The Olympian

Issue date: 1/29/08 Section: News

Despite more than a year of planning, recent opposition from an Olympic College alumnus may cause plans for the new OC Bear mascot to be stopped in its tracks.
As reported in a Feb. 14 article of The Olympian, only 260 students and faculty came to vote for the new mascot last year. That alone was all it took to replace the Ranger mascot of 62 years.
Those not included in the voting process were alumni and the community. OC President Dr. David Mitchell said the college does not have an alumni association in place to inform graduates of changes.
"I just feel they've ignored 60 years of tradition," said Bob Summers, who attended OC as a 1960-1962 transfer student, "and that's what really bothers me."
Summers has appointed himself the voice for those opposed to the bear mascot. He is collecting signatures for a petition to present to the OC Board of Trustees in March. He has collected his goal of 300 signatures, but plans to continue collecting until the board meeting.
"This might be a start of something," said Summers. "To get some support for the college too. Maybe get people out to the games."
The idea to change the mascot came from the Associated Students of Olympic College. Barry Janusch, athletics director and adviser of last year's ASOC, said this was a project carried over from the last five ASOC committees, but it was last year's group that took it all the way.
"It was very much student-led and admin-neutral," said Dr. Richard MacLennan, vice president of student services.
Summers said he was shocked to hear students that are at OC for two years can change it for all the other classes that were there for the previous 60 years.
In response to Summers' concerns, the ASOC is organizing a public forum to allow students, faculty and the community to voice their opinions about the new mascot on Feb. 11, from 6-8 p.m. in the Bremer Student Center. You can also email your responses to OCMascot@hotmail.com.

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