Perry Kostidakis

Editor-at-Large

UPDATED 3:55 P.M.: In a resolution passed on April 20, 2016 by the Florida State student government, the wearing of Native American headdresses has been discouraged at Florida State athletics.

Resolution 15, as described in a document obtained by the FSView, states that "[SGA] requests that the wearing of any Native American headdresses shall no longer be permitted into athletic arenas at FSU."

The resolution was voted yes by 27 members, no by four and five abstained.

However, according to the Student Body Statutes (401.1) resolutions are simply “formal expressions of the opinion or will of the Senate,” rather than binding university policy.

Headdresses usually worn and seen by those at Florida State games are closer to those worn by the Plains region tribes, such as the Sioux, rather than those of the Seminole Tribe.

The exact language of Resolution 15 is as follows:

WHEREAS: The Florida State University is responsible for cultivating and maintaining a strong relationship between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and this collegiate institution, and WHEREAS: The Florida State University received the declaration of support from the Seminole Tribe in 2005 to use the Seminole name, logos and images, and WHEREAS: The university seeks to ensure all images and actions used to depict the tribe are authentic and reflect what we value as an institution, and WHEREAS: The university has agreed to not engage in any activity that does not have the approval of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and WHEREAS: Florida State University fans are allowed to bring headdresses that do not depict the Seminole Tribe of Florida to athletic events, and WHEREAS: The Seminole Tribe has expressed its distaste for this appropriation of culture, therefore BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SIXTY EIGHTH STUDENT SENATE AT THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY THAT: The 68th Student Senate does not condone the wearing of headdresses because it inaccurately depicts the culture of the Seminole Tribe and we request that the wearing of headdresses no longer be permitted in any arena or FSU sanctioned event. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: The 68th Senate requests inappropriate use of the materials as listed above, constitute a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

The request that the violation of the resolution be answered with a student code of conduct violation has not been enacted.

Symbols of seminole spirit

“I believe the intentions are genuine, and in the best interest in the Seminole Tribe of Florida, I have a great concern for the fact that this could impede on student’s first amendment rights," said a former SGA official, who opted to remain anonymous. "There’s nothing in national or state legislation that restricts an indivduals right to restrict clothing or material, and I believe there are certain consequences associated with the bill that could impede on student’s first amendment rights and could introduce trouble for the university itself.”

The source referenced the 1971 Supreme Court ruling in Cohen v. California as a standard for freedom of speech involving clothing, where the court overtuned a criminal charge for a man who was wearing a jacket that bore the words "f*** the draft."

“As I said, I believe at the heart of this there is good intention, but I believe that it is a drastic overstep of authority.”

Letter to the Editor: FSU can be more inclusive to minority students

The FSView has reached out to the current SGA administration and FSU athletics for comment.

Staff Writer Brandon Plotnick contributed to this report.