University of Bolton controversially drops town’s name and becomes University of Greater Manchester

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The University of Bolton has officially dropped the town’s name from its title. The institution will from today be called The University of Greater Manchester after an announcement was made by the vice chancellor, Professor George E Holmes.

Speaking to a gathering of staff earlier today revealed the new branding. He said: “This is a historic moment. You are now staff of the University of Greater Manchester. “The regulator has completed publication, it will be on their website now.” He said the new name more accurately reflects the university’s presence and influence across Greater Manchester.

He also said that the university is committed to remaining part of the local community. When the name change plans were brought forward earlier this year it prompted a backlash The University of Manchester objected to the plans, which they described as ‘very misleading and confusing’.

However the regulator, the Office for Students (OfS) rejected the claims that the proposed name was likely to cause significant confusion and would potentially mislead applicants.