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TechnographParade's ban of Chief logo lifted
By Bridget Maiellaro and Martha Spalding
Posted: 10/26/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Homecoming floats in Friday's parade will be able to display the Chief Illiniwek logo in a reversal of a new policy enacted this year by the Homecoming committee.
Chancellor Richard Herman has directed the committee to cancel the policy included in the Homecoming parade float guidelines that prohibited participants from using the Chief Illiniwek logo, according to a statement released Thursday by the University News Bureau.
"The floats and the people on them are representations of personal points of view," said Robin Kaler, University spokesperson.
"Just as we don't prohibit people from wearing their Chief apparel to work, we won't prohibit those in the parade from expressing their points of view," Kaler added.
The organizers of the parade established the policy in August after asking for input from University administration.
Their intention was to uphold the University Board of Trustees' decision to retire Chief Illiniwek and other Native American imagery as symbols of the University's athletic programs.
Chief Illiniwek was never mentioned on parade registration forms in the past, but with the retirement of the Chief, Jillian Kachel, senior in AHS and parade co-chair, said the Homecoming committee requested advice from the administration.
Originally the Chief was just banned from appearing on the actual homecoming floats but the policy was expanded to include anything that portrayed the Chief, she said.
Herman determined that the policy was too broad when reviewing it on Wednesday. Kaler said that Herman feels very strongly about free speech and free expression.
"The University values free speech and free expression and considers Homecoming floats, decorations, costumes and related signage all representations of such personal expression," according to the statement.
While Kachel said she supports the right to free speech, she is still frustrated that a day before the parade, floats with Chief imagery had already been changed or even pulled from the lineup in order to adhere to the ban.
"Floats use the Chief every year," she said. "I feel bad knowing how long it takes to make one."
There wasn't any uproar over the ban until an article about the parade was printed in The Daily Illini, Kachel said.
The article detailed the parade route and also addressed the new restrictions.
Kachel said that her frustration stems from the fact that the administration made the original decision to ban the Chief symbol and has lifted its own ban.
"It frustrates me the most," she said.
"Registration forms were up for a little over a month with no complaint," she added.
Chancellor Richard Herman has directed the committee to cancel the policy included in the Homecoming parade float guidelines that prohibited participants from using the Chief Illiniwek logo, according to a statement released Thursday by the University News Bureau.
"The floats and the people on them are representations of personal points of view," said Robin Kaler, University spokesperson.
"Just as we don't prohibit people from wearing their Chief apparel to work, we won't prohibit those in the parade from expressing their points of view," Kaler added.
The organizers of the parade established the policy in August after asking for input from University administration.
Their intention was to uphold the University Board of Trustees' decision to retire Chief Illiniwek and other Native American imagery as symbols of the University's athletic programs.
Chief Illiniwek was never mentioned on parade registration forms in the past, but with the retirement of the Chief, Jillian Kachel, senior in AHS and parade co-chair, said the Homecoming committee requested advice from the administration.
Originally the Chief was just banned from appearing on the actual homecoming floats but the policy was expanded to include anything that portrayed the Chief, she said.
Herman determined that the policy was too broad when reviewing it on Wednesday. Kaler said that Herman feels very strongly about free speech and free expression.
"The University values free speech and free expression and considers Homecoming floats, decorations, costumes and related signage all representations of such personal expression," according to the statement.
While Kachel said she supports the right to free speech, she is still frustrated that a day before the parade, floats with Chief imagery had already been changed or even pulled from the lineup in order to adhere to the ban.
"Floats use the Chief every year," she said. "I feel bad knowing how long it takes to make one."
There wasn't any uproar over the ban until an article about the parade was printed in The Daily Illini, Kachel said.
The article detailed the parade route and also addressed the new restrictions.
Kachel said that her frustration stems from the fact that the administration made the original decision to ban the Chief symbol and has lifted its own ban.
"It frustrates me the most," she said.
"Registration forms were up for a little over a month with no complaint," she added.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 13
Not Fooled
posted 10/26/07 @ 3:20 AM CST
Does the Chancellor honestly believe that the student body is that simple-minded? Does he believe that anyone will see him and his administration as advocates of free speech and expression after lifting their own ban on Chief imagery from the Homecoming Parade?
I, for one, am not oblivious to the apparent lack of organizational control and subsequent self-protective measures exhibited by Chancellor Herman. (Continued…)
Brent
posted 10/26/07 @ 7:25 AM CST
Hmmm, I wonder what the big boss, the NCAA, would have to say about this. I can't imagine that they too would value freedom of speech. They certainly didn't value institutional autonomy. (Continued…)
Mary
posted 10/26/07 @ 10:50 AM CST
I really question the intelligence of those individuals at the helm of this flagship institution! Did they really think they could maintain an attitude of suppression and censorship? Their "Diversity" and "Inclusion" platforms wear thin on many a UIUC grad. (Continued…)
Cassidy C Browning
posted 10/26/07 @ 11:34 AM CST
I would like to know why Herman hadn't reviewed the policy before it was enacted, even though the BOT put this issue in his care, and why he just happened to be "reviewing" it this week. (Continued…)
Cassidy C Browning
posted 10/26/07 @ 12:21 PM CST
To "Two Questions": It would be well within someone's right to create the "White Greek Council" of which you speak - though some might say that is what the existing system already is. (Continued…)
Caving to Alumni?
posted 10/26/07 @ 3:09 PM CST
The Chancellor is the "administration" that was involved in creating the policy in the first place. My guess is that a few alums turned up the heat on him (perhaps including one or more in the Illinois state government?), and he caved. (Continued…)
Richard Rabinowitz
posted 10/27/07 @ 6:26 PM CST
Banning the Chief's image from parade floats was stupid.... people have a right to make floats as a work of art, and authorities ought to respect that right. (Continued…)
Dr. Randall Norris, Ph.D
posted 10/28/07 @ 1:10 AM CST
I am neither shocked nor surprised that the Chancellor has allowed Chief Illiniwik's racist image to be resurrected on your campus. If Native Americans had been as hard to kill as Chief Illiniwik, they would now be running the "university" and the Chancellor would be the mascot. (Continued…)
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