OXFORD - In an appearance before students at a public relations class on the campus of Ole Miss this week, Vice Chancellor for University Communications Jeff Alford revealed the three leading choices to replace Col. Red on all university merchandising.
The three leading choices are a "bear named Rebel, a stallion named Rebel and a James Dean-like character."
This past Tuesday, Ole Miss students participated in an election marked by the largest turnout ever for an Associated Student Body election.
A landslide result of 94 percent voted to retain the 65-year tradition of Col. Reb at Ole Miss.
Of the over 12,000 students that were eligible to vote, 103 voted to for a replacement.
Colonel Reb Foundation president Brian Ferguson remarked, "If Chancellor Khayat is true to his word, the debate is over."
When asked whether University officials will recognize the student vote, current ASB president Hardy Case reminded reports that in July of 1997, Khayat stated "that school spirit issues should evolve through the students."
In November of 1997, during the controversial debate where Khayat applauded the ASB Senate for voting to discontinue any symbolic waving of Confederate flags, he stated that he "has faith in the students of Ole Miss.
"They have the courage to objectively review issues and the wisdom to make good decisions."