Letter from Jim Hoyt, Chair, UW Athletic Board
The Athletic Board concluded its policy on American Indian
mascots and nicknames at its July 9 meeting by adding a
fifth element to a four-part policy adopted in May. That
policy states the following, that UW-Madison: 1) encourages
all schools to respect American Indian people by not
bringing their mascots, playing or singing war chants, or
using symbols that are disrespectful to Indian people; 2)
discourages users of UW facilities to hold events that
purport to represent American Indian symbols, names, and
activities if that use is disrespectful; 3) discourages the
sale of athletic wear or other souvenirs with American
Indian mascots or logos on the grounds of UW athletic
facilities; and, 4) calls on UW representatives to the Big
Ten Conference and WCHA Conference to present the policy to
other members of the conference and the Board of Regents.
The additional and fifth point states that Wisconsin will
not compete during the regular season against teams with
American Indian nicknames, mascots, or logos, other than
members of our conferences or traditional rivals.
The new policy was adopted following extensive
deliberations, and responded to a resolution passed
unanimously by the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, which
represents all eleven Indian tribes in Wisconsin. UW
students, faculty, and staff conveyed similar messages: that
the use of American Indian-related symbols by sports teams
degrades and insults their culture and can turn many of
their religious and ceremonial symbols into ludicrous
caricatures and representations of generally sacred
traditions.
The policy does not address any specific university by
name, nor is it an attempt to be politically correct. We
believe it is a reasonable and clear statement of principle
that responds to an important constituency of our
university. At the same time, we are confident that this
policy does not go so far as to infringe on rights of
expression at this or any other institution.