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The NCAA News -- April 26, 1999

Minority committee takes second look at alternative models

The Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee reviewed the status of NCAA initial-eligibility standards in light of a stay granted by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in the Cureton case that reinstated the provisions of Proposition 16.

The committee met April 10-11 in Newport Beach, California.

The committee, which in January had submitted an alternative initial-eligibility model to the Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet for review, reaffirmed its commitment to the model and urged the Division I Board of Directors to consider adopting the model during its ongoing review of the standards.

The model contains a full sliding scale, raises the number of required core courses to 14 and establishes a minimum 2.000 grade-point average cutoff. In addition, the model stipulates that nonqualifiers would receive institutional aid (but cannot play, practice or travel in their first year) and would be able to earn their fourth year of eligibility back after having met continuing-eligibility standards.

The committee also noted that as discussions regarding alternative models progress within the structure that the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee continue to be consulted regarding the impact of any revised standards on African-American prospects. Toward that end, the committee agreed to forward to the Board its reaffirmation of the following principles the committee developed regarding any further review of initial-eligibility standards:

That a combination of core grade-point average and test (ACT/ SAT) score are only predictors of success in college;

That other factors such as continuing-eligibility rules, academic enrichment programs, life skills programs and mentoring should be viewed as enhancers to ensure success toward graduation;

That existing and future standards ensure all populations equitable access to athletics participation;

That existing and future standards promote academic progress leading toward graduation;

That existing and future standards do not have a disparate impact on any one group; and

That existing and future standards should be based on validated predictors that have a direct correlation with the goal to be achieved.

As a companion piece to its alternative initial-eligibility model that the committee believes would increase access to athletics opportunities, the committee also supported a commitment to reviewing and/or strengthening continuing-eligibility standards to help ensure increasing graduation rates.

Diversity education

In addition to the discussion of initial-eligibility standards, the committee reviewed a diversity education "train-the-trainer" module that would allow selected athletics administrators and student-athletes at member institutions to receive the instruction necessary to conduct diversity-education sessions on campus.

The module is designed for participants who already have been through the two-day diversity education workshop, "Diversity and Creating Community," or the CHAMPS/ Life Skills workshop of "Understanding and Celebrating Diversity," and who are interested in conducting workshops at member institutions and conferences.

The core curriculum of the module is intended to help trainers provide a basic foundation in diversity and to develop awareness, provide skill-building opportunities and heighten sensitivity and appreciation of key diversity topics and issues.

"The module is a committee initiative that will allow trainers to carry the diversity message to a much broader scale of participants," said Charles Whitcomb, faculty athletics representative at San Jose State University and chair of the committee. "Before, we would reach about 30 or 40 participants at a time with the regional diversity workshops. Having trainers who can go back to conferences and campuses will expand exponentially our ability to heighten awareness of diversity issues."

A sample training session was conducted by MultiVersity Associates, the diversity education group retained by the committee to develop the train-the-trainer module.

The committee approved the curriculum and established a timeline of course offerings. The first training sessions available to athletics administrators will be conducted June 7-9 in Indianapolis. Sessions for student-athletes also are being planned and will be conducted on a regional basis.

Strategic Planning Cabinet

The committee received an update from the Division I Strategic Planning Cabinet, which has oversight responsibilities over the committee, regarding the future of the cabinet within the governance structure.

The cabinet had been asked by the Division I Management Council Subcommittee to Review the Governance Structure to consider whether the cabinet should continue to exist or whether the functions the cabinet performs could be addressed as effectively by the Council or a committee that reports directly to the Council.

In its response, the cabinet has asked that it continue to exist but that its name be changed to the Review and Planning Cabinet. The cabinet also has requested that its functions be reconfigured to more accurately reflect its review and planning function, as well as its oversight responsibilities in administering budget requests and legislative proposals from the six Association-wide committees that report to the cabinet.

The Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee expressed the following regarding the review of the cabinet's role: (1) The committee supports the work being conducted by the cabinet and raised concern regarding what groups would perform the cabinet's functions should the cabinet be eliminated or dramatically changed; and (2) the committee advocates that it continue to have a direct line of communication with a policy-making body that can affect change, whether that be the cabinet or the Council.

The Management Council is continuing to review the roles of both the Strategic Planning Cabinet and the Business/Finance Cabinet and is expected to make final recommendations to the Division I Board of Directors in July.

Other highlightsMinority Opportunities and Interests Committee

April 10-11/Newport Beach, California

Reviewed results from a survey soliciting information on the demographics of conference personnel and game officials. The committee agreed to table releasing the data until further research is conducted on officiating assignments and NCAA championships policies regarding selection of officials for championship events.

Discussed the possibility of creating a national data bank to provide resources for institutions to identify minorities for various positions in intercollegiate athletics.

Discussed student-athlete representation on Association-wide committees. The committee noted that this issue also is being discussed among the three divisional Student-Athlete Advisory Committees.

Heard from Clint Bryant, chair of the Division II Management Council, regarding the work of the Division II Project Team to Review Issues Related to Diversity.