Committee Recommends Replacement for Campus Icon
March 13, 2015
POCATELLO 鈥 The committee charged with developing a plan to replace the former 鈥淚鈥 icon on Red Hill has made the recommendation to replace it with another 鈥淚鈥, following more than a year鈥檚 discussions.
After multiple engineering studies determined that the 鈥淚鈥 would need to be removed because of immediate safety concerns caused by the erosion on Red Hill, a committee was assembled to make a recommendation for its replacement. The committee, comprised of alumni, faculty and staff, community members, students and ISU officials, considered a variety of possibilities to replace the popular University icon.
Originally a 鈥淭鈥, the symbol was first placed on Red Hill in 1916 in recognition of the institution鈥檚 evolution from the Academy of Idaho to the Idaho Technical Institute. In 1926, the 鈥淭鈥 became a tool for the students to display their desire for a four-year institution by changing their letter into the number 鈥4.鈥 When the Idaho Technical Institute became the University of Idaho Southern Branch in 1927, the 鈥4鈥 became the well known 鈥淚鈥 on Red Hill.
鈥淎s a committee, we felt that the tradition behind the 鈥業鈥 was a critical part of our University鈥檚 history,鈥 said Ryan Sargent, 鈥09, committee chair and ISU鈥檚 associate alumni director. 鈥淥ur recommendation to the University was to replace the iconic 鈥業鈥.鈥
The University has accepted the committee鈥檚 recommendations, immediately starting work on the conceptualization of the new icon. The location of the new 鈥淚鈥 on Red Hill will be determined after a series of soil tests to ensure that the replacement will be stable for years to come. The design and materials, yet to be finalized, will determine the final cost of the project. The ISU Foundation and ISU Alumni Association are already working on plans for the fundraising campaign to support the project costs.
鈥淥ver the past year, our alumni have expressed their willingness to support this project, said Dr. Kent Tingey, ISU鈥檚 vice president of advancement. 鈥淭he 鈥業鈥 has been a symbol of Bengal pride for many, many alumni and supporters.鈥
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