Students and professors at Boise State U. choke on name of arena

The Chronicle of Higher Education 1/28/05
Vol. 51, Issue 21

By Paul Fain

Naming a sports facility at Boise State University after a Mexican-themed fast-food chain has stoked heartburn on the campus.

In accepting a $4-million gift in June, the university agreed to change the name of its indoor sports facility, the Pavilion, to Taco Bell Arena. But students objected, and the Faculty Senate passed a resolution, 17-2, in October that calls for severing ties with the Idaho-based company that owns regional Taco Bell franchises and removing the chain's logo from the 12,380-seat arena.

Opposition arises from allegations by agricultural workers in Florida that Taco Bell suppliers engage in unfair labor practices. In addition, some faculty members argue, Robert W. Kustra, the university's president, did not seek adequate public discussion of the deal.

Boise State, which noted that the local franchiser "does not buy its tomatoes from Florida," said "the financial future of the university is partly connected to corporate America." And Mr. Kustra wrote in a letter to the Faculty Senate that "the $4-million benefit to the athletic program and to the arena that this sponsorship provides cannot be easily replaced."

In response, William S. Whitaker, a professor of social work, says, "There are probably donors who would be attracted to a university that takes a principled stand on human rights."

A national "Boot the Bell'' campaign, whose supporters include student and faculty groups at a number of colleges, received a boost this month when Boise State administrators moved to relocate spring graduation ceremonies from Taco Bell Arena to the university's Bronco Stadium.