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ANNUAL MEETING – 2008

2008 Meeting Minutes

NCAA National Office, Indianapolis, Indiana, May 9-10, 2008

Participants:

  • Percy Bates, University of Michigan
  • Peter Nicholson, University of Hawaii, Manoa
  • Joe Potuto, University of Nebraska
  • William Smith, University of Utah
  • Bob Chichester, NCAA
  • Ted Breidenthal, Sports Association Management, Inc.
  • Susan Lipnicky, University of Miami (Ohio) attended the meeting and was the conference representative on behalf of Jan Rintala.

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
  • Ken Kasavant, Washington State University
  • Bill McKee, University of North Texas
  • Jan Rintala, Northern Illinois University
  • C. Paul Rogers III, Southern Methodist University

Friday, May 9, 2008

  1. Opening Remarks. The meeting was called to order at 1 p.m. by Dr. Bates, University of Michigan, president of the Association. All members were present as noted above.
  2. Discussion of COIA’s National Meeting. The Executive Committee focused its discussion on COIA’s announcement that it intends to develop a national ranking system of academic performance by NCAA member institutions. It expressed concern regarding the criteria that will be used to determine the ranking and the overall evaluation process.
  3. Discussion of the Good Academic Standing Rules. There was a lengthy discussion on how the NCAA defines “good academic standing” in various NCAA Bylaws (14.4.3.3, 14.01.2.1, 14.02.5, 14.01.2.1.1). It was noted that a large number of institutions that do use the term “good academic standing” (perhaps as many as one-half) apply the relevant bylaws strictly and in good faith. Thus, students who are on probation or who have less than a 2.0 are not eligible to compete. However, it was stated that a large number of the schools that use the term do not refer to the “good academic standing” rules in determining eligibility. Instead, these schools refer to an interpretation of Bylaws 14.01.1 and 14.02.5 to specify that the definition of good academic standing applied to student-athletes shall be a standard “at least as demanding as the minimum standard applied to all students in order to participate in extracurricular activities at that institution.” Mr. Chichester contacted Julie Cromer, NCAA director of legislative services, who confirmed that this item has been added to the agenda for the newly formed Academic Cabinet.
  4. Update on 1A FAR Bylaws. Dr. Bates asked that Mr. Breidenthal provide a written update of the 1A FAR bylaw issues that are left to be resolved from the January 2008 meeting. It was noted that an election to seat a vice president and a treasurer is of paramount importance. Also, the conference rotation on the Executive Committee needs to be addressed.
  5. Agenda Items for the September 28-30 1A FAR Meeting.
    1. The tentative agenda for Sunday, September 28, is as follows:
      9 – 10:30 a.m. APR Discussion
      10:30 a.m. – Noon Discussion of the Basketball Enhancement Committee recommendations
      1 – 2:30 p.m. How to nominate your student-athletes for NCAA scholarships and awards (e.g., Walter Byers Scholarship; post-graduate scholarships; Woman of the Year)
      2:30 – 5 p.m. 1A FAR Business Meeting
    2. The tentative agenda for Monday, September 29, is as follows:
      1 – 3 p.m. The FAR role in dealing with crisis on campus (joint session with athletics directors)

Saturday, May 10, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 8 a.m. by the president, Dr. Bates.

  1. Discussion of What the Ideal 1A FAR Association Would Look Like in Five Years. Dr. Bates led the Executive Committee in a discussion about what the ideal 1A FAR Association would look like in the next five years. A number of identifiable goals were discussed, including the following:
    1. The NCAA would contact the 1A FARs first for counsel as it relates to academic issues within athletics
    2. Key media would contact the president of the 1A FARs to seek comment when needed
    3. The 1A FAR Executive Committee would be involved in all NCAA planning as it relates to academic reform and like issues
    4. A broader, more involved partnership would be formed with the NCAA research staff to assist in studying and researching on-going academic issues
    5. The Association would develop more policy papers and propose legislation, when appropriate
    6. Regular, annual meetings would be scheduled to discuss academic issues with presidents;
    7. More assistance would be provided to assist in getting FARs more involved on campus
    8. Clearly define the key issues, articulate them and be in a position to act quickly
    9. Ensure that faculty are an integral part of all academic reform solutions
    10. Identify key issues, present the range of arguments, develop three to four components that are necessary and critical to a solution, and allow presidents the freedom to put it together
    11. Develop a partnership with and a special interest group (SIG) for FARs within the American Education Research Association (AERA)
    12. 1A FARs would take a leadership role in interpreting data that is generated from APR studies
    13. Develop a large sample of successful APR improvement plans to share with and educate other 1A FARs
    14. Assist the NCAA national office staff with “Shaping the Future of APR.”
  2. Other Business.
    1. Mr. Breidenthal agreed to call all 1A FARs to promote attendance at the annual meeting in September and to solicit interest to serve on one of four new committees to be developed this summer. The new committees are research, academic reform, legislation and membership/media relations.
    2. The executive committee applauded the efforts and commitment of Dr. Nicholson, who traveled from Hawaii to attend the meeting.
  3. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 10 a.m.

Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas, September 28, 2008

  1. Opening Remarks. The meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m. by Dr. Percy Bates, University of Michigan, and president of the Association.
  2. Review of Minutes from the May 9-10 1A FAR Executive Committee Meeting. The minutes were reviewed and approved as submitted.
  3. Elections.
    1. Vice-President. Elected Ken Casavant, faculty athletics representative at Washington State University.
    2. Secretary-Treasurer. Void of nominations, the Executive Committee was asked to seek volunteers and to appoint a secretary-treasurer.
  4. Legislation Update. Carol Iwaoka, associate commissioner-governance at the Big Ten Conference, provided a review of the upcoming legislation, namely items related to academic eligibility, recruiting, playing-practice seasons, amateurism, baseball and increased travel costs. It was agreed that the Executive Committee would solicit any questions and forward these to the Academic Cabinet.
  5. Subcommittee Formulation. Dr. Bates reviewed a document provided by Ted Breidenthal at Sports Association Management, Inc., that listed 10 FARs who have volunteered to serve on one of four subcommittees: research, academic reform, legislation and membership/media relations. Mr. Breidenthal agreed to continue to solicit volunteers through e-mail and the list serve. Dr. Bates asked the Executive Committee to move this forward and to fill the positions as best it can.
  6. Appointments of 1A FARs to Division I Governance Committees. Dr. Bates reviewed a document provided by Mr. Breidenthal that lists all the 1A FARs who serve on Division I governance committees. It was stressed that FARs usually are not nominated by conferences to serve on important cabinets like Championships and Recruiting. FARs were urged to make sure conference commissioners are aware of interest in serving on these committees to ensure broader distribution of 1A FARs on Division I governance committees. This certainly is the case in the next two years when conference committee positions will come up for re-election. It was agreed that the Executive Committee would draft a letter to Dr. Brand seeking more faculty inclusion on key NCAA cabinets and committees. Mr. Breidenthal also agreed to develop a master list of all FARs who serve on NCAA committees.
  7. Successful APR Improvement Plans. Mr. Breidenthal asked the 1A FARs to compile academic-improvement plan success stories as they develop so that this type of resource can be added to the 1A FARs Web site.
  8. Other Business.
    1. Fantasy Football. Ms. Connie Dillon, FAR at Oklahoma, expressed concern related to the recent ruling by the 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals in which the court applied Missouri state law to professional fantasy leagues. This has led fantasy sports games providers to infer that offering fantasy games that include names and game statistics of college student-athletes would be consistent with the ruling. The Division I Board of Directors has discussed the fact that this court ruling may conflict with current NCAA amateurism bylaws. Ms. Dillon asked whether it would be appropriate for faculty to take a position on this issue. The Executive Committee agreed to discuss this matter during an upcoming conference call, and it agreed to develop a means to study the issue and to respond with a statement;
    2. Summer Basketball Recruiting. Ms. Jo Potuto, FAR at Nebraska, asked the 1A FARs to consider taking a stand against allowing Division I basketball coaches to recruit during the summer. The Executive Committee was asked to discuss this issue during its upcoming conference call;
    3. Leadership. It was the sense of the meeting that the 1A FARs need to take a creative, leadership role in crafting recommendations for legislation (e.g., listing key elements, communicating talking points, building consensus, drafting a position);
    4. 1A FAR Blog. Mr. Breidenthal and Mr. Bob Chichester, NCAA staff liaison to the 1A FARs, were asked to look into adding a Blog to the 1A FAR Web site;
    5. Executive Committee Conference Call. Subsequent to the meeting, an Executive Committee conference call was scheduled for 3:30-4 p.m. Central time Thursday, October 23;
    6. Outgoing/Incoming President. Dr. Bates summoned Ms. Potuto to hand over the president baton. He ensured the assembled members that Ms. Potuto would provide great leadership in the years to come. Ms. Potuto thanked Dr. Bates and, on behalf of all members, saluted Dr. Bates with a standing ovation for his tireless efforts in building the association and leading the 1A FARs from its inception.
  9. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.