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

Boston University, Canisius College, DePaul University and Southern Methodist University were certified.

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 321 Division I members that are active 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.

The certification process, which involves a self-study process led by a school's chief executive officer, includes a review of these primary components: governance and commitment to rules compliance, academic integrity, fiscal integrity, and commitment to equity.

The members of the Committee on Athletics Certification are: Tom Davis, Sam Houston State University; John Hardt, Bucknell University; Susan Hofacre, Robert Morris University; Jerry Kingston, Arizona State University; Colleen Lim, Yale University; Jamie McCloskey, University of Florida; Chris Monasch, America East Conference; Paul Risser (chair), Oregon State University; Dawn Rogers, Xavier University; Alfonso Scandrett, North Carolina A&T State University; Irene Shea, California State University, Sacramento; Richard L. Wallace, University of Missouri, Columbia; and Brenda Weare, Conference USA.