Thread by @BenWinslow

The House Education Committee to consider @KellyMiles4Utah's bill to change the name of @DixieState.

There's 85 people signed up so far for the committee hearing (I don't know if they're all for this bill). The room is also full and there's extra security. @fox13 #utpol

Here's the story I did on Monday when the @DixieState name change bill was introduced: fox13now.com/news/local-new…

The bill has been fast-tracked. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@DixieState trustees are here in the room. We're also up to 98 people signed up online for the House Education Committee.

Chair @lowrysnow announces he's going to consider @hcraighall's bill on educator hearings first because it's quick. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Quick bill is turning out to be "not so quick." #utpol #utleg

Now we're up with the @DixieState name change bill: le.utah.gov/~2021/bills/st…

@KellyMiles4Utah has the university's president with him.

"I personally believe this decision to change the name is in the best interest of our students, the state of Utah and Dixie State." #utpol

.@KellyMiles4Utah outlining @DixieState's big growth and its future with polytechnic-academic model.

"The Dixie name worked wonderfully for decades," he says, adding the school needs a new name to reflect its new mission. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@KellyMiles4Utah says the recommendation to change name unanimous from @DixieState's Board of Trustees, cabinet, student association council, Utah Board of Higher Ed, etc.

"This is the right decision for Dixie State University, its students and the state." @fox13 #utpol #utleg

"I not only feel we should change the name, we must change the name to move the university forward," @DixieState President Richard Williams says.

Williams says he's been asked if it's "cancel culture, BLM and Antifa" pressure. He says no. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Williams says students and alumni have pushed for the name change. He acknowledges this conversation is 50 years old, and says @DixieState used to use confederacy logos (including the flag, a rebel mascot, etc.).

@fox13 #utpol #utleg

Surveys and polls have found the name "Dixie" is negative, Williams says. Their votes on changing the name is unanimous.

"We have all reached common ground," he says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

"How can I look them in the eye after all the struggle they have had, the hard work, and say 'Oh by the way you might have a few issues... because of one word in the name of the university?" Williams says.

He says students can't wear school gear outside Utah because of "Dixie."

Williams says he's doing this sti "stick up" for students, faculty and staff.

"This is not about canceling our heritage... this is about saving the future of our graduates," he says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@DixieState Board of Trustees President David Clark (a former House Speaker in the #utleg) now testifying in favor of the name change.

He says this is a hard decision, but this is "right" and motivated by "what is best for our students."

@fox13 #utpol #utleg

Clark says students keep having to explain "Dixie" to others, even when the regional definition is different?

"We don't have the power to change their definition," he says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Clark pushes back on claims they're doing away with their heritage. He says instead, they're doing something for the next generation.

"Am I looking backward, or am I looking forward?" he says.

@fox13 #utpol #utleg

USBE's David Woolstenhulme supports it.

@DixieState's Student Body President Penny Mills also speaks in favor of it. She says the name IS impacting job prospects.

"It is necessary the name needs to be changed," she says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

"We love the pioneers. We love those that started this institution. We want to honor them and they would want to honor us as students," Mills testifies.

She says they can't wear @DixieState gear without funny looks out of state. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Employers are uncomfortable with the name and that's impacting students.

"My stance is that it needs to change," she says.

Now committee questions. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@KellyMiles4Utah says there is an amendment. @BradLast is introducing it.

Here it is. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@djohnsonhouse4 says his sense is students are ready for a name change and proud of their education.

"I'm in favor of this name change and I will be voting yes," he declares. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@WaldripSteve says he's received over 900 emails so far on this bill.

He says some think there's a "secret process" going on.

@KellyMiles4Utah says he appreciates people's passion, but he still thinks it's time to move forward and it's a transparent process. @fox13 #utpol

Williams adds that some of the conspiracy and rumors started when @Intermountain dropped "Dixie" and @thechicks did similar.

"People bought things that are just not true," he says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@WaldripSteve asks to clarify they followed their traditional process?

Yes, Williams says.

@adamerobertson asks how will the process include the community, even those disgruntled about losing the name? @fox13 #utpol #utleg

"We have experience with this," Williams says, noting @DixieState went from the "Rebel" mascot to "Red Storm" and then to "Trailblazer."

He commits to a public process that will involve the community as they pick a new name (assuming this passes). @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Williams says they will not box themselves in with a name right now.

"We will be open and transparent with a process," he says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Now public comment. @lowrysnow reads the rules and warns they have "a large number" of requests to comment. He's limiting them to 1 minute each.

He reserves the right to mute if they go over. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@lowrysnow taking in-person comments first. 1 for and 3 against.

Candice (whose last name I didn't catch), a student, says the name of a university should not hold a student back. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Tim Anderson says he has letters from @Cityofstgeorge's mayor, Santa Clara, etc., saying they are opposed to the name change.

He warns it will reduce donations from alumni.

"It looks like the community is not on board," he says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Janet (whose name I didn't catch) who says she teaches at @DixieState calls this "frustrating." She asked for postponing it because of #COVID19.

She adds she has "strong conservative values." @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Canton Boss (?) says he's speaking on behalf of many students.

He says he's upset @DixieState's president wouldn't meet with him and they're "ignoring the majority of students" and ostracizing those who "have pro-Dixie stances." @fox13 #utpol #utleg

"There is a great name for the university. It is Dixie State University. It is a name we love, and we wish to keep," Canton Vause says.

Andrew Basil, a senior at @DixieState, says students are misrepresented and they feel the opposite. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Basil says even students of color have no problem with the name.

"We don't need to fall into cancel culture," he says.

Damon Basil, a southern Utah resident, begins by apologizing for "the time you have to take for this issue." @fox13 #utpol #utleg

"The actions that are being taken are gutting the community," he says. "This has been disguised, it has been kept secret and sprung on the community in the dark of night."

He urges keeping the name. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Now, online public comment.

@lowrysnow is trying to get one for, one against. And this is going to be tricky.

Guillem Parra Bazan, a @DixieState student, speaks in favor and says it's for student opportunities and "not have to deal with the Dixie name." @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Stephen Wade, a former trustee of @DixieState (and a BIG booster), says "this is not the time for this decision to be made."

He says it has not been vetted by the community. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@lowrysnow cuts Wade off.

Riley Randall, a @DixieState student, says she's talked to hundreds of her fellow students and "they want the name to change."

"I totally understand the local love and the meaning but it has to change," she says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Right now, based on the screen I see, there are A LOT more comments online in favor of the bill to change the name than against it.

Jeff Jennings says retain the name. He complains about "statues, buildings and schools that are now under attack." @fox13 #utpol #utleg

I've got to step out to go be on @fox13 @ 5:30 with the latest on this. I'll be back on Twitter soon. #utpol #utleg

Back in the committee hearing, Natalie Drake, a @DixieState alum, speaking against the bill.

"I think we are rushing this and there needs to be a lot more impact from the committee," she says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Sarah Noel Williams, who describes herself as a conservative "frustrated with the cancel culture."

But she says they need to get rid of the name Dixie.

She says she saw the yearbook pics (that we broadcast) that made her decide that. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Wow. That's it for those against the @DixieState name change.

@lowrysnow now accepting some more "for" comments (more people for than against).

Kristy Pike says they need to take into account students' futures and change the name. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@lowrysnow will take one more comment, even though there's a dozen more who want to speak for the name change.

Rick Atkin, a St. George resident, says a name change will have a positive impact on the community. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@lowrysnow ends public comment.

@BradLast now moves his amendment, which he says he's offering as an "olive branch" for the community.

It allows for the campus to still be referred to as "the Dixie campus." @fox13 #utpol #utleg

"The term Dixie, in southern Utah, is positive," @BradLast says, referencing pioneers who settled in a warmer climate.

"I know people won't believe that, but I cherish it as well."

@fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@BradLast says it means signage on campus won't change a lot, but it still allows students to use the new name going forward.

"In St. George, where we love and care about the Dixie name, we will be able to have the Dixie campus." @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@BradLast points out there's a @DixieState Hurricane campus, Kanab campus and soon to be a Hildale campus. St. George will be the "Dixie campus."

@WaldripSteve says he is in favor of the amendment (feeling it's a good compromise). @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@RepKarenKwan says she opposes the amendment.

"I think we need a clean break," she says. "I think it dishonors the intent of the name change."

She's in support of the underlying bill "a complete name change." @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@KellyMiles4Utah says it's a friendly amendment and he won't fight it.

"This does not change the language in the underlying bill," he says.

His bill basically says "Dixie" will NOT be the name of the school going forward. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

Committee votes 12-1 FOR the amendment to allow "Dixie campus" (with @RepKarenKwan being the lone vote no).

@BradLast makes a motion to pass the bill to the House floor. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@BradLast acknowledges he works at @DixieState. He says he originally thought "I don't want to be here if this isn't Dixie."

But "my mind was expanded" and he understands "how the term Dixie impacts other people." @fox13 #utpol #utleg

"I think the name is a bit of a distraction, a deterrence, to the success of our students," @BradLast says.

He says it's the right thing to do. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@RepEWeight speaks in favor of the bill.

@WaldripSteve says the university is getting bigger and the world is getting smaller. He's in favor of the bill. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@adamerobertson says this is a "sensitive topic" and he is "deeply concerned over cancel culture."

He says people in the Civil War in the North and South "sang and whistled Dixie together."

But he says people are facing bias based on the name "Dixie." @fox13 #utpol

.@adamerobertson says "cancel culture" gives him pause and hesitation.

He's not sure how he'll vote, he says.

@fox13 #utpol #utleg

.@KellyMiles4Utah sums by saying @DixieState is one of Utah's best universities, and its primary charge is to educate and prepare students for the workforce.

"We need to change the name... so this great institution can continue," he says. @fox13 #utpol #utleg

"Hopefully we can adopt the type of name we can all be proud of," @KellyMiles4Utah says.

@BradLast back up and says southern Utahns are welcoming. But it needs to be a university "worthy of the community." @fox13 #utpol #utleg

"The unfortunate truth is we need to change the name to help our students and help our university grow," @BradLast says.

HB278 PASSES the House Education Committee 12-2 with @adamerobertson and @lowrysnow voting no. @fox13 #utpol #utleg