Reinstate the former UNC Bear logo as the official UNC logo.
Reinstate the former UNC Bear logo as the official UNC logo.
The Issue
To Whom it May Concern,
Blue, gold, and fearless. That is the bold and confident face of the University of Northern Colorado bear and the image that many current students, prospective students and alumni know and feel proud to identify with. Since 1923, the bear has been the official mascot of UNC. The face of the UNC bear has changed several times throughout the years, and the most recent face of the bear had proved to be a crowd pleaser, or so it was thought. In 2012, a committee evaluated the effectiveness of the university's logos, supposedly with the school's best interests in mind. A decision was reached to update the logo, and three years later in the spring of 2015 on May 15, that update went into effect. Although some greeted the new face of UNC with a smile, many University of Northern Colorado students and alumni were shocked and heartbroken to see that the familiar face they knew and loved had been replaced. The administration of the University of Northern Colorado should be made aware of the frustration among many students and alumni regarding the logo change, and their efforts to restore the old UNC logo to its former glory.
The University of Northern Colorado students and alumni who oppose the new logo understand that a lot of work went into creating and selecting a new logo for the school, however it is unclear as to why their obvious love for the current logo was not taken into consideration. According to a University published overview from September of 2013 regarding the process of updating the university identity, mascot logos, and acronyms, an agency review was conducted in order to gain a non-biased perspective. However perhaps a non-biased perspective was not exactly what the school needed. To the 10,959 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students recorded in the Spring 2015 census and to countless, proud UNC alumni, their input matters! As a respected institution, a large chunk of university funding is derived from student expenses and alumni contributions. For the 2014-2015 school year, the total undergraduate expenses for an in-state resident living on campus was $22,322 and for an out-of-state undergraduate resident living on campus the total expenses were $33,676. With over 8,000 undergraduate students accounted for, that is a lot of money going towards the school. As far as alumni contributions go, exact numbers could not be located; however alumni are known for providing excellent funding for the school that goes towards scholarships and improving various facilities across the university campus. With such a large income from UNC students and alumni, their opinions should certainly take priority over a “non-biased agency review” when the school is making changes, especially if the students and alumni are funding the changes.
The University of Northern Colorado is a state funded institution. This means that another primary source for funding comes from tax-payer money. Not only do undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni provide funding through tuition and contributions, but many of them are also Colorado residents. This means that they are part of the tax-payer community that helps the state fund the university. Undeniably, students and alumni deserve to have their voices heard in the matter of the logo since they are key stakeholders in the financial stability of the school. The UNC student body and alumni are currently under the impression that this is not an inexpensive venture, which may or may not be true. However if this is the case, then the funds of students and alumni are going towards an expensive investment that does not have the approval of most contributors.
In an attempt to challenge the choice of administration to change the logo, a growing assembly of over 1800 University of Northern Colorado students and alumni have come together through social media on Facebook to show their support of the former UNC Bear logo. Going back to the published overview from September 18, 2013, the UNC committee had some concerns regarding the University Identity and Mascot Logos that, according to the UNC student body and alumni no longer hold to be true, if they ever did. Under the section of the overview labeled, “University Identity” it states, “However, none of the university logos have overwhelming support as must-keep logos.” This may have been a deciding factor in the need to redesign the schools logo at the time, however in the two years that have passed since this statement was made, UNC students and alumni have proven they support the former logo. On the new University of Northern Colorado profile picture depicting the new chosen logo for the university, the student body and alumni members were not afraid to voice their opinions regarding the new logo. After seeing the new logo one student boldly said, “Absolutely not. This is not what the students voted for and it looks horrible compared to our 'old' logo. Change it back.” Another student claimed she had even talked with other faculty regarding the change and found them to be displeased as well, “A number of faculty that I have talked with feel the same as the student body about the new logo, it goes from being proud and viscous, to dopey and pudgy, like we can't stand up for ourselves because of our size of our school. Emblems say a lot more than most seem to think they do.” These are just two of many examples of student feedback regarding the idea that the former logo was not supported as a must keep logo.
Under the section of the overview labeled, “Mascot Logos” it is said that, “The athletic bear logo has some equity, however it is perceived as having a cartoon or amateur appearance.” Most college and university mascot logos do tend to have a cartoon-like appearance. With this in mind, the new mascot logo has just as much of a cartoon or amateur appearance as the old one if not more. One UNC student said in response to the new logo, “We don't look like a university, more like a childcare center.” Another student said, “The new one looks like a Berenstain Bear.” In the eyes of the UNC student body, the new logo proves to be a step down from the inspiring face of the old logo. There was also concern expressed that there were too many logos for UNC and it was confusing. The students and alumni are confused as to why the old UNC logo could not be promoted as the officially recognized logo of UNC. Creating a new logo has the potential to create further confusion as to which logo is actually associated with the school.
The 2013 overview also mentioned an online survey that would be conducted. In March of 2015, a survey was sent out by the university administration via email asking students their opinion of the potential new logo. Although the exact numerical results of the survey were not able to be located, in the months following the survey leading up to the change, many UNC students expressed how much they disliked the potential new logo and hoped their input on the survey would pay off. However, on May 15 when UNC officially updated the logo on their website, the hearts of UNC students fell, knowing that administration had not in fact taken the students who did not like the logo into consideration. Since no results were found, it is unknown whether more were in favor or against the new logo, but many students are under the impression that more people were against the new logo and administration did not take their opinion into consideration and proceeded with the change regardless of the survey results. On the photo the university put on Facebook, a University of Northern Colorado alumnus stated, “Just had a trustee pretty much tell me that as an alumni, I should be 'proud and push it.' I am actually embarrassed by the logo. Also he said they pretty much like the new logo and that they 'aren't going to change it.' As an alum, I'm going to sign this petition.” Another student added, “Why did you give us a survey asking our opinion on the new logo if you're just going to ignore the students' feelings and opinions toward it? This is awful! I'm actually really embarrassed for UNC now.” Dozens of similar statements flooded the comment section of the changed UNC profile picture. The new student body president of UNC also chimed in to let supporters know that she did not agree with the change and in doing so stated, “I will definitely be speaking to administration about this personally as well when I get back and let them know that this is not what the student body wants, as I'm sure they saw through the surveys. I had no idea they would actually implement this.”
In the latest development, University of Nothern Colorado students and alumni have agreed to start a petition in hopes of gathering enough signatures to gain the attention of administration, and possibly get back the bear logo they love. The UNC Bring Back the Bear Facebook page was officially created so students and alumni could voice their opinions about the changed logo and work together to formulate a plan for a petition. Currently, the page has 1800 plus student and alumni supporters eagerly awaiting a response to their efforts from administration. If the logo change is unable to be reversed, UNC students and alumni want administration to know that they feel angry and betrayed with the changes that took place in spite of an outstanding lack of support from both groups.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
University of Northern Colorado students and alumni
Sources
"Committee Recommends Changes to UNC Logos." News at the University of Northern Colorado. N.p., 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 16 May 2015. http://www.unco.edu/news/releases.aspx?id=5771
"Facebook Logo." Profile Pictures. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2015. <https://www.facebook.com/universitynortherncolorado/photos/a.117094898362482.19488.116847458387226/867043380034293/?type=1&theater>.
Profile, Enrollment. 2015 Spring Census (n.d.): n. pag. 27 Jan. 2015. Web. 16 May 2015. <http://www.unco.edu/iras/PDF's/Spring%2015%20Census%20Enrollment%20Report.pdf>
"UNC Bring Back the Bear." Facebook. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2015. <https://www.facebook.com/uncobearpetition?ref=aymt_homepage_panel>.
"2014-2015 Undergraduate Budget." 2014-2015 Undergraduate Budget. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2015. <http://www.unco.edu/OFA/budget/1415undergrad/index.asp>.
The Issue
To Whom it May Concern,
Blue, gold, and fearless. That is the bold and confident face of the University of Northern Colorado bear and the image that many current students, prospective students and alumni know and feel proud to identify with. Since 1923, the bear has been the official mascot of UNC. The face of the UNC bear has changed several times throughout the years, and the most recent face of the bear had proved to be a crowd pleaser, or so it was thought. In 2012, a committee evaluated the effectiveness of the university's logos, supposedly with the school's best interests in mind. A decision was reached to update the logo, and three years later in the spring of 2015 on May 15, that update went into effect. Although some greeted the new face of UNC with a smile, many University of Northern Colorado students and alumni were shocked and heartbroken to see that the familiar face they knew and loved had been replaced. The administration of the University of Northern Colorado should be made aware of the frustration among many students and alumni regarding the logo change, and their efforts to restore the old UNC logo to its former glory.
The University of Northern Colorado students and alumni who oppose the new logo understand that a lot of work went into creating and selecting a new logo for the school, however it is unclear as to why their obvious love for the current logo was not taken into consideration. According to a University published overview from September of 2013 regarding the process of updating the university identity, mascot logos, and acronyms, an agency review was conducted in order to gain a non-biased perspective. However perhaps a non-biased perspective was not exactly what the school needed. To the 10,959 enrolled undergraduate and graduate students recorded in the Spring 2015 census and to countless, proud UNC alumni, their input matters! As a respected institution, a large chunk of university funding is derived from student expenses and alumni contributions. For the 2014-2015 school year, the total undergraduate expenses for an in-state resident living on campus was $22,322 and for an out-of-state undergraduate resident living on campus the total expenses were $33,676. With over 8,000 undergraduate students accounted for, that is a lot of money going towards the school. As far as alumni contributions go, exact numbers could not be located; however alumni are known for providing excellent funding for the school that goes towards scholarships and improving various facilities across the university campus. With such a large income from UNC students and alumni, their opinions should certainly take priority over a “non-biased agency review” when the school is making changes, especially if the students and alumni are funding the changes.
The University of Northern Colorado is a state funded institution. This means that another primary source for funding comes from tax-payer money. Not only do undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni provide funding through tuition and contributions, but many of them are also Colorado residents. This means that they are part of the tax-payer community that helps the state fund the university. Undeniably, students and alumni deserve to have their voices heard in the matter of the logo since they are key stakeholders in the financial stability of the school. The UNC student body and alumni are currently under the impression that this is not an inexpensive venture, which may or may not be true. However if this is the case, then the funds of students and alumni are going towards an expensive investment that does not have the approval of most contributors.
In an attempt to challenge the choice of administration to change the logo, a growing assembly of over 1800 University of Northern Colorado students and alumni have come together through social media on Facebook to show their support of the former UNC Bear logo. Going back to the published overview from September 18, 2013, the UNC committee had some concerns regarding the University Identity and Mascot Logos that, according to the UNC student body and alumni no longer hold to be true, if they ever did. Under the section of the overview labeled, “University Identity” it states, “However, none of the university logos have overwhelming support as must-keep logos.” This may have been a deciding factor in the need to redesign the schools logo at the time, however in the two years that have passed since this statement was made, UNC students and alumni have proven they support the former logo. On the new University of Northern Colorado profile picture depicting the new chosen logo for the university, the student body and alumni members were not afraid to voice their opinions regarding the new logo. After seeing the new logo one student boldly said, “Absolutely not. This is not what the students voted for and it looks horrible compared to our 'old' logo. Change it back.” Another student claimed she had even talked with other faculty regarding the change and found them to be displeased as well, “A number of faculty that I have talked with feel the same as the student body about the new logo, it goes from being proud and viscous, to dopey and pudgy, like we can't stand up for ourselves because of our size of our school. Emblems say a lot more than most seem to think they do.” These are just two of many examples of student feedback regarding the idea that the former logo was not supported as a must keep logo.
Under the section of the overview labeled, “Mascot Logos” it is said that, “The athletic bear logo has some equity, however it is perceived as having a cartoon or amateur appearance.” Most college and university mascot logos do tend to have a cartoon-like appearance. With this in mind, the new mascot logo has just as much of a cartoon or amateur appearance as the old one if not more. One UNC student said in response to the new logo, “We don't look like a university, more like a childcare center.” Another student said, “The new one looks like a Berenstain Bear.” In the eyes of the UNC student body, the new logo proves to be a step down from the inspiring face of the old logo. There was also concern expressed that there were too many logos for UNC and it was confusing. The students and alumni are confused as to why the old UNC logo could not be promoted as the officially recognized logo of UNC. Creating a new logo has the potential to create further confusion as to which logo is actually associated with the school.
The 2013 overview also mentioned an online survey that would be conducted. In March of 2015, a survey was sent out by the university administration via email asking students their opinion of the potential new logo. Although the exact numerical results of the survey were not able to be located, in the months following the survey leading up to the change, many UNC students expressed how much they disliked the potential new logo and hoped their input on the survey would pay off. However, on May 15 when UNC officially updated the logo on their website, the hearts of UNC students fell, knowing that administration had not in fact taken the students who did not like the logo into consideration. Since no results were found, it is unknown whether more were in favor or against the new logo, but many students are under the impression that more people were against the new logo and administration did not take their opinion into consideration and proceeded with the change regardless of the survey results. On the photo the university put on Facebook, a University of Northern Colorado alumnus stated, “Just had a trustee pretty much tell me that as an alumni, I should be 'proud and push it.' I am actually embarrassed by the logo. Also he said they pretty much like the new logo and that they 'aren't going to change it.' As an alum, I'm going to sign this petition.” Another student added, “Why did you give us a survey asking our opinion on the new logo if you're just going to ignore the students' feelings and opinions toward it? This is awful! I'm actually really embarrassed for UNC now.” Dozens of similar statements flooded the comment section of the changed UNC profile picture. The new student body president of UNC also chimed in to let supporters know that she did not agree with the change and in doing so stated, “I will definitely be speaking to administration about this personally as well when I get back and let them know that this is not what the student body wants, as I'm sure they saw through the surveys. I had no idea they would actually implement this.”
In the latest development, University of Nothern Colorado students and alumni have agreed to start a petition in hopes of gathering enough signatures to gain the attention of administration, and possibly get back the bear logo they love. The UNC Bring Back the Bear Facebook page was officially created so students and alumni could voice their opinions about the changed logo and work together to formulate a plan for a petition. Currently, the page has 1800 plus student and alumni supporters eagerly awaiting a response to their efforts from administration. If the logo change is unable to be reversed, UNC students and alumni want administration to know that they feel angry and betrayed with the changes that took place in spite of an outstanding lack of support from both groups.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
University of Northern Colorado students and alumni
Sources
"Committee Recommends Changes to UNC Logos." News at the University of Northern Colorado. N.p., 18 Sept. 2013. Web. 16 May 2015. http://www.unco.edu/news/releases.aspx?id=5771
"Facebook Logo." Profile Pictures. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2015. <https://www.facebook.com/universitynortherncolorado/photos/a.117094898362482.19488.116847458387226/867043380034293/?type=1&theater>.
Profile, Enrollment. 2015 Spring Census (n.d.): n. pag. 27 Jan. 2015. Web. 16 May 2015. <http://www.unco.edu/iras/PDF's/Spring%2015%20Census%20Enrollment%20Report.pdf>
"UNC Bring Back the Bear." Facebook. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2015. <https://www.facebook.com/uncobearpetition?ref=aymt_homepage_panel>.
"2014-2015 Undergraduate Budget." 2014-2015 Undergraduate Budget. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2015. <http://www.unco.edu/OFA/budget/1415undergrad/index.asp>.
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Petition created on May 18, 2015