Institutional accountability was the emergent theme from the NCAA Diversity Leadership Strategic Planning Committee’s April 26 meeting in Indianapolis.

NCAA President Myles Brand convened the committee in January to set the Association’s diversity and inclusion agenda. The April 26 meeting was the group’s second of four scheduled this year.

The 40-plus-member group agreed it was critical for final recommendations to include strong accountability measures that would move the membership toward the ultimate goals of diversity and inclusion, especially in the area of hiring practices. The NCAA’s policy on Native American mascots and imagery was cited as an example of how measuring standards with serious repercussions can spur progress on an issue facing stiff resistance.

However, committee members appeared split on whether such accountability should take the form of incentives or mandates. One recommendation, for example, suggested the Association adopt legislation similar to that in the National Football League and Major League Baseball, particularly in the hiring of athletics directors and coaches. Both professional leagues require teams to interview ethnic minority candidates before filling a position. Some committee members believe that a similar rule for colleges would help provide presidents and athletics directors with a buffer against external pressures that may resist a more inclusive search process or policy.

Another suggestion was to develop an incentives program to recognize institutions that demonstrate positive behaviors.

The committee also is looking closely at how diversity and inclusion standards may be strengthened within NCAA certification and institutional self-study processes. Several committee members believe certification is a logical area in which senior leadership at the institution and within the athletics department can be held accountable on the issue of diversity and inclusion.

The committee also broke into subcommittees to discuss four primary areas: (1) enhancing equitable career opportunities for under-represented coaches, officials and administrators; (2) fostering diversity among student-athletes; (3) promoting a climate of inclusion within intercollegiate athletics; and (4) strengthening the support, integration and promotion of women’s sports within intercollegiate athletics.

Early recommendations include establishing an annual report on diversity and fostering sports programs for young girls. Committee members also considered conducting a diversity survey among student-athletes, or creating Division I diversity enhancement grant programs similar to those in Divisions II and III.

Another recommendation is for the Association to not only continue to recognize race and gender issues within its diversity agenda, but also be more inclusive of all facets of diversity within the ranks of student-athletes, coaches, officials and athletics administrators.

Committee Vice Chair Andy Geiger, former director of athletics at Ohio State University, encouraged the group to be bold in its recommendations.

“Let’s complete our charge  with a boldness and thoroughness that hasn’t been seen before. The time has come to bring this to another level,” he said. “I am greatly encouraged. There’s still lots of work to do, but it will be a terrific product.”

Committee Chair Charlotte Westerhaus, NCAA vice president for diversity and inclusion, emphasized the high-profile nature of the committee’s work.

“The work of this committee — diversity and inclusion — is connected to the work of every NCAA committee. We have that much influence,” she said. “The time is now. The nation, the membership, including athletics directors, conference commissioners and student-athletes, are watching this committee.”

In other action, Westerhaus announced that the committee will report to the Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity as a way to increase presidential involvement in the group’s deliberations.

The committee also reviewed a report detailing the demographics of the national office staff and heard an overview of the 19 NCAA initiatives currently in place that promote gender and ethnic diversity.

The Diversity Leadership Strategic Planning Committee is scheduled to meet August 2 and October 25 in Indianapolis. The committee’s final report is expected by the end of this year, and President Brand will announce the findings at the 2007 NCAA Convention.