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Dear Anne, many thanks for your email below, and apologies for the late response. I think the proposed name change raises two issues. The first is that it causes the IGRS to lose a well-established identity. The second and more serious is that the new name seems to implement a 'future focus and remit' on which stakeholders are not being and have not been consulted. Particularly German, French, and Italian Studies are in need of support at present. There is clear evidence for that. The IGRS is ideally placed to offer that support. An IMLC would presumably have little extra funding but a much broader remit, 'taking in' particularly (I hazard a guess here!) Chinese and other languages/cultures currently fashionable because they are perceived as economically advantageous. On that - which is rather a significant change, and much more significant than a name change - 'stakeholders' have not been consulted. Should we expect to be? Best wishes, Sarah -----Original Message----- From: JISCmail German Studies List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Anne Simon Sent: 05 June 2013 16:55 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Name Change for IGRS Dear Colleagues, As a result of the recent HEFCE review of the School of Advanced Study, the IGRS has been informed that a change of name will be necessary as, apparently, the "Institute of Germanic & Romance Studies" does not accurately reflect what we do. Below is what came down to us from the Dean: "The Dean has been in discussions with the Director of the IGRS to consider whether a change to the name of that institute might be appropriate in order to reflect correctly its future focus and remit. This is evidently a delicate matter, on which the Director of the IGRS will wish to consider a range of viewpoints, including that of the institute’s Advisory Council. Notwithstanding, it is currently considered that the name ‘Institute of Modern Languages and Cultures’ would be suitably inclusive." We have been instructed to consult our "stakeholders" on the proposed name change and to elicit suggestions for catchier alternatives. Hence I would be very grateful for any comments and/or suggestions you may have. Best wishes, Anne