Alex Mosher
Staff Writer
The Red Hill “I” used to be the center of a number of campus traditions, such as the lighting of the “I” during homecoming that involved students lighting fire around the symbol for the pep rally that was held down below.
Unfortunately, due to safety concerns, the iconic “I” had to go.
“The tradition behind the ‘I’ is a critical part of Idaho State’s history and represents the integrity and grit of our students,” said Ryan Sargent, president of the ISU Alumni Association. “It is a symbol of Bengal pride for many alumni, students and supporters.”
First introduced in 1916, the letter “T” originally stood as a symbol in recognition of the institute’s evolution from Academy of Idaho to the Idaho Technical Institute.
In 1926, students took to Red Hill to then transform the “T” into the number “4” to help them advocate for the institute transitioning into a four year university. However, this only lasted for a year, and in 1927, when Idaho Tech became the southern branch of the University of Idaho, the symbol was transformed into an “I,” where it stood for 87 years until its retirement in 2014.
The “I” was completely removed in June of 2014 due to safety concerns related to the ongoing erosion surrounding the area. Many students, staff and alumni were saddened to see such a monumental piece of ISU history go away.
Shortly after the removal of the “I,”’ the Alumni Association proposed a plan to restore the historic monument.
“The university started working with a couple of engineering firms to evaluate the soil on Red Hill and to design a new ‘I,’” Sargent said. “The engineers have developed a plan to restore an ‘I’ built to the same dimensions and in the same colors as the original.”
Unlike the original monument that was constructed out of concrete, plaster, wood and chicken wire, the new proposed “I” would be built out of fiberglass grating that would minimize erosion and ensure the fixture remains on Red Hill for decades.
The proposition is still in motion. Last summer, President Kevin Satterlee expressed his commitment to the restoration. In July 2018, President Satterlee sent a memo to ISU faculty and staff inviting them to take part in the Red Hill “I” Action Group.
Thirty-five members then participated in the first official meeting, where they provided input to help finalize the project as well as feedback on the design, fundraising options and communicating updates to constituents.
As of August 2018, A&E Engineering and Strata Geotechnical Engineering were commissioned to perform soil samples and studies on Red Hill. From there, the results will be used to help design and construct the restoration project.
This information will help ISU decide what it will take to make a permanent re-installation of the “I.” The plan is to restore the “I” in the same location as the previous monument.
“This effort is moving forward because of the support of alumni, students and friends who want to see this important icon restored,” Sargent said.
Members of the ISU community can visit www.isu.edu/redhill for more information on how to get involved.
