Back and forth discussion about the lion as a potential mascot for Columbia was played out in the pages of The Spectator and College alumni publications. Some thought the lion was too closely tied to British imperialism, while others thought an eagle or Matilda the Harlem Goat would be better choices. In response to the British imperialism arguments, Compton retorted with, “We have the King’s Crown, let us have the Lion.” On May 4, 1910, the Student Board ended all controversy when they voted to make the lion the official mascot of Columbia.