A staff review committee has acted on three more appeals from universities and colleges subject to restrictions on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA championships.

The committee determined that the University of Illinois, Champaign, will be retained on the list of restricted institutions, noting that a review produced no new information about the school's mascot, known as "Chief Illiniwek," or a logo depicting a Native American in feathered headdress that would support removing the restriction.

However, the committee agreed with the university's assertion that its "Illini" and "Fighting Illini" nicknames are closely related to the state of Illinois and are not directly associated with Native Americans. The committee accepted that portion of the university's appeal, noting that the nicknames are not reasons for including the institution on the restricted list.

The staff committee, which was designated by the NCAA Executive Committee to review facts related to institutions' appeals of restrictions, also acted to remove Carthage College and Midwestern State University from the restricted list.

The committee noted that both schools have decided to remove any references to Native American nicknames, imagery and mascots in their athletics programs by February 1, 2006, when restrictions in championships go into effect.

Carthage is developing a new policy statement that communicates the historical background of its "Red Men" nickname, which is not related to Native American sources, and that will support educational efforts to overcome any perceptions based on past use by the institution of Native American imagery.

Midwestern State will have until April 4, 2006, after completion of its volleyball and basketball seasons, to remove its "Indians" nickname from its basketball court.

The staff committee has acted to date on appeals from nine institutions and removed six from the list of universities and colleges subject to the restriction. The institutions retained on the list following staff review have an opportunity to appeal the decisions in writing to the Executive Committee.