Reinstate - Crest

Reinterpret - Motto

Represent - Change

Everyone's Opinion Matters

Imperial is an amazing British university which has thriving global recognition. Its primary logo, the one used on all modern projects and publishes, matches the university's scientific and academic reputation well. The Historic Crest is used for traditional documentation and merchandise branding. Following a horrific recent event in the US, rather than a public, impulsive reaction to strip the crest of its motto we should be modernising its meaning and perception. More thought and discussion with the people who all represent it should be done before proceeding with such an image change.

Although only a crest, removing or editing it has an individual reflection on us as Imperial students - consent is the essence of equality and as such this requires negotiation, discussion  and agreement.

The college has actively addressed the BLM movement, creating many sustainable opportunities which is only to be celebrated. However, we must remember that living in a democracy means 'everyones opinion matters'.

If every country, establishment or individual was purely judged for the bad things they were responsible for, then no civilisation could claim innocents. This should not be the reason to deface a crest which, if it was a building, would be protected by conservation orders to safeguard and focus on the positives - we look back to reflect, we learn and have a responsibility to progress.

A healthier way of viewing reminders of past empires/country/establishments is to recognise the positives which were achieved, all the while ensuring the mistakes of yesterday aren't repeated. Let history rest and focus on the current world we live in, we need to stop living in the past and focus on building a future with purpose, equality and vision.

To quote Imperial College themselves:

'Note: We are aware that the Latin motto is ambiguous can be translated in a number of different ways'

In this case (re-)defining the official translation could be satisfactory if a change is was truly warranted.

Imperials mission is to benefit society through excellence in science, engineering, medicine and business. This motto represented that at the time, its intentions were pure and the same ones we hold true today. Dont let how we view things over 100 years on change what the motto stood, and still stands for today, science for all.

Thank you for reading this petition, hopefully it has compelled you to give it your support.