Buried deep within the proposal to change the name of Napier University are the facts which have provoked curious consternation amongst its student fraternity. Go beyond the introduction page, which outlines the reasoning for the minor alteration—from Napier University to "Edinburgh Napier"—and even further past the ringing endorsements of worthy consultees, ranging from universities across Scotland to MSP and councillors, and you will find the two pages dedicated to the meagre internal student consultation.

Of the paltry 200 responses from received from students requested to air their views, 83 per cent were against the name change, with 15 per cent in favour and two per cent unsure.

Those against the change listed as their reasons: the potential for confusion with the University of Edinburgh (31 per cent); undermining Napier’s vision/showed lack of pride (17 per cent); and, suitably for Napier’s thrifty students, the waste of money (13.5 per cent).

A poll was conducted by the Napier Students' Association late in 2007 ending early in 2008. In a sample of 551 students over 60 per cent were against, 30 per cent were for and eight per cent undecided.

Although both consultations were relatively small in scope considering the total student population of Napier is almost 15,000, the results are representative of a student body unconvinced by the inexplicably large expense of an exercise in "image management."

University bosses point to research which shows that the location of the university is unknown to many students outside Scotland. However, in a survey carried out in the spring of 2007 of 1,000 students across Scotland, England and Wales only one third did not know Napier was situated in Edinburgh.

Perhaps more concerning is a survey carried out in March of this year among prospective students in Belfast, which found that only 13 per cent could correctly identify Napier’s home as Edinburgh.

Christine Tierney, director of communications and marketing is leading the name change project and believes one of the best ways to enhance Napier's reputation is to emphasise its location. “Statistics have shown that the second most important thing to prospective students is the location.”

It is worth noting that the massive 70 per cent of the participants were not even aware of Napier university's existence perhaps stood little chance of guessing where it is situated.

Mrs Tierney is confident that accentuating its position will make it more attractive, as well as putting it nearer the top in alphabetical listings. She also confirmed that the red triangle "will be staying" however it will be incorporated into a new design which has "excited" students who have been consulted.

Raymond Philip, a recent Napier graduate, believes the university is making a positive change, but warns that it could backfire: “From a marketing point of view I think it is a positive change; it's certainly snappier.

"Also Edinburgh is a place that is immediately identifiable. One problem could be that the uni is seen to be losing touch with its history and its sentimentality.”

The university takes its name from John Napier, the Scots mathmatician who founded the logarithm and whose birthplace, Merchiston Castle, still stands in the centre of the university's Merchiston campus.

If the name change is approved by the Scottish Parliament at the beginning of next year, planners aim to implement the name change before the 2009 prospectus is released in May.

Also within the application is a list of organisations and politicians who received letters form Professor Joan K Springer CBE, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, seeking support for the project. Of 88 external consultations 51 respondents gave their support, two were against the proposal and 31 didn’t reply. The remainder pleaded neutrality for various reasons.

Surprisingly, only the city of Edinburgh council, West Lothian Council, Rt Hon George Foulkes MSP and Councillor Marilyne MacLaren stated that they were concerned that confusion with the University of Edinburgh could be an issue.

The University of Edinburgh itself wished Napier “every success” in the endeavour in an attempt to enhance good relations between the two universities.

The plaudits paint a pretty picture for Napier’s chief; however they don’t correlate with the general student opinion across the city – particularly those of students at Edinburgh's most prestigious institution. One University of Edinburgh graduate, Jane Maddison, told The Journal of her concerns regarding the name change: “It makes it sound like they are [Napier] twinned with University of Edinburgh, which they aren't. I think it will only serve to confuse prospective students.

The former anthropology student added that she thought it would be more advantageous for Napier to play on their strengths: “You can't shake off the image of your past by changing your name. Napier has a really high postgraduate employment rate, they should play to that, build on that, be proud of that.”

But the rationale just doesn’t seem quite enough to justify the cost of around half a million pounds. It’s branded as an investment in the future of the university and it is expected to generate greater interest, not only among students but also academics, businesses and the public sector, across the UK and abroad. They cite a highly competitive market and emphasise that it is imperative that the university capitalises on being in Scotland’s capital.

Of all the figures published in the application documents the university seems to most lament the fact that only four per cent of students are from south of the border, neglecting to add that 17 per cent of full-time undergraduates come from overseas. Perhaps one day in the future bosses will produce results that show the name change was a worthy financial investment. Until then one might wish to reflect upon the words of Charles Dickens: “The light of reason never rises.”