University of Illinois corrects Chief Illiniwek mistake
The U of I is clearing up a mistake made by an employee on Monday.
The director of building maintenance emailed his staff saying they weren’t allowed to wear Chief Illiniwek clothing to work. But it turns out, what he sent was wrong.
The university doesn’t allow the official use of the Chief Illiniwek logo or endorse it in any way. But they do not prevent university employees from wearing the logo or having it in their personal work space.
The restrictions in the email sent by the the building maintenance director would be a violation of the first amendment right to freedom of expression.
It said employees in his department are not allowed to wear the Chief symbol while on the job or allow it in their workspace. It also said if employees do wear clothing with the image they will be asked to change, even if that means sending them home.
The email also compared the Chief logo to an obscene image like a naked body or a curse word, saying it is offensive.
But a UI spokesperson said he was wrong, and they won’t restrict what university employees wear to work.
When asked if they are allowed to wear a Chief symbol on a t-shirt if they choose to, Robin Kaler said, “That’s correct. Do we think that’s a wonderful idea? No of course not. We’re a community, we’re a family and many members of our family say they find that’s offensive. They find it hurtful. The chancellor has said on many occasions that he would like people to think of their colleagues and family members when they make decisions on how to represent themselves when in our community.”
The facilities department does have certain guidelines for the employee dress code. But as long as the clothing complies with that, the university says restricting people from wearing the chief symbol at work is not part of their policy.
Our sister station WCIA asked the communications manager at the facilities department ‘if someone were to wear a chief shirt to work today, would the be asked to change? Because that’s what the email said.’
He would not give a straight answer and said they were working to clarify the policy. But after that interview, we have been assured by the university that everyone is on the same page and they would not be asked to change.
The Illinois Student Government recently passed a resolution calling for a ban on Chief Illiniwek symbols from university buildings and offices.
On Monday, someone reported there was a large banner with the chief symbol hanging in the facilities and services building. UI officials asked them to remove it.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7sMHRqqyanJOewaqx0meaqKVfo7K4v46upaKulafAqsDYZqafZZmhuaq6zqKqZpufp7%2Bmr9OsZJygmZqzbrXLpaCnoaeauG65yKyrmqOVZA%3D%3D