Image via WikipediaIs the
North Dakota State board of Higher Education on a collision course with the
Fighting Sioux nickname supporters? The big question pending is; if the nickname law goes back into effect, what would the ND Board of Higher Education do?
Board could act
If the repeal bill is suspended and the earlier nickname law goes back into effect, “the question then is, ‘What would the State Board of Higher Education do?’ ” Stenehjem said.
Several people argued during the legislative debates that the nickname mandate authored by House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo, violated the state Constitution, which grants governing authority over the state’s colleges to the board.
If the requirement that UND keep the nickname goes into effect again, “the board will have to decide what if anything it wants to do,” Stenehjem said.
UND is in the midst of retiring the nickname and logo with a transition that is to be substantially completed by Dec. 31, by state board directive. Board members and UND officials have expressed concern that a continuing fight over the nickname could jeopardize the university’s transition to Division I athletics and its planned affiliation next year with the Big Sky Conference.
Grant Shaft, president of the state board, said on Tuesday that the board has not discussed what it might do in the event referral petitions are filed and the keep-the-nickname law is temporarily reinstated. [Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald]
Image via WikipediaIs the North Dakota State board of Higher Education on a collision course with the Fighting Sioux nickname supporters? The big question pending is; if the nickname law goes back into effect, what would the ND Board of Higher Education do? 
