Big Uproar here in Connecticut is that UCONN is getting a newer fiercer Jonathan the husky. I am totally against it because –Big Business has NO PLACE in making demands on public schools!!!
It’s not just the husky, which is their “primary logo” that will go, but the “C” is either gone or getting revised as well. Currently all that’s left while waiting for the new dog are the words UCONN and HUSKIES, some of which are shown on RED backgrounds!
While I usually don’t mind logo changes I bristle at the thought of Big Business coming in to public universities and making demands. Yup, all across the country NIKE is forcing schools to change their logos so that Nike can sell more shirts. They don’t deny it, in fact they are proud of it!
I happen to work for a small company that makes officially licensed collegiate products, non apparel. We have watched as Nike has come in, demanded logo changes, and has forced schools to give them exclusive access to some of the new logo designs. Nike apparently pays for the designs and new uniforms – who pays for changing out all the logos on campus and online? Does anyone else notice that they all have a sort of Nike swoop look to them? Nike promises them large returns in royalties for the logo use and from what we have read in industry papers, they are demanding to be the only apparel maker, eliminating ALL competition. This creates a monopoly in the industry. While one might say that shouldn’t matter, it takes away the opportunity for other companies to create and design fun clothing for students and alumni to wear, and it fosters the homogenization of America, created by NIKE.
It sends the wrong message to students:
- no competition is allowed, only the “chosen” wins
- money buys loyalty, respect and pride
- it’s okay to support big business to be a bully!
As tax payers, we are allowing this to happen to our public universities!
I think that public colleges and universities should not be allowed to enter agreements with corporations like this. College athletes aren’t allowed to take gifts or get special treatment from merchandising companies, so why should the public school they attend be any different? Letting one company come in like this sets a precedent for other large corporations to follow and demand that their needs be met, perhaps not just in athletics but other areas of the university as well.
Although I see negative comments by people, I’m dismayed to see so little student reaction to their schools decisions, although I recently found a petition for UCONN, and some discussion, although I think most people miss the point. I hope the petition gets heard/read and gets serious consideration from UCONN.
I fear it’s too late, and soon we’ll attend Nike University, Whataburger State College, Duncan Donuts U, KFC YUM! College, College of Sav-on Foods and think nothing of it.
Artist Anna Harding 