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University officials will discontinue the use of the "Indian" nickname Sept. 30 in accordance with a decision by Indiana University of Pennsylvania Council of Trustees last week.
The decision authorizes IUP to "take all necessary steps to discontinue use of the nickname, proceed immediately to present a new nickname and mascot, according to a news release.
"The issue is one that is highly controversial and sensitive, due to different perspectives by alumni and others," said IUP President Tony Atwater in the release.
Students and faculty alike have been buzzing about the school mascot and nickname changes.
Now, all members of the IUP community are being urged to cast their vote.
Since the university was denied an appeal to the NCAA last April - which would have allowed the school to continue using the nickname "Indians" without imposed restrictions - there has been a struggle to respond with a change that will appease everyone.
Robert Davies, vice president for Institutional Advancement at IUP, has been working with other members of IUP administration and faculty to respond to the NCAA's ruling against Native American imagery or names. Davies, along with the involved committee, now asks IUP students and faculty to present their opinions in an ongoing online poll at iup.edu/mascot. Polling closes Sept. 30.
In addition, open forums will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. today and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in Eberly Auditorium. This forum will not be in the style of a debate, however those who attend will be invited to express their opinions on the issue within an allotted amount of time.
IUP eliminated all Native American images in 1991 and now uses a bear, Cherokee, as its mascot. It continued to use the name Indians but was placed on the NCAA "hit list" last year - along with 28 other schools - for using the nickname, which was deemed "hostile and abusive."
Despite the ardent argument that the name Indiana literally translates into "land of the Indians," the NCAA executive committee did not change its decision. IUP gathered information starting in May before releasing its decision one week ago.
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