Central Florida Community College will begin the process of changing its name, following approval by the CFCC District Board of Trustees.

In 2009, the Florida Legislature adopted legislation to replace the Florida Community College System with the Florida College System, adopted a process for the approval of new baccalaureate degrees by institutions in the system and established a process for how a community college would change its name.

"Changing the name of the college is a significant decision," said Dr. Charles Dassance, CFCC president. "The basic, philosophical underpinning of the college will not change. The college is a community-based, locally governed institution providing open access and promoting learning in an open, caring, inclusive environment."

The approval is the first step in the process, which will include surveying the college and greater communities. Once approved, the name change would become effective July 1, 2010.

This is not the first name change for the college, which was created as Central Florida Junior College in 1957 by action of the Florida Legislature. CFJC merged with Hampton Junior College in 1966 and the name was changed to Central Florida Community College in 1972.

Several state colleges have changed names in the past several months, including Daytona State College, Northwest Florida State College, Santa Fe College and Seminole State College of Florida.