George Washington University to stop using Colonials nickname by 2023-24

The announcement follows decisions by other universities to change names and symbols amid greater scrutiny of their pasts.

George Washington University will retire its “Colonials” moniker, a name intended to honor its namesake but that has long been criticized as a term that glorifies colonialism, officials announced Wednesday.

In a statement, university officials said the use of the name has divided the community and can “no longer serve its purpose as a name that unifies.” Officials said they will continue to use the moniker until a new name is introduced, a change expected to come by the 2023-24 school year.

The announcement comes almost two years after the university established committees to consider requests to shed the moniker and rename the school’s student center. The building, formerly called the Cloyd Heck Marvin Center — named after a university president who advocated for segregation — was renamed last year.

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