The value of transparency (aka: The problem with Marquette's recent name change)

Although it's close to becoming an annoying buzzword, the value of transparency in  today's business world has never been greater. As mentioned in the link above, it's takes a lot of courage and self-confidence to act in a transparent manner, and that is why I'm so disappoited with Marquette University on their recent name change. Instead of having a public debate on the naming issues, the university decided to act in an unwise (and some would say, cowardly) manner.

When a business refuses to be transparent, in a way it's saying to its customers "your opinion doesn't matter". It's not that the new nickname is that bad, but the Marquette community naturally feels insulted for being left out (or even worse, misled) on what was going on behind closed doors.

As mentioned at a student protest on the name change:

"It's continuing a long tradition of Jesuit arrogance in not listening," he said. "This name was forced on us, just as the Golden Eagles was in 1994."

That, I believe, is their biggest issue. If Marquette wants to continue to build on its success, they have to learn to engage, not enrage, their very loyal community.

Related links:
Dwayne Wade's reaction: "Awh . . . I got to call. I got to call in on that one."
MU Fan reaction: "Do they want a precipitous drop in donations, now that they've pissed off both young and old alumni?"

update on 5.11: Do you think they read the blog?? (emphasis mine):

"The decision to change the nickname to Marquette Gold generated a response that we did not expect from Marquette stakeholders.  We regret that we disappointed them and we want to respond to those concerns. We've established a new process today so that your voices can be heard. It's transparent, it's inclusive and it's easy."

Stay tuned.

Comments

[Matt Lachey]

Adam,
You obviously hit the nail on the head. The name, in my opinion, is pretty good, but the process to select it is bogus. I can entirely understand how the MU community is upset as throughout this most recent process the one point that was constantly made was that the administration could not repeat the alienation that occurred in 1994. Somehow they missed this point, again.

I think the name will stick. And it will be a good fit for MU. However, it never should have been selected by a minority of people who have clearly missed the mark time and time again.

[adam]

I hope the name sticks too...it may not be perfect, but we have to settle on something. Changing it again would look even more foolish.