MEMORANDUM

July 18, 2003

TO: NCAA Executive Committee.

FROM: NCAA Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues.

SUBJECT: Recommended Actions Related to American Indian Mascots in Intercollegiate Athletics.

As you know, the subcommittee was charged with forwarding to the NCAA Executive Committee its recommendations related to American Indian mascots in intercollegiate athletics. This memorandum outlines the recommended course of action.

BACKGROUND

In April 2001, the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee (MOIC) was charged by the Executive Committee to review the use of American Indian mascots by NCAA member institutions.

Since then, the MOIC has been integrally involved in the review of the use of American Indian mascots in intercollegiate athletics and issued a comprehensive report to the Executive Committee in November 2002.

The Executive Committee accepted the MOIC report and referred it to the governance structure for comment. 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.

The MOIC forwarded its report and request for comment to divisional Management Councils, NCAA Division I Board of Directors, championships committees and divisional student-athlete advisory committees.

The Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender Equity and Diversity Issues reviewed the feedback it received from the membership and divisional governance entities, and offers the following recommendations:

REQUIREMENTS FOR NCAA MEMBER INSTITUTIONS

1. Support the recommendation to 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.

Note: Feedback from all three divisions was generally supportive of this recommendation from the MOIC.

Components of the self-analysis checklist will include:

Adherence to NCAA Constitution 2.2.2, 2.4 and 2.6.

Efforts to assess behavior of the mascot, cheerleaders, band members and fans, and the relevance of symbols.

Efforts to educate constituents on the specific tribe or American Indians generally.

Efforts to recruit and retain American Indian coaches and administrative staff, as well as university faculty and staff.

Educational programs on American Indian history and culture for students.

Efforts to educate staff, fans and spectators on sportsmanship related to mascots.

Efforts to provide outreach to the American Indian community.

Note: Feedback from Division II supported inclusion of only items a, b, c and f. Division I and III supported all components noted above.

2. Support the requirement that 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.

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.

In the interim, during the first two years, institutional reports generated as a part of the self-analysis will be sent to the subcommittee for review and follow-up. (See attached suggested timeline.)

Note: Feedback from Division I membership did not support inclusion into the athletics certification program. Divisions II and III supported inclusion in the self-assessment process. The subcommittee believes that it is of value to gather two years of data and experience before requiring its inclusion as a part of athletics certification and self-assessment.

REQUIREMENTS FOR NCAA CONFERENCE OFFICES

1. Support the recommendation to 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. Support the recommendation to 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:

Adherence to Constitution 2.2.2, 2.4 and 2.6.

Efforts to assess behavior of the mascot, cheerleaders, band members and fans, and the relevance of symbols.

Efforts to educate staff, fans and spectators on sportsmanship related to mascots.

Note: Feedback from Divisions I and II did not support these requirements for conference offices. Division III supported these requirements for conference offices.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ASSOCIATION

1. Support the recommendation to continue to monitor the use of American Indian mascots, nicknames, logos and behaviors, including the periodic monitoring of the self-analysis checklists.

Note: Feedback from Divisions II and III supports this recommendation. Division I did not support this recommendation.

2. Support the recommendation to establish criteria for NCAA championships sites and venues that include the review of the visibility of American Indian mascots, logos and symbols.

Note: Feedback from Division III supports this recommendation. Divisions I and II did not support this recommendation.

3. Support the recommendation to establish criteria for institutions participating in NCAA championship events to ensure adherence to Constitution 2.2.2, 2.4 and 2.6.

Note: Feedback from Division III supports this recommendation. Divisions I and II did not support this recommendation.

4. Support the recommendation to eliminate references to American Indian mascot names, nicknames and logos in NCAA publications.

Note: Feedback from Division III supports this recommendation. Divisions I and II did not support this recommendation.

The attached timeline details the implementation process for the recommendations.

We look forward to discussing our recommendations with you at our August 8 meeting.

KCL:lga

Attachment

cc: Selected NCAA Staff Members

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