Every day, the editorial staff at the UK wonders: What are we writing about, why are we writing about it, and how are we writing about it? A weekly look behind the scenes.
What’s in a name? It is an oft-used saying, the origins of which many people are unclear on. I’ll admit I’m one of those people, so I decided to look it up.
The saying is from Shakespeare’s famous play, ‘Romeo and Juliet’. A rose by any other name would still be a beautiful, fragrant flower, so what’s in a name? Something like that.
That is why in the play, Juliet sighs: ‘What’s in a name?’ Because as far as she’s concerned it’s not about the love of her life Romeo’s name (or his money, or his origins), but his personality.
So what do Romeo and Juliet have to do with the Universiteitskrant?
There’s been an ongoing discussion behind the scenes about our name, which was launched in the ‘70s. And in 2017, we have to ask ourselves if the name Universiteitskrant is still applicable.
Misunderstandings
We are a university newspaper for the RUG, but to the outside world, the name implies we also belong to the RUG. But we don’t, and that can lead to misunderstandings.
Moreover, our Dutch name, while not containing our infamous ch-sound, still baffles international students: Yooneevairseetaytskrant? It’s also confusing when you take the university’s increasing focus on internationalisation into account. UK? United Kingdom?
However, the question of whether Universiteitskrant/UK is still a fitting name is not an easy one. After all, a name is more than just a collection of letters. A name is a brand, a concept. You can’t just change that.
Research
In the poll, which we have previously mentioned in this column, we asked our readers about whether they thought the name was appropriate. Approximately 66 per cent of the people interviewed feel the name is (still) apt, although their reasons why vary.
In the coming weeks, we will be discussing our name further; with our editors, with the UK’s foundation board, and probably with (gasp!) you, the readers.
I can’t make any predictions as to the outcome. But whatever that may be, in the end it’s about what we do, about who we are – not what we’re called. What’s in a name?
Rob Siebelink, editor-in-chief