UND's nickname, Fighting Sioux, has been surrounded by controversy for over 30 years. Ever since last August, when the NCAA Executive committee "adopted a new policy to prohibit NCAA colleges and universities from displaying hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames or imagery at any of the 88 NCAA championships," the controversy has raged on. UND has made two appeals and we are currently awaiting a decision regarding the second appeal.

There has been palpable tension on campus. Faculty, administrators and students, across campus, have come together a number of times to participate in forums. Inspired by Dean Dan Rice, sponsored by the College of Education and Human Development, and the collaborative effort of a dedicated committee, four forums have been held. There will be more to come throughout the spring semester.

People are talking, not with raised voices. People are listening, not just hearing. The purpose of the forums is to look at the importance and examine the impact of collegiate logos on campus and beyond. We are thankful to the individuals who have chosen to participate and have done so with open minds and with the desire to teach and learn.

The roundtable forums are held with a panel of three to four individuals with varying academic and professional backgrounds. For example, the November 2 forum included Cindy Juntunen, professor in the Department of Counseling, discussed the psychological perspective including the recent resolution regarding collegiate logos adopted by the American Psychological Association; Phil Harmeson, senior associate to the President, provided insight regarding university management and the decision-making processes of a complex educational organization; Jack Russell Weinstein, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, provided insights and perspectives derived from philosophical foundations; and Tim O'Keefe, executive vice president of the UND Alumni Association and UND Foundation, represented UND alumni.

The purpose of the forums is to have a safe and positive exchange of ideas from professionals and to look at all sides of the issue, rather than continue rely on letters to the editor of the local papers, often one-sided views.

There has been a positive response from those involved in the forums and others on campus. UND President Charles Kupchella used the first forum as an example in the University's second appeal of the NCAA ruling.

The University continues to give reasoned consideration to the viewpoints of all concerning this issue. For example, just last month a campus-wide forum was sponsored by the College of Education and Human Development showcasing the handling of controversial issues using multi-disciplinary perspectives. Members from four different disciplines presented as part of a panel discussion relating to the logo issue. It was held in the International Center on campus to a full room. Members of the audience were diverse and included UND's Athletic Director and its General Counsel. (UND's second appeal, November 4, 2005 , page 15)