SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State will keep the Aztec mascot, but is considering replacing its red-faced, glaring Indian logo with a more accurate image.

School president Stephen Weber's decision Thursday caps a controversy over the 76-year-old Aztec tradition, which American Indian and Latino student groups charge is racist and offensive.

	The Aztec name will stay at San Diego State, but this logo might be seeing its final days.

Weber said he consulted with students, faculty, and alumni, as well as local American Indian leaders and experts on Aztec history before concluding that use of the name is a celebration of the ancient culture, not an offense.

"SDSU's invocation of Aztec culture is based on the belief that the Aztec civilization exemplifies admirable qualities," he said. The school "will proudly continue its affiliation with the Aztec culture and traditions as embodiments of strength, valor and intellectual achievement."

Weber called for a task force of student, alumni and faculty representatives to study Aztec history and consider whether to change the logo and the human portrayal of "Monty Montezuma" -- based upon the Aztec leader who ruled in the early 1500s.

The group is to present its recommendations by May 1.

Meanwhile, the student mascot will continue to appear at sporting events, though Weber acknowledged "it is difficult to argue that our current bare-chested, spear-throwing Monty Montezuma accurately depicts the Aztec leader."

Weber said Miguel Leon Portilla, a Mexican scholar whom he called "the world's leading expert on Aztec culture," found nothing racist or inappropriate in use of the nickname. The portrayal of Monty Montezuma, however, could be "risky" because it opens the possibility of "inappropriate behavior," Weber said.

Christina Quimiro, of the Chicano group MEChA, said it is wrong to use a human historical figure as a mascot. Though a vote last month showed strong support for the Aztec name, Quimiro said most SDSU students are unfamiliar with the Indian culture.

"A lot of this comes out of ignorance," she said.

Manuel Lieras, president of the American Indian student group that brought the issue to the Student Council in September, said convening a task force to create a new, less offensive logo would not solve the problem.

"As long as it's a human representation of Monty Montezuma the struggle will continue," he said.