Today's Date: March 28, 2024
Argonne-Supported Critical Materials Assessment Tags Potential Supply Chain Bottlenecks   •   Consolidated Credit Launches Free Webinar Series to Empower Individuals During Challenging Economic Climate   •   JAMS Diversity Fellowship Accepting Applications   •   Scotiabank ranks on The Globe and Mail's annual Women Lead Here benchmark of executive gender diversity for the fourth consecuti   •   Paralyzed Veterans of America to honor former Senator Elizabeth Dole with 2024 Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Awar   •   Ziebart Salutes Franchisees, Veterans & Community in Celebration of 65-Year Legacy and Reveals Future Initiatives   •   Impacts of Extreme Weather on Interior Design Examined in New Research   •   MDA SPACE INCLUDED IN THE GLOBE & MAIL'S ANNUAL WOMEN LEAD HERE RANKING   •   RICE Announces Strategic Leadership Additions, Cementing Its Role as the Nation's Largest Entrepreneurial Hub   •   Impact Communications Signs Best-Selling Book Author and Financial Advisor Coach Derrick Kinney   •   Tax Tip From MEFA: Send Your Tax Refund Directly to Your 529   •   Chevron Announces Opening of Fab Labs at HBCUs   •   Gale Primary Sources Release Four New Archives Devoted to Contributions from Underrecognized Communities   •   35 National Partners Representing Over 3 Million Women Join Women's Suffrage National Monument Foundation's Growing Coalition   •   Sila Moses Lake Manager Rosendo Alvarado to Speak at Big Bend Community College Building the Future Energy Workforce Event   •   Key Piece of “Titanic” Movie Memorabilia Purchased By Titanic Museum Attraction   •   Bill Introduced in Minnesota Would Increase Access To Genetic Testing   •   Terragia Secures $6M to Develop Cost-Competitive, Low-Carbon Biofuel Technology   •   First Book and Ashoka Announce 15 Youth Challenge Winners in Time for Change Nationwide Initiative   •   Dawson-Forté Cashmere Shareholders Sell Majority Equity Stake to Tempus Partners
Bookmark and Share

Alums Want To Move Past Racist Scandal

GRAND FORK, ND -  Fifteen former presidents of the University of North Dakota Alumni Association and UND Foundation boards have signed a letter saying the school’s Fighting Sioux nickname should be retired before the dispute causes serious problems for the school, according to a News From Indian Country report.

Native American News, Indian News, Native News, Minority News, Civil Rights, Discrimination, Racism, Diversity, Racial Equality, Bias, EqualityThe Legislature this year passed a bill requiring UND to keep the nickname even though the school had already begun efforts to retire it.

The NCAA says the moniker is offensive to American Indians and that UND will face sanctions if it remains, including being unable to host NCAA tournaments. UND also is likely to have problems joining the Big Sky Conference as part of its move to NCAA Division I competition.

“Most, but not all of us, would have wished to see the nickname continue,” the alumni said in the letter written by David Iverson of Seattle, a 1970 UND graduate. “But we have all reached the conclusion that to continue to fight the NCAA over this matter is counter-productive for the present and future of UND.”

The name should be retired because “not doing so would have catastrophic results for our school. This is a real crossroads for the future of our institution,” they said in the letter sent this week to the state Board of Higher Education, the Legislature, and the governor and attorney general, according to The Grand Forks Herald.

The signers of the letter said they “are concerned about the corrosive effect this situation has had on the leadership of the school, requiring extraordinary amounts of time and energy that should be going to the primary purpose of providing a quality education.”

“Today’s students are being shortchanged,” the letter said.

President Robert Kelley said last week that the school has to move beyond the nickname dispute. He urged the Legislature to vote to overturn its bill when lawmakers meet in November to redraw legislative districts.

James Brosseau, a Grand Forks doctor who signed the letter, said many of them supported what the Legislature did but believe it is impractical for the school to keep the nickname.

“I think the legislators and everybody acted in good faith,” he said. “But I think we’ve reached the point where we’re not going to budge the NCAA, and now we have to support President Kelley.”

State and higher education leaders plan to meet with the NCAA on July 25 in Indianapolis to see if UND can avoid being penalized if it keeps the nickname, though University System Chancellor William Goetz said that he questioned the value of the meeting.


STORY TAGS: Native American News, Indian News, Native News, Minority News, Civil Rights, Discrimination, Racism, Diversity, Racial Equality, Bias, Equality

Video

White House Live Stream
LIVE VIDEO EVERY SATURDAY
alsharpton Rev. Al Sharpton
9 to 11 am EST
jjackson Rev. Jesse Jackson
10 to noon CST


Video

LIVE BROADCASTS
Sounds Make the News ®
WAOK-Urban
Atlanta - WAOK-Urban
KPFA-Progressive
Berkley / San Francisco - KPFA-Progressive
WVON-Urban
Chicago - WVON-Urban
KJLH - Urban
Los Angeles - KJLH - Urban
WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
New York - WKDM-Mandarin Chinese
WADO-Spanish
New York - WADO-Spanish
WBAI - Progressive
New York - WBAI - Progressive
WOL-Urban
Washington - WOL-Urban

Listen to United Natiosns News