Report on the Governance Structure Review
of the NCAA
Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee
Report on the Use
of American Indian Mascots in Intercollegiate Athletics
In April 2001, the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee (MOIC) was charged by the Executive Committee to review the use of American Indian mascots by NCAA member institutions. Upon completing a comprehensive review, the MOIC presented its final report in November 2002 to the Executive Committee. The report includes specific recommendations in three areas that the committee believes should reduce offensive use of American Indian mascots, nicknames, logos and/or behaviors in intercollegiate athletics.
The Executive Committee accepted the MOIC report (including the recommendations) and referred it to the governance structure for comment. The Executive Committee instructed the groups to provide feedback prior to the Executive Committee?s April 2003 meeting. The Executive Committee also instructed the MOIC to distribute the report to NCAA member institutions that currently use American Indian mascots, nicknames and/or logos and to request these institutions provide comments regarding the report directly to the MOIC.
The MOIC forwarded its report and request for comment to the divisional Management Councils, Board of Directors and championships committees for review during their winter meetings. In addition, the divisional Student-Athlete Advisory Committees received the report and provided input during their January 2003 meeting. Also, each of the 31 institutions currently using American Indian mascots, nicknames and/or logos received the report and an invitation to respond. Finally, at the request of the Division I Management Council, the Committee on Athletics Certification received the report and provided comment.
Summary of Responses from
the Management Councils
During its January 2003 meeting the Division I Management Council reviewed the report and requested that the report and recommendations be reviewed by the Championships /Competition Cabinet and the Committee on Athletics Certification prior to discussion by the Management Council in April.
During its January 2003 meeting the Division II Management Council reviewed the committee?s report and took no formal action. During the October 2002 meeting, the Division II Management Council supported all of the recommendations for NCAA member institutions. The Council also supported the Association?s recommendation to continue to monitor the use of American Indian mascots, nicknames, logos and behaviors. However, the Council expressed concern and did not support the remaining recommendations which it believed would infringe upon an institution?s right of self-determination.
The Council also expressed opposition in October that any standards adopted for the American Indian mascot related to site selection for NCAA championships be applied to pre-existing agreements and contracts because it would be inconsistent with previous Executive Committee action taken regarding pre-existing agreements and contracts in states that display the Confederate battle flag.
During its January 2003 meeting the Division II Management Council endorsed all of the recommendations.
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Division I Board of Directors
The Division I Board of Directors received the report. Noted no action required until April 2003 when the Board will have the benefit of comments and reactions from the governance structure, including the Championship/Competition Cabinet and the Committee on Athletics Certification.
? Division II Presidents Council
The Division II Presidents Council reviewed the committee?s report and took no formal action.
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Division III Presidents Council
The Division III Presidents Council endorsed the Division III Management Council action to support the NCAA member institution and conference office recommendations. The Division III Presidents Council particularly noted its support of institutional and conference self-analysis. Regarding the Association recommendations, the Council noted the Membership Committee should consider broadening the scope for all member institutions to evaluate institutional practices related to intercollegiate athletics to ensure that all activities are conducted in an atmosphere that is safe and hospitable for all student-athlete participants, coaches, administrators and fans. The Council also noted that the NCAA should proceed with caution on social issues; however, the American Indian mascot issue has a significant historical basis in our culture and should be addressed.
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Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet
The cabinet reviewed the report and confirmed the following statement from its September 2002 meeting: Members of the cabinet believe it is inappropriate to discriminate against any individual on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, creed or sexual orientation. Further, members of the cabinet believe that institutions, with absolute conviction, should support the dignity and welfare of all individuals. Pursuant to NCAA Constitution 2.6, it is the responsibility of each institution to determine independently its own policy regarding nondiscrimination. However, members of the cabinet believe that institutions should be encouraged to review their situations and ensure that their actions and policies are not contrary to the aforementioned cabinet's statements on nondiscrimination. The cabinet is committed to the creation and preservation of quality championship opportunities for all student-athletes, regardless of their age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, national origin, race, religion, creed or sexual orientation. Hence, subject to review by the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, as appropriate, it is the position of the cabinet that access to or the location of or management of NCAA championship events should not be restricted because of issues related to the use by institutions of American Indian mascots or images.
? Division II Championships Committee
The committee supports the concept of self-analysis; however, it believes it should be expanded to all institutions to address crowd-control behavior and crowd control in general. The inappropriate crowd behavior is not limited to American Indian mascots and/or the institutions these mascots represent. In many instances it is the rival teams that display inappropriate behavior toward the mascots and/or the fans of that institution. The committee suggests that all Division II institutions conduct a self-analysis to evaluate overall crowd behavior and develop and enforce policies and procedures to prevent offensive crowd behavior.
? Division III Championships Committee
The committee reviewed the report and voted to forward written correspondence to the seven Division III institutions currently using American Indian mascots.
Summary of Responses from
the Student-Athlete Advisory Committees
Divisions I, II and III national Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC) collectively supported all of the recommendations in their a joint SAAC summary report.
Summary of Responses from
the Committee on Athletics Certification
The committee reviewed the recommendation to require institutions, as part of the certification program, to submit a self-analysis checklist in order to determine if the depiction and use of an institution?s American Indian mascot, nickname and logo can be viewed as offensive. The committee does not support the recommendation, citing the American Indian mascot issue does not relate to any certification operating principle and should not be included as part of the program.
Summary of Responses from Institutions Currently Using American Indian Mascots, Nicknames and/or Logos
Twelve of the 31 institutions currently using American
Indian mascots, nicknames and/or logos forwarded responses to the MOIC:
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Arkansas State University: Will adhere to the institutional self-analysis checklist.
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Central Michigan University: Stands ready to cooperate with and facilitate the efforts of the
Mid-American Conference and NCAA in their respective monitoring and policy
reviews.
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Florida State University:
The recommendations represent an unreasonable interference by the NCAA
in internal operations and governance of the University.
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Indiana University of Pennsylvania: The NCAA should legislate compliant action
if it believes strongly in the MOIC recommendations.
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University of Louisiana at Monroe: Supports the institutional self-analysis
checklist; should not be part of athletics certification.
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University of North Carolina at Pembroke: Applauds the NCAA for looking at the issue
of Native American imagery use.
Supports the recommendations with one exception. Recommends to the Executive Committee
provides a provision to exempt any NCAA member from the report?s recommendations
if it can document its unique history of being founded exclusively for Native
Americans.
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University of North Dakota: The NCAA would be getting into quite a tangle over an issue that
has no logical, obviously rational end point.
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San Diego State University: Supports the MOIC recommendation that member institutions
continue self-determination on this issue.
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State University of West Georgia: Prepared to follow any rule changes by the
NCAA on this issue. Hopes that if a
decision were to require discontinuance of all use of Native American mascots,
logos and/or nicknames, an appropriate time period would be given to those
institutions to properly involve all constituencies in the effort to select a
new name and symbol.
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Southeast Missouri State University: The report represents a reasonable approach
by the NCAA. It correctly recognizes
that the issue of discontinuing American Indian nicknames, mascots and/or logos
should be left to the individual institutions, but that monitoring behaviors
associated with the use of American Indian designations and encouraging the
avoidance of offensive activities are properly within the purview of the
NCAA. Supports all recommendations
except eliminating references to items in NCAA publications and announcements,
since that would not be fair to all institutions participating in
NCAA-sanctioned competition.
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Southeastern Oklahoma State University: Self-analysis checklist should help develop
increased sensitivity among stakeholders.
Initial implementation period may be critical for NCAA staff to monitor.
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University of Utah:
Feel confident the University can comply with the report?s
recommendations.
Conclusion
Since July 2001, the MOIC has been integrally involved in
the review of the use of American Indian mascots in intercollegiate
athletics. Upon review of the responses
by entities in the governance structure, the MOIC reaffirms the recommendations
presented in its October 2002 report.
The complete list of recommendations can be found in the attachment to this
report.
Further, in order to effectively reduce offensive uses of
American Indian mascots, nicknames, logos and/or behaviors and to ensure that
the NCAA?s principles of cultural diversity and gender equity, sportsmanship
and ethical conduct and nondiscrimination are adhered to during all athletic
events, the MOIC encourages the NCAA Executive Committee to adopt each of the
recommendations.
In consideration of adopting recommendations relating to
the Association?s postseason championships, the MOIC reinforces its intent that
championship participation opportunities will not be denied to any
student-athlete. Criteria established
for institutions participating in NCAA championship events would apply to the
use of mascots and behaviors, similar to regulations that exist currently
relating to permissible arena signage, sale of alcohol and tobacco products,
and restrictions on performances of bands and cheerleaders.
The committee also believes strongly that the NCAA has an
immediate responsibility to ensure that postseason championship sites and
venues adhere to NCAA Constitution Articles 2.2.2, 2.4 and 2.6. Accordingly, any standards adopted related
to the ability of a site to promote an atmosphere of respect for and
sensitivity to the dignity of every person should apply to pre-existing
agreements and contracts. In the event
a previously selected host site is not able to ensure its venue adheres to the
new standards, NCAA resources should be allocated to assist with compliance of
the host site.
The MOIC reaffirms its belief that institutions currently
using American Indian mascots complete the self-analysis checklist and that the
checklist be submitted as part of the self-assessment process for Division II
and Division III institutions. Finally,
the committee continues to believe this issue relates to the Division I
athletics certification operating principles that require all ethnic minorities
to be treated with respect and dignity and ensures sportsmanship and ethical
conduct for all fans and individuals associated with an institution?s athletics
program.
NCAA/03/17/03/RMC:tw
REPORT ON THE USE OF AMERICAN INDIAN MASCOTS IN
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
Recommendations
The MOIC believes specific recommendations in the following three areas should reduce offensive uses of American Indian mascots, nicknames, logos, and behaviors in intercollegiate athletics:
a. Require institutions currently using American Indian mascots to complete a self-analysis checklist to determine if the depiction of the mascot, nickname, logo, or behaviors can be viewed as offensive.
Components of the
Self-Analysis Checklist will Include:
(1)
Adherence to NCAA Constitution Article 2.2.2,
2.4 and 2.6.
(2)
Efforts to assess behavior of the mascot,
cheerleaders, band members, and fans and the relevance of symbols.
(3)
Efforts to educate athletic audiences on the
specific tribe or American Indians generally.
(4)
Efforts to recruit and retain American Indian
coaching and administrative staff as well as university faculty and staff.
(5)
Educational programs on Native American history
and culture for students.
(6)
Efforts to educate staff, fans, and spectators
on sportsmanship related to mascots.
(7)
Efforts to provide outreach to the American
Indian community.
b. Require the self-analysis be conducted through a broad-base review including representatives from the department of athletics, faculty and staff, community, student-athletes, conference office and local American Indian tribes or community members.
c.
Require the self-analysis must be submitted as part of
the certification process for Division I institutions or the self-assessment
process for Division II and Division III institutions (legislative action
required).
a. 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.
b. Require conferences with 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:
(1)
Adherence to NCAA Constitution Articles 2.2.2,
2.4 and 2.6.
(2)
Efforts to assess behavior of the mascot, cheerleaders,
band members and fans and the relevance of symbols.
(3)
Efforts to educate staff, fans, and spectators
on sportsmanship related to mascots.
a.
Continue to monitor the use of American Indian mascots,
nicknames, logos and behaviors, including the periodic monitoring of the
self-analysis checklists.
b.
Establish criteria for NCAA championships sites and
venues that include the review of the visibility of American Indian mascots,
logos and symbols.
c. Establish criteria for institutions participating in NCAA championship events to ensure adherence to NCAA Constitution Articles 2.2.2, 2.4 and 2.6.
d. Eliminate references to American Indian mascot names, nicknames, and logos in NCAA publications and announcements.