COLUMBUS, Miss. (WJTV) – The president of the Mississippi University for Women (MUW) in Columbus announced the university will take a “strategic pause” as they work toward a future name change.

This comes after the university made a new proposal on Tuesday, February 13 to shed the school’s gender-specific name.

“As an alumna who is committed to a name change, I acknowledge the challenges, the missteps, the frustrations, and the uncertainties this process has generated. I want to thank the members of the Naming Task Force who worked so hard over many months, our IHL Board for their support, our university community, our legislative delegation and legislative leadership for their support and guidance, our donors and alumni who offered support, and the many friends of The W.  We appreciate all who engaged in our efforts,” said President Nora R. Miller.

She said the university will regroup and re-examine the processes and ways of engaging the alumni base.

During a news conference last week, officials said the university planned to codify into state law its intention to remain “The W” while declaring the university’s new formal name to be Wynbridge State University of Mississippi.

Wynbridge was submitted for consideration by alumni and faculty after the university’s Naming Task Force was called to prioritize a meaningful “W” name.

This was the second time this year that MUW leaders have rolled out an idea for renaming the university in Columbus. MUW has also enrolled men since 1982, and about about 22% of the current 2,230 students are male.

University leaders say having “women” in the name complicates the recruiting process.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.