New nickname

I received the email about the creation of the Nickname Task Force this afternoon. I’m happy to hear that UND is final moving in a positive direction after being nameless the last few years.

I was on the Student Senate when the Sioux nickname and logo were originally retired and the fiasco with the ND state legislature. I don’t want a return of the Sioux logo and nickname, or the Flickertails (Let’s be real, it’s a gopher). I hope that the students’ voice is the most important voice during the ongoing process.

It’s students that compete and represent UND, and that attend and represent the academic institution.

I know the job of the committee is to bring recommendations to President Kelley. I hope there is a fair pathway for student suggestions and final approval.

So, in my opinion, I believe it should be the students that have the final voice in the process. If there were several options approved by the committee and other university governing bodies, let the final choices be chosen by the student body. A university student vote.

Kyle Slaathaug

UND nursing student