Bemidji State University - History

History

BSU was founded in 1919 as Bemidji State Normal School. The name was later changed to Bemidji State Teachers College, then shortened to Bemidji State College and finally Bemidji State University. During the 1998–1999 academic year, the University Board of Regents recommended changing the name of the university to Minnesota State University–Bemidji, just as Moorhead State University and Mankato State University had changed their names to Minnesota State University Moorhead and Minnesota State University, Mankato, respectively. The board argued this would emphasize the fact that BSU was a Minnesota university and thus attract more students from both in-state (who would otherwise be unaware that it was located in Minnesota) and out-of-state (who saw Minnesota as a good state in which to attend university). Large vocal and written opposition from students, alumni, and local townspeople made the Board withdraw the recommendation. Current enrollment is about 5,300 students, with students from 44 US states and 40 countries. Each student attending BSU pays a 43 cent per credit fee to sustain the Minnesota State University Student Association, a student-led non-profit that advocates on behalf of all Minnesota State University Students.