ST. GEORGE — What started as the Dixie State College task force, assigned to research an affiliation proposal that would meld DSC with the University of Utah, is now being called the transition team.

The group's new name emerged during a short presentation on its progress with its U. counterparts. DSC vice president of academic services Donna Dillingham-Evans heads the team, which also includes Stan Plewe and Frank Lojko.

And while a name change on such a fundamental level probably doesn't make a difference in the process itself, it is indicative of the public relations miscues that have plagued the college as it tries to align itself with the U.

Under the proposal, which has been endorsed by the DSC and U. boards of trustees, Dixie State College would become the University of Utah-St. George. The name Dixie would be dropped, as would the nickname the Rebels, in favor of referring locally to the U.'s St. George location as the Dixie campus.

Hundreds of Dixie alumni and donors objected to stripping Dixie from the school's official name, with some people threatening to pull their financial support of the institution if the name wasn't reconsidered.

Those in support of the name change said "Dixie" connotes slavery, the Confederacy and the Deep South, while those opposing the change said that in Utah, Dixie simply refers to southern Utah's pioneer heritage and its early role as a cotton mission.

The name issue surfaced again at Friday's meeting of the DSC board of trustees when President Lee Caldwell shared his thinking about an "Institutional Identity Task Force" that he hopes will bring the college and community together to reflect on its future.

"As we affiliate with the University of Utah, it is more important to formalize our traditions," Caldwell said. "The charge is three-fold, but the most important thing we can pass on are the values and virtues we want this institution to stand for."

Local historian/author Lyman Hafen and former DSC president and historian Doug Alder will head the transition team. Members of the community, alumni association, student government, athletic department, faculty and staff are also needed to serve, the president said.

"Before discussions begin to develop a new athletic nickname or brand names or logos are developed, it is critical that the college and the community reflect deeply upon the essence of the 'Dixie Spirit,' the history of the region and the college, the traditions, and most importantly the values," Caldwell said.

DSC trustee and alumni association president Mark Gubler said he has heard from numerous alumni who would like to include the Dixie name when the school renames the school's mascot.