Burman Name Changed Approved by the Legislative Assembly
December 15, 2015
Lacombe – On December 11, 2015 the Legislative Assembly of Alberta has passed Bill Pr4 stating that Canadian University College is to continue under the name Burman University. Bill Pr4, The Canadian University College Act was passed and amended on its third reading to become the Burman University Act. The Bill, championed by Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Ron Orr, was sent to the Lieutenant Governor where Royal Assent was given.
The name change process began in July 2014 when then – Premier and Minister of Innovation and Advanced Education, Dave Hancock granted permission for the institution to change its name from “university college” to “university.” The usage of Burman University was implemented May 1, 2015, but the bill still required an Act of Alberta legislature to make the name change official. The Private Bill had its first reading on October 29, 2015.
The university is named after Charles A. and Leona Burman the husband and wife team who founded the institution in 1907. Charles A. Burman served as the first and third President (Principal) of the school that would be known as Burman. Leona Burman taught English, science, language, geography, physiology, and acted as school nurse.
“Referring to ourselves simply as a university will more clearly reflect our degree-granting status and enable our students to pursue graduate school and employment without having to repeatedly explain what a ‘university college’ is,” says Burman University President Mark Haynal. “Because ‘university college’ means markedly different things in different regions, potential students and administrators of post-secondary institutions across Canada and around the world have always been uncertain and often confused by our name.”
CUC Changes Status and Official Name to Burman University
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Charles Burman
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Leona Burman |
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On December 15, 2014 the CUC Board of Trustees approved changing its name from Canadian University College to Burman University.
The university is named after Charles A. and Leona Burman the husband and wife team who founded the institution in 1907. Charles A. Burman served as the first and third President (Principal) of the school that would be known as CUC. Leona Burman taught English, science, language, geography, physiology, and acted as school nurse. Both Charles and Leona devoted their entire lives to the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
“It was because of their selfless dedication and sacrifice that the first school on this hilltop was established,” said CUC President Mark Haynal. “In every season of their ministry both of these individuals exemplified the mission of our school. They thought with discernment, believed with insight and commitment, and acted with confidence, compassion and competence.”
On July 2, 2014 the Alberta government granted CUC permission to change the institution's status and name from “university college” to “university.”
"Referring to ourselves simply as a university will more clearly reflect our degree-granting status and enable our students to pursue graduate school and employment without having to repeatedly explain what a ‘university college’ is,” says Haynal. "Because ‘university college’ means markedly different things in different regions, potential students and administrators of post-secondary institutions across Canada and around the world have always been uncertain and often confused by our name.”
The name "Burman University" was chosen after an intensive process of focus groups held in three regions of Canada. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends and citizens of Lacombe joined the process, suggesting more than a hundred possible names.
CUC will continue as Canadian University College for the remainder of the 2014-2015 academic calendar year. Full implementation of the new name will take place May 1, 2015. The name change process will be fully complete after petition for amendments through a private bill moves through the Alberta legislature.
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The Burmans’ entire life was dedicated to service. The two met at Union College and were married in 1897. Early on in their careers the Burmans were stationed in Alberta where Charles became the first president of the Alberta Conference. Leona also served the Alberta Conference as the Sabbath School Secretary and in the Youth People’s Work department.
As Alberta Conference president, Charles urged that building a school would be the best way to inspire colporteurs. This idea gave way to the Canvassers’ School that would one day become Burman University. Always working as a team, Leona Burman worked alongside Charles as a staff member at the Canvassers’ School.
Only a few months working with the students at the Canvassers’ School convinced Charles that a secondary institution was needed. As a team of action the Burmans, with a logging crew, embarked to gather lumber even before a site or conference approval was granted. Charles led a crew of eighteen men, eighteen horses, three bobsleds, and a cutter to the woods west of Leduc. Leona, with student Hazel Edwards, joined the crew to provide support and cook for the loggers. In three weeks the crew had cut 1,700 logs and piled them on the ice of the North Saskatchewan River.
In 1907 Alberta Industrial Academy was established. The school functioned with four staff members, Charles as the principal and Bible teacher and Leona as the preceptress along with teaching English, geography, physiology, and acting as the school nurse.
Charles and Leona Burman cared for not only the academic needs of the AIA students but for their physical needs as well. When seeing student Camille Armeneau canvassing in the cold without a topcoat, Charles took off his and gave it to the student. On another occasion, noticing student Willie McCready’s wornout shoes, he bought him a new pair. It was through their tireless service that the students addressed the Burmans as “Ma and Pa Burman.”
Leona Burman wrote, “The teacher never gets his reward in the pay envelope, it comes with the years as he watches the students he has taught develop into strong men and women able to carry responsibilities.”
This institution was established by the sweat and sacrifice, vision and courage of Charles and Leona Burman who dreamed of a school where men and women would be prepared for lives of service. Their dream lives on in the mission of Burman University, which is to prepare students to think with discernment, to believe with insight and commitment, and to act with confidence, compassion and competence.
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Name Change FAQ
Why was a name change needed?
In July 2014 the Alberta Government gave CUC and four other “university colleges” permission to change their status to “university.” Because “university college” means markedly different things in different regions, students with Canadian University College degrees are often asked whether their degree is a legitimate bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. “University college” caused some people to think CUC may not be able to grant bachelor’s degrees, just diplomas.
Where did the name/term ‘Burman’ come from?
The university is named after Charles A. and Leona Burman the husband and wife team who founded the institution in 1907. Charles A. Burman served as the first and third president (principal) of the school that would be known as CUC. Leona Burman taught English, science, language, geography, physiology, and acted as school nurse. Both Charles and Leona devoted their entire lives to the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
What was the name change process?
The name "Burman University" was chosen after an intensive process of focus groups. Faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends and citizens of Lacombe joined the process, suggesting more than a hundred possible names. A consultant was retained and facilitated focus groups in three regions of Canada. Email submissions were also taken into consideration. After carefully considering the scores of names that were suggested, “Burman University” was proposed to the Board of Trustees on Monday, December 15, 2014 in a special phone conference meeting where they voted to go ahead with the change.
What other names has Burman University functioned under?
1907 – The Canvassers’ School
1907 – 1914 – Alberta Industrial Academy
1914 – 1919 – Alberta Academy
1919 – 1945 – Canadian Junior College
1945 – 1997 – Canadian Union College
1997 – 2015 – Canadian University College
2015 – Burman University
Why is “Adventist” not in the name?
There are currently three general naming protocols used by Adventist post-secondary institutions in the North American Division.
A) Use the word "Adventist" along with a geographic region or some other descriptor: Four of the NAD's 13 universities do this: Southern Adventist University, Southwestern Adventist University, Washington Adventist University and Adventist University of Health Sciences.
B) Use only the place name or some other descriptor: Six of the NAD's 13 universities do this: Walla Walla University, Loma Linda University, Oakwood University, Kettering College, Union College and La Sierra University.
C) Use the name of one of our Adventist pioneers: Three of the NAD's 13 universities do this: Andrews University, Griggs University, and Burman University.
The Board of Trustees decided on Protocol C because when people spend even as little as 30 seconds learning about our name (and we plan to give them many ready opportunities to do this) they will learn: The denomination of which we are a part, a little history about our institution, and our institution's mission and how the Burmans exemplified it. The Board believed that in Canada this would be the wisest, most effective way to communicate the mission and denominational affiliation of this university.
What is the implementation timeline for the name change?
CUC will continue as Canadian University College for the remainder of the 2014-2015 academic calendar year. Full implementation of the new name will take place May 1, 2015. The name change process will be fully complete after petition for amendments through a private bill moves through the Alberta legislature.
Now – March 2015 – Preparations for the official launch of Burman University
March 27 – April 3 – Official Launch week of Burman University
April 19, 2015 – Last graduation at which students will receive CUC diplomas
May 1, 2015 – Full implementation of Burman University
Is the logo included in the announcement the new official one?
The materials seen on the President’s Blog and around social media are only examples. We are now in the process of creating a new logo and brand. We welcome feedback on what you think this can be. Email namechange@burmanu.ca for any suggestions.
I'm an alumnus. What does this mean for the degree I already have?
Your diploma bears the official name of the institution at the time of your graduation.
Is it possible to have past diplomas reprinted with ‘Burman University’ instead ‘Canadian University College’?
No, diplomas carry the institutions official name at the time of your graduation.
What will my transcripts say?
Transcripts will continue to use Canadian University College until the private bill petitioning our name change passes through the Alberta legislature. Once through transcripts will carry the name Burman University. The transcript will have documentation of the past names of Burman University.
Will any donor funds be used to pay for the name change?
While most name change costs will be covered using funds from previous years' gains the institution saved for unexpected opportunities like this, some donors are contributing money specifically for a new sign. Those donations will be used for that purpose. Donor funds are always used ONLY for the purpose for which they were donated or solicited.
Will the CUC sports teams change their name?
The CUC Athletic department ‘s sports teams play under the “CUC Aurora’s” banner. If you have any thoughts on a potential sports team name change contact us with your ideas.
Who can I send further comments to?
namechange@burmanu.ca
