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Mascot Issue
Friday, March 19, 2004
U. of Ill. Students Back Indian Mascot
.c The Associated Press
URBANA, Ill. (AP) - Chief Illiniwek, the University of Illinois' much-debated mascot, has received a vote of confidence from the student body.
More than 9,100 students voted in favor of keeping Chief Illiniwek at the school, with about 4,000 voting against, student government officials said Thursday after a referendum held Tuesday and Wednesday.
``The students have spoken. It was a clear majority,'' said Nick Klitzing, a vice president of Students for Chief Illiniwek.
Chief Illiniwek has divided the university's flagship Urbana-Champaign campus for years. Supporters of the mascot say it is a 78-year-old university tradition that pays homage to Illinois' American Indian history. Opponents argue the mascot perpetuates a racist stereotype.
Opponents said they plan to continue their efforts to persuade the board of trustees to retire Chief Illiniwek and they are not willing to compromise with the Chief's supporters.
There are more than 38,000 students at the university's Urbana-Champaign campus.
03/19/04
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