Several students and alumni used the board's public comment period to press trustees and campus leaders to adopt a new official mascot, saying the campus has drifted without a modern symbol since the removal of the former chief imagery.

Avery Sanborn, a student who said she grew up local, called for action and described a student-designed female belted kingfisher as "a mascot as fierce and innovative as our students." Sanborn said the kingfisher has received strong campus reception and asked trustees to work with Chancellor Charles Isbell to "construct an actionable plan to engage students and elect a new mascot." She said administration had been slow to respond despite student momentum.

Vijay Shah, another speaker, framed mascot adoption as part of the university's obligations in its land-acknowledgement work and cited letters from Native American leaders urging that retirement of harmful imagery be followed by a new identity that respects indigenous communities. Shah also noted potential promotional and merchandise benefits if the university adopts a new mascot.

Speakers distributed materials the board received before the meeting and said student and faculty votes favored the kingfisher concept. Trustees did not take immediate action during the meeting; Chair Timothy Ruiz and administrators acknowledged hearing public concerns and student organizers said they would seek further engagement with campus leaders.

Why this matters: The mascot debate touches on campus identity, indigenous representation, alumni sentiment and potential financial impacts tied to merchandise and branding. Several speakers tied the issue to broader efforts around campus inclusion and reconciliation.

What to watch next: Student organizers asked the board and chancellor to develop a clear timeline and to publicly commit to steps that could lead to official adoption; the administration did not announce a timetable during the meeting.