The board of governors at West Virginia University at Parkersburg should take the deal offered by WVU concerning the use of the name and famous flying logo of the state's flagship school of higher learning.

Parkersburg Community College became WVU at Parkersburg in 1989 and over the last 20 years the WVU name and logo has been a tremendous benefit in terms of marketing and prestige and has encouraged students to attend WVU at Parkersburg instead of another college, if my memory serves me right from comments made two decades ago. Students will avoid a school where they fear their degree will carry little weight with prospective employers or their credits won't be transferable to other schools.

The WVU Board of Governors last week agreed to allow WVU at Parkersburg the use of the logo and name for two years, renewable by mutual consent at the end of the period while the other parts of the agreement to continue the affiliation are indefinite. The situation started in 2008 when the West Virginia Legislature in House Bill 3215 cut WVU at Parkersburg from WVU unless a deal was reached by July 1 to continue the relationship. After July 1 and no agreement is reached, it's every man for himself.

The issue with the WVU at Parkersburg board of governors is the two-year period for the use of the logo and name. It's possible the use can be terminated after two years. It's possible it won't be terminated, too.

On Monday the board of governors at WVU at Parkersburg made no decision, deciding instead to create an online survey and to hold student, staff and public forums over the next 21 days to talk about which direction to take.

They're asking. I'm giving.

Use of the name and logo is a big deal and apparently the WVU at Parkersburg board of governors agree, based on comments these past several weeks.

Keith Burdette, a member of the board of governors at WVU at Parkersburg, called it a slap in the face. He hit a nail on the head. Most of the talks, according to Burdette, centered on WVU at Parkersburg possibly embarrassing WVU. Burdette aptly cited the master's scandal last year involving the daughter of Gov. Joe Manchin and how WVU awarded her an MBA without her doing the work. Others got an MBA under similar circumstances. That was the pot calling the kettle black. WVU at Parkersburg was embarrassed by the actions of WVU, Burdette said.

Perhaps there will be a change in attitudes at WVU when President-elect James Clements in July succeeds interim President Peter Macgrath. We here at the newspaper tried to arrange an interview with Clements to talk about these things, but were basically told Clements was still president at Towson and the interview didn't take place.

If WVU at Parkersburg decides to end the affiliation with WVU, I recommend a new name with initials that won't be confused with Washington State Community College, WSCC. Wood County State College sounds good, but its initials could be confused with Washington State.

Part of the urgency on the part of the WVU at Parkersburg board of governors is if it ends the affiliation with WVU, it has until July 1 to name the school.

After July 1, the Legislature will name the school. I shudder to think what might happen.

Contact Jess Mancini at jmancini@newsandsentinel.com