ANNUAL MEETING – 2007

Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas, September 23, 2007

Participants:

• Percy Bates, University of Michigan
• Ken Casavant, Washington State University
• Bill McKee, University of North Texas
• Peter Nicholson, University of Hawaii
• Jo Potuto, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
• C. Paul Rogers III, Southern Methodist University
• Julie Cromer, NCAA
• Carrie Leger, NCAA
• Kay Hawes, Sports Association Management Inc. (SAMI)
• Kathy Turpin, SAMI

Unable to attend:

• Susan Albrecht, University of Pittsburgh
• Roger Caves, San Diego State University
• Jack Evans, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Joe Hornsby, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
• James Liberatos, Louisiana Tech University
• Jan Rintala, Northern Illinois University

[Note: This committee is not an NCAA committee and as such, does not follow NCAA committee protocol. While certain items on the committee’s agenda were discussed and acted on at various times throughout the meeting, all actions within a given topic are combined in these minutes for convenience of reference].

1. Welcome. Percy Bates welcomed all attendees. Bates announced that Kay Hawes, management consultant to the 1AFAR, is leaving SAMI for a new position with Cerner Corporation in Kansas City. On behalf of the 1A FAR, Bates recognized and shared his appreciation for all her excellent work. The executive committee applauded. Hawes introduced Kathy Turpin as the new SAMI consultant to the 1A FAR effective immediately.
2. Review of the 1A FAR year.
   1. Highlights of the May Executive Committee Meeting. Bates discussed the FAR role in the proposed Division I governance plan. He announced that Myles Brand has assured the committee that there will be FAR representation with the new governance structure. Potuto, who serves on the Management Council, confirmed. Bates emphasized the need to work together with FARA and all FARs. Potuda offered that the 1A FARs need to do a better job of identifying what we want to do and what is different and unique about the 1A FAR. Bates agreed and added that with the division from FARA, the 1AA and 1AAA are left out with no place to go. Cromer provided a perspective on the increased FARA activity level and noted that Alan Howser, Appalachian State University, is the new incoming President replacing Lori Clemo. Potuto added that one positive aspect of the 1A FAR group is that the NCAA has a group to go to in assigning someone to sit on NCAA Committees. Bates added that he believes when you are on an NCAA committee, you are representing all FARs and not just the 1A FARs. Bates expressed the need to find a way to work together and maintain a dialogue. More discussion continued on the possible distinctions with 1A FARs and a possible need for providing a response to the COIA Position Paper.
   2. Highlights of the January 2007 meeting at the NCAA Convention.
      1. Location of annual meeting. Bates discussed the format of the meeting and the early Sunday meeting time may not be the best for executive committee members. Many members are also still finding conflicts in attending the three meetings of the 1A FAR, Faculty Athletic Representatives Association (FARA), and NCAA National Convention.
      2. 1A FAR name designation. It was determined that the 1A FAR should retain the name with 1A Directors of Athletics and not “Bowl Subdivision”. Cromer provided a report from the NCAA and that media was having some difficulty with it as well.
3. Discussion of the Division I Oversight and Monitoring Group/Presidential Task Force on the Future of Division I Intercollegiate Athletics. Bates reminded the committee of the direction of the task force. This will be a discussion session at FARA in Baltimore.
4. Review of legislation. Bates indicated the need for preliminary discussions regarding the possibility of legislation for five years of eligibility. It was agreed the committee should research the topic.
5. Election of the Incoming 1A FAR President. Hawes explained the election process that would occur during the general session. One nomination has been received for President. Other nominations would be accepted on the floor. The committee discussed the specific Bylaw that states there will be one representative from every conference on the executive committee. The question was posed when an executive committee member is also an officer, would the conference need another conference representative on the executive committee? It was voted and approved to revise the Bylaws to clarify there would be only one representative from each of the 1A Conferences on the Executive Committee. Hawes then read the descriptions for each of the officers as written in the Bylaws.
6. Other business. Cromer introduced Carrie Leger a new NCAA staff member who will be providing assistance to institutions completing the requirements for the Academic Performance Rate (APR).
7. Adjournment.

Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas, September 23, 2007

[NOTE: This committee is not an NCAA committee and as such, does not follow NCAA committee protocol. While certain items on the committee’s agenda were discussed and acted on at various times throughout the meeting, all actions within a given topic are combined in these minutes for convenience of reference.]

[NOTE: Prior to the 1A FAR General Business Session, members attended guest presentations and open discussions provided by Mr. Dutch Baughman, Executive Director of the 1A Director of Athletics and Dr. Nathan Tublitz of the Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics (COIA).]

1. Welcome. Percy Bates welcomed all attendees. Bates announced that Kay Hawes, management consultant to 1AFAR, is leaving SAMI for a new position with Cerner Corporation in Kansas City. On behalf of the 1A FAR committee, Bates recognized and shared his appreciation for all her excellent work. Hawes introduced Kathy Turpin as the new SAMI consultant to 1A FAR effective immediately.
2. Kelly Brooks, NCAA assistant director of membership services, reviewed a handout and discussed requirements regarding NCAA Athletics Certification including the following:
   1. Personnel Statement. Include in job descriptions, contracts and evaluations the compliance responsibilities and expectations of those inside and outside athletics administration.
   2. Analysis of Academic Profile of Student-Athletes with that of Non-Student-Athletes. Asking institutions to provide missed class time policy and final exam policy. The NCAA wants how many class days missed by the team, not by the individual student-athlete. Faculty athletics representatives (FARs) are interested in how the student-athletes are accommodated as well.
   3. Academic Support. The NCAA is currently working with the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) to develop a template on how to conduct best academic monitoring program. The NCAA wants the institutions to review and evaluate what is being done and make recommendations for improvement. The evaluation must be done by an authority that is outside athletics. An individual that is a direct report to athletics would not be permitted to do the evaluation.
   4. Equity and Student-Athlete Well-Being. Issues areas were addressed. The NCAA is requiring institutions to review their mode of transportation and have a written policy for weather, etc. In addition, must have emergency medical plans and policy on how they conduct student-athlete exit interviews. The policy must include in-person meetings or conference calls and not only conducted by a survey.
   5. Brooks recommended that all FARs consider serving on a Peer Review Team to learn the process as preparation for his or her own institution.
3. Review of the 1A FAR year.
   1. Highlights of the May Executive Committee Meeting. Research and data is currently being compiled on the FAR Mentoring Program.
   2. Highlights of the January 2007 meeting at the NCAA Convention (1) Location of the annual meeting. It was determined that Dallas would most likely be the location for next year’s meeting. The committee discussed the format of the meeting and that the early Sunday meeting time may not be the best for executive committee members. In addition, there are still many members experiencing conflicts in attending the three meetings of the 1A FAR, Faculty Athletics Representative Association (FARA) and NCAA National Convention. Bates emphasized the need to work together with FARA and all FARs. (2) 1A FAR name designation. It was determined that the 1A FAR should retain the name with 1A Director of Athletics (AD) not “Bowl Subdivision”.
4. Discussion of the COIA presentation by Tublitz. Bates indicated that he had recommended to COIA that they include a rationale similar to one included with NCAA legislative proposals. He also stated it was clear that the message sent is the need for all faculty groups to work together.
5. Discussion of the FAR role in proposed Division I governance restructuring plan. Bates announced that Myles Brand has assured the committee that there will be FAR representation with the new governance structure. Connie Dillon provided a report and announced that Beth DeBauche and Myles Brand would be present at the joint 1A AD and 1A FAR meeting tomorrow for a presentation on the topic. A discussion included concerns with the cabinet meeting schedule and timing with teaching duties, as well as the transition period and what might get lost during the transition within the leadership structure. Bates provided reassurance that this aspect had been addressed and commented that the goal of the new governance structure is to become more efficient.
6. Discussion of the Division I Oversight and Monitoring Group/Presidential Task Force on the Future of Division I Intercollegiate Athletics. The group expressed concern for the status of the Academic Performance Rate (APR) and the position that coaches are taking to the process, especially the responsibility to transfers. The 1A FAR want to be kept informed and recommend that the group work to develop and take a position. This will be a discussion session at the FARA meeting in Baltimore.
7. Review of Legislation. Carol Iowoka provided a review of the proposed legislation. The committee discussed the need to become more informed of the major issues.
8. Election of the Incoming 1A FAR President. Hawes explained the election process and that Bates had one year left on his term as President. One nomination has been received for President. Other nominations would be accepted on the floor. Hawes then read the position descriptions from the Bylaws. The group discussed the Bylaws and the requirement that only Executive Committee members may serve as officers. It was approved to maintain the Bylaws as written. The election for President was conducted and Jo Potuto was elected as the new President Elect.
9. Adjournment.