Joint statement regarding "The Second-Century Imperatives—Presidential Leadership and Institutional Accountability."
October 31, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM: The 1A Faculty Athletics Representatives (1A FAR)
The Faculty Athletics Representatives Association (FARA)
The executive committee of the 1A Faculty Athletics Representatives (1A FAR) and the executive committee of the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association (FARA) commends the NCAA and the Presidential Task Force on the Future of Division I Intercollegiate Athletics for its release of the report, “The Second-Century Imperatives— Presidential Leadership and Institutional Accountability.”
As faculty athletics representatives—the faculty members specifically appointed by the presidents of our colleges and universities to play a role in athletics on our campuses and at the NCAA level—we appreciate the realities of integrating the athletics department into the university mission. We are encouraged that this Presidential Task Force report emphasizes this integration and makes several recommendations focused on academic integrity in athletics.
We commend the presidents on this Task Force for recommending the inclusion of faculty members, particularly faculty athletics representatives, as an “essential checkpoint in athletics policy and oversight of student-athlete academic success.” We also strongly support the concept of athletic academic advising being connected to the university’s academic unit.
We are in support of fiscal responsibility and recognize the value of the Presidential Task Force’s recommendations related to this issue. However, we also believe that academic integrity and academic reform in athletics should remain a priority that is not overshadowed by attention given to the fiscal reform of athletics.
The 1A FAR and FARA membership, representing faculty athletics representatives appointed by the president at each NCAA member institution in all three divisions, is well-positioned to assist presidents in pursuing the goals of the Task Force. We look forward to taking an active role in the implementation of these recommendations.
Contact:
Percy Bates, president
1A Faculty Athletics Representatives (1A FAR)
Professor of Education and Program Director
University of Michigan
734/647-1666
Lorrie Clemo, president
Athletics Representatives Association (FARA)
Professor of Public Administration
State University of New York at Oswego
315/312-3279