George Washington University retires 'Colonials' moniker after demands from student activists

George Washington University will discontinue the use of Colonials as a moniker after years of campaigning against the school's mascot by students who insisted it was racist. The school's board of trustees announced Wednesday that a new moniker for the school will be introduced by the 2023-24 academic year "after a broad university community engagement process."

“The board recognizes the significance of changing the university’s moniker, and we made this decision only after a thoughtful and deliberate process that followed the renaming framework and special committee recommendation that considered the varying perspectives of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and athletics community,” Board chairwoman Grace Speights said.