The NCAA's Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee is reviewing reports submitted by schools that were asked to justify their use of Indian mascots and other imagery.

So far, twenty of 38 schools have submitted reports to the committee. According to USA Today, the schools defend their use of Indian imagery, saying they honor Native people or that they have permission from area tribes.

Some schools, like the University of North Dakota with its "Fighting Sioux" nickname, say they will keep their mascots. Others, like the University of Illinois, say the issue is under discussion.

According to USA Today, the NCAA has seven member schools that use "Indians" as a nickname, six that use "Braves," six that use "Warriors" and others named after various tribes, like the Chippewas, Choctaws and the Sioux. One school, Southeastern Oklahoma State, uses "Savages."

Get the Story:
Mascots create divisiveness on some campuses (USA Today 5/16)
Seminoles support 'Seminoles' (The Vero Beach Press-Journal 5/15)
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Relevant Links:
Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee - http://www1.ncaa.org/eprise/main/
membership/governance/assoc-wide/moic/index.html

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Virginia tribe not offended by school's nickname (04/26)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe supports CMU nickname (04/13)
Drunk Student: Chief Illiniwek is not offensive to Natives (04/07)
Group protests university's 'Fighting Sioux' name (03/28)
UNC-Pembroke stands by its 'Braves' nickname (03/09)
UND asked to study 'Fighting Sioux' name again (02/17)