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ELIZABETH CITY (AP) — A North Carolina legislator says a state university in his district could have better recognition and attract more funding if it changed its name.

The Daily Advance of Elizabeth City reported that state Rep. Bill Owens made his name-change pitch Monday to trustees at Elizabeth City State University.

Owens says the school's name should show it is part of the University of North Carolina system.

Owens says the historically black school, founded in 1891, could get more funds and donations, recruit more faculty and attract students from out of state with a new name.

Trustee chairman Walter Davenport says the board was only listening to Owens and would make a decision later.

The legislator told the board that he co-sponsored a bill 13 years ago to change the name of Pembroke State University to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Owens said since then the university's student population has more than doubled.

Owens said that during the same period Elizabeth City's student population has increased by 50 percent.

"There are a lot of things to be proud of, but we need to be all that we can be here at this university," Owens said.

Owens also said there is historical precedent to change names because the school is on its fourth name. The current name was selected in 1969.

Trustee Norman Mebane Jr. said he wanted to see a study of effects of the name change at UNC-Pembroke.

Owens said he wanted the university to study a name change and not ask for it if trustees think it would hurt.