What’s the difference between a college and a university? To most people, not much. But it’s a big difference in the world of academia — and to possible students.

That was SUNY Fredonia President Stephen Kolison’s message to the College Council at a recent meeting. Kolison asked for, and received, the council’s backing on pursuing a name change for the school.

It’s now officially the “State University of New York, College at Fredonia.” Kolison wants it to be legally called just “State University of New York at Fredonia.”

In academia, universities are considered more prestigious than colleges. Kolison said that after a 2021 rule change by the state, many colleges in both the public and private sectors are trying to get changed to universities. The rule loosened requirements for a school to be called a university, allowing institutions with just three masters programs to seek the designation.

Kolison said that locally among private schools, Daemen, D’Youville and Medaille are in the process of becoming universities. Ten SUNY schools, including Brockport, Buffalo State and Cortland, are also seeking to drop the “college” from their names.

“If you try to recruit overseas, colleges are almost considered junior colleges,” he said. “You’re not going to be very competitive.”

College Council President Frank Pagano asked the group to support Kolison’s plan. It did so by voice vote.