The Ariel University Center of Samaria (Hebrew: המרכז האוניברסיטאי אריאל בשומרון‎, HaMerkaz HaUniversitai Ariel BaShomron) is the largest Israeli public college, and is located in Ariel in the West Bank. The center was founded in 1982 to serve as a regional branch of Bar-Ilan University. Originally located in Kedumim, it moved to the larger settlement of Ariel to expand. Its association with Bar-Ilan University lapsed in the 2004-05 academic year with the school administration's decision to become independent and pursue university status. In August 2007, the 'College of Judea and Samaria' in Ariel declared itself a 'university center'. Although Prime Minister Ehud Olmert endorsed the change, both Minister of Education Yuli Tamir and the Council for Higher Education vowed to block it, with the latter announcing in 2008 that they would not recognise degrees awarded by the college. The name change was recognised in 2010, though the college remains without university accreditation. In 2005, the Israeli government voted to support upgrading the College to university status.