The NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification has announced decisions concerning the certification status of 18 Division I member institutions that have undergone the Association's second cycle of athletics certification.

The following universities were certified:

• American University

• University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff

• University at Buffalo, the State University of New York

• Butler University

• Dartmouth College

• University of Dayton

• Louisiana State University

• University of Louisville

• North Carolina A&T State University

• University of North Carolina, Greensboro

• North Carolina State University

• Rider University

• University of San Francisco

• Seton Hall University

• University of Texas, Pan American

• Villanova University

• Virginia Commonwealth University

• Yale University

The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in the institution's athletics program and to assist institutions in improving their athletics departments. NCAA legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted in 1993.

The certification process, which is a self-study led by an institution's chief executive officer, includes a review of these primary components: governance and commitment to rules compliance; academic integrity; equity; and student-athlete well-being.

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

The second round of athletics certifications is being completed on a 10-year cycle rather than the five-year cycle used during the initial certification process. All 326 active Division I members participate in the certification process.

The Division I Committee on Athletics Certification preliminarily reviews an institution's certification materials and provides a list of issues identified during the evaluation. The university then has a period of about one year to respond in writing to the issues before a final certification decision is rendered. An institution's failure to satisfactorily respond to the committee may negatively impact certification status.

The certification process is separate from the NCAA's enforcement program, which investigates allegations of rules violations by NCAA member institutions. A decision of certified does not exempt an institution from concurrent or subsequent enforcement proceedings.