Higher Ed. Board Meets in Minot
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| 11/19/2009 |
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| The State Board of Higher Education met in Minot Thursday with many issues on the agenda, but the two at the top of the list were no surprise, the fighting Sioux nickname and the high cost of new homes for two university presidents. These two controversial issues may finally be put to rest but not without their fair share of arguments. First, the new president’s homes at North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota costing far more than estimated. This over-spending amounts to more than $500,000 at NDSU and more than $250,000 at UND. Many members of the board are frustrated because that money that could have been used elsewhere. “Wow, that`s money we could have put to good use and brought a bigger bang on a return than buying shingles or sealant for the concrete,” says board member Jon Jackson. The board approved that at NDSU, the Development Foundation will cover over half of the debt and the other part will be paid for with school funds that are not connected to tuition or general fund dollars. The UND costs will be covered with private donations. But the second question that still needs to be resolved is if the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo can be used on the UND campus. The nickname battle has gone on for several years and North Dakota University System Chancellor Bill Goetz says it`s a very sensitive and divisive issue with both the tribal council and reservation. “This is an issue that has an environment of pitting people against each other, families against each other, within families,” says Goetz. Currently, the NCAA and the state has given UND until November 30, 2010, to win the support of the state`s two Sioux tribes. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe is still undecided. The state has tried to move up next fall`s deadline, but a group of nickname supporters has filed a lawsuit to prevent the board from moving that date. “We`re in the process of working a legal response and a motion to dismiss the temporary restraining order and underlying lawsuit,” Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem commented. After a closed door meeting with the board and Stenehjem, there is still no definite answer. |
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