NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SUBCOMMITTEE ON
GENDER AND DIVERSITY ISSUES
Participants:
Clinton Bristow Jr., Alcorn State University; Daniel DiBiasio, Wilmington College (Ohio); Marilyn McNeil, Monmouth University; Karen Morse, Western Washington University; Mark Nordenberg, University of Pittsburgh; Albert Sloan, Miles College, were unable to participate.
[Note: These minutes contain only actions taken (formal votes or stated "sense of the meeting") in accordance with NCAA policy regarding minutes of all Association entities. While certain items on the subcommittee’s agenda were acted on at various times throughout the meeting, all final actions within a given topic are combined in these minutes for convenience of reference.]
The meeting was called to order at
1.
Opening Remarks.
2.
Approval of Previous Minutes.
It was VOTED
“That the minutes of
the March 26, 2003, NCAA Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and
Diversity Issues telephone conference minutes be approved.”
3.
Confederate Flag Update. The subcommittee received an update
regarding pending legislation in the state of
4.
American Indian Mascot Update. The subcommittee requested the NCAA Executive
Committee support the following recommendations as a means to reduce offensive
uses of American Indian mascots, nicknames, logos and/or behaviors in
intercollegiate athletics. In
addition, the subcommittee believes the recommendations will help to ensure
that the NCAA and its member institutions adhere to the Association’s
principles of cultural diversity and gender equity, sportsmanship and ethical
conduct and nondiscrimination.
a. Requirements
for NCAA member institutions:
(1) Require institutions currently
using American Indian mascots to complete a self-analysis checklist to
determine if the depiction of mascot, nickname, logos or behavior can be viewed
as offensive.
Components of
the self-analysis checklist will include:
(a)
Adherence to NCAA Constitution 2.2.2, 2.4 and 2.6.
(b) Efforts to assess behavior of the mascot, cheerleaders, band members and fans, and the relevance of symbols.
(c)
Efforts to educate constituents on the specific tribe or American
Indians generally.
(d)
Efforts to recruit and retain American Indian coaches and
administrative staff, as well as university faculty and staff.
(e)
Educational programs on American Indian history and culture for
students.
(f)
Efforts to educate staff, fans and spectators on sportsmanship related
to mascots.
(g)
Efforts to provide outreach to the American Indian community.
(2) Requirement the self-analysis be conducted through a broad-based review, including
representatives from the department of athletics, faculty, staff, community,
student-athletes and local American Indian tribes or community members.
b. Requirements
for NCAA conference offices.
(1) Require NCAA conferences with
institutions using American Indian mascots or nicknames to review policies
regarding contests. Policies to be
reviewed should include championships, sportsmanship, etc.
(a) Require institutions using
American Indian mascots or nicknames to complete a self-analysis checklist for
conference championship venues and host institutions. Self-analysis checklist to include:
(i) Adherence to Constitution 2.2.2, 2.4 and 2.6.
(ii) Efforts to assess behavior of the mascot, cheerleaders, band members and fans, and the relevance of symbols.
(iii)
Efforts to educate staff, fans and spectators on sportsmanship related to
mascots.
c. Requirements for the
association.
(1) Continue to monitor the
use of American Indian mascots, nicknames, logos and behaviors, including the
periodic monitoring of the self-analysis checklists.
(2) Establish criteria for NCAA championships sites and
venues that include the review of the visibility of American Indian mascots,
logos and symbols.
(3) Establish criteria for institutions participating in
NCAA championship events to ensure adherence to Constitution 2.2.2, 2.4 and
2.6.
(4) Eliminate references to American
Indian mascot names, nicknames and logos in NCAA publications and announcements.
d. Revisit in two years the
requirement that the self-analysis must be submitted as part of the
certification process for Division I institutions or the self-assessment
process for Divisions II and III institutions.
5.
Adjournment.
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