GRAND FORKS (AP) -- The University of North Dakota is urging civility in the debate over the school's Fighting Sioux nickname and Indian head logo.
Spokesman Peter Johnson says the effort is prompted by some of the problems that have resulted during national debate over health care reform.
Johnson says the University's provost has sent a letter to faculty, posters have been placed around campus and an ad will appear in the student newspaper -- all urging respectful discussion and disagreement.
Some people and the NCAA consider the nickname and logo offensive, while others see them as symbols of pride. The state Board of Higher Education has voted to abolish the nickname and logo unless it gets a 30-year agreement from the state's two Sioux tribes by Oct. 1. At least one tribe has said that will not happen.
