State unveils university logo license plate line

By Anna Clark

Daily Staff Reporter

Starting Monday, Michigan drivers can take their school spirit on the road.

A new series of collegiate license plates, including one bearing the University's block 'M' logo, make their official debut early next week.

By replacing the traditional blue-and-white Michigan plate with one that promotes a state-supported university, drivers can advertise their favorite school while simultaneously donating money to it.

The state will donate $25 of the specialty plate's $35 first-time fee to the featured university, Secretary of State Candice Miller said. The annual $10 renewal fee also will be donated to the school.

"We wanted to give Michigan motorists not only a chance to show their school pride but an opportunity to raise revenue for the university of their choice," Miller said.

University of Michigan Vice President for Government Relations Cynthia Wilbanks said the plates sparked much enthusiasm when Miller presented them to university presidents and representatives yesterday.

"It was a festive occasion," Wilbanks said. "I think there was general excitement about the opportunities for drivers to show their true colors."

While Miller couldn't predict sales for the plates, she said she expects them to be "wildly popular."

"I think there's a tremendous audience for this, particularly for alumni and students of the larger universities," Miller said.

Until the introduction of the automobile centennial plates in 1996, Michigan motorists had no options other than the blue-and-white plates, Miller said.

The collegiate license plates are the first major line of fundraising plates in Michigan.

Miller said she has wanted to the state to offer university license plates for years.

"This is something I've been wanting to do before I left office," she said.

The secretary of state's office originally proposed the series, and there was "excellent cooperation" with the state universities, Miller said.

The university plates share an off-white background and blue embossed "Michigan" logo, but each features the individual school's name and logo.

"They're very distinctive and, I think, very attractive," Miller said.

Supplementing the university plates will be a limited edition line of display plates, which say "Be True to Your School" in lieu of a license plate number.

"They're mainly for decoration or out-of-state alumni who want to show their pride," Miller said.

To make it easier for die-hard fans to buy a university plate, a secretary of state mobile office will be at Michigan Stadium during the football game against Michigan State Oct. 21. Fans can walk home with their specialty plate, University spokeswoman Julie Peterson said.

The University will be promoting the plates all day Monday at the secretary of state branch office at 353 N. Maple Rd.