From:
Date: 12 Jan 2001
Time: 10:41:54
Well, it looks like President Kupchella and the University Senate have come back from the holiday break and have done the right thing. They are standing up to the ND Board of Higher Ed's decision at the end of UND's Fall Semester to use the new logo. This may be going over the Board's head, but it was said a year ago by the Board, and before that by the ND State Legislature that it is a LOCAL issue to be resolved in Grand Forks.
Kupchella and the University's Senate Plan would give final approvals back to where it belongs, with the tribes and not the ND Higher Ed Board (Engelstad Puppets). But, even then, there will probably be a adequate period to keep the old with a possible transition to a new nickname (Maybe as long as Engelstad is alive). In the mean time, an improvement on Native American Education and stands by the AD Roger Thomas and athletic coaches will hopefully tone down the vulgarity both by some of the UND and opposing team fans (usually NDSU).
Now, I hope the Board does not go overboard on a reaction on this. It is stated at at least two see that the name will eventually be changed in the future. This is a time where Kupchella is showing his true colors, and if the Board continues to step in, by stopping the new process or firing Kupchella (which they have a right to do), they will only be hurting UND, the NDSUS, and telling the world that your voice does not matter in ND, just money and racist traditions.
http://web.northscape.com/content/gfherald/2001/01/12/local/MB112UND.htm Friday, January 12, 2001
Kupchella sets a new name plan
UND president stands by pledge to tribes
By Michael Benedict Herald Staff Writer
UND President Charles Kupchella is asking for help in a process that could lead to a lasting decision on the future of the university's Fighting Sioux nickname.
Kupchella spoke to the University Senate on Thursdsay after it overwhelmingly voted to ask the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education to retract its recent "unjust" decision to keep the name.
His plan would set a time period, possibly one year, to gain approval to use the name from the three tribal governments considered Sioux in North Dakota.
"I said in this room a year ago, 'You can't take the name of a people and use it without their permission,'" Kupchella told the Senate, a governing body made up of UND faculty, administrators and students.
"You can't do that," he said. "I still stand by it."
The board's Dec. 21 action preempted Kupchella, who was set to make a decision on the future of the name in early January. The Senate members feel the board was unjust because it interfered "with a pending deliberative campus process."
In light of the board's decision, Kupchella said people can now roll into a "fetal" position and do nothing, or try to accomplish something "positive."
At least, two members of the higher education board also believe some entity, or UND president will have to change the name eventually, he said.
Kupchella said he will make a "commitment," with the support of the Senate, to drop the use of the Sioux name if after the set time period, tribal leaders still object to the use of the name.
He's uncertain if all three -- Standing Rock, Sisseton-Wahpeton and Spirit Lake -- would have to object. He may decide to keep it if two give their approval.
It's also uncertain if the board would let Kupchella make a lasting decision to keep or change it.
The president asked the Senate to help give him the standing to make the decision.
Board member Richard Kunkel is a former superintendent of schools.
"I know if I made a decision like that, the board always had the authority to override my decision," he said. "I'm not certain. I'm only one member."
Programs
Kupchella asked for help in implementing new American Indian education programs also discussed in recent meetings.
These programs would make UND the leading Indian education university in the country and require major commitments of time and money.
It could lead to the construction of a large American Indian Center, which could house the programs and museum-type material.
UND already is a leading institution in Native American education, but, Kupchella said, it needs to do more. This would include trying to eliminate negative behavior shown to Native American students on campus over the last 30 years.
Cultural awareness and history classes, may help to eliminate negative behavior and simple "bad manners," Kupchella and others have said.
During the Senate meeting, Kupchella spoke about the Spirit Lake Tribal Council, which asked him to delay any decision for six months to enact such programs.
"I think what they're saying is you can do something about the bad manners," Kupchella said.
The tribal governments don't always know the good things that happen at UND, he said. Kupchella said it's time to show them.
"Give us an opportunity to work to create some kind of awareness dealing with some of the impacts this name has had," he said. "If in the end, the tribal councils say we're not satisfied, we would do it (drop the name.)"
Senate action
The Senate's resolution wasn't included in its official agenda, which is similar to the board's sudden decision to keep the name.
"We just did precisely what the board did without providing notice to the public," said Randy Lee, chairman of the Senate. "I'm certain we will hear something from a certain aspect in the city of Grand Forks."
The meeting was attended by 55 of the Senate's 74 members. The members were asked if they supported the resolution. One said no. A handful abstained and the remainder said yes.
An official tally wasn't available after the meeting.
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http://web.northscape.com/content/gfherald/2001/01/12/local/MH112COL.htm Friday, January 12, 2001
UND makes progress on improving tone at games
If everybody does it, then it's OK. Or so it seems.
But it's not OK to act like a bunch of barbarians at basketball, hockey or football games. In the past week, a lot of progress has been made in setting the tone at games between the UND Sioux and the Bison of NDSU. The powers that be on both campuses have come out loud and clear. They are sending the message that it isn't OK to shout obscenities, to wear shirts with vulgar messages.
And I, for one, am relieved. The vicious exchange of insults had reached a point where the games couldn't be enjoyable. Grown people were acting like 2-year-olds.
From what I gather, Sioux fans can draw on the example set by basketball fans at Kansas. They have a lot of fun at their games without being vulgar and cruel. From what I have seen, Sioux hockey fans can take a lesson, too. It would be good to get back to the mentality of The Farce, the group of student fans who had so much fun cheering the Sioux on with a clever and humorous agenda. Some people have the idea that when they pay for a ticket they can say or do anything they feel like at a game. They don't stop to think what a terrible example they are setting for youngsters.
UND Athletic Director Roger Thomas has long had it right. He says: "Just cheer for the Sioux. Don't worry about the other guys." Basketball Coach Rich Glas has it right. Always a gentleman, he gives credit and offers a hand to players on opposing teams. He accepted his 400th win graciously in Fargo.
Coach Gene Roebuck, who is often too focused to smile, still has it right. He plays to win, but he always shows respect for opposing teams.
By their actions, those in charge teach a lesson. Some of us in the bleachers don't always get an A plus. I guess I would get about a C when it comes to attitude. That is why I am impressed when I see someone like Bob Johnson, a local travel agent, at games. He claps as the opposing teams are introduced. I would give him an A. With the progress that has been made around here lately, I will work for a B on my fan report card.
The cards will be out sometime. Not sure when.
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Meanwhile, the Sioux hockey players gathered up a bag of pucks and went down to Minnesota for games tonight and Saturday. Here on the home front, South Dakota and Morningside teams will be at Hyslop Sports Center for games tonight and Saturday. Sioux fans have an opportunity to cheer for two teams that are at the top of the conference right now.?.?. The master of ceremonies when Sioux Boosters meet at noon at the Westward Ho today will be attorney Dick Olson, an erstwhile basketball star in his own mind.?.?. "Spring" semester is barely under way at UND and they are planning a holiday Monday, designated as Martin Luther King Day.?.?. City schools will have the day off, too.?.?. But it's business as usual on the east side of the Red River. East Grand Forks will have a break in the action Monday, Jan. 22, though.?.?. The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to Central High School Saturday, and the Minnesota Twins Caravan is scheduled to stop at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Westward Ho.?.?. Firehall Theatre is showing "Tuna Christmas".?.?. Jack Gray wishes people would pronounce Hyslop Sports Center to sound like His-slup. It's not His-SLOP.
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Cheerful person of the week: Crystal Rice. Runner-up: Anne Smith.
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