Woah, hope nobody took what I said as disparaging anyone. Just pointing out that this small group that has lead to this change are A) not a demographic that would be negatively affected by the perceived offense and B) that yes, this “woke” (or whatever you’d like to call it if that’s too harsh of a word) trend of changing such ridiculous things for sake of “see. We are allies” is detrimental to actual movements fighting actual causes. Nobody cares about an M&M or Colonials. Real progress was changing our forts from the names of traitors who fought on the side of oppression and bondage. This here? This is a bunch of rich progressive kids who didn’t get enough attention that week.

Kittles no offense taken

I don’t think it is the name per se that has most of our gang worked up-what has been reiterated a hundred 
times here is that the process was remarkably flawed on several levels.Of course,by definition,some folks 
wouldn’t like whatever name was chosen.In so far as it is the “offseason” and that other than recruits to 
speculate on,I believe it’s obvious that moniker madness would be an important topic of discussion here.
It’s also human nature to complain-trust me on this one-and I for one always take advantage of every opportunity I get to be self-righteous!Also it’s just fun to share angst isn’t. It? -even though we know moniker choices are of infinitesimal significance in the scheme of things.

GW69 wrote:

even though we know moniker choices are of infinitesimal significance in the scheme of things.

I’ll use my off-season angst to disagree a bit. 

The significance relates to the time, effort, money and most importantly, the decision making quality of university leadership. 

In decades as a GW alum—not one single
Person ever mentioned the Colonial moniker as an issue of concern.  This past week—multiple friends/colleagues across the country became aware of the name change through news/social media and have contacted me asking WTF?  No one has reached out saying, “About time you did this!” 

This is not some Redskims debate where you had logos deemed offensive—this was a darn Colonial!!!!   Colonial athletics conferences, Colonial Williamsburg, colonial houses, etc.   

Even if one could go get used to the idea of pursuing a newer, more modern, and “inclusive” moniker—not once did the Administration dispute the accusations against the moniker and acknowledge that the moniker has a proud history that many of us have shared in. Instead, the capitulated at the first sign of protest and cowered unde their desks and review commissions.  Yes, indeed—the process and changes are an embarrassment for many alumni and bewilderment to probably at least half of the country.

My general point regarding university support is that I have lots of options among worthy causes for my charitable giving (non-charitable if NIL). Perhaps I am wrong, but to me, this entire episode seems not just merely a dispute and free inquiry/debate among competing minds in the marketplace of ideas, but another capitulation to the mob dressed up with a process akin to an English king’s privy court.  If that’s what my university is all about and wishes to engage in its most public activity in recent memory, I want nothing to do with it.  I’ll make a single exception to enjoy some college basketball games when I have the chance and the sport still somewhat resembles what attracted me to it in the first instance.  But otherwise—GW is largely dead to me.

Last edited by Merrick (5/27/2023 12:32 pm)

Merrick wrote:

GW69 wrote:

even though we know moniker choices are of infinitesimal significance in the scheme of things.

I’ll use my off-season angst to disagree a bit.

The significance relates to the time, effort, money and most importantly, the decision making quality of university leadership.

In decades as a GW alum—not one single
Person ever mentioned the Colonial moniker as an issue of concern. This past week—multiple friends/colleagues across the country became aware of the name change through news/social media and have contacted me asking WTF? No one has reached out saying, “About time you did this!”

This is not some Redskims debate where you had logos deemed offensive—this was a darn Colonial!!!! Colonial athletics conferences, Colonial Williamsburg, colonial houses, etc.

Even if one could go get used to the idea of pursuing a newer, more modern, and “inclusive” moniker—not once did the Administration dispute the accusations against the moniker and acknowledge that the moniker has a proud history that many of us have shared in. Instead, the capitulated at the first sign of protest and cowered unde their desks and review commissions. Yes, indeed—the process and changes are an embarrassment for many alumni and bewilderment to probably at least half of the country.

My general point regarding university support is that I have lots of options among worthy causes for my charitable giving (non-charitable if NIL). Perhaps I am wrong, but to me, this entire episode seems not just merely a dispute and free inquiry/debate among competing minds in the marketplace of ideas, but another capitulation to the mob dressed up with a process akin to an English king’s privy court. If that’s what my university is all about and wishes to engage in its most public activity in recent memory, I want nothing to do with it. I’ll make a single exception to enjoy some college basketball games when I have the chance and the sport still somewhat resembles what attracted me to it in the first instance. But otherwise—GW is largely dead to me.

Wow-I didn’t know I would get a chance to be self righteous so quickly!You are of course correct-the moniker controversy along with the ML thing along with the US News thing is up there with wars ,earthquakes,mass 
shootings,insurrections etc,etc and etc.Very significant in the scheme of things!

All good my friend.Have a great holiday weekend.-and to all the amazing people on this site.

gwstudent2024 wrote:

Alumni would have a bigger say if they donated more money. And I recognize that it becomes a bit of a self fulfilling prophecy in the sense that you won't donate when GW does stuff you don't like but that leaves the door open for a group of students to start a movement to change the name or do whatever. I understand that students are scapegoated here for many but as a student entering their fourth year at GW I have had no say beyond the surveys sent out to the community as a whole asking for opinions on potential new names. I understand that we often need to point the finger at other generations but I know there are many of us students/recent graduates who have been left frustrated by the name changing process (as many have alluded to here).

As for the name itself, I think Revolutionaries is marginally better than Colonials but a slight increase is not worth all of the time, energy, and money spent on the process. The fact that we had a year of lame duck Colonials without knowing what the name would be is absurd to me and points to the dysfunctional nature of the GW administration many of us are familiar with in many aspects. I've said this before but I think Colonials was a lame name and I stand by that. I'd imagine they'll opt to use Revs but I don't really forsee them moving away from the "George Washington" or "GW" on athletic uniforms. I guess we will see. FWIW, I think Commanders would have been great for GW but the football team stole it.

Also, as they have repeatedly said, they're not going to change the name of the school. If you are scared, get a dog. Or donate more money. Or both. I'm all in on a live mascot

Given that I was a student when we ran the ROTC off campus and ended student government, can’t complain that current students were initiators of the Marvin Center name change and likely the driving force behind dropping Colonials as the school’s moniker. As unnecessary and ill-conceived as I thought the whole effort was, I’m hardly going to fret about it going forward. I’m certainly not going to use it as a rationale for reducing my past support. As for the idea of a live mascot, how cool would it be for a rider on a horse to dash into the Smith Center and announce the coming of the opposing team a la that famous Revolutionary silversmith? Or perhaps better to announce the entrance of GW’s players, “The Colonials are coming! The Colonials are coming!” Oh wait. “The Colonists are coming!” Well, maybe just “REV it up! Here comes your fellow Revolutionaries!”

Custis, I think you have something there. Just keep on saying Colonials and just ignore everything the administration has done. The Administration ignored the alumni so just ignore them.  There will not be any of the students who pressed for the change at the games anyway. 

Cutis wrote:

I too have been disappointed with the name change. Silly and stupid are not intellectual terms to describe some ones actions. But they fit for the administrators involved with this scheme. I particularly like Merrik’s comments -the 3rd and 4th paragraph stating that over the years we have not heard complaints about the Colonial name This was the gist of the letter that I wrote to President Wrighton. I voiced my displeasure. I wondered  if a group of Duke University students approached their administrators with the concern that “Blue Devils” represented evil doings and this must be changed. Surely, they would be shown the door and dismissed out right. 500 hundred students were behind this movement. The days of great administrators like Bob Chernak are long gone. With six months to go until the first basketball game. As the teams approach half court for the opening tip off, I will standing and yell with all my might “Lets go Colonials” Please join me.

I don’t think the name change is great especially given the replacement. I wrote everybody I could think of with my issues with the process but fwiw I consider the matter settled. Fighting it doesn’t help anything

Last edited by FredD (5/28/2023 3:19 pm)

What is whining about whining called
Real whining?
Make a real argument without tossing off accusations.
Since a large majority here think it's nonsense,it's Ok to point that out.
How many times do we have to take whatever deal GW hands to us because of cowering,inept "leadership"
We have endured this bowing to a small minority of students and a few out there professors since 2016. It's not amusing anymore.
Everyone knows who the snowflakes are in this and it's not the critics. Nor should current students suggest a support animal.
They're the ones who need them.
This decision is less than a week old.
What are we supposed to discuss on a GW fan board, especially with no other news?
Feel free to say,"Thank you sir,may I have another?
But don't disparage those who don't want to ask for more.