The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- September 13, 1999

Committee renders certification decisions for 17 schools

The NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification has announced decisions concerning the certification status of 17 NCAA Division I member institutions.

Fifteen institutions were certified, including one reclassified from certified with conditions to fully certified. Two institutions were certified with conditions.

Those institutions receiving a designation of certified were: University of Arkansas, Little Rock; University of Connecticut; University of California, Irvine; Indiana State University; Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis; University of Mississippi; Norfolk State University; Northern Arizona University; Pennsylvania State University; Purdue University; Robert Morris College; University of Toledo; Virginia Commonwealth University; and Wofford College.

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University was reclassified from certified with conditions to fully certified.

Two universities, Jacksonville State University and Sam Houston State University, have been certified with conditions.

The committee said that before Jacksonville State University can be considered for full certification, it must first complete and submit a comprehensive plan for addressing gender equity and minority opportunities in its intercollegiate athletics program. The plans must be developed through broad-based campus participation and receive formal institutional approval. The committee has requested that the plans be forwarded by June 1, 2000.

Before Sam Houston State can be considered for full certification, the committee is requiring the university to provide evidence that all funds raised for and expended on behalf of athletics by the university's Lettermen's Association are subject to generally accepted practices of documentation, review and oversight as required by NCAA Bylaw 23.2.3.1 (financial controls). Further, the university is required to provide evidence that expenditures from the booster group will be approved by institutional officials before the disbursement of funds. This information is to be provided by March 1, 2000.

Purpose of program

The institutions completed a year-long certification process that all Division I members will undergo by 2000. So far, 273 institutions have received certification-status decisions. The certification program's purpose is to ensure integrity in the institution's athletics operations and to assist athletics departments in improving their program.

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 operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership.

A designation of "certified with conditions" means that an institution generally operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with the Division I operating principles but problems identified 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 and 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 ap-
peal to the Division I Management Council.

Certification process

The certification process, led by the school's chief executive officer on each of the campuses, includes members of the university/college faculty and staff. In addition to those members, athletics department personnel also serve on the committee and subcommittees responsible for the self-study. This provides an opportunity for other members of the campus community to learn about and to evaluate the athletics program.

Certification examines the athletics department's governance and commitment to rules compliance, academic and fiscal integrity, and commitment to equity. The self-study committee on each campus analyzes these four areas and submits a report.

After the institution submits its self-study report, a peer group of administrators from other NCAA member institutions visits each campus and interviews various institutional personnel. The peer group then reports back to the NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification, which renders the final decision.

The certification process is separate from the NCAA's enforcement program, which investigates allegations that member institutions have violated NCAA rules. A decision of certified does not exempt an institution from concurrent or subsequent enforcement proceedings. The NCAA Committee on Infractions can ask the Committee on Athletics Certification to review an institution's certification status as a result of the completed infractions case.

The members of the Committee on Athletics Certification are: R. Daniel Beebe, Ohio Valley Conference; Alan B. Chaves, Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus; Robert A. Chernak, George Washington University; Joseph N. Crowley, University of Nevada; Paul T. Dee, University of Miami (Florida); Hallie E. Gregory, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore; Kathleen Hallock, Colonial Athletic Association; Jerry Kingston, Arizona State University; Chris Monasch, America East Conference; Annette O'Connor, La Salle University; Garnett H. Purnell, Morgan State University; Marcia L. Saneholtz, Washington State University; Andrea Seger, Ball State University; James E. Walker (chair), Middle Tennessee State University; and Brenda R. Weare, Conference USA.