Office of the Chancellor > State of the Campus Address 2004

State of the Campus Address
September 28, 2004

ATHLETICS

In the same way, faculty, staff and students have an important role in helping us address issues related to athletics. With your help, we are making substantial progress on implementing the new action plan for the reorganization and oversight of our Athletics Department. We continue to help our student-athletes compete at the highest level while gaining an excellent education.

As you know, we have formed an Academic Policy Board for Athletics, chaired by Scott Adler of political science, which has already begun its important work. The group is advising the provost on a wide range of departmental issues, such as admissions standards, recruiting practices, hiring processes, long-range planning and others.

Another significant organizational change underway is the incorporation of athletics more fully into the life of the campus, with the help of Ron Stump, our vice chancellor for student affairs. In partnership with the athletic director and athletic department staff, Ron is working to ensure compliance with recruiting policies, which were strengthened last March. He will be reviewing and enhancing, as needed, the department's team rules and adjudication processes; helping to address issues of diversity, gender equity, sexual harassment and violence against women; and supporting the goals and objectives of the department's strategic plan, Athletics Vision 2010.

Student government leaders and student-athletes also are working together to learn how they can better support each other's efforts. The students hold ongoing roundtables and are collaborating on a number of special projects.

We are committed to addressing issues surrounding athletics, with the involvement of campus faculty, staff and students. I appreciate your help on these challenging issues.

Previous | Next