Posted on 05/06/2005 4:23:14 AM PDT by hispanarepublicana
Bolled over by alums, Tech backs off on new seal BY ELLIOTT BLACKBURN AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
The Texas Tech University System will return cotton's likeness to new designs of the school seal, an administrator said Thursday.
Associate Vice Chancellor Lynn Denton, the system's head of marketing, said the school will develop new designs of the school seal that include symbols representing cotton.
"We've decided that we are going to put cotton plants back into the seal," Denton said.
Alumni became alarmed earlier this week after speculation circulated the Internet that the school was downplaying the Double T logo and removing cotton from the seal.
Officials assured the Tech community that the Double T logo was in no danger of retirement but confirmed at a Wednesday news conference that there were plans to remove 10 cotton bolls crossing the school shield.
Updated and uniform school seals and shields would replace a confusing number of individual college and program logos.
The new designs were created as part of a broader marketing effort, developed over the last year and a half by firms in Lubbock, Austin and Chicago, to improve the school's national image.
The change angered many cotton farmers who graduated from Tech, including Plains Cotton Cooperative Association head Eddie Smith.
Smith was cautious about the announcement Thursday, but said it was encouraging.
"I think that's an excellent first step and then we'll just see how it develops from there," Smith said. "I think it just shows that Tech officials are, as they should be, sensitive to the alumni and the surrounding community."
Denton reported the decision after a two-hour presentation given to Steve Verett, Plains Cotton Growers Inc. executive vice president, and the John Johnson, spokesman for the Plains Cotton Cooperative Association.
Verett, a Tech alumnus, said he told administrators that the best solution would be to make minor improvements to the existing seal.
He supported the university's efforts to better market the school, and was pleased with a productive meeting, he said.
"We appreciate them being able to look at a compromise," Verett said. "It's my preference that the shield stay as it is today and still be used in their effort to move forward ."
Johnson also supported the university's re-branding efforts, but believed the best choice would be to return to the original seal.
"I advised the best way to stop the controversy is not to change the seal at all," Johnson said. "I work for 29,000 stockholders in a farmer-owned co-op, and they have not authorized me to negotiate."
The school seal was designed in 1927 and formally adopted in 1953. Ten cotton bolls representing the 10 cotton producing counties around Lubbock cross the shield.
Changes to the school shield were not part of the compromise. The new cotton image would be incorporated into the larger seal, Denton said.
The newest designs should be prepared in time for next week's Board of Regents meeting, Denton said.
To comment on this story:
elliott.blackburn@lubbockonline.com 766-8722
brian.williams@lubbockonline.com 766-8717
I'm told Tech paid the t-sipper's marketing firm $450,000 for this (so far). Incredible waste. They should make Smith use nothing but red ink.
Geez! They pay a bunch of TU folks $450,000 to screw-around with the university seal and yet the administration claims that it cannot find money in the budget for history TAs to have telephones in their offices or provide decent scholarships for grad students. Just when I thought that I could not be more peeved...
I accept your words. We get a little testy, because we hear it all the time from outsiders.
Thank you... God Bless.
Not to mention what they paid for the firm in Chicago to do a feasibility study........
And now anyone who complains about the removal of the cross can be dismissed as a right-wing looney since the "story" is over as far as the press is concerned; after all, it was all about cotton wasn't it? The cross didn't have anything to do with it, right? Suckers.
Xena, please don't start that crap -
So perhaps Tech should change its symbol to a rearview mirror?
They should drop Austin and Chicago.
I'm certain there is at least one talented designer in Lubbock. IHO, this "project" has already cost TT much more than it warrants. I'm a graphics designer, and the price tag so far is outrageous.
Oops, didn't know that was a sore spot when I posted just now.
I believe that song has been done.......;^)
Same song, 2nd verse?
In what part of this great State do you reside? I've now lived in three distinct areas and find good and bad in them all.......
Actually I like Lubbock, and Abilene, Amarillo, Midland, Sweetwater, etc. (my nose isn't so fond of Hereford, though.) Good conservatives. I'd gladly live in Lubbock if my work was moved out there. Love the Tech football coach and his disdain for the media, his persona, and the way he gives interviews like he just woke up and couldn't care less. Drives the media nuts.
But never miss a chance to rib a rival school. Just trying to start another riot in the Tech stands (and I'm not even an Aggie...)
I would live in Lubbock again as well - but can't say the same for Sweetwater......;^)
I think you are right.
Funny that it took a year and a half to make the decision then design a new Seal, but they can change it in a week.............
Appears the Cotton Growers Coop has more than "cotton balls." As a UT alumni I congratulate TT supporter for their efforts and simply say "Hook'em Horns."
I'd answer you, but I'm not allowed to.
The new rule is that if you don't live somewhere you can't criticize it, and if you've never done something you can't comment on it.
Ergo, I am no longer allowed comment on breastfeeding or Lubbock, among many other topics.
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