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A group of Illinois faculty members is sending letters to prospective athletic recruits suggesting they “think twice about whether the university is a good environment” because of “the use of a fictitious Native American, named Chief Illiniwek, as the university’s sports mascot.” Heading the list of 14 signers is Stephen J. Kaufman, an emeritus professor who long has been a harsh critic of “the Chief Illiniwek tradition.” Provoked by the letters to recruits, student Brian Glickman has started a petition asking that Professor Kaufman send letters of retraction as well as resign from the university. The senior from Riverwoods said the letter to recruits is inappropriate and could hurt the university’s ability to compete.