The bill to change the name of DSU is heading to the full Senate

Yesterday’s Rally on The Dixie State campus had a great turn out.  Former St. George Mayor Dan McArthur talked at the rally about the pioneer heritage of the Southern Utah area and why the name “Dixie” is so important to keep. People wore red and carried signs that all, in their own way, begged to keep the name Dixie. The spirit of Dixie was definitely felt yesterday. And even though the bill to change the name is heading to the full Senate, yesterday, the Senate Education Committee passed the legislation in a six-to-one vote, but some revisions were made to the bill. Lawmakers changed the bill to not explicitly state that the name "Dixie" cannot be used in the school's new name and a "Heritage Committee" must be formed if DSU's new name doesn't include it. That committee would focus on implementing strategies to preserve the heritage, culture and history on DSU's campus. DSU's new name must also reflect their mission and significance to the surrounding region and state and enables them to compete and be recognized nationally.