New Herky logo contest aims to unite campus

The university is in the market for a new Herky — one designed by the students and CSUS is willing to pay up to $1,000 for the rights to the winning design.

David Braverman, associate vice president for student affairs, said that a familiar mascot is an important part of bringing consistency to the university.

“A mascot is a readily identifiable symbol of the university,” Braverman said. “It can be an important component of bringing student unity to the campus.”

A contest is being held to find the new Herky, and the finalists will have their designs voted on in the ASI elections on Nov. 16 and 17.

“We are currently accepting proposals and sketches of a new Herky,” Braverman said.

The contest idea was proposed because of a need for a mascot symbol that is recognized in all campus-related organizations and clubs.

The original Herky is not used by any organization affiliated with CSUS. The Herky that is most familiar to students is the one recognized by athletics. The design is based on clip-art, which means the university can not trademark or market the design.

“It’s public domain,” Braverman said of the current mascot. It belongs to everybody, so no one can have sole rights to it. “We, as an institution, want something that we can own as our symbol,” he said.

The Mascot/Logo Committee, headed by Braverman, was formed to help coordinate the effort to bring a new Herky.

“The committee will approve a number of the sketches and then we will pass them on to the elections,” Braverman said. He said that the committee is planning on approving as many designs as possible. “We want the students to decide,” Braverman said.

The contest, funded by University Affairs, is offering $500 to the top three entries and an additional $500 to the winner, contingent upon the number of proposals received.

For information on the contest or contest rules, contact Dr. Braverman at 278-6060.