The NCAA News - News and Features

February 23, 1998

Certification status of 14 Division I members announced

The Division I Committee on Athletics Certification has announced decisions concerning the certification status of 14 NCAA Division I member institutions.

A total of 13 schools were certified and one school was certified with conditions.

Those institutions receiving a designation of certified were Auburn University; Brown University; University of Detroit Mercy; Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck; University of Idaho; University of Maine, Orono; Marquette University; University of North Carolina, Charlotte; University of Rhode Island; St. Joseph's University; San Diego State University; University of Southern California; and Towson University

Mississippi Valley State University received a designation of certified with conditions. Before Mississippi Valley can be considered for full certification, the institution will have to delineate further its gender-equity plan beyond its stated goals, with specific attention to resource allocation. A revised gender-equity plan must be submitted that includes (at a minimum) the following elements: (a) intended end results, (b) individuals or offices that will be responsible for taking specific actions, and (c) the specific timetables for completing the work. Additionally, Mississippi Valley must develop a comprehensive, written institutional plan to ensure that adequate resources are available to implement the initiatives outlined in the university's revised gender-equity plan.

These colleges and universities completed a yearlong certification process, which all 308 Division I members will undergo within five years. One hundred seventy-seven institutions have now received certification status decisions.

The program's purpose is to ensure integrity in the institution's athletics operations and to assist athletics departments in improving their programs. Legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted by a vote of all Division I members at the 1993 NCAA Convention as a key part of the Association's reform agenda.

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 identified were considered by the committee to be very serious or pervasive.

If an institution is given the certification status of certified with conditions or not certified, action must be taken by the institution in a specified period of time before its certification status can be changed. If it fails to make an effective effort to correct problems within the time frame set by the committee, the institution may be placed in a restricted membership category for a year. If problems remain unresolved at the end of that year, the committee may reclassify the institution as a corresponding member (that is, no longer an active member of the NCAA).

An institution can request, within 15 days after the date of the public release of the certification decision, a hearing before the Committee on Athletics Certification. If it is still not satisfied, the institution may appeal to the Division I Management Council.