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Retired Mascot

Union to Discontinue Use of Redskins Mascot & Logo

November 9, 2020 – Union’s Board of Education voted unanimously this evening to discontinue use of the Redskins mascot and logo, in response to a recommendation made by a 35-member board-appointed committee that was tasked with studying the issue. 

“After two months of study, the committee recommended a change, with 88.9 percent voting in favor of dropping the Redskins mascot,” said Superintendent Kirt Hartzler. “Without question, this name is one that has become increasingly divisive. For many, it has been a symbol of pride, honor and tradition. For others, it has caused pain. We received an overwhelming number of requests from Union insiders calling for change. With a name like Union, we can’t hang on to things that cause division.” 

A 35-member committee was appointed by the Board on Aug. 10 and included student leaders, teachers, support personnel, administrators, parents, members of the district’s Native American committee, alumni and representatives from each board district. Four members of the committee were non-voting, including two tribal representatives and two board members.

“Our committee spent a significant amount of time in discussion and research relating to Union’s mascot,” said Chris Payne, chairman of the committee and Chief Communications Officer for the district. “This decision is not one that was made easily or lightly. Outside of Union circles, the name is widely considered an offensive term. Inside Union, there has also been a significant shift in thinking among alumni, parents and students, and the call for change grew considerably in volume. We knew it was time to revisit this name.”

Union’s Board last considered the mascot issue 17 years ago during the 2002-03 school year. At that time, the Board made the unanimous decision to retain the mascot name. The main reason cited for keeping it was that it was “outside forces” [people outside the district] seeking the change.

“That is no longer the case,” said Payne. “Over the last year, 70 percent of emails we’ve received asking us to drop the mascot have predominately come from inside the Union family. More than 1,200 people – Union alums, parents, teachers and students – joined a group called Union United for Change and signed an online petition. It’s clear that opinions have changed dramatically since the last time this issue was considered.” 

Reasons to Change the Mascot

In putting together a final recommendation for the Board, the committee compiled an extensive list of Pros/Cons. Ultimately, they determined that the mascot was no longer in alignment with the district’s Core Values. 

Other reasons cited by the committee for dropping the name: 

  • By dictionary definition, the mascot name is a derogatory term. The word’s origins refer to the scalping of Native Americans and the payment of bounties;
  • Union students are frequently put in awkward situations where they are called upon to defend a mascot they personally find offensive;
  • Given the diversity of its student population, Union is a “minority majority” district. This mascot no longer aligns with Union’s Core Value of inclusiveness;
  • Lost donations/sponsorships from prospective donors who find the name offensive; and
  • Many national organizations have been seeking to eliminate Native American mascots for decades, including more than 100 Native American organizations across the U.S. 

Payne said, “We took a serious look at research related to Native American mascots and the effect on students, both Native and non-Native, and none of it is positive.”

Research reviewed by the committee showed harmful effects of Native American mascots on Native American students that included:

  • Increased levels of stress, depression, anxiety and anger, as well as lower self-esteem, community worth and academic aspirations;
  • Trauma associated with the name and seeing it celebrated at school, leading to feelings of marginalization, powerlessness and being mocked;
  • Harming native students unfamiliar with their cultural identity by giving them stereotypical images to honor instead of helping them find their true ethnic identity; and
  • Creating a climate of division at a place where young people should feel they are in a safe and welcoming environment.

“We have been having conversations internally for quite some time about the possibility of making a change,” said Superintendent Hartzler. “Today, I am pleased we have made that decision. I encourage our students, staff, alumni and supporters to get behind it, as it embodies the values Union has always held dear.” 

Hartzler said the district will likely take a “pause” before considering another mascot. “I suspect we will just be comfortable being Union for a while. Later, we may consider potential mascots.” He said the district will need time to fully implement the change, as there are uniforms and related imagery associated with the mascot that need to be evaluated. Hartzler expects this would happen by Aug. 1, 2021.

Union Public Schools first used the Redskins mascot during the 1924-25 school year. At the time, it was the same team name used by Oklahoma A&M (today’s Oklahoma State University). Interviews with alumni revealed that students selected the name to honor the football team’s star players Clarence Drew and Clarence Haikey, both Creek Native Americans.

 

Committee to Consider Use of Redskins Logo, Mascot

On August 10, the Board of Education approved a list of names to serve on the new committee being asked to review the use of the Redskins logo and mascot.

“This list of proposed committee members represents a cross section of our district,” Superintendent Dr. Kirt Hartzler said. “It includes student leaders, teachers, support personnel, administrators, parents, our Native American committee members, alumni and representatives from each of your board districts.”

Chief Communications Officer Chris Payne will serve as chairman of the committee. The committee will meet each month.

The expectation is that the committee will bring to the Board a recommendation concerning the use of the mascot by the December 14 board meeting.

Direct questions and comments to [email protected]

Committee Position    Appointed by      Member

School Administrator

Superintendent

Chris Payne (Chair of Committee)

School Administrator

Superintendent

Charlie Bushyhead

Fine Arts Staff Member

Superintendent

Danny Cole

Athletics Staff Member

Superintendent

Rudy Garcia

Patron

PTA Council

Leigh Roy

Patron

PTA Council

MacKensie Mathison

Patron

PTA Council

Alisha Carbaugh

Patron

PTA Council

Jamie Rogers

Elementary Teacher

UCTA

Kristie Blakley

Elementary Teacher

UCTA

Shelby Benson

Secondary Teacher

UCTA

Brian Berg

Secondary Teacher

UCTA

Becky Austin

Support Personnel

USPA

Angela D Davis

Support Personnel

USPA

Sarah Jeppesen

Indian Ed Parent

Indian Ed Comm Board  

Chad Best

Indian Ed Parent

Indian Ed Comm Board  

Michelle Taylor

Indian Ed HS Student

Indian Ed Comm Board  

Grant Greever

Indian Ed HS Student

Indian Ed Comm Board  

Brayden Best

Zone 1 Patron

Jeff Bennett

Margaret Hicks

Zone 2 Patron

Lisa Ford

Derek Rader

Zone 3 Patron

Heather McAdams

Brian Jennings

Zone 4 Patron

Stacey Roemerman

Terri Rector

Zone 5 Patron

Ken Kinnear

Brittany Young

Freshman Class Pres (Interim)

 

Haley Matson

Sophomore Class Pres

 

Grayson Tempest

Junior Class Pres

 

Darcy Lybarger

Senior Class Pres

 

Braxton Tempest

Alum

USEF

Byron Bighorse

Alum

USEF

Britany Hill

Alum

USEF

Peyton Morrison

Alum

USEF

Joey Reyes

 

 

 

Non-Voting Members

Board Member

BOE

Stacey Roemerman

Board Member

BOE

Ken Kinnear

Creek Tribal Member

Principal Chief

Second Chief Del Beaver

Cherokee Tribal Member

Principal Chief

Corey Bunch, Exe c. Dir. of Education

Union Seeks Feedback from Students, Alumni & Families Regarding the Redskins Mascot

Union Public Schools is actively seeking input from students, alumni, families and patrons living in the district as a special committee appointed by the Board of Education evaluates whether to keep the district’s “Redskins” mascot. On July 13, the Board approved Superintendent Dr. Kirt Hartzler’s recommendation to appoint a 35-person committee to study the issue. 

 “So far, we have had two meetings via Zoom, and the discussion has been candid and very spirited, with people on both sides of the issue,” said Chris Payne, chairman of the committee and Chief Communications Officer for the district. “While all groups have representation on the committee, we wanted to provide a couple of ways for those who feel passionately about the mascot issue to provide feedback. We’ve created an email address at [email protected] where people can share their thoughts and opinions directly with the committee. We are also going to provide a website where videos or personal testimonials can be uploaded and safely shared without the need to meet in person. All videos will be viewed by the committee prior to making a final recommendation to the Board of Education.”

To share a video with the committee, please request a link to the secure website by emailing [email protected]. Videos should be limited to no more than 3 minutes in length. All video submissions should have a 5-second title screen that includes the person’s name, phone number, email address and their connection to Union Public Schools (or this information may be stated verbally at the beginning of the video). Video submissions will be collected through Friday, November 6.  The district reserves the right to use the names, images, quotes or testimonials shared in these videos on Union’s website at www.unionps.org or at public Board Meetings when discussing the mascot issue. 

“We have been having conversations internally for quite some time about the possibility of making a change,” said Superintendent Hartzler. “Many, both inside and outside our community, have had conflicting emotions over the years regarding Union’s mascot, and we strongly believe that now is the time to take up this issue once again.”

The committee is expected to make a final recommendation to the School Board no later than December 14. The group represents a cross-section of the district and includes student leaders, teachers, support personnel, administrators, parents, Native American committee members, alumni and representatives from each board district. For a complete listing of committee representatives, visit www.unionps.org/mascot

The Board last considered the mascot issue 17 years ago during the 2002-03 school year. At that time, the Board made the decision to retain the Union Redskins name. “However, it is important that we reconsider this name to see if it aligns with the district’s core values that we have today,” said Hartzler.

Union Public Schools has had the Redskins mascot since 1945. Previously, Union has been both the Hornets and the Cornhuskers.

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Union Public Schools
8506 E. 61st Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133
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Phone: 918-357-4321