The NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification announced decisions recently concerning the certification status of 12 Division I member institutions that have undergone the Association's second cycle of athletics certification.

The following universities were certified: Arizona State University; St. Francis University (Pennsylvania); St. John's University (New York); St. Mary's College (California); University of Georgia; University of Kansas; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; University of Nevada; University of Wisconsin, Madison; and West Virginia University.

In addition, Bethune-Cookman College and Southern University, Baton Rouge, were certified with conditions.

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 there is substantial conformity with most of the operating principles, but problems were identified that need to be addressed and corrected before full certification is granted.

The committee said that before Bethune-Cookman can be considered for full certification, the college is required to revise its gender-equity plan to specify intended end results, extend the plan for five years, and address the 13 program areas reviewed for gender issues to ensure the plan supports athletics department staff and student-athletes.

For Southern University to be considered for full certification, the university is required to submit written evidence that its entire rules compliance program has been evaluated by an authority outside of the athletics department and that a system is put in place to ensure that periodic evaluations are completed. Outside evaluations of an institution's rules compliance program are required every three years.

Southern University also is required to revise its gender-equity plan to include all of the certification committee's required elements, including development through broad-based campus participation, identification of issues and problems, specific actions and goals, steps to achieve goals, timetables, identification of those responsible for actions and institutional approval. The university is required to maintain an active gender-equity plan at all times, and the plan must extend five years into the future.

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 321 Division I members that are active division members participate in the certification process.

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