Utah's Dixie State College is headed for a name change, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. But not everyone is happy about that, and if the issue is not resolved it could interfere with a plan to merge Dixie State into the University of Utah.

Getting rid of the reference to the Confederacy is a precondition to merging Dixie State into the U. of Utah. Dixie State would become the University of Utah at St. George if the plan proceeds. And the Dixie State Rebels will have to find a new mascot. One local media outlet, KSL TV, says the name "Dixie" is a reference to the efforts of Mormon pioneers in the region to grow cotton and that the name has nothing to do with racism or slavery. The University of Utah's Board of trustees doesn't care.




Alums of Dixie State are raising cane about the potential name change, according to the Desert Morning News. Many are threatening to withdraw financial support for the college. It will be interesting to see if the merger goes through or if the rebels of Dixie State manage a to lead a rebellion against it...