The Miami Student VOLUME 138 NO. 24
Oldest university newspaper in the United States, established 1826
Friday, November 19, 2010
MIAMI UNIVERSITY OXFORD, OHIO
In 1974, The Miami Student reported undergraduate grade-point averages rose from 2.4 in 1965 to 2.7 in 1973. The registrar at the time attributed some of the change to the introduction of the credit-no credit option in 1967.
TROUBLE MEETS TRADITION Miami plans to end ‘Scalp Song’ By Adam Giffi Senior Staff Writer
The Native American logo still appears in athletic arenas across Miami University’s campus, including Steve Cady Arena (pictured), and is sold on apparel in the Miami University Bookstore. According to Miami’s documents and policies, the original work by John Ruthven is the symbol of the university’s ties to the Miami Tribe and can be used on materials related to Miami’s heritage, in athleticsrelated materials in conjunction with the block M and with permission from Intercollegiate Athletics, but not in place of the university logo. For more information about the history of Miami University’s mascot change or to share your views about the ongoing controversy, visit www.miamistudent.net.
LOVE&HONOR
In 1997, the Miami University Redskins officially changed their name to the Miami University RedHawks, but more than 13 years later, remnants of the old name are still present around campus and at Miami events. One of these leftovers, the “Scalp Song,” may be joining the Redskin name as a piece of Miami’s past. While no decisions have been made official, Claire Wagner, associate director of university communications, said talks have begun regarding what should be done about the playing of the “Scalp Song” at Miami athletic events. “I know that there is discussion between Intercollegiate Athletics, the music department and others about the ‘Scalp Song,’” Wagner said. “I don’t know where the discussion is going right now. However, it seems to me that we do need to have a discussion about how we represent people as opposed to caricatures.” According to Wagner, the “Scalp Song” has become more frequent at hockey games only over the past few years. She said it is usually played when a player on the opposing team gets a penalty. “I witnessed the playing of it Friday at the game,” Wagner said. “The students started out by waving goodbye, and then did the childlike whoop that people used to do to represent Indians.”
Bobbe Burke, coordinator of Miami Tribe relations, confirmed that talks have been occurring regarding the “Scalp Song.” She said it is likely very few people even know the song played at games during penalties is titled “Scalp Song.” She also said the actual music itself is part of the problem that is being addressed. “The way the music is written propels the audience to react in a certain way,” Burke said. “If we don’t want to make that happen, it seems like the logical conclusion is to change the music.” She feels that removing the song would not be a way of rewriting history, but completing the Redskin name change. “Nobody is trying to say that a person that graduated in 1950 or 1996 wasn’t a Redskin,” Burke said. “They were, but now we are not, and with that comes a responsibility that we uphold our end of the bargain that we aren’t going to do these kinds of things anymore. We’ve already said, 13 years ago, that we are no longer going to have a native mascot. We should not be doing anything that allows that to evolve.” Instead of finding ways to incorporate Miami Tribe traditions into athletic events in a more politically correct fashion, Burke proposes the university fully embrace the RedHawk identity. She said doing anything else would be counterproductive. “Short of mascots, which we
deliberately got rid of, I don’t know why the Miami Tribe would be involved in athletics,” Burke said. “We have plenty going on with the Miami Tribe to perpetuate our connection with them. We have a very healthy, very strongly organized working relationship with them. Athletics do not need to be the holder of our relationship with the Miami Tribe.” Sophomore Micah Moore, a selfproclaimed Miami hockey fan, does not think there is an inherent need to do away with the song entirely. “Change the title, don’t get rid of the chant,” Moore said. “I don’t get why there is this huge uproar. Florida State has a really good relationship with the Seminoles in Florida and they don’t have any problems with them using them as their mascot. If you are deliberately being derogatory, that’s one thing, but we’re not.” Moore said although the intention of students is not to hurt, if the Miami Tribe is taking offense to the music, then perhaps the discussions are necessary. Miami Band Director Stephen Lytle declined to comment, but said he expects an official announcement to be released by the university soon. While the jury is still out on the future of this controversial song, Burke thinks now is the perfect opportunity to say goodbye to the “Scalp Song” and move forward. “Some say, ‘This is a part of our history,’” Burke said. “So, make it history. Make it be gone. Make it be what’s over.”
Facebook party prompts university reaction By Amanda Seitz Campus Editor
When students opened their e-mail Nov. 18, a letter addressed to the student body for an off-campus “Indian Theme Party” awaited them. An e-mail was sent to the entire Oxford student body listserv detailing one off-campus residence’s plans to hold a party entitled “Indian Theme Party” Saturday, Nov. 20. The e-mail, sent by Director of Institutional Diversity Ron Scott and Dean of Students Susan Mosley-Howard, accused the party hosts of harboring bigoted viewpoints. “Web postings inviting students to an ‘Indian Theme Party’ is a disturbing example of themed parties that evoke outdated, one-dimensional, negative stereotypes and caricatures that demean members of a community,” the memo read. Both Mosley-Howard and Scott refused to comment. The letter referred to a Facebook event created by Miami students that invited a few hundred users to an “Indian Theme Party.” The event encouraged partygoers to dress to an “Indian” theme. In the student body letter, Mosley-Howard and Scott said the event represented a small number of students. Student Body President Heath Ingram said only a minority of students knew about the proposed party prior to the university letter. “In reality the party never did happen,” Ingram said. “I would say that before the letter went out to the student body almost all Miami students were unaware that any students were planning an ‘Indian Theme Party.’”
According to the e-mail sent by Mosley-Howard and Scott, the party hosts had a conversation with university administrators. After the meeting, the hosts sent a message to potential attendees that they changed the name of the event to “Thanksgiving Party.” By the time the student body e-mail was delivered, however, the Facebook event was deleted. The hosts of the party declined to comment. The Office of Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution (OSCAR) received no formal complaints of student misconduct regarding the party, but did receive two e-mails expressing concern, according to Susan Vaughn, director of OSCAR. Ingram, despite being uninformed about the letter, has also caught response from the student body concerning the controversy. “This letter was a surprise,” Ingram said. “I, as the student body president, had absolutely no idea that any administrator was going to send out a letter regarding that party. I think students were surprised that the administration sent out an e-mail targeting a specific party that a small amount of students were affiliated with.” Some university officials were consulted before the email was sent, according to Dionn Tron, vice president of university communications. “There were a number of people involved in discussions before the memo went out,” Tron said. “It wasn’t just Ron and Susan.” Ingram said some students have been confused about the university’s policy and role with off-campus events. “Is the administration going to make it a practice of calling out people who have themed parties?” Ingram asked.
SCOTT ALLISON The Miami Student
Despite confusion, Ingram said he felt most students were aware of the theme party’s negative connotation. “Everyone I talk to has told me that they understand that it’s culturally insensitive to theme a party that way,” Ingram said. Some students, including Associated Student Government Secretary Academic Affairs Namar Doyle, said although the hosts did not necessarily mean harm, the party theme was still upsetting. “I don’t think the hosts meant to offend anyone,” Doyle said. “I think students just want to socialize. Their intent was to host a social event, but in doing so they didn’t really portray the contemporary Native American society. Instead, just perpetuated an iconic cartoon stereotype.”