Why the editorial matters

The association made exceptions only for those universities that had the permission of a "namesake tribe," such as Florida State University, which calls itself "the Seminoles" with the blessing of the Seminoles' tribal council. Instead, the university should: * Acknowledge the importance of a tribal council's approval. * Take two or three years to seek that approval. * Enlist the governor and other top officials to approach the tribes. * Declare up front that if the two- to three-year effort fails, then the university will change the nickname.