The OI has changed its name to ISAC

In recent years, the Oriental Institute (OI) of the University of Chicago has worked to develop a more accurate way of reflecting the geographic focus of our work and collections. As a result of this process, we have changed our name to Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africa (ISAC).
Although our name and logo have changed, our mission remains the same, and more vital than ever. Since our founding in 1919, we continue to strive to be one of the world’s leading research centers on the ancient cultures of West Asia and North Africa by combining innovations in theory and methodology with the highest standards of rigorous scholarship.
To learn more about our name change, please visit www.isac.uchicago.edu

[@speakerleora]

I went to ISAC yesterday and was thrilled by what I discovered. I was there for three hours and never got beyond the first gallery! There was so much to read, admire, and absorb. I'm so glad I joined; I'll be heading back next week! As to the name change: I think you made a choice that helps non-scholars like me know what to expect. Thank you.

[@manoa76]

The Institute is one of the best museums in Chicago, but it's one that too few residents and visitors know about.

[@Yesica1993]

I've lived here forever and I'm just learning of it today!

[@pastordavidpaulsmith]

Have always loved the OI/ISAC, and I understand the impetus behind the name change, but the new name sounds like it was made by a commitee.

[@iammichaeldavis]

As someone who learned of the Oriental Institute through your wonderful lecture archive here on KZbin, I am exactly the person described in the start of this video: someone who originally thought I was going to see jade carvings from ancient Far Eastern sites. I celebrate this change

[@kjmav10135]

I like the new name, and the logo is perfect! I’m so used to the old name that now I just have to remember the new one. ISAC ISAC ISAC!

[@villebooks]

There are talented artists from the MENA region who offer sound and music, even copyright free, to represent your content better than this monotonous stock-track. It's worth a search.

[@simex909]

Really rolls off the tongue, lol

[@robertcormack6753]

I understand the rationale for changing the name, but I do not agree with replacing a well-known, highly respected brand with something imminently forgettable! Of course “Oriental” has changed its connotation over the years, but anyone with an interest in archaeology and history soon learned to recognize the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago as one of the most respected, accomplished, and revered institutions the field.

[@cariboux2]

Concur entirely. And I fear that this is but the beginning of a long demise, like we have seen in other universities.

[@scott1285]

​@cariboux2 oh you mean like what is happening in Florida? I can only assume.

[@cariboux2]

@@scott1285 I don't get the reference.

[@MrLee-gj2jz]

What about the study of ancient cultures in East and Central Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, India, Old Europe, the Americas, Polynesia, Australia? Are there not ancient cultures in these geographical locations? Will there be separate institutes for those as well? I get that the name change was intended for political correctness, but if the scope is limited to West Asia and North Africa, it should have just been called the ACWANA Institute or something to that effect.

[@lindan9255]

Environmental sustainability?

[@glyphdoctor]

It was like a brand name. Brand names are unique identifiers even if they lack inherent meaning related to the products they sell. It would have been better to keep the name but reassess and move the relationship with the communities in which fieldwork is conducted into the 21st century

[@alecfoster5542]

Rebranding is tricky. Love the new logo. The name change is a mistake though; in my humble opinion.

[@vadym.zhuravlov-kogan]

Opportunism!

[@elihinze3161]

I really enjoy the new logo! It'll be tough getting Google to recognize that the Oriental Institute has now become the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, but like someone else here said, I'm sure y'all have a good SEO team :)

[@kevinkant6817]

Long name

[@cariboux2]

Though I understand the reasoning behind the rebranding, I am concerned that this is but a prelude to a long diminution in standards. If this is the case, it's horribly sad that an institute that has contributed so much has now opted for acceptance over quality.

[@latveria1024]

Some new dean or Vice President of Whatever that had to put their smudgy fingerprints all over your legacy, or did you decide to 86 it yourselves?

[@shardanette1]

Oriental is an outdated and confusing name for that part of the world. It was time.

[@Savalanoghlu]

How about for a single moment, take your emotions out of it and ask... would all these cultures appreciate being called oriental?

[@michaelplit7529]

How sad to hear. This is just unmemorable bureaucratese. Perhaps ISAC can produce a dictionary of it now.

[@rj7777]

I love the institutes love for lotuses❤ and shareholders

[@gilliandawson6567]

I thoroughly enjoy your talks, & look forward to many more from the ISAC.

[@kevintipcorn6787]

Good stuff.

[@gustavderkits8433]

Good change.

[@jackbailey7037]

Very Academic. Change your name to the latest 'approved' wording. Lol

[@dawnnagengast1633]

Ty for the change

[@Bramble451]

I agree with the name change. But it's still the Sears Tower!

[@Meggs23]

Glad for the more relevant name change. Now it's time to tell Google. I can't find you in regular search and similar names are popping up. The institute needs a CONCERTED effort to repopulate google with the new name, replace and redirect links to the new name. Hope you hired a good SEO team. It's a critical step for the new name to be found.

[@dv9360]

If this is the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africa, then does that mean there's an ISAC, East Asia or ISAC, North America & South America as well? If there are not multiple ISACs and this one is not covering all ancient cultures in general, then could drop the comma and use the Institute for the Study of Ancient West Asia and North Africa. Maybe drop "Far East" for "East Asia" in the video too.

[@golden_raisins]

Seconding the "Far East" critique, doesn't feel like they fully understand why the term "oriental" is pejorative.

[@dv9360]

Or just replace the word "Oriental" in the name for the Ancient West Asia and North Africa Institute.

[@ASMM1981EGY]

Congratulations from Egypt

[@jimfoye1055]

Just a heads up, in a few years you're going to have to change your name again, as the phrase "Ancient Cultures" will have come to have negative connotations for some people. In fact, it would be best to just plan on changing your name once a year from now on, just to be on the safe side.

[@aaronbrown8079]

You have erred. You have replaced a memorable two-word name with a jumbled mess of terms. As they used to say, "nobody will remember your name."

[@manatee2500]

Terrible name. What a shame.

[@SporeMurph]

It's a bad name change. ISAC is way too generic of a name.

[@slitheytoves]

Terrible decision

[@tankej]

Love the new name! Love the lotus flower logo!

[@heqaib]

The name is just confusing and could be controversial. 😢

[@janeperanteau6129]

An improvement for understanding, for sure. Beautiful logo.

[@rocketsocks]

Thank you.

[@notanemoprog]

Insanity

[@RB-xj9kr]

How necessary was it? We all know how to maneuver the term and the system of Orientalism. You just imitated Oxford.

[@navghtivs]

woke

[@golden_raisins]

Long overdue but glad to see it finally happen.

[@fonce9965]

As a direct descendant of General Dobrius of Mesopotamia, who drives a Lotus Model Eleven, I could not AGREE more with the changes! Although the original name was confusing, the paired Lamassu on the front of the building grabbed hold of my cultural heritage & IMPRINTED your location upon my mind forever!

[@stephaniechampion1506]

Well done!

[@thelostchevalier]

Love the new name and the reason for the change

[@deathdoor]

Respect.

[@MediAndClaire]

Congrats!

[@Charok1]

good. your name implied you were asian, haha

[@Charok1]

@@qed100 a lot of Egyptian, and that is not asian

[@dv9360]

Southwest Asia

[@davidcaldecoat7414]

What a fantastic new name 😊❤

[@AlloAnder]

Way better

[@xaosbob]

Excellent name change, for so many reasons.

[@Insectoid_]

Like the blue lotus 🪷 logo.