The University had substantially transitioned away from the nickname and logo by the end of December 2011. However, when the petitions that led to Tuesday’s vote were filed with the North Dakota Secretary of State in February, the State Board of Higher Education directed the University to resume using the nickname logo to be compliant with state law.

UND President Robert Kelley said the University will follow the same processes it followed in December to resume transition away from the nickname and logo, and that the University would implement the process immediately.

– Peter Johnson, UND Executive Associate Vice President for University Relations.

We are appreciative that voters took the time to listen and to understand the issues and the importance of allowing the University to move forward.  We also understand how deeply this has affected all of us.

Tuesday’s vote allows us to focus our attention on our students as we continue to build exceptional programs in all areas of the University.  We appreciate the support that has been expressed for the University of North Dakota over the past several weeks, and especially for UND Athletics.  It is support that will continue to be important as we build a great future for the University and for UND Athletics.

We will continue to work with the State Board of Higher Education, the North Dakota University System, and the leadership in athletics as we move forward.

Dear Campus Community:

I am writing to update you on recent activity related to the Sioux nickname and logo.  It is clear after Tuesday’s ruling by the North Dakota Supreme Court that the University of North Dakota and our athletic program will continue to use our current nickname and logo — and to comply with NCAA sanctions — until June 12, when North Dakotans will have the opportunity to vote on the issue.

NCAA sanctions will continue to be challenging for the University.  In addition to restricting how we participate in post-season athletic competition, the sanctions also compromise UND’s athletic recruiting and scheduling, and UND’s overall relationship with other collegiate athletic programs.  Furthermore, I am aware that many students, faculty and staff are concerned that the ongoing lack of resolution to the name and logo issue creates frustration and challenges for morale across the campus.

I believe that it is important that residents of North Dakota are informed about the question to be voted on June 12.  The current status of the issue continues to create uncertainty for the University.  Nevertheless, we remain committed to advancing the full role of the University in the state.  We will continue to provide the highest level of education for all of our students, in keeping with the expectations of the people of North Dakota, who have invested for 130 years in their exceptional university.

Best wishes,

Robert O. Kelley

President

In keeping with state law and at the direction of North Dakota State Board of Higher Education President Grant Shaft, the University of North Dakota has resumed the use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo for our athletic teams.  This action is necessary based on the filing of petitions Tuesday night [Feb. 7, 2012] with the Office of the North Dakota Secretary of State.  The filing of the petitions suspends the law, passed during the November Special Session of the North Dakota Legislature, which repealed the law passed last spring stipulating that the University of North Dakota continue to use the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.  If the petitions are certified by the Office of the North Dakota Secretary of State, the referendum on whether to repeal the law passed in November will be decided during the June Primary election.

This has been, and continues to be, a difficult issue for the campus community, affecting students, faculty and staff.  As we move forward, we all have a responsibility to respect all members of the University Community, and to be particularly cognizant of American Indian students, faculty and staff, who often are inappropriately identified as spokespersons by the media and sometimes within the classroom and in social settings.  Such actions especially can make it difficult for students to focus on their academic responsibilities and can be detrimental to the students’ ongoing success.

The University will continue to work with the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education and other stakeholders on this issue.  Our primary obligation is the welfare of our students and our academic mission of providing exceptional teaching and learning; research, scholarship, and creative activity; and service and engagement.

Together, we will continue to move forward.

Best wishes,

Robert O. Kelley

President

Dear Campus Community:

I want to bring you up to date on recent events related to the nickname and logo.  As you may know, the North Dakota Legislature met in Special Session in November and, among other issues, took action to rescind the law mandating that the University of North Dakota use the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.  The new law, which became effective Dec. 1, allows UND to begin transitioning away from the nickname and logo, in compliance with the Aug. 15 directive of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education, charging the University to “substantially complete the [transition] process by the end of December 2011.”

To that end, I have directed the Athletics Department and the Office of University Relations to initiate transition processes with the goal of substantially completing them by the end of December.  For example, you will see references to the nickname and the use of the logo disappearing from the UND web site, except where it makes sense to retain them for historical or similar reasons.  The University will also remove nickname Images and verbiage from University owned facilities, except for their use in historical or similar applications, such as championship banners.

It is important to understand that the transition process will not be entirely completed by Dec. 31.  For example, the new uniforms for the UND men’s hockey team won’t be available until late February.  As a result, the men’s hockey team will finish the rest of the regular season in their current uniforms.  Another example relates to our contracts with several vendors licensed to produce UND apparel and merchandise.  Under the terms of the contracts, we must provide at least a 90-day notice of a change to the contract.  That means licensed vendors will be allowed to produce apparel and merchandise with the Fighting Sioux name and logo through March 31, 2012, and will have until June 30, 2012, to sell off their stock.  Retailers will be able to sell Fighting Sioux apparel and merchandise as long as supplies last, but there will be no more production of Fighting Sioux apparel and merchandise under existing licenses after March 31, 2012.

You can find more information about the transition process under “UND’s Transition Process:  Frequently Asked Questions” on the Nickname/Logo web site at http://nickname.und.edu/logo.

As we work together over the next month to transition away from the nickname and logo, I ask all UND employees, especially unit heads, to help with the process.  If you use the nickname and logo in your area, please take steps to remove their use.  If you want to identify an area where you think a change needs to be made, please contact Peter Johnson, Office of University Relations, at peter.johnson@email.und.edu.

Thank you for your help and cooperation.  Together, we will effect an orderly transition.

Sincerely,

Robert O. Kelley

The University of North Dakota (UND) is transitioning away from the “Fighting Sioux” nickname and logo at the direction of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education and to be in compliance with a settlement agreement with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).  On Aug. 15, 2011, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education passed a resolution that directed UND President Robert Kelley to “take action necessary to resume the process to retire the UND logo and nickname consistent with prior Board action. Further, the deadline for completing the transition shall be extended beyond August 15, 2011 as necessary as a result of the suspension of that process and the UND president is directed to substantially complete the process by the end of December 2011, subject to binding commitments….”

What is an example of a “binding commitment”?

The University of North Dakota has contractual arrangements with several licensed vendors for the production of apparel and other merchandise marked with the nickname and logo.  Under the terms of the contract, UND must provide at least a 90-day notice before changing the terms of the contract.  UND has set March 31, 2012, as the last day that licensed vendors may produce apparel or other merchandise with the nickname and/or logo.  After that, the licensed vendors – wholesalers — will have three months to liquidate their stock.  There is no cutoff date for the sale of such apparel or merchandise by retailers, but there will be no more production of apparel or merchandise with the nickname and/or logo under existing licenses after March 31, 2012.

Why wasn’t the transition process started before Dec. 1, 2011?

Last spring, the North Dakota Legislature passed a bill, subsequently signed into law by Gov. Jack Dalrymple, that directed the University of North Dakota to use the “Fighting Sioux” nickname and logo.  That law, which became effective Aug. 1, was rescinded during a Special Session of the North Dakota Legislature in November.  The new law, which allowed UND to begin the process of transitioning away from the nickname and logo, became effective Dec. 1.

What steps are being taken by UND to transition away from the nickname and logo?

The University of North Dakota is taking several steps to transition away from the nickname and logo, a process that will be substantially completed by Dec. 31, 2011, in compliance with the directive of the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education.  Among the most immediate steps will be the removal during December of general references to the nickname – “Fighting Sioux” and “Sioux” – and the logo from the UND web site.  There will be exceptions, such as the use of the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center (a facility neither owned nor operated by UND) and the use of the nickname and logo in historical references.

When does UND’s transition away from the nickname and logo take effect?

UND President Robert Kelley has been directed to “substantially complete the process by the end of December 2011, subject to binding commitments….”

Will the University of North Dakota use the nickname and logo after Dec. 31?

Yes, but only under certain circumstances.  For example, the new uniforms for the men’s hockey team won’t be available until the end of February.  As a consequence, the men’s hockey team will wear their current jerseys at least through the regular season.

Will apparel and merchandise with the nickname and logo continue to be available?

Yes, to some extent.  The University of North Dakota has contractual arrangements with several licensed vendors for the production of apparel and other merchandise marked with the nickname and logo.  Under the terms of the contracts, UND must provide at least a 90-day notice before changing the terms of the contract.  UND has set March 31 as the last day that licensed vendors may produce apparel or other merchandise with the nickname and/or logo.  After that, the licensed vendors – wholesalers — will have three months to liquidate their stock.  There is no cutoff date for the sale of such apparel or merchandise by retailers, but there will be no more licensed production of apparel or merchandise after March 31, 2012.

Will fans still be allowed to wear the nickname and logo on campus and to games?

Yes. The transition will not include any ban on wearing Fighting Sioux clothing at athletic events. Those fans who choose to wear or display the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo are asked to do so in a manner that is respectful to American Indians. We anticipate that fans will want to support our student athletes by wearing official team apparel.

Will UND continue to hold athletic events at the Ralph Engelstad Arena and the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center?

Yes. There are no current plans to stop using the Ralph Engelstad Arena (REA) or the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center (“The Betty”) for UND athletic events. In order for UND to host NCAA championship events at the Alerus, the REA or “The Betty,” the facilities will have to comply with the terms of the NCAA settlement agreement. A link to information about the NCAA lawsuit and settlement (from the North Dakota Attorney General’s Web site) also is available at http://nickname.und.edu/logo.

Will the Ralph Engelstad Arena and the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center be required to remove all of the nickname logos?

No. Under the settlement agreement, the facility can retain “imagery of independent historical significance,” which includes things like championship banners, photographs, and trophies, the Sitting Bull tribute statue, and dedication plaques. The settlement agreement also allows the facility to retain imagery “embedded in architecture,” meaning the granite logos in the floors of the REA. Some of the REA features with the nickname and logo must be replaced in the course of ordinary wear and tear; the settlement agreement allows things like carpeting, tile, and seating to be replaced when required. The University will work with the leadership of the REA and the NCAA to comply with the terms of the settlement agreement, as required by the State Board of Higher Education’s May 2009 resolution. A link to information about the NCAA lawsuit and settlement (from the North Dakota Attorney General’s Web site) also is available at http://nickname.und.edu/logo.

Is the Alerus going to remove the references to the nickname in its venue?

Yes, the Alerus has agreed to remove the logos from its facility.

Has UND chosen a new nickname and logo?

No. When the University begins the process of choosing a nickname and logo, there will be prominent public announcements about the process. A new nickname and logo will be chosen only after a careful and deliberate process.  The bill passed during the Special Session of the North Dakota Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jack Dalrymple on Nov. 9 takes effect Dec. 1.  With respect to a new nickname and logo, the law stipulates that neither UND nor the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education may adopt a new nickname or logo before January 2015.  When the process for choosing a new nickname and logo is implemented, it will be announced to UND students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends.  Until then, he University’s athletic teams will be called UND or “North Dakota,” and will use the current interlocking ND logo.

What will be the University’s nickname and logo after the nickname is retired?

The University’s athletic teams will be called UND or “North Dakota,” and will use the current interlocking ND logo.

The legislative process has been thorough and has allowed individuals and groups to voice their opinions regarding the issue.   I want to reassure our students, faculty, staff and alumni – and all friends of the University – that the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo will be retired with dignity as it becomes part of the tradition and history of the University of North Dakota.

I want to bring you up to date on recent events related to the nickname and logo.  But first let me a take a moment to welcome everyone to the start of a new academic year.  I can feel the energy, enthusiasm, and excitement in the air as many return to campus from being gone all summer.  We also have the privilege of welcoming our new students and families in the upcoming Welcome Weekend.  I encourage you to participate in these events so you can meet some of our new students.  A special welcome to our new faculty, as well.  We look forward to you joining our community.

As you may know, our university had been directed by the State Board of Higher Education to retire the nickname and logo of our athletic programs by August 15, 2011.  The transition was proceeding when the State Legislature passed a bill requiring UND to retain the name and logo.  After the Governor signed that bill into law, the State Board directed me to suspend any further activities associated with its retirement.

Following a meeting last Friday between North Dakota officials and the leadership of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the State Board of Higher Education held a teleconference meeting today and instructed me to resume the process of planning the retirement of the nickname and logo consistent with prior Board action.  The State Board of Higher Education extended the deadline to complete that process through December 2011.  I will resume the planning process, mindful of the state law which, as of Aug. 1, directs the University of North Dakota to continue to use our nickname and logo.  Gov. Jack Dalrymple has indicated that he will urge the North Dakota Legislature to readdress that law in the special session of the North Dakota Legislature planned for November.

The controversy surrounding the name and logo cannot be permitted to deter us from our core missions of teaching and learning, research, and service.  We begin the 2011-2012 academic year as strong as our university has ever been.  Our talented and dedicated faculty and staff, supported by our committed alumni and friends, will sustain the momentum that has been generated in recent months around the Exceptional UND initiatives that can establish our position as a world-class institution of higher education.

I know that each of us will do all we can to contribute to the success of all of us.  Our university has a long and distinguished history and tradition, and we all play important roles in writing the next chapter.

Robert O. Kelley
President