A New Name for UNC Charlotte

UNC Charlotte’s largest and oldest college, The College of
Arts and Sciences (COAS), will change its name to the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences (CLAS) effective July 1. The name change — approved by the
University’s Board of Trustees June 5 — will reflect the college’s new identity
when the fine arts programs move to the College of Arts and Architecture.

Earlier this year, the trustees approved transferring the departments
of art and art history, music and dance and theatre to create the College of
Arts and Architecture, which also is effective July 1. 

Nancy Gutierrez, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences, discussed the identity and name change with faculty, students and
friends of the college prior to settling on the new moniker, which is widely
used across the country for colleges that include the humanities, social and
behavioral sciences, the natural sciences and mathematics.

“Our new identity is better reflected in the name of the
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,” said Gutierrez. She added that the new
name not only accurately reflects the current
departments and programs in the college but will encompass any future
programming. “Our faculty are national and international thought leaders, and
the education and research that has defined the college during its history will
continue to infuse all aspects of the University’s life.”

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences serves
approximately half the undergraduate majors with a host of programs in the
humanities, physical sciences and social sciences.

For more information, contact Allison Reid, 704.687.4473 or allison.reid@uncc.edu.