Accreditation team to examine UI's handling of Chief Illiniwek

CBS 2 Chicago ^ | April 9, 2004 | AP

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) The agency that certifies the University of Illinois plans to send a team to Urbana-Champaign later this month to examine how the school is dealing with the divided opinions surrounding its Chief Illiniwek athletic symbol.

The visit by the North Central Association Higher Learning Commission is a follow-up to its 1999 accreditation review of the university. That review found that UI easily met accreditation standards, but the commission was concerned about the school's response to the Illiniwek controversy.

Chief Illiniwek has divided the campus for years.

Supporters argue the mascot, a student who dresses in buckskins and headdress and dances at sporting events, pays homage to the state's American Indian heritage. Opponents argue the mascot perpetuates a stereotype and demeans American Indians.

The report from the 1999 visit expressed concerns that the school's continued use of Chief Illiniwek was inconsistent with its statements about broadening diversity.

``The team will be looking at whether the manner in which they've dealt with the Chief jibes with the broader policy statements of increasing diversity,'' said Steve Crow, executive director of commission. ``Is there a consistent message? Does the Chief make it an unfriendly environment for that?''

The school has worked hard to be inclusive, said campus spokeswoman Robin Kaler.

``It's the feeling of the campus that we attach great importance to having a welcoming environment. We have worked hard to create one and are working hard to improve it,'' she said.

Crow said the follow-up visit was originally scheduled last year but was delayed because of the change in the governor's office and changes on the university's Board of Trustees. The three-member team is scheduled to visit the school April 26-27. A report is expected within two months of the visit.

The university's Board of Trustees passed a resolution in 1990 supporting Chief Illiniwek, and recent attempts to get the board to reverse that position have been stymied.

Trustee Frances Carroll has twice scheduled a vote only to pull back because she lacked enough support to retire the mascot. The campus' current student representative on the board, Nate Allen, said he would ask the board to vote at its April meeting, but the meeting was cancelled.

In a student referendum last month, the student body voted by more than 2-1 in favor of keeping the mascot.

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

Trustee Frances Carroll has twice scheduled a vote only to pull back because she lacked enough support to retire the mascot.

Surprise, she's a Dem (Rod Blagojevich appointee).

Chief!!

[Paleo Conservative]

I bet PETA starts organizing protests against animal sports mascots next.

[Lawgvr1955]

If they change the name I propose naming the mascot "Monument to Irrational Insensitivity".

[junodog]

isn't the whole flap just silly and indicative of the lack of real issues on the part of the Left?

[HassanBenSobar]

This Illini alum sure thinks so. The anti-Chief people at U of I, during my days there, were completely rabid leftist nuts (many of whom weren't even students, just local rabble).

[Temple Drake]

as an alumna AND a townie, I totally agree with you. This is just another hobbyhorse for the local socialists to ride; I suppose it helps them impress their pals in other towns.