NCAA Athletics Certification Orientation

Overview Origin, Purpose and Benefits. Athletics Certification Process. Operating Principles. Measurable Standards. Institutional Plans. Third-Cycle Standards. Technology. Available Resources. Questions.

Origin, Purpose and Benefits

Origin of Athletics Certification Approved at the 1993 Convention.  Five-year cycle. Second cycle began in  10-year cycle. Third cycle begins fall  10-year cycle.

Purpose Open up affairs of athletics to university community and public. Set standards, called operating principles, for operation of NCAA Division I athletics programs. Establish tough sanctions for failure to conduct a comprehensive self-study or correct problems.

Benefits Self-awareness. Affirmation. Opportunities to improve.

Athletics Certification Process

Step No. 1 Orientation videoconference and institution begins self-study process. Step No. 2 Institution develops self-study report. Report developed August 15, 2008 – April 2009 Step No. 3 Self-study report submitted via ACS by May 1, Step No. 4 NCAA staff liaison reviews report for preliminary issues. Step No. 5 Full committee reviews self-study report and approves issues. Step No. 6 Institution has option to respond to the committee's analysis. July 15, 2009 – August 15, 2009 May 1, 2009 – June 30, 2009 August 15, 2008 – October 31, 2008 Until two weeks prior to the evaluation visit

Athletics Certification Process Step No. 7 Peer-review team conducts campus visit and writes report on Web-based system. September 15, 2009 – November 2009 Step No. 8 PRT report sent to the chancellor or president for response on Web- based system. Step No. 10 Committee deliberates and issues a final decision for all institutions. Within two weeks of campus visit February 2010 Step No. 9 Institution's response due. December 18, 2009

Operating Principles

Governance and Commitment to Rules Compliance NCAA Operating Principle Institutional control, presidential authority and shared responsibilities.  The institution must be responsible for the conduct of its athletics program, including the actions of its staff members and representatives of its athletics interests. Operating Principle Rules compliance.  Staff, student-athletes, other individuals and groups representing the institution's athletics interests must comply with NCAA rules and regulations.

Academic Integrity Operating Principle 2.1 – Academic standards.  Athletics programs must be designed and maintained as a vital component of the institution's educational system and student-athletes are treated consistently with the student body. Operating Principle 2.2 – Academic support.  Athletics programs must be conducted in a manner designed to protect and enhance the educational experience of student-athletes and emphasize educational objectives.

Gender, Diversity and Student-Athlete Well-Being Operating Principle 3.1 – Gender issues.  Institutions must conduct and promote athletics programs that are free from gender bias. Operating Principle 3.2 – Diversity issues.  Institutions must promote respect for and sensitivity to the dignity of every person and to refrain from discrimination. Operating Principle 3.3 – Student-athlete well-being.  Athletics program must be designed to protect and enhance the physical and educational well-being of student-athletes.

Measurable Standards

Clarifies expectations for each operating principle. Brings more consistency to the process. Used by institutions, NCAA staff, peer- review teams and the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification.

Plans for Improvement

Institutional plans must include the following requirements: Issues/problems. Measurable goals. Steps to achieve the goals. Individuals/offices responsible for carrying out the specific actions. Specific timetable(s). Further, institutional plans for improvement must meet the following requirements: Stand alone and in writing. Broad-based campus participation. Institutional approval.

Third-Cycle Standards

Increased accountability.  Second-cycle plans for improvement.  Gender-equity and minority-issues plans. Increased the number of program areas in gender issues, diversity issues and student-athlete well-being areas. Measurable standards.

Third-Cycle Standards Highlights of changes made to the measurable standards:  Fiscal responsibility.  Written athletics governance policies.  Analysis of NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate (APR), Graduation Success Rate and retention data.  Implementation of APR Improvement Plans.  Required annual review of diversity and gender plans.  Diversity issues (previously minority issues).  Increased emphasis on evaluation of student- athlete well-being. Technology initiatives.

Technology

Technology Athletics certification web-based system.  Benefits: o Increases efficiency. o Reduces costs. o Adds greater consistency. o Upload limited supplements. ID and password protected.

Participants in the Athletics Certification Process

Participants Committee on Athletics Certification.

Committee on Athletics Certification 18 members:  College chancellors or presidents.  Athletics administrators.  Faculty athletics representatives.  Conference administrators.

Committee Philosophy Assist institutions in identifying mechanisms which ensure intercollegiate athletics programs are operating in accordance with the high standards and core values of Division I.

Participants Committee on Athletics Certification; and Peer-Review Team.

Peer-Review Team Typical team:  Generally three or four members.  Chaired by a chancellor or president whenever possible.  Random selection approved by committee.  Will not include peer reviewers with potential conflicts of interest.

Peer-Review Team Responsible for:  Verifying accuracy of the self- study.  Confirming broad-based participation.  Evaluating conformity with the operating principles.

Participants Committee on Athletics Certification. Peer-Review Team. Athletics Certification Liaison.

Athletics Certification Liaison Has been previously designated by the chancellor or president. Responsible for monitoring progress on plans for improvement developed during the second-cycle certification process. The third-cycle athletics certification liaison will be designated after the evaluation visit prior to certification decision. Designated via the NCAA Online Directory.

Participants Committee on Athletics Certification. Peer-Review Team. Athletics Certification Liaison. Steering Committee. Self-Study Subcommittees. Campus Contact. Report Coordinator. NCAA Staff Liaison.

Certification Decisions

The Certification Decision Materials reviewed during deliberations:  Self-study report.  Initial issues identified by the committee.  Institution's response to Committee's analysis.  Peer-review team's report.  Institution's response to peer-review team's report.  Other material and information deemed relevant by the committee.

Certification Categories Certified. Certified with conditions. Not certified.

Available Resources

NCAA staff liaison. (athletics certification link). Handbook (PDF). Self-study instrument (PDF). Orientation materials. Self-study checklist. Measurable standards. Peer-reviewer candidate information. ACS training videos.

Questions?

NCAA Athletics Certification Orientation