On December 21st, 2000, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education unilaterally declared that UND would not only keep the disrespectful "Fighting Sioux" nickname, but also mandated that it begin the immediate use of a brand new logo, which is a clear step backwards. It was later revealed that a letter sent by wealthy hotel-owner Ralph Engelstad to President Kupchella and the Board threatened the removal of his $100 million blood-money donation if the nickname was changed. The Board acted suspiciously fast thereafter.
Kupchella's cowering response to the Board
| UND Students and Alumni criticize the Board's decision |
| Leeann Kearney Dana Williams Matt Graber Keely Thomas David M. Gipp, United Tribes Technical College |
| UND Faculty proceed to criticze the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education's coup d'etat |
| Dr. Jerry Bass, Education Dr. Cindy Juntunen, Counseling Dr. Margaret Zidon, Education Dr. Jim Mochoruk, History Dr. Mary Jane Schneider, Indian Studies Dr. Don Poochigian, Philosophy Dr. Mary Cutler, Theatre Arts Dr. Jan Zahrly, Management Lucy Ganje, Communication Dr. Michael Wittgraf, Music Dr. Clifford Staples, Sociology |
