June 3, 2011
- Ratified the Chancellor’s earlier decision that authorized UND to continue licensing the UND nickname and logo merchandise until the law taking affect August 1, 2011 is changed or ruled invalid.
- Directed UND to cease all transition activity related to retiring the UND nickname and logo, including but not limited to the formal transition committees.
- Amended the first motion to also authorize UND to deal with the NCAA on day-to-day issues while it is subject to NCAA sanctions.
The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education will meet again on June 16 at Minot State University. Chairman, Jon Backes, has asked members of the Board to give thought to whether or not the constitutionality of the recent legislation concerning the UND nickname and logo should be challenged.
In light of the Board’s directive to cease all activities related to the retirement of the nickname and logo, President Kelley has requested that Dr. Robert Boyd, Transition Officer, prepare a report on the activities of the transition process and organize all related materials for eventual archiving. Dr. Boyd will close his office and fully retire on June 15, 2011.
The leadership of the University of North Dakota is appreciative of all who receive this briefing. Your concern for UND and your willingness to assist UND with the complex issues related to the nickname and logo are indicative of the loyalty demonstrated by students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION
There seems to be a lack of clarity on the actual severity and repercussions of the sanctions awarded by the NCAA. What will be the real impact?
The NCAA has notified UND that the sanctions stated in the 2005 Settlement Agreement will be placed on UND as a result of the passage of the recent legislation and UND‟s subsequent inability to meet the agreed-upon deadline for retirement of the nickname and logo of August 15, 2011. The NCAA policy prohibited the “. . . display of Native American names and imagery deemed hostile or abusive on team uniforms and associated paraphernalia at NCAA Championship events and additionally prohibited schools that continue to use Native American names and imagery from hosting or bidding to host Championship events.” The policy also includes “. . . a set of „best practices‟ for member institutions to consider adopting which would encourage member institutions to refrain from scheduling regular season competition with schools that continue to use Native American names and imagery.” Following the recent legislative action, UND was once again identified and placed on the list of schools subject to these restrictions.
Robert Boyd, Transition Officer
Phone: 701.777.3559
E-mail: robert.boyd@email.und.edu
