Tracie Sullivan

tracie@thespectrum.com

CEDAR CITY – U.S. Sen. Harry Reid is no longer a part of the Southern Utah University Outdoor Engagement Center. SUU President Scott Wyatt decided to make some changes that called for the Nevada senator’s name to be removed from the building.

Several months ago, some concerned citizens met with Wyatt, calling for the removal of Reid’s name from the center.

“We had people step up and pledge money towards removing his name. In five days I received pledges totaling $40,000 – in just five days,” said Cedar City Councilman Paul Cozzens.

While Cozzens and the other residents were prepared to donate money toward their cause, Wyatt said he wouldn’t do it under those conditions, as he was not willing to bring embarrassment to the SUU alumnus, whom he maintained deserves more respect.

“Sen. Reid is part of the SUU alumni and he was gracious enough to grant the university the use of his name, and I didn’t want to offend him in any way,” Wyatt said.

After taking the summer to consider citizens’ request and spending time talking with the administrators at the Outdoor Engagement Center, Wyatt came up with a solution: Reid’s name would be removed from that center, but his name still would be retained on campus, standing alone as the Harry Reid Center.

The building for that center, however, does not exist, yet.

“We have not received any money yet for ... that building, so if that happens then it will give us an opportunity to build a Harry Reid Center and to clearly define the purpose of that center,” Wyatt said.

Besides the concerns of the community about the name, there are also some other issues with making Reid part of the Outdoor Engagement Center.

When Reid’s name was applied to the center, it was believed donations would be forthcoming, but to this day no money has been given.

“They thought there would substantial donations from Harry Reid’s friends,” Wyatt said. “But there has never been any money donated for that purpose.”

The association between Reid and the center also has created some confusion.

“The purpose for the Harry Reid Outdoor Engagement Center has never been clearly defined,” Wyatt said. “The Harry Reid name created confusion about the purpose of the center because nobody associated Harry Reid with the outdoors, so they were having a hard time creating a clear brand.”

Those working in that department supported Wyatt’s decision to separate the name from the center, he added.

If money is donated toward the Harry Reid Center, the university will build it and define its purpose then.

“Harry Reid has a lot of good qualities that could be used to develop a great program and center,” Wyatt said.

While Cozzens is still somewhat concerned that the name may be actively used in the future, he said he is happy to see the Reid name go for now, arguing that he had been approached by friends from Nevada who said they would not support the university as long as the senator’s name was associated with it in any way.

“This is a conservative base in Southern Utah and many people in southern Nevada also feel the same way,” Cozzens said. “These people in Nevada do not espouse to Reid’s political philosophies, and they told me they would not support the university or send any more of their children there, and this was coming from people who had already sent children to SUU, so long as Harry Reid’s name remained.”

Iron County Commissioner Dave Miller, who went with Cozzens to speak to Wyatt about the name a few months prior, said he was also pleased with Wyatt’s decision.

“I think SUU stands on its own feet and doesn’t need to be distracted by politics in Nevada and their senator,” Miller said. “I think it’s absolutely wonderful.”

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