Division of W&M (soon renamed the Norfolk College of W&M) chafed at being part of the system; RPI was already accredited on its own, and the Norfolk College received its own accreditation in 1961. The Virginia General Assembly dissolved The Colleges in 1962, with RPI and the Norfolk College (now known as Old Dominion University) becoming independent state universities. At the same time, RPI took on the nickname of Rams. Becoming VCU Virginia Commonwealth University was established on July 1, 1968, becoming the first truly urban university in Virginia. In just one year, the new Virginia Commonwealth University was the largest University in the state at a head count of 13,374, of which 12,059 were from the former RPI campus and 1,675 were from the Medical college. Envisioning a Great Urban University At the 1969 convocation for VCU, Dr. Brandt envisioned a great urban University, stating, "we are caught up in a thing you might call the Virginia Commonwealth University Idea. It's an exciting concept....an academic approach without precedent, VCU will become a name that will mean a great deal to you in years to come...as one of the leading educational institutions." VCU's Founding Principles In his inaugural address as VCU's first president, November 10, 1970, Dr. Warren W. Brandt itemized some of VCU's special educational benefits to the urban community which it serves as a responsive citizen. Provide special programs for those working on urban problems Teach how to live more effectively in the urban environment Offer special material to make students aware of urban problems Provide a faculty with expertise in a wide variety of relevant specialties Furnish a large group of dedicated volunteer workers; faculty, students, and staff Provide health care to a large number residents of Richmond and most of Virginia Three years later, Dr. Brandt echoed this commitment. We are striving to be a strong institution with significant emphasis on being an urban university-serving the city, the state, and other institutions. We're not trying to be an elitist institution, but to be an institution which meets the needs of the Urban community by accepting a wide range of students into a variety of programs. Athletics From 1948 to 1963, RPI's sport teams were known as the Green Devils due to their affiliation with The College of William and Mary. In 1963, the mascot was changed to the Rams when RPI became an independent institution. The