Controversy over the role of the NCAA and college presidents in social issues has re-emerged with the Association's recent actions regarding the use of Indian mascots, nicknames and logos. The NCAA has a distinguished history of responding to issues of equality, fairness and human rights. It has influenced positive change with the support -- and often urging -- of individual campus leaders. This is a heritage that should continue.

Social evolution has most often occurred when a critical mass of individuals agrees that certain behaviors and practices are discriminatory, unfair or threatening, and leaders emerge to speak out and accept the inevitable criticism that follows a courageous stand. The Civil Rights Movement is a good example.

Society is structured to remain stable. People resist change unless their awareness and concern are raised so they begin to understand, embrace and take action on an issue. College and university campuses traditionally have been incubators of ideas and catalysts for such change. The campus environment encourages investigation, analysis and open discussion of society's challenges. A ripple effect often occurs as students and faculty take their points of view beyond the campus.

As educational leaders, presidents have a responsibility to support a broad forum for debate and sharing of information. We especially have a responsibility to foster a welcoming educational environment that rejects bias and hostility toward any group. Sometimes this goal is made difficult by entrenched views, but that does not mean we should lose sight of this responsibility.

The use and abuse of Indian names, traditions and symbols is such an issue. As the university president who formally brought this issue before the NCAA, I have received considerable criticism for my firm position. But I make no apologies for that stand. Our society has phased out many discriminatory customs and laws that once were considered acceptable, but now are considered shameful. The use of American Indian images and references should be added to this history. We no longer read "Little Black Sambo" to our children. Asians no longer are openly caricatured as buck-toothed and squinty-eyed. The "Frito Bandito" has been retired.

We would like to believe that practices such as my family's incarceration in an internment camp during World War II -- simply for being of Japanese descent -- would be abhorrent to Americans today. In the 1960s, when I was a young man playing baseball in California, I frequently was the target of shouted racial epithets and remarks. Perhaps these "sports fans" were unaware how deeply they were hurting a fellow human. I would like to think it was not arrogance and prejudice, but rather ignorance and insecurity that caused them to be so cruel. Today such insults would not be tolerated.

Through training, education and determination to embrace change that is fair and right, the NCAA has had an immeasurable impact on gender equality through Title IX, the environment for athletes of color, and the elimination of various discriminatory practices in intercollegiate athletics. Through nurturing (and enforcing) positive behavior, it has improved the environment for athletes and fans.

Society as a whole has made significant progress, but discrimination still exists in both overt and subtle ways. Matthew Shepard was beaten to death only seven years ago because he was homosexual. People of color have been accepted increasingly in positions of authority, yet many Americans still allow racial stereotypes to affect their opinions about leadership ability. In a recent survey, for instance, 23 percent of respondents indicated they would be uncomfortable with the idea of voting for an Asian for U.S. president. Society has not yet come far enough when we still focus on the few things that make us different from one another rather than the overwhelming similarities.

My personal experiences help me to empathize with American Indian people who say it is hurtful to them when symbols of their race and cultures are publicly mocked. I have sat across the table from American Indian students who have told me, through their tears, how difficult it is to explain to their young children why people treat them with contempt. How are children to understand pejorative cheers and mocking behavior in the name of athletics? The "collateral damage" associated with this issue has been documented. How can we not care?

I have heard the argument that American Indians are being honored rather than being shown disrespect by mascots, logos and nicknames in athletics. How can we ignore the many people who genuinely feel degraded by them? How many more times will we survey tribes and individuals on their opinions of this issue, hoping for a favorable outcome for those few institutions that have resisted change? How can we, as educational organizations, support a practice that has been studied and eloquently opposed by numerous tribal organizations, educators and psychologists, scores of state and national associations (Indian and non-Indian), and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (April 2001)? The evidence is there for those who seek to know.

Another argument for college presidents to stand firmly on social issues related to athletics is our responsibility to uphold the NCAA mission and values. There is no doubt in my mind that the NCAA does indeed intend to "foster individual empowerment and personal well-being," "promote respect, communication and teamwork," and "encourage diversity." And there is no doubt in my mind that certain campus practices -- including the use of Indian nicknames, logos and mascots -- are contrary to those values.

Our job is to educate and improve society, not to sit back and permit discriminatory behavior, no matter its target. Through education we can change perception, understanding and behavior. I have seen this on our campus. Let me use an example in athletics. When I arrived at St. Cloud State University in 2000, we were having some problems with fan behavior at our Division I hockey games. Through collaborative efforts by our coaches, student leaders and administrators, we quickly achieved an overwhelming improvement.

Again it was an NCAA official statement -- this one on sportsmanship -- that provided key support for effecting social change. We appealed to fans with posters that began, "The NCAA promotes good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches and spectators. We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity, racial or sexist comments, or other intimidating actions directed at officials, student-athletes, or coaches of team representatives will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the site of competition." These guidelines for fan behavior exemplify the NCAA's leadership in nurturing a positive environment in college athletics. The Association expects and actively fosters the positive concepts of teamwork, leadership and sportsmanship.

I strongly believe the NCAA should continue its practice of setting expectations and ensuring that its policies mirror social progress. I also believe college and university presidents should continue their own significant function in driving the evolution of social policy in college athletics and ensuring that the same rules of nondiscrimination apply to all students and groups.

This goes beyond exposing students to diversity and multicultural education. We have a responsibility to help prevent the stereotyping and discrimination that breed fear, despair and violence. This is no less significant a charge today than it was during the 1960s, when campus activism spread enlightenment and spurred civil-rights legislation.

Prejudice and bias have many means of expression, whether deliberately or inadvertently through lack of understanding. Taking a stand can create more awareness and sensitivity in relation to any moral, ethical or social issue.

Through discussion and education, there is a point in time when it becomes evident that some practices no longer are acceptable. It is those watershed moments that represent true progress in our society. The NCAA and its individual member leaders have played an invaluable role in making such moments possible, and I will continue to support this affirmative process.

Roy H. Saigo is president at St. Cloud State University.