouldn't have been possible without Rosalind Franklin's scientific findings that led to the discovery of the structure of DNA. In addition, Dr. Franklin serves as a role model in how she lived her life and what she stood for - dedication, hard work, intelligence and courage - which is reflected in our University's core values and character.
Q:
What is 'Life in Discovery'?
A: 'Life in Discovery' is a brand strategy that reflects our University's new vision. This brand strategy is a thoughtful, multi-pronged approach to the way we educate, discover, treat and serve. While many will think of it as a slogan, 'Life in Discovery' is a philosophy that will inform and inspire our actions as we move forward as an institution.
Q:
How does 'Life in Discovery' connect to Rosalind Franklin?
A: Rosalind Franklin devoted her work to discovering the essence of life. 'Life in Discovery' is an outgrowth of the way Dr. Franklin lived her life and it personifies the mission of our University - to serve a diverse nation with excellence and innovation in education of health and biomedical professionals, knowledge creation and scientific discovery focused on prediction and prevention of disease, clinical programs, and community service.
Q:
What does the name change mean for the University's students?
A: Our students can view Rosalind Franklin as a role model. Her
story is unique and extremely inspiring and we know that it is important
to our students that our University receives the recognition it
deserves nationally. Because of the international recognition of
Rosalind Franklin's name and work, this will strengthen the value
of the University's degree and attract high-level faculty, researchers
and grants that will allow our University to be identified in the
medical and education community on a higher level.
Q:
How will this affect the University's students' diplomas and degrees?
A: Students graduating in the 2003/2004 academic year will be conferred
a degree from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
However, they will also be offered the option to receive a diploma
with the Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical
School name. Graduates will have the opportunity to request the
other diploma via an online form on the new web site, which will
be launched in May 2004. Additionally, there will be an option for
former students to request a diploma that reflects the new name
of the University.
Q:
How will this affect the names of the schools?
A: This
name change will be structured like any other University. Rosalind
Franklin University of Medicine and Science is the overall name
of the University and the different schools will retain their names.
However, in keeping in line with the changing healthcare environment,
the Related Health Sciences School will officially be changed to
the School of Health Professions.
Q:
When will the University's Web site address change?
A: Until, March 1, 2004, the University's Web site address will remain
unchanged. However, during the interim, http://www.lifeindiscovery.com
will be the University's bridge web site, and will link directly
with http://66.99.255.20.
Press materials, including a press release, fact sheet, key spokesperson
biographies and other materials are found on the www.lifeindiscovery.com
site. All media questions should be directed to Amy Allen
at Magnet Communciations, 312.494.8540 aallen@magnet.com.
Q: Have any other institutions
honored Rosalind Franklin or used her namesake as the University
is currently doing?
A: No medical university in the United States is named after Rosalind
Franklin. However, internationally, King's College in London, where
Rosalind worked, has named an educational building in her honor
and Birkbeck College in London has a Rosalind Franklin laboratory.
In addition, The UK MRC Human Genome Mapping Project changed its
name in 2003 to the MRC Rosalind Franklin Centre for Genomics Research
(RFCGR).
Q: Rosalind Franklin is
often thought of as an "unsung hero." How does this part
of her story link to the University's principles?
A: Although Rosalind Franklin never received the recognition she
deserved while she was alive, she has certainly been credited now
by her former colleagues, researchers and dignitaries around the
world. She holds a place in history more for her dedication and
commitment to science and is clearly a role model for students,
researchers, faculty and all aspiring scientists throughout the
world. Our University parallels the life of Rosalind Franklin, as
we are both pioneers on the cutting-edge of research, knowledge
creation and scientific discovery, and also have a fiercely tenacious
spirit and determination.
Q:
What does the new logo signify?
A: The University's new seal, or logo, depicts an artistic rendering
of Photo 51 - the X-ray image that Dr. Rosalind Franklin captured
in 1952, which showed DNA unmistakably as having a double helix
structure. Within the rendering of Photo 51, our logo encompasses
a spectrum of color, which in a literal sense, signifies the color
spectrum associated with the practice of crystallography - the science
in which Dr. Franklin was a pioneer and through which Photo 51 was
created. The spectrum also represents the range of schools that
make up the University, and the diversity of our student population
all coming together in an integrative educational environment. The
words around the perimeter, Life in Discovery, in both English and
Latin, reference the overall brand strategy that embodies the University's
mission. The date, 1912, demonstrates the University's founding
date, exemplifying our unique and rich 92-year history.
Q: How long will it take
the University to see the benefits of this new strategy?
A: We believe the benefits will be immediate in terms of awareness.
Because Rosalind Franklin is an historical person and important
scientific figure, we think the combined power of the name and new
strategy will leverage interest and attention from the medical community.
Again, this new name will help the University attract high-level
faculty, researchers and grants.
Q: Can the University expect
a significant increase in our fundraising efforts as a result of
this new strategy and name?
A: We believe the new name and strategy will put the University
in a terrific position from a development standpoint because the
name offers a more compelling story that touches a broad audience.
A new development plan will be driven from a strategy that will
create more qualified public and private donor prospects and generate
more interest.
Q: Isn't renaming the University
and launching a new marketing plan going to be expensive?
A: There are various costs associated with renaming an institution,
some of which are operational (such as ordering new signs and letterhead,
etc.), and others that are related to launching strategic initiatives,
such as marketing, physical and programmatic improvements. We anticipate
a significant investment of resources in the first few years after
adopting our new identity. Soon after, we will begin to see return
on those investments through increased philanthropy, increased productivity
in funded research, and other areas. Ultimately, the University's
new positioning will leave it stronger, financially and otherwise.
Q: How can the University's
new name be used for recruiting purposes?
A: The new name change allows our University to develop materials
that reflect our new strategy and vision and tie our University
to a name that is internationally recognized in the field of science
and medicine. The University's new vision both alludes to the life's
work of Rosalind Franklin and reestablishes the school's commitment
to creating an educational environment that provides the next generation
of health and biomedical professionals the necessary skills to focus
on predictive and preventive medicine. Our University now has the
platform to introduce our integrative models of education and healthcare
delivery, as well as our commitment to conducting cutting-edge biomedical
research.
Q: What does the Finch family
say about the name change?
A: Early in the planning process, we contacted The Finch family
with our reasons for changing the name of our University. It was
of utmost importance to keep in mind their feelings and keep them
involved in the process. We have discussed with them our intention
regarding how we plan to honor Mr. Finch's legacy in perpetuity.
Q: How do you plan to honor
Mr. Finch?
A: We believe it's our moral imperative to honor Mr. Finch's 50
years of service to this institution. We are considering many options.
The leading idea currently is to dedicate the lecture hall in the
Health Sciences building to Mr. Finch.
Q: What has been the Franklin
family's role and sentiment about the name change?
A: The Franklin family was honored that we would think of their
sister and were very supportive of our intentions from the very
beginning. We will continue to involve the family in our plans for
the future. The Franklin family has granted legal rights for the
use of Rosalind Franklin's namesake in perpetuity in the United
States.
Q: Is the Franklin family
donating any money?
A: We have not solicited a donation from the Franklin family, as
the plan to use Rosalind Franklin's namesake is strategic and honorary,
not a purchasing opportunity for a donor. We have not received,
nor do we anticipate receiving, any specific financial contributions
as they may relate to our new brand strategy or new name. The Franklin
family is truly thrilled to be a part of a University that not only
shares Rosalind's determination and pursuit of discovery in science
and medicine but will honor Rosalind's contribution to science and
humanity.
Q: When will the University's
Web site address change?
A: The new University web site will be launched in May 2004 and
will be found at www.rosalindfranklin.edu. For an interim period
of three months, the existing web site (66.99.255.20) will have
a new home page explaining the name change and will continue to
feature a link to lifeindiscovery.com. Anyone typing in rosalindfranklin.edu
will be automatically directed to the existing finchcms.edu site.
Once the new university web site is completed, anyone typing in
"finchcms.edu" will be automatically directed to the new
site.
Q: Where can I learn more
about Dr. Rosalind Franklin?
A: You can read more about Rosalind Franklin, her historical significance,
and her life's work in science and research at www.lifeindiscovery.com.
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