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STATE LEGISLATION

California legislator introduces 'student-athlete bill of rights'

A California state senator has introduced a "student-athlete bill of rights" that addresses such issues as financial aid and transfer regulations.

Among other things, the bill would permit student-athletes to have professional representation when they are considering whether to make themselves available to a professional draft. It also would provide student-athletes to transfer with immediate eligibility if their coach leaves for another institution.

"Either the NCAA changes its rules or our schools would not be allowed to be part of the NCAA," said State Sen. Kevin Murray (D-Los Angeles).

Staff contact: Abe Frank -- afrank@ncaa.org

PUBLIC PERCEPTION

Chronicle survey reveals public concerns about college athletics

A survey in the May 2 issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education shows that 67 percent of 1,000 respondees believe that four-year colleges and universities place too much emphasis on intercollegiate athletics.

The study also showed that 77 percent of those surveyed believe that student-athletes are not held to the same academic standards as other students. Also, only 35 percent of those responding said that sports should be a priority for colleges and universities.

The questions were part of a larger survey about how Americans regard higher education in general.