Majors' Attitudes on Department of Speech Name Change (N=56)

Please read each of the following statements and indicate your level of agreement with each statement. This
survey will take about 5 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for your responses!
  Strongly Neutral Strongly
disagree agree
1. I was initially attracted to the Speech major because of the 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
name Speech (M=2.88, SD=1.72).
18 8 9 10 8 1 2
32.1% 14.3% 16.1% 17.9% 14.3% 1.8% 3.6%
2. Speech is an accurate label for my major, given what we 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
study (M=2.86, SD=1.72).
15 14 9 7 6 3 2
26.8% 25.0% 16.1% 12.5% 10.7% 5.4% 3.6%

3. I have experienced difficulty explaining my choice of major 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

to others (e.g., my parents) (M=5.84, SD=1.55).
4 2 4 7 11 28
7.1% 3.6% 7.1% 12.5% 19.6% 50%

4. I anticipate having a difficult time explaining my major to 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

potential employers (M=5.60, SD=1.57).
1 2 3 9 2 18 20
1.8% 3.6% 5.4% 16.1% 3.6% 32.1% 35.7%

5. I became a major in Speech after taking a Speech class and 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

enjoying the material (M=5.75, SD=1.68).
3 1 2 3 10 10 27
5.4% 1.8% 3.6% 5.4% 17.9% 17.9% 48.2%

6. I am very satisfied with the name of my major, Speech 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

(M=2.49, SD=1.65).
23 10 5 10 4 2 1
41.1% 17.9% 8.9% 17.9% 7.1% 3.6% 1.8%

7. I would welcome a change from “Speech” to a name that 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

more accurately reflects what I learn in my classes (M=6.16,
1 2 4 5 12 32
SD=1.25). 1.8% 3.6% 7.1% 8.9% 21.4% 57.1%

8. I am sometimes embarrassed when I tell others that my 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

major is Speech (M=4.55, SD=1.81).
3 8 4 10 10 13 8
5.4% 14.3% 7.1% 17.9% 17.9% 23.2% 14.3%

9. “Speech” does not really reflect what I learn in my Speech 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

classes (M=5.52, SD=1.54).
2 1 1 10 9 14 19
3.6% 1.8% 1.8% 17.9% 16.1% 25.0% 33.6%

10. “Speech” does not sound like a very serious major 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

(M=5.29, SD=1.79).
2 5 3 4 10 13 18
3.6% 8.9% 5.4% 7.1% 17.9% 23.2% 32.1%

11. I know what Communicology means (M=5.34, SD=1.75). 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

2 3 4 7 10 9 21
3.6% 5.4% 7.1% 12.5% 17.9% 16.1% 37.5%

12. I think Communicology is the right name for my major 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

(M=5.61, SD=1.67).
2 3 9 5 14 23
3.6% 5.4.% 16.1% 8.9% 25.0% 41.1%

13. I support a name change from Speech to Communicology 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

(M=5.89, SD=1.73).
2 2 2 7 3 5 35
3.6% 3.6% 3.6% 12.5% 5.4% 8.9% 62.5%
14. The Speech Department is actively pursuing a name change for the Department. What suggestions or comments
do you have regarding this?

-"Speech" is somewhat misleading. People think we learn how to give speeches rather than
study communication as a whole.
-Do it ASAP so people stop thinking I must be great at public speaking.
-I agree with this name change because people are constantly joking with me about how
teachers try to teach me how to make speeches/talk and I feel that the major involves so much
more than students know because of the name.
-Overthrow the administration! Change the name!
-I really hope it happens soon, like within a semester. Hopefully, it doesn't get caught up in red
tape because I hope to have it say Communicology on my diploma rather than Speech. Speech
is a really tough, but interesting major, but the name makes it seems like it is an easy
class/major.
-I think the name should be changed because "Speech" has nothing to do with what I'm
studying or want to pursue.
-The name needs to be changed. "Speech" is the wrong name for own major.
-Change it!
-I agree completely. I often encounter people outside of the Speech department and have a hard
time explaining the true study of speech as a major.
-Generally, when people hear that I am a Speech major, they think I am studying to be a speech
pathologist or something similar, which is not the case.
-I REALLY want a name change!!! Communicology is a GREAT name!
-Please DO IT before I graduate.
-I strongly agree to change the name.
-I think Communicology sounds much more professional than speech and it accurately
encompasses the material we are required to learn.
-I totally support the name change to Communicology. Many people don't take me seriously
when I tell them that my major is speech.
-I am open to the idea of change the name. Not going to lie I was initially drawn to the
department because I thought speech had an emphasis on public speaking. However, during
advising I learned this wasn't the case, but that doesn't make me want to change my major. I
enjoy classes I'm taking right now, and think changing the name would be good, and not
misleading. Communicology has a wide range of classes that'll help in the future. It's a broad
major and I'm pleased with my choice.
-I think that a change is necessary, although I'm not sure what the new name should be. If it's
Communicology, I think we may as well merge with the Comm department.
-I would like this to happen ASAP-along with name change in the degree.
-DO IT! Everytime someone asks what my major is, I have to explain that I do not plan to
become a public speaker. This department studies interpersonal communication, not public
speaking techniques. If we changed the name to Communicology, it would make it easier to
explain and for others to understand.
-Communicology!
-I'm hoping that the name change is successful. When I tell people, who don't understand or
don't know what the department of Speech teaches, they think I'm majoring in speech
pathology.
-I feel that it is a great idea and I hope it changes.
-Do it!
-Change the name.
-Do it as soon as possible, but keep the option for the name "Speech" open too.
-I started as a Communication major because I thought that was where I could see classes on
interpersonal communication and conflict resolution. I was wrong and had to change to
Speech. If we can't steal "Communications," then we should change the name,
"Communicology" will probably still require explanation but at least it won't confer any
 preconception about what we do.
-Sounds better than speech, but sounds too similar to communication.
-I have faith in the effectiveness of persuasion abilities the speech department holds. If the
faculty can't even convince the chancellor to change the department name, there is no validity
and reliability in the materials taught by them. Please get it done.
-Communicology sounds too much like communication. Double majors would say, "I have two
degrees in Communicology & Communications." That sounds ridiculous.
-I do prefer and support a name change. However, the title communicology albeit accurate,
sounds funny. I strongly suggest human communication. Even though in a class we touch on
animal deception, overall, the name human communication encompasses what we study and
learn to the class.
-I would prefer speech communication. I think Communicology sounds equally odd.
-I am mostly neutral that I think Communicology is a more appropriate name than speech.
-I think people would understand more if you say speech than Commicology and speech is
easier to say.
-I feel like people will think that our department is just trying to make up a funny term for our
major. It will seem this way especially because most people I've never heard of a
Communicology major in other universities.

Demographic Information
1. Your gender: male: 27 (48.2%) female: 29(51.8%) 2. Age: M=21.96, SD=2.54

3. Academic level: Freshman: 0(0%) Sophomore: 11(19.6%) Junior: 19(33.9%) Senior: 26(46.4%)