Today, the Mascot Study Group revealed two recommendations in regard to changing the campus mascot and nickname.
At 11:44 a.m. March 3, , an email written by Neil Mortine, a chair member on the Institutional Mission and Identity Committee of the Board of Trustees, was sent out to staff and students giving an update on the mascot situation.
The main and final recommendation settled upon by the study group was to change both the mascot and nickname entirely.
This decision was not unanimous, and a second strategy was presented as well that proposed that the university keep the nickname but clarify what the word “crusade” means to the school specifically, while also making updates to the mascot.
In the executive summary of the study group’s evaluations, it is addressed that many of Capital’s stakeholders do not show strong support in changing the mascot and nickname. It could inadvertently cause an economic impact on the university.
The university claims that monetary resources do not take precedence over the institution’s values and mission, as stated in the summary: “The diversion of limited financial resources from strategic priorities was a key consideration for all participant groups in the study group process.Yet, if the nickname was clearly a violation of the fundamental values of the university, then cost would not be as important of a deciding factor when considering the best interest of the university.”
The Institutional Mission and Identity Committee of the Board of Trustees will continue to assess the recommendation provided by the study group.
They will meet in June to work towards a final decision.
More information can be found on the Mascot Study Group’s web page.
