Dear Editor,

For the past several days I have read about “Save SELU” in your newspaper and I am confused. I don’t know where “Southeast” Louisiana University is located! I know that Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) is a very fine university in Hammond, and I enjoy its first-rate radio station KSLU. As a member of the faculty for 33 years, I watched it grow from a small college to a prestigious university. I can even follow many of its activities on the web at www.selu.edu, but a domain name is not the same as the institutional name. (No one in New Orleans attends “LOYNO,” but you can go to Loyola’s Web site of www.loyno.edu and find lots of good information!).

It is unfortunate that when Southeastern joined the Internet an ill-advised decision was made to use “selu.edu” rather than “slulions.edu” or “southeastern lions.edu” due to previous claims on “slu.edu” and “southeastern.edu.”

While the preference for “Southeastern” as the official brand is fine, TV and print media will continue to use a shorter acronym due to space restrictions. “SLU” should continue to be that preferred acronym. “SELU” and “SELA” have never been that preferred acronym. “SELU” and “SELA” have never been part of the name tradition of Southeastern Louisiana University. Through orientation and campus organizations, students and faculty alike should take the time to learn the history and traditions of our (their!) fine institution; and the faculty and administration should not hesitate to correct inappropriate usage – especially in public displays!