New name, new alliance
As the calendar flipped to January 2013, exterior signage pronounced our dental school’s new name: Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry.
A new licensing agreement signed by Baylor University and The Texas A&M University System in December 2012 prompted the change. The new name preserves a nearly century-long tradition and precedes a monumental realignment now in the planning stages.
The entire Texas A&M Health Science Center – colleges of dentistry, medicine, nursing, public health, pharmacy and graduate studies – is expected to merge as a unit with Texas A&M University in mid-2013. A&M System regents voted Aug. 3, 2012, to grant Chancellor John Sharp and Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin the authority to investigate and pursue the administrative change.
The merger requires legislative approval and is being considered by the 83rd Texas Legislature, now in session in spring 2013. It also involves approval from regulatory and accrediting bodies including the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on Dental Accreditation, among others.
The earliest the merger with Texas A&M could be completed would be June 2013. All of the health science center’s colleges and centers anticipate undergoing a complete and permanent rebranding, including a new logo, after the realignment.
As to the dental school’s name, after first reference in full, it can be called Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry, A&M Baylor College of Dentistry or TAMBCD.