Why is UND transitioning away from the nickname and logo?

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  That law, which became effective Aug. 1, was rescinded during a Special Session of the North Dakota Legislature in November.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.