The Faculty Athletics Representatives Association's executive committee discussed how to re-integrate faculty members into the Division I governance process during its April 11-12 in Indianapolis.

FARA's executive committee, a group of 14 faculty athletics representatives from NCAA Divisions I, II and III institutions, brainstormed about a number of ways to re-emphasize the role of the faculty athletics representative in the governance process, particularly at the Division I level.

"We've found that the level of communication from conference offices to the faculty reps varies from league to league," said Diane Husic, who chairs FARA's executive committee. "We talked about perhaps visiting conferences where the faculty role is perhaps minimal at best, and reiterating the need for faculty involvement."

Husic, faculty athletics representative at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, said that while the primary concern is at the Division I level, pockets exist in Divisions II and III where faculty involvement has waned.

"In Divisions II and III, we believe that FARs have a stronger voice than ever, but we're not sure the situation has changed at campuses or conferences where there wasn't faculty involvement before," she said. "So in Division I, we're trying to re-emphasize the need to make sure the faculty voice is heard all the way up to the conference level, and in Divisions II and III, it's more about hitting schools and conferences where there hasn't been much involvement at all."

The group also agreed to send letters to campus CEOs and conference commissioners reaffirming the need to increase the faculty's role in athletics.

The committee also discussed the issue with NCAA President Cedric W. Dempsey during a forum that featured discussion on several matters, including updates on the Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics and on the Confederate battle flag issue.

Dempsey stressed the importance of faculty representation on the Division I Management Council, and he also noted that the FARs play a critical role in the Division I Academics/Eligibility/
Compliance Cabinet and other NCAA committees; however, there is a gap in faculty representation on the Championships/Competition Cabinet and other championships committees.

Fall forum

In other business, the group reviewed strategic planning initiatives in Divisions II and III, particularly in Division III where $50,000 has been set aside to help increase the role of the FAR. Those funds will be used primarily as grants for which FARs may apply to cover hotel and registration fees to attend the FARA Fall Forum.

The forum, to be held November 14-17 in San Diego, is an opportunity for faculty athletics representatives to discuss legislative proposals that are in the Division I legislative pipeline or that are scheduled for a Division II or III vote at the NCAA Convention. The forum also is an opportunity for topical sessions on issues facing intercollegiate athletics.

"We view the fall forum as a professional development opportunity, as well as a chance to discuss national issues," Husic said.

Aside from the legislative sessions at the forum, other sessions are scheduled that will focus on topics such as the time demands facing student-athletes and the role of faculty members in reducing that strain, and the relationship between conference commissioners and league FARs, among others.

For more information about the FARA Fall Forum, contact Karen Cooper at the NCAA national office (317/917-6222).

In other actions, the FARA executive committee:

* Discussed potential technological enhancements, including a greater FARA presence on the NCAA Web site, or a link from the NCAA site to the FARA home page.

* Discussed the possibility of replacing the current printed FARA handbook with a more interactive Power Point presentation that would be available for all institutions to instruct FARs of their responsibilities.