NEOUCOM name change bill headed to Ohio Senate

Special to The Vindicator

COLUMBUS

The Ohio House passed legislation to shorten the name of the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, commonly known by the acronym NEOUCOM.

House Bill 139 would change the name of the Rootstown campus to the Northeast Ohio Medical University.

“Not only would the new name ... be shorter, but it would also better reflect the growing purposes of this great northeastern Ohio university,” said Rep. Todd McKenney of New Franklin, R-43, and primary sponsor legislation.

HB 139 passed on a vote of 94-1 and heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration. Comparable legislation already is being considered in that chamber.

NEOUCOM is a joint effort of the Kent State University, Youngstown State University, the University of Akron and Cleveland State University. It was established in the early 1970s.