University of Wisconsin
Madison
Faculty Document 1023a
1 October 2007
ATHLETIC BOARD RECOMMENDATION TO AMEND
THE FACULTY’S POLICY ON NATIVE AMERICAN LOGOS AND NAMES
Background
The debate over Indian mascots and team names began in the 1970s with successful efforts to drop the Indian
team name at Dartmouth and Stanford, and to discontinue the use of “Lil’ Red” at the University of
Oklahoma. In the early 1990s, a group of faculty, staff, students, and others carried out a series of protests
against Chief Illiniwek at the University of Illinois. The University of Wisconsin-Madison believed that it
was important to the quality of campus life that we discourage scheduling athletic competitions with schools
that used Native American mascots or imagery, and the Faculty Senate adopted Faculty Document 1023 on
September 13, 1993. In light of continuing confusion regarding which schools have mascots or imagery that
is or is not acceptable under current policy, and because the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) has adopted a policy since Faculty Document 1023 was approved, the University of WisconsinMadison Athletic Board decided to review its policy on Native American Logos and Names, and Athletic
Board Chair Walter Dickey formed an ad hoc subcommittee to review the policy on opponents with Native
American Mascots. Members of the ad hoc subcommittee included: Linda Baumann (School of Nursing),
Dale Bjorling (chair; School of Veterinary Medicine), Judith Harackiewicz (College of Letters and Science),
Mike Plesha (College of Engineering), Gary Sandefur (College of Letters and Science), and David
Zimmerman (College of Engineering).
The NCAA policy, adopted 5 August 2005, prohibits the use of hostile and abusive Native American
mascots, names, and imagery at NCAA championships. The policy is the result of deliberations by the
NCAA and approval by the NCAA’s executive committee, which is composed of institutional chief
executive officers that oversee NCAA-wide issues. Institutions subject to the NCAA’s ban were identified
by the NCAA after a comprehensive review by NCAA staff supervised by the NCAA executive committee.
The current NCAA policy on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA
championships provides the following list/designations:
Subject to policy:
Alcorn State University “Braves”
Arkansas State University “Indians”
University of North Dakota “Fighting Sioux”
Exempt from policy (tribes have endorsed the use of their names):
Catawba College “Catawba Indians” Central Michigan University “Chippewas” Florida State University “Seminoles”
Mississippi College “Choctaws”
University of Utah “Utes”
Changed nickname, mascot or imagery – no longer subject to policy:
Carthage College “Redmen” (with feather imagery) to Red Men
Chowan College “Braves” – will change nickname and logo not later than 2007-08 academic year
College of William and Mary “Tribe” (has indicated intent to change nickname)
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University of Illinois “Fighting Illini” – Illinois is permitted to use the nickname “Fighting Illini” at
championship events; effective February 21, will end the use of ‘Chief Illiniwek’ and related
imagery
Indiana University of Pennsylvania “Indians” (has indicated intent to change nickname)
University of Louisiana at Monroe “Indians” – will change nickname and mascot not later than
2007-08 academic year
McMurry University “Indians” (has indicated intent to change nickname/imagery)
Midwestern State University “Indians” to Mustangs
Newberry College “Indians” (has indicated intent to change nickname/imagery by Fall 2008)
Northeastern State University “Redmen” – will change nickname after August 2007
Southeastern Oklahoma State University “Savages” to Savage Storm
Bradley University “Braves” placed on a five year “watch-list” during which time the NCAA will
work with the institution to assure that it continues to maintain an environment that is not hostile or
abusive and one that is consistent with the NCAA constitution and commitment to diversity.
Bradley is allowed to fully participate in and host NCAA championships without restrictions.
The ad hoc subcommittee recommended to the full Athletic Board the following revised policy, which is
intended to provide clarity and consistency with NCAA guidelines. The Athletic Board approved the revised
language and seeks final approval of the Faculty Senate.
POLICY ON NATIVE AMERICAN LOGOS AND NAMES
The University of Wisconsin Athletic Department adds its name to those who desire to stop the use of
American Indian symbols and names by athletic teams. We are concerned that the use of war chants,
American Indian related mascots and logos by teams both perpetuates a stereotype and causes insult to many
Native Americans. We therefore adopt the following policy:
(continued)
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UW-Madison Fac Doc 1023a - 1 October 2007
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1.
We will discourage all teams from bringing their American Indian mascots to UW Athletic
facilities. Furthermore, we will request that any band not play war chants and that the cheerleaders/pompom
squads also not use American Indian gestures, chants, and so forth.
2.
For all users of UW Athletic facilities, we will discourage planned events using an American
Indian Mascot, symbol, names and activities if that use is disrespectful.
3.
The sale of athletic wear or other souvenirs with American Indian mascots or logos will be
discouraged on the grounds of the University's athletic facilities.
4.
UW representatives to our conferences (Big Ten and WCHA) will present our policy to other
members of the conference and the Board of Regents. They will convey to the conference the sensitivity of
the use of such names and logos and ask the conference to consider appropriate policies. The intent of this
presentation is to exert a leadership in our conferences and in the UW system which will lead institutions
with such mascots and names to review the nature and uses of Native American names and symbols.
5.
Scheduling. During the regular season, UW Athletic Department will not schedule any team
with a Native American mascot or nickname unless the team is a traditional rival or a conference member.
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UW-Madison Fac Doc 1023a - 1 October 2007