UMN Morris Athletic Competition: Team Mascots

Introduction

The University of Minnesota Morris takes pride in providing a learning environment that acknowledges and values diversity of all kinds, including, but not limited to, race and ethnicity, religion and spirituality, gender, sexual orientation, ability, and class. Eliminating discrimination and ensuring the civil rights of all of our students, faculty and staff is a continuing effort and this policy intends to reflect progress in these efforts.

Policy

The UMN Morris athletic department, and student clubs and organizations will no longer intentionally schedule competition with teams that use symbols, images, mascots, logos, or nicknames reflecting the historical use of stereotypical representations which dehumanize and oppress marginalized peoples. The athletic director will review team symbols, images, mascots, logos, and nicknames of other teams before finalizing competition schedules for intercollegiate athletic competitions.

In the event that a team with an objectionable symbol, image, mascot, logo, or nickname joins any conference with University of Minnesota Morris, the director of athletics will notify the team in question that UMN Morris will not publicly display the symbol, image or logo, and that they will not be permitted to use their mascot when engaging in competition at the University of Minnesota Morris. If an opposing team does agree to abide by these requirements, the athletic director will refer the matter to the Student Affairs Committee for consultation. 

Objectionable nicknames will not be announced during competitive play and the objectionable logo, slogan, image, or nickname will not be printed on programs or other materials by the University of Minnesota Morris.

Official University of Minnesota Morris athletic teams will be held to the higher level of compliance. Student clubs and organizations, who have a more peripheral affiliation with UMN Morris, are strongly encouraged to refuse to schedule competition with teams that use symbols, images, mascots, logos, or nicknames reflecting the historical use of stereotypical representations which dehumanize and oppress marginalized peoples.

Members of the campus community may refer questions or concerns to the director of intercollegiate athletics.