Kelley to resume retirement process

[IrishSiouxFan]

Today President Kelley released this statement:

Dear Campus Community:

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 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 nickname 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

[jodcon]

So if I'm reading this correctly, we will be on the H & A list from tomorrow until sometime in December after the special session repeals the nickname law (probably). So by December there has to be a new nickname ready to go, does that mean they are going to start working on it now or wait until after the special session in November?

The thought of coming up with a new nickname in the 11th hour of this deal scares the hell out of me.

[bisonh8er]

Pretty weak statement if you ask me. It feels like Kelly is just throwing the logo out like its a piece of garbage. Maybe its just me but we are already being forced to get rid of it; the least he could do is give it the respect it deserves.

[Goon]

Pretty weak statement if you ask me. It feels like Kelly is just throwing the logo out like its a piece of garbage. Maybe its just me but we are already being forced to get rid of it; the least he could do is give it the respect it deserves.

you can read the glee in his voice as his fingers danced across his key board, he probably soiled himself...

[Let'sGoHawks!]

So when I go to football in a few weeks, will we be the sioux? How about hockey?

[IrishSiouxFan]

In my opinion the main problem with the NCAA/UND settlement is that it didn't make concessions for in the event that one or both tribes were unable to make a decision regarding the Sioux nickname. Standing Rock did not officially say no, they said that it was not in their bylaws to hold a referendum. There should have been provisions in the settlement that stated that in this unique event only one tribes approval is necessary. I think it's despicable how the NCAA treated the leaders of Spirit Lake by denying them admission to the meeting last week, they basically told them that your opinion on a matter that concerns you is irrelevant. It amazes me that nickname opponents really see themselves as the knights in shining armor instead of as the Gestapo oppressing the symbol of cultural pride to the majority of Sioux in the state.

[iramurphy]

you can read the glee in his voice as his fingers danced across his key board, he probably soiled himself...

That's a cheap shot. He just did a great job with a potential recruit last week when he was getting ready to make the wasted trip to the NCAA. I never once felt he was happy about the NCAA's decision but it was a done deal before he arrived here and he was told that when he got the job. He wore the Fighting Sioux logo last spring. Most of us could see we were screwed unless the tribes stepped up to the plate and one of them didn't. Blame them and their tribal council. It is past time to move on. Once the decision was removed from UND's authority, we were screwed. UND and the State Board supported the name and logo log after it became apparent we no longer controlled the outcome yet UND officials and the board have been ripped and criticized whether they have had any real involvement or not. I guess we all at times need a scape goat to direct our frustrations but it is time to move on. There are an awful lot of people who are impressed with Kelly and want him to be allowed to lead UND for the next few years. Doesn't mean I agree with every statement he has made nor every step he has taken but it is time to let it go. I will never do any business with the Standing Rock Tribal council nor ever set foot in their Casino and I doubt they care what I do but that was that organization that had time and could have made the decision that would have allowed us to keep the name.

[bisonh8er]

That's a cheap shot. He just did a great job with a potential recruit last week when he was getting ready to make the wasted trip to the NCAA. I never once felt he was happy about the NCAA's decision but it was a done deal before he arrived here and he was told that when he got the job. He wore the Fighting Sioux logo last spring. Most of us could see we were screwed unless the tribes stepped up to the plate and one of them didn't. Blame them and their tribal council. It is past time to move on. Once the decision was removed from UND's authority, we were screwed. UND and the State Board supported the name and logo log after it became apparent we no longer controlled the outcome yet UND officials and the board have been ripped and criticized whether they have had any real involvement or not. I guess we all at times need a scape goat to direct our frustrations but it is time to move on. There are an awful lot of people who are impressed with Kelly and want him to be allowed to lead UND for the next few years. Doesn't mean I agree with every statement he has made nor every step he has taken but it is time to let it go. I will never do any business with the Standing Rock Tribal council nor ever set foot in their Casino and I doubt they care what I do but that was that organization that had time and could have made the decision that would have allowed us to keep the name.

I think overall Kelly is a fine president. I think he has a good vision of what this university could be. That being said, I really think he botched the entire logo situation. Even as a student at the university I have never thought that Kelly nor Faison have showed enough support for the name. They both represent the school and neither of them went to bat for it when they were needed. Instead they sat back and let the process unfold. Could you see a president at a big time university throwing their own school under the bus like these two did. Again I think Kelly and Faison can both be very good for the school. But, as far as the nickname goes, I think they both screwed up royally. I compare it to a manager for a baseball team. If your player gets tossed or is arguing with an ump then you get your butt out there and stand up for your guy. You don't have to agree with your player but you better show him who's side your standing on and I never once felt like Kelly or Faison were standing behind the logo, alumni, or school in regards to the name and its a shame because that should be one of the primary duties of their job.

[Goon]

That's a cheap shot. He just did a great job with a potential recruit last week when he was getting ready to make the wasted trip to the NCAA. I never once felt he was happy about the NCAA's decision but it was a done deal before he arrived here and he was told that when he got the job. He wore the Fighting Sioux logo last spring. Most of us could see we were screwed unless the tribes stepped up to the plate and one of them didn't. Blame them and their tribal council. It is past time to move on. Once the decision was removed from UND's authority, we were screwed. UND and the State Board supported the name and logo log after it became apparent we no longer controlled the outcome yet UND officials and the board have been ripped and criticized whether they have had any real involvement or not. I guess we all at times need a scape goat to direct our frustrations but it is time to move on. There are an awful lot of people who are impressed with Kelly and want him to be allowed to lead UND for the next few years. Doesn't mean I agree with every statement he has made nor every step he has taken but it is time to let it go. I will never do any business with the Standing Rock Tribal council nor ever set foot in their Casino and I doubt they care what I do but that was that organization that had time and could have made the decision that would have allowed us to keep the name.

Go back and read what he wrote you can feel the excitement in his letter. He had no intention of supporting the nickname.

Edited August 16, 2011 by Goon

[petey23]

So when I go to football in a few weeks, will we be the sioux? How about hockey?

They might call us somehting different or nothing at all, but we will always be the SIOUX!

[Oxbow6]

That's a cheap shot.

cheap shot (noun): an unfair verbal attack on a vulnerable target.

You want to reconsider your choice of words?

Personally, I agree with what Goon said earlier in this thread.

[Goon]

cheap shot (noun): an unfair verbal attack on a vulnerable target.

You want to reconsider your choice of words?

Personally, I agree with what Goon said earlier in this thread.

I am not sure how he can call it a cheap shot, it's apparent from reading the blog post that he was very excited.

[Jeremy_und2004]

Anybody know how long they will be selling merchandise? Scheels already had alot of stock on sale today but it didn't seem like a "rush clearance".

[jedi]

I am not sure how he can call it a cheap shot, it's apparent from reading the blog post that he was very excited.

He comes off as excited about the start of a new academic year to me. He should be because UND has a lot of great things going for it. You can hate on Kelley all you want, but this thing was over before he even came to UND.

[Teeder11]

Go back and read what he wrote you can feel the excitement in his letter. He had no intention of supporting the nickname.

I talked to him after today's meeting outside of his office, and he was anything but gleeful. He didn't crack a smile nor dance a little jig nor did he high five Mr. Shaft on his way out the door. He did look very wore down, like a dog who'd been kicked around the block. He didn't complain, though. He looked like a leader who supported an unpopular decision, but one that in his heart of hearts, was the best decision for the future of the University as a whole. Think what you want about what you read on partisan blogs. Believe what you want about what you hear second and thirdhand. I'll believe what I see firsthand and hear from the man himself.

[Siouxperman8]

That's a cheap shot. He just did a great job with a potential recruit last week when he was getting ready to make the wasted trip to the NCAA. I never once felt he was happy about the NCAA's decision but it was a done deal before he arrived here and he was told that when he got the job. He wore the Fighting Sioux logo last spring. Most of us could see we were screwed unless the tribes stepped up to the plate and one of them didn't. Blame them and their tribal council. It is past time to move on. Once the decision was removed from UND's authority, we were screwed. UND and the State Board supported the name and logo log after it became apparent we no longer controlled the outcome yet UND officials and the board have been ripped and criticized whether they have had any real involvement or not. I guess we all at times need a scape goat to direct our frustrations but it is time to move on. There are an awful lot of people who are impressed with Kelly and want him to be allowed to lead UND for the next few years. Doesn't mean I agree with every statement he has made nor every step he has taken but it is time to let it go. I will never do any business with the Standing Rock Tribal council nor ever set foot in their Casino and I doubt they care what I do but that was that organization that had time and could have made the decision that would have allowed us to keep the name.

Agree with Ira here. President Kelley's hands have been tied from day one on the job. He knows this isn't popular but he also knows what he needs to do. I see good leadership.

[star2city]

They actually plan to institute a name-change in the middle of the school year? Why? IMHO, the SBOHE and Kelley are fearful a a new law suit - this one by people of Spirit Lake against the NCAA that declares the NCAA a discriminatory organization. If a Spirit Lake group gained standing, their arguments would be legitimate in court. (The NCAA only demanded one Objiwe tribe in Michigan for CMU. The NCAA is discriminating against Spirit Lake by requiring a different standard: two tribes. The lawsuit settlement agreed to by the state of ND and the NCAA -- which Spirit Lake had no part of - discriminated against Spirit Lake.) By dropping the name mid-season, any lawsuit would also need an injunction against the State / UND from dropping the nickname. Once the name is dropped, the name will never come back.

[Siouxperman8]

They actually plan to institute a name-change in the middle of the school year? Why? IMHO, the SBOHE and Kelley are fearful a a new law suit - this one by people of Spirit Lake against the NCAA that declares the NCAA a discriminatory organization. If a Spirit Lake group gained standing, their arguments would be legitimate in court. (The NCAA only demanded one Objiwe tribe in Michigan for CMU. The NCAA is discriminating against Spirit Lake by requiring a different standard: two tribes. The lawsuit settlement agreed to by the state of ND and the NCAA -- which Spirit Lake had no part of - discriminated against Spirit Lake.) By dropping the name mid-season, any lawsuit would also need an injunction against the State / UND from dropping the nickname. Once the name is dropped, the name will never come back.

Why rush the change? I 'm sure the threat from the Big Sky is the reason.

[Goon]

He comes off as excited about the start of a new academic year to me. He should be because UND has a lot of great things going for it. You can hate on Kelley all you want, but this thing was over before he even came to UND.

No one said I hated Kelley, I am not impressed how he has dealt with this issue. No one said hate.

[fourwindsboy]

Hoka hey!!!

[Ranger]

AMF!

[GeauxSioux]

Over the years Iramurphy has always had some inside information on what is going on. I've learned to trust what he posts as being informed and thoughtful. Teeder11 fits that same mold. You may not always like or agree with what they are saying, but it is usually well thought out and dead on.

[Goon]

I think overall Kelly is a fine president. I think he has a good vision of what this university could be. That being said, I really think he botched the entire logo situation. Even as a student at the university I have never thought that Kelly nor Faison have showed enough support for the name. They both represent the school and neither of them went to bat for it when they were needed. Instead they sat back and let the process unfold. Could you see a president at a big time university throwing their own school under the bus like these two did. Again I think Kelly and Faison can both be very good for the school. But, as far as the nickname goes, I think they both screwed up royally. I compare it to a manager for a baseball team. If your player gets tossed or is arguing with an ump then you get your butt out there and stand up for your guy. You don't have to agree with your player but you better show him who's side your standing on and I never once felt like Kelly or Faison were standing behind the logo, alumni, or school in regards to the name and its a shame because that should be one of the primary duties of their job.

I think that is well said.

[Blackheart]

Go back and read what he wrote you can feel the excitement in his letter. He had no intention of supporting the nickname.

Agreed 100%. Who knows what the outcome could have been had UND's/North Dakota's leadership given keeping the nickname an honest shot?

[ScottM]

AMF!