There are some misconceptions about the much-debated Chief issue. The concept that this is degrading to Native Americans is nonsense. There were many tribes of Native Americans here for the past few centuries, all with different cultures and traditions. Chief Illiniwek is modeled after the Illini tribe, the descendants of which are the Peoria tribe. Saying this is representative of all is silly.

Here is an analogy. It's like an Italian saying they are offended that a drunken leprechaun running around on the field is stereotypical of Europeans. Ireland is not Italy, so who cares what Italians think about it? Likewise, other tribes have no standing to say anything about the Chief. It is ironic that the bleeding hearts magnanimously seeking to root out racism are lumping all the red folk in the same group.

The only people who have a say here is the Peoria tribe, and if they don't like it, the decision should be deferred to them. In 2000, they voted 3-2 on asking for the Chief's retirement. That vote should be respected. Just as much as the protest culture on this campus is wrong to lump all Native Americans into one big mass for the sake of their argument, it is just as wrong to ignore the wishes of the tribe who it DOES represent.

Now, the Board reconsidered ramming the removal through the BOT as unethical in the extreme, which was smart, but come March or June it is time to get rid of the Chief. Not because of racism or any of these puffed up liberal accusations, but because the tribe it represents asked us to. Now, finally, we can put the issue to rest, and perhaps Professor Kaufmann can find something better to do with his time ... like maybe doing his job.