Opinion: Keeping 'Fighting Sioux' a risk to UND's standing

Tuesday, October 18, 2011  

"About a year ago, I led a rally of about 30 students in front of Twamley Hall protesting the sudden change of Fighting Sioux nickname and logo. As a sitting Student Government senator at the time, I also drafted legislation that condemned the State Board of Higher Education for making such a dramatic decision without consulting the university.

A year ago, I was the last person you would have thought who would have opposed the Fighting Sioux nickname. But this year, enough is enough. The mud-slinging from every corner of the debate is hurting our university. Any article giving UND national attention seams to focus purely on our nickname. It is painfully obvious that the longer this debate drags on, the longer we will risk our reputation as a world-class institution.

The de facto agreement between UND and the Big Sky Conference was: don't let the nickname battle become a problem. In just a few short months, it has become a problem."

Get the Story:
Sean Lee: UND nickname (The Dakota Student 10/18)

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