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NOVEMBER 17, 2000

The President of San Diego State University in California on Thursday announced that the school will keep its "Aztec" identity but will consider changing its logos and depiction of "Monty Montezuma."

"San Diego State University will proudly continue its affiliation with Aztec culture and traditions as embodiments of the virtues of strength, valor, and intellectual achievement," said President Stephen L. Weber. "We will, however, carefully and thoughtfully review the way in which those traditions are portrayed, both on and off the playing field."

Weber's decision brings an end to the debate over whether or not to keep the "Aztec" nickname of the school. Some American Indian and Hispanic students considered it to be offensive and racist.

The majority of the student body, however, disagreed. In a referendum held last month, 95 percent of students voted to keep the nickname. Additionally, some 87 percent voted to keep the "Montezuma" mascot and the "Monty" logo.

In deciding to keep the "Aztec" affiliation, Weber took in a variety of factors and said the decision was not based on "popularity, cost, or tradition." But he noted that local Native American leaders didn't consider the name or logo offensive.

He also said that Miguel Leon Portilla, the recognized Mexican authority on Aztec culture, didn't find anything racist of offensive in the nickname.

The issue, then, Weber said is how the Aztec leader Montezuma is portrayed in the school's logo and mascot. Currently, the "Monty Montezuma" mascot wears a headdress adorned with feathers and a skull and holds a spear and shield.

"It is difficult to argue that our current bare-chested, spear-throwing Monty Montezuma accurately depicts the Aztec leader," said Weber.

Weber will convene a task force of students, alumni, and faculty to consider the logo and mascot. They will make recommendations to Weber by May 1 of next year.

Weber thanked the Native American Student Alliance, a student organization, for helping bring awareness to the issue.

Relevant Links:
Mascots and logos, San Diego State University - www.sdsu.edu/identity/images.html
Aztec Identiy Information, San Diego State University - www.sdsu.edu/identity

Student Opinions:
Sean Clark: Monty is good for Native Americans (The Daily Aztec 10/10)
Human race should unite to eliminate Monty (The Daily Aztec 10/11)