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Committee grants certification to 13 Division I institutions

A total of 13 schools were certified and three were certified with conditions. Two schools were reclassified as certified. No schools received a designation of not certified.

Those institutions receiving a designation of certified were Baylor University; Butler University; Columbia University-Barnard College; Kansas State University; Long Beach State University; Manhattan College; Marist College; McNeese State University; Northwestern State University; Oregon State University; University of South Carolina, Columbia; Southwest Missouri State University; and the University of Virginia. The institutions receiving a designation of certified with conditions were the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore; Iowa State University; and the University of South Alabama.

In addition, the committee reclassified two institutions as certified. Those institutions are Gonzaga University and the State University of New York at Buffalo. Both Gonzaga and Buffalo complied fully with the conditions placed on each institution's certification by the committee. Buffalo was certified with conditions in June 1995. Gonzaga was certified with conditions in August 1995.

The condition placed on Iowa State's certification is to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing minority opportunities in its intercollegiate athletics program.

The condition placed on the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, is to develop a comprehensive plan for addressing gender equity in its intercollegiate athletics program.

The conditions placed on the University of South Alabama are to submit final comprehensive plans for addressing both gender equity and minority opportunities in its intercollegiate athletics program.

These colleges and universities completed a year-long certification process, which all 305 Division I members will undergo within five years. Eighty-six institutions now have received certification decisions.

A designation of certified means that an institution has shown that it operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership.

A designation of certified with conditions means that a college or university generally operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with the Division I operating principles but problems were identified that were serious enough that full certification is withheld until those problems have been resolved.

A designation of not certified means that the institution is not operating in substantial conformity with the Division I operating principles. Problems were identified that were considered very serious or pervasive. Action must be taken by the institution before it can be conditionally certified. The institution may be placed in a restricted membership category for up to a year if it fails to make an effective effort to correct problems within the time frame set by the committee. If problems remain unresolved at the end of that year, the committee may reclassify an institution as a corresponding member (no longer an active member of the NCAA).

An institution can request, within 15 calendar days, a hearing before the Committee on Athletics Certification. If it is still not satisfied, the institution may appeal to the Division I Steering Committee of the NCAA Council.