( CNN ) -- Sports seasons come and go , but a long-running debate about the use of a Native American nickname and logo by University of North Dakota athletic teams appears nowhere close to a final outcome . A flurry of activity this week highlights the wide divisions over the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo . Those supporting the nickname -- including some Native Americans -- filed petitions asking for a vote this summer on the issue . The university announced Wednesday it is required to resume using it because of the filing of the petitions . The North Dakota Board of Higher Education , which agreed five years ago to retire the nickname , and the state 's attorney general will hold a conference call next week to discuss legal options in the imbroglio . The board of education and university system want an end to the whole matter . `` We 've heard from all sides . There certainly are people who said they want to keep it , '' John Irby , public affairs consultant for the university system , told CNN Thursday . `` But the position again is , we should focus on education and this is robbing and stealing too much from the focus . It ( education ) is becoming collateral damage . '' More damage comes in the form of sanctions by the National Collegiate Athletic Association , which has a policy against mascots `` deemed hostile or abusive toward Native Americans . '' In 2005 , the NCAA sought to end the controversy surrounding such mascots by ordering some 20 schools whose nicknames and mascots they deemed `` abusive in terms of race , ethnicity or national origin '' to either get Native American permission to use their name and likeness , or to come up with new ones . North Dakota is the last holdout in the NCAA 's campaign . The NCAA reiterated its stance on sanctions Wednesday , saying the `` university is subject to the terms of the policy if it uses the logo and nickname . '' `` Those terms include not being able to host NCAA championship events and a prohibition against using the nickname and imagery on uniforms for student-athletes , along with cheerleaders , ( the ) mascot or band members , in any NCAA championships , '' said Erik Christianson , NCAA director of media relations , in a written statement . `` The NCAA sanctions are not a good thing , '' Irby said . `` I have never seen the NCAA back down . '' In 2007 , the North Dakota Board of Higher Education agreed to drop the Fighting Sioux nickname by August 15 , 2011 , in accordance with the NCAA 's policy . But that move was met with opposition . The state Legislature in early 2011 passed a law requiring the university to use the Fighting Sioux nickname . That law , however , was repealed in November 2011 when legislators approved a bill that allowed the school to stop using the moniker . North Dakotans who favor the mascot responded with a two-pronged strategy . On one had they are calling for the state constitution to be changed to stipulate the use of the Fighting Sioux name . If certified , that proposal would be on the November ballot . Supporters have until August to submit signatures to gain certification . The other effort calls for voters to decide in June whether to repeal the law that permitted the school to drop the name . Petitions backing that move were filed Tuesday with Secretary of State Al Jaeger . The state requires 13,452 certified signatures to put a law repeal issue before voters . North Dakota has about 684,000 residents . Petition supporters said they turned in more than the minimum number of signatures . `` By filing the petitions last night , the law as passed in early 2011 is now again in effect , '' Jaeger told CNN on Wednesday . `` The law passed in November 2011 is now suspended . I have 35 days to review the petitions . If I find the petitions sufficient , it will be certified for the ballot . If not , the bill passed in November will again become the law . '' In the meantime , university President Robert Kelley said the school , located in Grand Forks , is resuming the use of the name and logo . `` I want to reaffirm our respect for the laws of the state and the processes guaranteed under the North Dakota Constitution , '' he said in a statement . There are still vestiges of the nickname on campus , including an ice hockey arena featuring a statue and hundreds of Fighting Sioux logos . While fightingsioux.com still links to the athletics department , the website now goes under a different web address and does not have the previous logo , a profile of a Sioux warrior . Doug Fullerton will be paying close attention to how the issue plays out . As commissioner of the Big Sky Conference , he is overseeing North Dakota 's ascent from Division II obscurity to the far more lucrative stage of Division I . `` When we invited ( North Dakota 's football team ) into the conference , this was not an issue , '' he said last summer . Citing the conference 's `` close , close ties to Native American tribes '' and the threat of boycotts , Fullerton said he has been on 'heightened alert ' Wednesday , North Dakota 's conference membership -- slated to begin July 1 -- could be rescinded if the college presidents within Big Sky so decide , he said . The 13 college presidents -- including Robert Kelley of North Dakota -- are scheduled to meet in early June , according to Fullerton . The NCAA requirement on Native American nicknames has resulted in varied responses among the targeted schools . The Arkansas State Indians became the Red Wolves ; the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indians became the Crimson Hawks . Other schools satisfied the mandate by tweaking their name , such as Southeastern Oklahoma State , where the Savages are now known as the Savage Storm . Others , like the Bradley University Braves , whose name does not affiliate with a specific tribe , were allowed to keep their name so long as Native American logos and imagery were eschewed . Schools with higher-profile athletic programs fared better . The Florida State Seminoles , University of Utah Utes and Central Michigan University Chippewas each obtained permission from their respective namesake tribes to stay the course . But the North Dakota Fighting Sioux -- winners of seven national championships in men 's ice hockey -- were denied such an endorsement from the Tribal Council of the Standing Rock Sioux . But another tribal body , Spirit Lake , has expressed support for the nickname . A website , savethefightingsioux.com , calls for keeping the nickname and logo . It lists the Spirit Lake Committee for Understanding and Respect , whose members were among those who filed the petitions . `` We ask you to boldly 'Stand Up ' with us , the Dakota Sioux Nation , as we stand on principle against an injustice attempting to rid UND of its traditions and customs , '' the website reads .
U. of North Dakota is the last holdout over an NCAA policy on Native American nicknames . University system consultant : Education `` is becoming collateral damage '' in the dispute . The attorney general and higher education board plan to discuss legal options next week . A move up to the Big Sky Conference may hinge on the Fighting Sioux nickname .