Handling Sensitive Issues on Your Campus

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Handling Sensitive Issues on Your Campus
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UND Background

• American Indian logo designed by American Indian
  artist (Bennett Brien).
• 75 years of tradition.
• Flickertails before 1930.
• No mascot.

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Fighting Sioux Logo
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About the Issue

• NCAA calls 18 schools hostile and abusive (Aug.
  5, 2005).
• Schools must change name not allowed to host
  post-season uniforms and signage must be
  changed.

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UND Response

• Open letter to NCAA on Aug. 12, 2005.
• http//www.universityrelations.und.edu/logoappeal/
  
• A few schools granted waivers.

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UND Response

• All appeals turned down by NCAA.
• Letter sent to NCAA indicating lawsuit pending
  (June 7, 2006).
• E-mailed to 35,000 alumni.

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Litigation

• State of North Dakota files suit (Oct. 2006).
• Injunction granted (Nov. 2006).
• Dartmouth hockey issue (Nov./Dec. 2006).
• Case scheduled to be heard Dec. 2007.

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Important Points

• You represent the University.
• Individuals on both sides are passionate about
  issue.
• Stay on message.
• With the Internet, this can become viral (blogs,
  Web sites) quickly.

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Lessons Learned

• Try to be fair to all parties involved.
• Take the high road, and act professionally.

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Contact Information

• Don Kojich
• Executive Associate VP
• University Relations
• University of North Dakota
• donkojich_at_mail.und.edu
• 701-777-4426
• www.und.edu