Legislation & Resolutions
Associated Students | San Diego State University

Resolution Supporting a New University Mascot

Authors: SDSU Native American Student Alliance and
Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlan

WHEREAS, California public schools are required to promote diversity and respect for different cultures under existing provisions of the State Education Code; and

WHEREAS, it is the shared vision of SDSU to create a community proud of its diversity and committed to furthering social justice on and off campus; and

WHEREAS, native symbols and mascots have been used, but then later acknowledged as inappropriate and retired by the following institutions of higher learning; Dartmouth College, Eastern Michigan University, Marquette University, Seattle University, Southern Oregon University, Southwestern Community College, Stanford University, Syracuse University, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, University of Oklahoma; and

WHEREAS, the following organizations have publicly opposed the use of Native symbols and mascots; United Nations (UN), Economic and Social Council, Commission on Human Rights, United Stated Civil Rights Commission, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Museum of Tolerance, National Education Association (NEA), California Teacher’s Association (CTA), University of California Student Association (UCSA), California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), Coalition of American Indian Organizations, National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ), LA Unified School District, San Francisco Unified School District, and SDSU University Senate; and

WHEREAS, the A.S. Council and the University Senate recommended the retirement of “Monty” Montezuma as the school mascot; and

WHEREAS, it is the function of A.S. to serve as the voice of the students by uniting the student body and community in which it resides; and

WHEREAS, the current referendum and proposed mascot has served to divide, not unite, the student body and A.S. Council; and

WHEREAS, SDSU will be the ONLY publicly funded university in the state of California that maintains a human representation mascot; and

WHEREAS, it is the belief of A.S. Council that any student referendum should include student input, and that only current students should vote on a student referendum; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that A.S. recommends to President Weber that the mascot referendum be postponed until the Spring 2004 semester and that the “Aztec Warrior” be immediately removed from consideration as the SDSU mascot; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that A.S. holds a campus-wide contest, beginning Monday, January 19, 2004 and ending on February 13, 2004, whereby only current students will be allowed to submit non-human mascot entries and vote on this referendum, in which A.S. will pay the expense of the contest and referendum; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that students will submit their proposals to the Cross Cultural Center Advisory Board, and the Cross Cultural Center Advisory Board will select at least two, but no more than five entries on the followed criteria:

  1. Appropriateness (The mascot is not inconsistent with the mission of SDSU in either appearance or action)
  2. Viability (The costume can be made without unreasonable expense or hardship)
  3. General Appeal (The mascot will have sufficient appeal to excite and entertain the student body and the San Diego community)
  4. Promotes Campus Unity (The mascot will not in any way partake in activities or dress in a manner that would be deemed culturally insensitive or in any way divisive)
  5. Weapons Ban (The mascot will not be allowed to use, hold or operate anything resembling a man-made weapon)

RESOLVED, that final selections will be announced on Monday, February 23, 2004, and posted on the SDSU web site, whereby voting on the new mascot will begin on Monday, March 8, 2004 and end on Friday, March 12, 2004; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that the new mascot will be unveiled on Wednesday, March 31, 2004 at the end of SDSU Month; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, that copies of this resolution be forwarded to President Weber, University Senate, Alumni Association, and CSU Chancellor Reed.

 

Approved by Associated Students Council on November 19, 2003


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Juanita Salas, Associated Students President