Wanted: Virtual Mascot

Students at UC Irvine rally around the Anteaters. Over at USC, it’s the Trojans. And at Cal State Long Beach, fans cheer for the 49ers.

So what could possibly serve as a mascot for a virtual school?

That’s the current quandary for the staff at California Virtual University, a statewide initiative to put courses from California colleges and universities on the Internet.

Launched last year, the venture gives an extensive selection of nearly 700 courses offered by 81 public and private schools in the state, including education powerhouses such as Stanford University and the smaller Coastline Community College in Fountain Valley.

The project--found at www. california.edu--helps people register for either online classes or videoconferencing courses, in subjects ranging from astronomy to computer-aided design.

“This is part of our effort to hear feedback about the project from the public,” said Rich H. Halberg, director of communications and online content at the virtual university project. “We want to design this online ‘university’ to fit their needs.”

Online students began voting for the name of their cyberspace mascot last fall, and nearly 1,000 people have cast their decision digitally. Some of the choices include the RAMs, the Icons and the Bugs. The leading contender to date--the Surfers.

A winner will be named in September, Halberg said.

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P.J. Huffstutter covers high technology for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-7830 and at p.j.huffstutter@latimes.com