NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE SUBCOMMITTEE ON
GENDER AND DIVERSITY ISSUES
Participants:
[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
3. Confederate Flag Update. The subcommittee recommended the NCAA Executive Committee support the following recommendations:
a.
To maintain the Executive Committee’s previous
policy of honoring contractual events in
b.
To retain the moratorium in the state of
c. To confer with NCAA member institutions, conferences and organizations in states where the Confederate battle flag is prominently displayed to determine if moratoriums on awarding NCAA-sponsored pre-determined championships or other events are warranted.
d.
To retain the position of not awarding contracts for
NCAA sponsored pre-determined championships in the state of
e. To request that
the NCAA staff flag/mascot issue team continue its review of NCAA legislation
and that NCAA championship staff implement policies for all NCAA certified
events consistent with the Executive Committee’s previous action to
establish criteria for evaluating NCAA championship sites.
The subcommittee believes that
implementing the aforementioned recommendations will ensure that the Executive
Committee’s three criteria for evaluating all future NCAA predetermined
championship sites have been satisfied.
Those criteria are as follows:
a. The ability of a site to provide a quality experience for the participants and fans and to conduct those events safely;
b. The site’s ability to assure that the benefits inherent in championship competition will flow fairly to all participants and its ability to promote an atmosphere of respect for and sensitivity to the dignity of every person;
c. The NCAA’s focus will be on education and a quality championship experience.
4. American Indian Mascot Update. The
subcommittee recommended the NCAA Executive Committee support the following
recommendations presented by the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests
Committee (MOIC):
a.
Recommendations
for NCAA member institutions:
(1) Request 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.
[Note: The subcommittee approved the timeline for completion of the self-analysis checklist.] (Attachment)
(2) Request 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. Recommendations for NCAA conference offices.
(1) Request NCAA conferences with institutions using American Indian mascots or nicknames to review policies regarding contests. Policies to be reviewed should include championships, sportsmanship, etc.
(2) Request 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:
(a) Adherence to 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 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 whether 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.
The subcommittee requests the NCAA Executive Committee support these 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.
5.
Other business.
6.
Adjournment.
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