St. George City Council backs 'Dixie' in school's name

St. George • The City Council has passed a resolution saying it wants "Dixie" to remain part of the name of a college that is expected to soon attain university status.

The Spectrum of St. George reports that council members voted unanimously Thursday to pass the resolution, joining several other public entities that have waded into the issue.

The debate over Dixie began heating up last year as Dixie State College sought university status.

Some argue the moniker carries negative, Deep South connotations and should be removed from the name.

Others say it's part of Utah's heritage and doesn't have racial subtext among those who have long known the area as "Utah's Dixie."

The Spectrum reports Utah's college and university system officials plan to meet this month to recommend the college be granted university status.

A firm hired to research the name is to release a recommendation during a final public forum on Wednesday.