I want to applaud Trustee Carroll for having the courage and integrity to force the University Board of Trustees to deal with the "Chief Illiniwek" issue. I find it interesting that Carroll is only one of two women and one of two minorities on the Board. Also, she is the only Trustee with a strong educational background.

Unfortunately, many of the other University Trustees lack these morals. Trustee Shah chose not to even show up for the beginning of the Board meeting when the vote was scheduled to take place. He was in the building and conveniently entered the Board meeting once they moved into Executive Session.

After Trustee Carroll tabled the resolution on the Chief, Chairman Eppley made several rather ignorant remarks. He stated that anti-Chief activists "continue to infuse racial tones to the issue that I've felt over the years is not very helpful." I might be stating the obvious, but apparently it needs to be said. How can you NOT "infuse racial tones to the issue" when we are discussing the presence of a race-based mascot? Since 1926, white men (and one woman) have been appropriating Native culture by performing in Native dress and pretending to do a Native dance. The logo is a stereotypical caricature of a Native Chief. Once again Chairman Eppley, I must ask you, how can you NOT "infuse racial tones to the issue" when we are discussing the presence of a race-based mascot?