UND president says he will consider no nickname as an option

University of North Dakota President Robert Kelley says he will consider adding another option to the list of potential nicknames — no nickname at all.

A committee earlier this week submitted a list of five potential nicknames, but it did not include moving forward as "just North Dakota." That prompted angry postings on social media, a petition drive and at least one planned protest.

Kelley said in an email sent Friday to the campus community that he still believes it is the best interest of UND to have a nickname, but he wants to review the opinions.

UND spokesperson Peter Johnson says the move is appropriate because the committee was split on whether no nickname should be included.

The five finalists are Roughriders, North Stars, Fighting Hawks, Nodaks and Sundogs.