ActNow Letter to Board of Trustees, 3/04

Dear Board Members:

ActNow is a diverse group of concerned UI faculty, professional staff, and community members. We have organized into a cross-campus action committee designed specifically to encourage the immediate retirement of The Chief and to repair the damage this divisive symbol has created. Working quietly behind the scenes this year, we recognize that the continued use of The Chief as our university symbol serves only to further divide our community and significantly compromises our national reputation. Now is the time for our group to speak out on this issue on both a local and national level.

The growing list of major national groups who have publicly condemned the use of The Chief is well-known and does not need repeating here. Our own faculty senate has voted twice to retire The Chief. And even Mr. Lawrence Eppley, Chair of the UI Board of Trustees, was quoted in the New York Times as saying, "I do think it's a matter of when rather than if, but we have to find the right time." (NY Times 12/16/03) We believe it is appropriate to act now and respectfully retire The Chief.

As trustees, you are charged with protecting the best interests of the University and enhancing its reputation. One of the most important ways you can do so is to retire The Chief and put into place a process for identifying a campus symbol that unites our students, alumni, faculty, and community members.

We respectfully ask that you vote now to retire The Chief. To delay puts off the inevitable, while further dividing the base of support for our campus, eroding our national reputation, and wasting valuable resources that would be better spent elsewhere on campus. It is time for you to act now and retire The Chief.

Sincerely,

ActNow Action Committee