NWC board right to table, for now, name change resolution

It was interesting that, after trustee John Housel made a motion to table his resolution to change the name of Northwest College to Yellowstone College, those at the Nov. 11 meeting heard some of the most impassioned comments in favor of a name change.

I see it as a sign that, while this discussion is going to the back burner for now, there is still a lot of support for the idea and compelling arguments for it. However, as a number of trustees, members of the public and others have said, first they need to see more details on what a name change would entail, what it would cost and what the potential negative ramifications would be.

Housel said that would be a priority of the name change committee in the future, to provide more of those details people have requested.

From talking to and listening to college board members in the last couple of months, this outcome seemed to be the best for now. I’ve heard from a number who like the idea — if many of their questions can be answered to their satisfaction.

It is, in my opinion, a great outcome for a public board. I don’t see this as kicking the can down the road. Rather, if done right, I view it as a chance to refine a plan years in the making after its harshest period in the spotlight yet.

There should be an up or down vote on this plan. I would not be in favor of this proposal fizzling away without coming back, just like I agree with most trustees that it was not ready to be voted on this fall.

As outgoing trustee Larry Todd said eloquently at his last meeting on the board after a long run: There are powerful sentiments on both sides, one looking to tradition, one to the future.

While some people have firmly sided with tradition and others, like Todd, have their minds made up that it’s time for a new future, I look forward to seeing a time in the not too distant future where we have more concrete details on this proposal and a chance for the board to weigh the pros and cons and make the best educated decision for the college.

And however that comes up, what this stretch of time has put on display very clearly is how much passion people have for their alma mater, their workplace and their community staple.

While the name change proposal has led to some sharp disagreements, it’s nice to see that common bond.