NCAA MINORITY OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERESTS COMMITTEE

Summary of Recommendations

PRESIDENTS COUNCIL ACTION ITEM

ISSUE:		Presentation of NCAA Race Demographic Data.
Committee Recommendation:
	The committee recommends that the data from the 2001-02 Race Demographics of NCAA Member Institutions’ Athletics Personnel report be formally presented to the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, Presidents Councils and Management Councils of all three divisions, as well as national office senior staff.
Management Council Recommendation:
Approve the recommendation, noting an April 2003 timetable for presentations to the Management Councils and presidential bodies.

ITEMS OF INFORMATION

1.	ISSUE:	Review of NCAA Race Demographic Data. [Attachment]
Committee Action:
	(1) Distribution of Race Demographic Data. The committee noted that the report will be available to member institutions on the NCAA Web site. The committee recommends that the report be mailed directly to chief executive officers to alert them of the startling trends. (2 Conference Office Data. The committee discussed the lack of race demographic data for NCAA conference offices. As part of future race demographic reports, the committee will survey conference offices to obtain this data. (3) Organization Data. The committee requested demographic data sorted by conference and by subdivision for its January 2003 meeting.

Management Council Action:
Accepted the information, noting: · Support for creation of a database of ethnic minority and women coaches in all sports. · Table 1 does not include Division III assistant coaches. · Table 4 data for Division III Hispanic student-athletes might be inaccurate.
2.	ISSUE:	American Indian Mascot.
Committee Action:
	The committee reviewed a draft report on the use of the American Indian mascots, names, nicknames, logos and behaviors in intercollegiate athletics to be presented to the Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues during its October 2002 meeting. In completing its charge, the committee has conducted a comprehensive review of issues surrounding the use of American Indian mascots in intercollegiate athletics. The committee’s review illustrates that current uses of American Indian mascots by NCAA member institutions range from being respectful to offensive. The committee feels that it is time for this tradition to be retired. However, the committee supports a member institution’s self-determination, and it believes that institutions using American Indian mascots, nicknames and logos should ensure the use is appropriate through a review of the depiction of and behavior associated with the use by its athletics teams, cheerleaders, band members, other auxiliary groups and fans. Further, those aspects that are offensive should be eliminated to ensure that the NCAA’s principles of cultural diversity and gender equity, sportsmanship and ethical conduct and nondiscrimination are adhered to during all athletics events. 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: (1) NCAA Member Institutions. 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. Require the self-analysis be conducted through a broad-based review, including representatives from the department of athletics, faculty and staff, community, student-athletes, conference membership and local American Indian tribes or community members. Require the self-analysis to be submitted as part of the athletics certification process for Division I institutions or the self-assessment process for Division II and Division III institutions (legislative action required). (2) NCAA Conference Offices. Require NCAA conferences to review policies regarding competition with institutions using American Indian mascots or nicknames. The policies reviewed should include championships, sportsmanship, etc. Require conferences to complete a self-analysis checklist for conference championship venues and host institutions. (3) Association. Continue to monitor the use of American Indian mascots, names, nicknames, logos and behaviors, including the periodic monitoring of self-analysis checklists. Establish criteria for NCAA championships sites and venues that eliminate visibility of American Indian mascots, logos and symbols. Establish criteria for institutions participating in NCAA championship events to ensure adherence to NCAA Constitution Articles 2.2.2 (principle of student-athlete welfare, cultural diversity and gender equity), 2.4 (principle of sportsmanship and ethical conduct) and 2.6 (principle of nondiscrimination). Eliminate references to American Indian mascot names, nicknames and logos in NCAA publications and announcements.
Management Council Action:
Accepted the information, noting: · Impact of requirements for Division III conference offices. · Cautious approach regarding criteria for hosting and participating in NCAA championships. · The use of logo and mascot is critical in evaluating the appropriate depiction.
3.	ISSUE:	Review of NCAA Summit on Athletics Opportunities for Minority Women.
Committee Action:
	The committee reviewed information regarding the Summit on Athletics Opportunities for Minority Women. The committee agreed to discuss future summits with the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics.
Management Council Action:
Accepted the information.
4.	ISSUE:	Review of Current Diversity Initiatives.
Committee Action:
	Committee members participated in a pilot workshop addressing race issues. This is the second of three pilot workshops that will be unveiled to the membership during the 2003 NCAA Convention. The other two workshops address issues related to gender and sexual orientation.
Management Council Action:
Accepted the information.

5.	ISSUE:	MOIC Strategic Plan.
Committee Action:
	The committee reviewed its strategic plan as well as the Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues’ five-year plan. The committee requested that staff provide an evaluation of current initiatives for its January meeting. It was noted that the staff liaisons from the MOIC and Committee on Women’s Athletics will work jointly to prepare this evaluation.
Management Council Action:
Accepted the information.