As we at the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges continue to examine the fiduciary and accountability responsibilities of boards, a congressional committee has raised questions about the tax-exempt status and governance of intercollegiate athletics.

Even as the NCAA makes the case to Congress that college sports are inextricably linked with the mission of higher education, the Association has produced a report that resulted from an 18-month study of a presidential task force created to address ongoing concerns in the management and governance of intercollegiate athletics.

Among its recommendations, "The Second Century Imperatives: Presidential Leadership — Institutional Accountability" urges institution leaders to confront the commercialization issues facing Division I college sports without looking to a national set of requirements or enforcement policies. On this and other issues, the report states, athletics reform is a campus-by-campus proposition.

Of special interest to presidents and trustees is a section of the report that addresses the responsibilities of governing boards. It states that though boards have the final say in campus policies, presidents must be the decision-makers on all operational issues. Further, the report cites AGB’s 2004 "Statement on Board Responsibilities for Intercollegiate Athletics," commending it for accurately portraying the focus of a board’s oversight responsibilities. AGB members will recall that the statement provides a framework for boards across all athletics divisions, encourages boards to clearly delegate day-to-day operations of athletics programs to the president and counsels them to avoid becoming involved in hiring and compensation decisions for athletics personnel.

The NCAA report urges all boards to conduct orientation programs for trustees focusing on the AGB statement and suggests the organizations jointly develop an appropriate curriculum, which could be added to AGB’s Board Education Consulting Service.

Most noteworthy is the report’s suggestion that institution board chairs formally attest that all trustees have read the AGB statement and have acknowledged that the board has delegated responsibility for the administration of the athletics program to the president. Finally, in discussing the NCAA’s certification process, the report suggests peer reviews "should require more interaction between the review team and the governing board" to enable trustees to raise questions related to their oversight responsibilities and to "provide an opportunity to help identify concerns about governing board members who impede presidential leadership in athletics."

A very bright spotlight is focused on the many aspects of board accountability these days. This initiative will help boards better understand their oversight responsibilities in college sports, support presidential leadership, and retain their policy-making authority.