Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2020 April 17

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April 17

Difference between University of X and X State University

I was wondering why some state universities had "State" in their names (for example, University of Kansas versus Kansas State University; or Penn State University versus University of Pennsylvania). Is there some organizational/educational/other difference between the two types of schools? 138.210.203.103 (talk) 02:48, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

Often, but not always, the "University of X" was the first public university established in the state, becoming the "flagship university" of the state, while "X State University" was a later land-grant college. For example, Kansas State University was originally named the Kansas State Agricultural College, and was established as a Morrill land-grant school. This is the case in a number of other states; Oregon, Washington, Montana, the Dakotas, Iowa, Oklahoma, etc.

Again, while this is often true, it can't be used to fully generalize, because there are many exceptions. For instance, the University of California is both the flagship and the land-grant university for the state; the California State University System evolved out of the system of state teachers' colleges. In Indiana, the "flagship" is Indiana University, the land-grant college is Purdue University, and Indiana State University evolved from a teachers' college. In some southern states, the "state university" is a formerly-segregated historically black college and university; c.f. Tennessee State University. In the case of Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania is a private institution; Pennsylvania State University is the flagship public (and land-grant) university. NorthBySouthBaranof (talk) 02:54, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

So there really isn't much difference between the two, other than the usual differences between various universities like different degrees that are offered (and the historical background of the schools)? 138.210.203.103 (talk) 03:22, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

Usually both schools today offer basically the full set of degree programs one would expect of a major University, so they'll both offer all the same classes roughly speaking, but they'll be better known for certain programs. Not 100% of the time, but often enough to be generally true, the "University of..." school has a more "posh" reputation and it's better known for programs like law, medicine, political science, economics, liberal arts, and tends to attract more of the "leisure class" students. The "... State University" tends to have better known programs in the practical arts such as engineering, science, or education, and caters to a more working class clientele, that's why most of them were originally engineering, technical, or teaching (normal) schools, or HBCUs. I'm sure someone could come up with an exception, but those are the general trends.--Jayron32 03:57, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

So the next question is, is there a Wikipedia article where those "general trends" are described? I mean specifically for universities with "State" in the name. --76.71.6.31 (talk) 06:25, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

State university system —107.15.157.44 (talk) 07:34, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

Which is not about "universities with 'State' in the name". --76.71.6.31 (talk) 08:43, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

Unfortunately, this is the sort of thing that doesn't get a lot of quality, reliable writing about but which is a widely-held bit of cultural impression which many people in the U.S. would recognize; in this way it is sort of a meme in the original Richard Dawkins sense (i.e. a piece of cultural information, not a funny picture with words written on it). The best I can offer in the way of references is this, the first 8-9 terms of which are discussion forums like quora and stack exchange and SDMB (so, at least fora with a good reputation) discussing the concept. --Jayron32 12:25, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

The answer from John Manzo here is particularly on point. --Jayron32 12:31, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

Reminiscent of the People's Front of Judea and the Judean People's Front. Alansplodge (talk) 18:33, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

You have no idea. California Polytechnic State University and California State Polytechnic University and they are separate institutions. There's also Indiana University of Pennsylvania which is neither affiliated in any way with Indiana University or the University of Pennsylvania. That's just the tip of the iceberg. --Jayron32 20:14, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

Cal Poly (Pomona) was where you went to become a dope grower since long before dope was legalized in California. 2601:648:8202:96B0:E0CB:579B:1F5:84ED (talk) 23:11, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

Oh, I thought it existed to make floats for the Tournament of Roses. —Tamfang (talk) 00:27, 18 April 2020 (UTC)

Then there's Miami University, which is several states away from the University of Miami. --ColinFine (talk) 20:21, 18 April 2020 (UTC)

Both of them named in reference to different Miami Rivers. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 20:58, 18 April 2020 (UTC)

No, only one is named in reference to a different Miami River. The other is named in reference to the true Miami River.  --Lambiam 16:16, 19 April 2020 (UTC)}

I thought they were each named after a different tribe of Native Americans as were the rivers. Rmhermen (talk) 16:37, 19 April 2020 (UTC)

Generalizing a bit, "University of State" is typically the more "academic" research university system while "X State University" is oriented towards career education. As such, the former typically has more stringent admissions criteria. California is a good example: see California Master Plan for Higher Education. Especially in more recent times the lines have become somewhat blurred. As some have said this is a topic that could probably stand to be written up in Higher education in the United States or some other place. --47.146.63.87 (talk) 01:17, 20 April 2020 (UTC)

We stop getting taller at what age?

At what age do we stop growing tall? 18 or 20? 86.134.123.138 (talk) 20:38, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

Like everything biological, individuals vary, but Human height contains generalised information about the topic. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.203.117.240 (talk) 21:05, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

Those who reach their maximum height at a younger age tend to be shorter than those with a later growth spurt. "18 or 20" is too general. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 23:49, 17 April 2020 (UTC)

Exceptions everywhere, of course. John Cleese said iirc that he reached his full height at 14. (Me: 22.) —Tamfang (talk) 00:25, 18 April 2020 (UTC)

"Observations on the stature of 75 boys and 67 girls have been analysed to determine the distribution of the age at which growth in stature ceases... The distribution for boys was found to have a mean age of 17 years, 9.08 months, ± 1.87 months and a standard deviation of 9.96 months and the corresponding estimates for girls are 16 years, 2.71 months ± 3.44 months and 13.62 months respectively". The Age of Children when Growth in Stature Ceases (1954). Alansplodge (talk) 11:07, 18 April 2020 (UTC)

So, we stop getting taller at what age exactly? 86.134.123.138 (talk) 19:52, 18 April 2020 (UTC)

You have been given as exact an answer as it is possible to give. --ColinFine (talk) 20:23, 18 April 2020 (UTC)

(ec) As the responses to your question have made clear, there is no simple answer - it depends on the individual. I have two sons, one who grew to his full height at age 14, the other who didn't finish growing until he was 21, ending up just 1 cm shorter than his brother. Mikenorton (talk) 20:25, 18 April 2020 (UTC)

Keep in mind the user is the same one who thought the 1918-1920 pandemic was a coronavirus, and that his lone-user demand should be enough to get SONY to issue a particular DVD. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 21:02, 18 April 2020 (UTC)

According to Google, we stop growing taller by age 16 and usually develope fully by 18. 86.134.123.138 (talk) 22:38, 18 April 2020 (UTC)

Since they're talking about averages, the answer remains that there is no "exactly" answer. But you already knew that. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 00:15, 19 April 2020 (UTC)

So, not only do you answer your question, but you also give a wrong answer...?? 89.172.107.25 (talk) 13:58, 19 April 2020 (UTC)

Since you don't like our answers, we will now stop answering your questions.--Lgriot (talk) 10:56, 20 April 2020 (UTC)

In case there is some confusion, I'm fairly sure 89.172 is not the same as 86.134/the OP. It seems 89.172 was complaining that 86.134 asked a question and then gave their own answer which wasn't supported by the better sources already provided. Nil Einne (talk) 07:08, 23 April 2020 (UTC)