The group sponsoring petitions to preserve UND's Fighting Sioux nickname has been granted more time by the state Supreme Court to respond to a brief arguing that a law mandating use of the nickname is unconstitutional.
The group was added earlier this week as a party to the nickname case before the court.
An initial request for an extension to the end of March was denied Friday, but the court later in the day granted an extension to March 6.
Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem filed his brief on Feb. 17, on behalf of the State Board of Higher Education, requesting the court declare the nickname law unconstitutional and a proposed statewide referendum on it moot.
Stenehjem also asked for an expedited hearing, and the court scheduled March 2 as the deadline for filing of briefs.
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The law adopted by the Legislature last April requires UND to retain the Fighting Sioux name and logo. It was repealed during a special session in November but reinstated as a result of nickname supporters filing petitions on Feb. 7 to refer the repeal to a vote in the June primary election.
Reed Soderstrom, chairman of the sponsoring committee for the petition drives (including one for an initiated measure to secure the nickname in the state Constitution), told the court Thursday that he will be out of the country next week.
"I am concerned that the North Dakota Attorney General's office has had extensive time to complete a 22-page brief on this issue," Soderstrom wrote in an emailed filing. "The Sponsoring Committee, with its approximate 17,000 signatures, requests adequate time as well."
Reach Haga at (701) 780-1102; (800) 477-6572, ext. 102; or send email to chaga@gfherald.com .
