SFU crosses on coat of arms - Opinions?

p51dray

http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2006/12/27/bc-sfu.html

CBC" said:

Simon Fraser University is getting rid of the two crosses on its coat of arms, saying they sent the wrong message to international students.

The Burnaby-based university is replacing the crosses at the top of the coat of arms with images of open books.

A spokesman for Simon Fraser University says the two crosses on the 40-year-old coat of arms creates 'confusion.'
Warren Gill, SFU's vice-president of university relations, said the crosses created the wrong impression.

"For some people, particularly internationally, the crosses were seen to identify us as a private religious institution as opposed to a secular public one, and a lot of our international folks were getting that back.

"If our name was the University of Burnaby, it probably wouldn't have conveyed the same thing, but named for a person it caused some confusion internationally."

Gill said the new coat of arms will still have the Fraser shield, in honour of explorer Simon Fraser.

He also said the old symbol will remain on the university's buildings.

The current coat of arms was approved in 1965.

The new design has been in the works for 18 months, said Gill, and is expected to be approved by the Canadian Heraldic Authority by May.

I think this is a terrible idea. SFU's administration keeps doing stupid things like this in the name of attracting international students. First the IBT and now they want to erode what little heritage SFU has build up in its 40 years by changing our crest. No wonder we have no school pride because there certainly isn't any up at the top (ooo.. go pun).

coreyc

I don't really give a shit.

Malakaiii

Meh it's only been 40 years. SFU is still a really young school and I think it's fair that they want to make a more accurate coat of arms. It isn't a religious institution, so I don't know why it should have crosses on there anyway.

But really... who even looks at that thing? It didn't effect my choice to attend SFU...

PoliChic87

I don't think it makes as big of a difference as they are making it out to be... such a small detail

shadysimon

I think its a good idea, not for the fact that the main reason seems to be because of international students but because it does convey a certain religious framework placed on the school. before comming here my dad joked that it was a Christian school and that we all had to wear the same tacky uniforms, so now I think about that and what it would be like, but now I don't as much knowing this, because I am not Christian or follow any religion and see it fair that they remove the crosses.

fanwan91

For me, it is a really pointless move as how can I stupid crest change people's mind to go to another university? SFU's administrators have became retarded from my opinion. There are so many realistic issues that needed to be addressed fast such as teachers' teaching ability and bus transportation efficiency, these are some of the very key issues for our SFU students, but rather than facing them with courage and determination, SFU chose to focus on that stupid crest with no hesitation, well done~
Maybe I am a little edgy but truth is sometimes bitter.:beer:

Brady

I'm not religious by any means, In fact I'm a die hard atheist, however I think changing the coat of arms is a stupid idea. The crosses(as far as I know) were meant to represent the Christian heritage of Simon Fraser and his wife I think, not to represent any religious position of the University.

Secondly, after seeing the "after" picture in the Peak a couple weeks ago the coat of arms with the three open books on top looks really dumb. if they're going to replace the crosses they could at least replace it with something that looks cool.

siuying

i agree w/ brady... and this red blob they have now is really ticking me off..

imelting

i like the coat of arms personally too, sucks if they are gonna remove it everywhere

h604

the whole thing is rediculous, how many logos are there now? the coat of arms is my favorite, hands down. I can understand the change to the 3 books, and removing the crosses, sure. But whats up with that red square and "thinking of the world" mumbo jumbo?? and now I think there is a NEW one, a red triangle made of 3 small red triangles, and some funky french lingo, I dont know about you guys, but there isnt an affiliation between SFU and Douglas college, and now we have the same logo, just in red, and not teal, the whole logo thing is pretty silly and/or stupid.

Kevin M.

That new logo is so bland and pointless. The coat of arms, even though it looks kinda old-fashioned is a good logo because it has a university feel to it. The new one? It's just a red square that says SFU whats so great about that...I wonder if they regret it yet lol

h604

personally i dont even remember being asked to vote on the matter.. was this one of those decisions where they forgot to involve the "public" again?

JohnnyBoy

There was a vote ? :S