Group claims 'Dixie' name inappropriate for school

Group claims 'Dixie' name inappropriate for school


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ST. GEORGE — As Dixie State College works toward becoming a university, a minority group says the name Dixie has to go.

College administrators have held several meetings, including a public forum last week, and surveys to discuss ideas for the school's name when it officially gets university status.

Much of the focus has been on whether to drop the name Dixie.

A group of students and other residents have formed a minority coalition. They say the name Dixie, and a confederate statue and flag on campus need to be removed because they symbolize racism.

Jon Martin says if the school wants to expand its horizons, the name should change.

#poll

But many longtime residents of St. George attending the meetings say the name should stay because it represents the area's history.

The school retired its Confederate soldier mascot, Rodney the Rebel, and replaced it with Red Storm in January 2009.

The college is expected to announce its decision on a name in January. This will not be the first name change for the school, which was also called St. George Stake Academy, Dixie Academy and Dixie Junior College in the past.

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Randall Jeppesen

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