JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Leaders of Mississippi University for Women made a new proposal Tuesday to shed the school’s gender-specific name in a way they hope will be accepted by alumni who fondly call their alma mater “The W.”

According to university officials, the university plans 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.

According to task force co-chair and Dean of Library Services Amanda Clay Powers, “Wynbridge creatively pairs the Old English word for ‘W,’ using it as a ‘bridge’ that connects past, present and future W graduates. With our commitment to keeping ‘The W,’ we feel this is the perfect name for the university that looks back at our illustrious past as the first publicly supported university for women, keeping our tradition of looking forward into the future.”

The university is requesting the Mississippi Legislature to approve legislation that will allow the university to change its name. The deadline for the introduction of general bills is Monday, February 19.

It’s 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.

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

The name change would happen July 1.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.