May 27, 2004

The Boulder Faculty Assembly commends President Hoffman and Chancellor Byyny on devising a courageous plan for changing the governance and operations of intercollegiate athletics on the Boulder campus.  The faculty are appreciative of the opportunity to provide significant input into the plan.  We thank the President, the Chancellor, and the Independent Investigative Commission for their careful consideration of the faculty’s proposals, and Dr. John DiBiaggio for his insights and encouragement.  We are pleased that the President and the Chancellor have chosen to create a plan that emphasizes student academic achievement as its primary goal, brings fiscal and organizational accountability to athletics, and addresses many of the larger cultural and climate issues on campus. 

The debate on athletics reform of the last several months has been difficult, often spirited, and occasionally divisive.  It was a constructive discussion, however, and the faculty are convinced that these resulting changes take the right approach.  The reforms should bring us long-term stability in athletics administration and build a closer connection between academics and athletics.  They will also help restore our reputation as a university that is serious about its educational mission.  Further, we expect that the reforms being made here at the University of Colorado will serve as an example for other universities nationwide that are facing the same issues.

The BFA supports intercollegiate athletics and our student-athletes, recognizing the positive role sports can play in a vibrant campus environment.  The faculty looks forward to working with the administration, the Athletics Department, and our students in the challenging task of implementing this action plan.  We share the goal of shaping a university that places its highest priority on the educational careers of our students while offering a successful and competitive athletics program.