I. INTRODUCTION

The University of Colorado at Boulder is determined to make systemic changes in the organization, oversight and culture of intercollegiate athletics, beginning with actions spelled out in this Preliminary Action Plan. Through these actions, the campus resolves to ensure integrity and accountability at all levels of responsibility, to clarify the role of intercollegiate athletics in the institution, to maintain a climate on campus and within athletics that is supportive of women, and to integrate the Athletics Department more fully into the life of the campus.

Summary of Actions.  As outlined in this plan, the University will take immediate and significant steps to create necessary change in the department and on campus. Major changes will be made to the reporting structure of intercollegiate athletics in order to help integrate the department more fully into the academic mission and life of the campus.

The plan will create new avenues for oversight in the areas of student support, fiscal responsibility, and personnel practices within athletics. The campus also intends to implement recently announced reforms in football recruiting practices and campus-wide alcohol intervention initiatives. In addition, the campus community will revise its educational programming and response protocols related to sexual assault.

Broad-Based Input.  The concepts outlined in this plan were developed with valuable input from numerous reviews of student-athlete recruiting and other athletic practices recently completed. We wish to express our deep appreciation for the hard work and important recommendations provided by the Boulder Faculty Assembly, the Independent Investigative Panel, and Dr. John DiBiaggio, Special Assistant to the President and Chancellor.

In our planning processes, we also are guided by the principles and concepts offered by the Arizona Accord, the Knight Commission Statement of Principles, NCAA and Big XII Conference reforms, and the Athletics Department’s Vision 2010 strategic plan.

Recruiting Policies and Practices. Recruitment policy changes are a critical part of our plan for the reorganization and oversight of athletics. Recruiting guidelines have been revised several times in recent years. Further reforms were announced in March 2004, as part of a new model for football recruiting practices. These revisions are intended to provide a full opportunity to determine whether the campus and the prospective student athlete are a good fit for each other -- from an academic, athletic and personal character perspective. (Specific actions are provided in Attachment A.)  In summary, the recruitment guidelines will:

• Strengthen, clarify and communicate behavioral expectations for football recruiting visits, with clear notification provided to recruits and their parents
• Change the schedule and timing of recruiting visits
• Require adult supervision of recruits during the entire visit
• Prohibit participation in private parties
• Establish an earlier curfew for the overnight stay
• Require exit interviews with visiting recruits
• Involve faculty in official recruiting visits

Campus-Wide Issues.  We recognize that behavioral problems associated with alcohol and sexual misconduct are not limited to the athletic culture – but exist throughout the campus, as well as at other universities and in society at large. We understand the need for a campus environment that supports women and responds to the serious issue of violence against women.

The overall culture of the campus also may be improved by strengthening academic expectations, a matter already under discussion by various elements of the campus community. The University is committed to addressing these issues, and will develop a series of actions related to improving culture and behavior campus-wide, as outlined in Section V of this preliminary plan.

Reporting and Accountability. Individuals at all levels of responsibility for intercollegiate athletics will be held accountable for meeting the goals of this Action Plan. Performance evaluations for departmental personnel and other responsible officers will incorporate goals and objectives related to implementing the plan. The Athletics Director, working with the Provost and campus Vice Chancellors, will provide regular written reports to the Chancellor regarding implementation of the Action Plan.

The Athletics Director also will provide immediate notification to the Provost and the Chancellor of issues that emerge within the department. In turn, the Chancellor will maintain close communication with the President on important matters related to athletics. Also, regular reports on implementation of this Action Plan, and any emerging issues, will be provided to the Board of Regents.

Outline of the Action Plan.  In this Preliminary Action Plan, we have articulated six overall goals for the reorganization and oversight of intercollegiate athletics, a set of operating principles for intercollegiate athletics, an overview of organizational changes, and a plan for enhanced interaction between athletics and the campus community. A finalized Action Plan will be completed and presented to the Board of Regents by the end of June 2004.

II. GOALS

The goals of this Preliminary Action Plan are intended to provide focus and direction for the work necessary to ensure the highest standards for the Athletics Department. They are consistent with the goals articulated in the department’s Vision 2010 strategic plan, while responding specifically to issues raised in recent months. Goals of the Preliminary Action Plan are to:

• Ensure accountability for the implementation of the Action Plan at all levels of responsibility
• Maintain a campus climate, including within the Athletics Department, that is supportive of women and does not tolerate violence against women
• Ensure integrity, ethical behavior, good sportsmanship, and athletic achievement within the department
• Rebuild public confidence in the integrity of the department and its football program
• Integrate the Athletics Department more fully into the campus organization, community and culture, with academic achievement as one of the department’s primary goals
• Ensure fiscal responsibility within all programs of the department

III. OPERATING PRINCIPLES

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics will be operated under a set of principles that provide guidance on day-to-day decisions and activities. In short, these principles are intended to set high standards and to help facilitate accountability. In addition to the actions outlined below, a more detailed set of specific action items and individual assignments will be developed with the involvement of the campus faculty, staff, students, administrators and the Athletics Department.

Principle A: The department will be held accountable for operating at the highest levels of integrity and responsibility, as part of the academic institution and not as an independent entity. The department must:

1. Be serious about its educational mission and its role in the institution, with support for rigorous academic performance
2. Be clear about its value to the institution and the campus’s academic mission
3. Serve as an educational environment, because student athletes are, first and foremost, students in an academic community
4. Be actively involved in rebuilding the reputation of the Athletics Department and its football program
5. Take a leadership role in national discussions of athletics reform and the role of athletics in higher education

Principle B: The academic and personal well-being of student athletes will be a high priority in all we do. Student athletes are expected to:

1. Perform well from an academic and personal-development perspective, benefiting from a positive educational experience
2. Become fully integrated into campus life with encouragement and support by the department and the coaches, so that student athletes meet the expectations for being a CU-Boulder student
3. Learn about and understand issues related to alcohol abuse, drug use, sexual harassment, and sexual assault, as well as the consequences of violating related campus and team rules
4. Be treated with respect and concern for their personal welfare, as well as treating others with respect and dignity
5. Develop their athletic skills and consistently strive to compete at a championship level
6. Understand and accept the responsibilities of participating in a high-profile program, as representatives of the institution
7. Understand the campus Student Code of Conduct, NCAA rules, and team rules, and notify coaches and appropriate authorities when they have reason to believe violations may have occurred
8. Graduate with all the attributes expected of a CU-Boulder graduate:  the acquisition of knowledge and skills within an academic discipline; the ability to write, speak and think critically; a high level of integrity; appreciation for cross-cultural diversity; ethical decision-making; and responsible citizenship.

Principle C: Coaches in all programs will take responsibility for ensuring that student athletes are informed of and understand the expectations of being a CU-Boulder student athlete. Coaches will:

1. Comply with recruitment policies articulated for each sport, including the revised football recruitment polices announced in March 2004
2. Reinforce efforts to educate student athletes about making good choices related to alcohol and drug use, sexual activity, and other behavior
3. Model and teach the behavioral standards expected of student athletes
4. Support the full implementation of -- and student-athlete participation in -- the department’s Life Skills program, which provides support for student athletes’ academic and athletic performance, personal and career development, and commitment to service
5. Develop a clear understanding of NCAA and conference regulations, team rules and the campus Student Code of Conduct
6. Address, document and report in a timely manner all student-athlete violations of team rules, NCAA and conference regulations and the Student Code of Conduct
7. Comply with all the general responsibilities expected of coaches, including those articulated in the Arizona Accord, a set of ethical principles
8. Recruit student athletes who will be positive representatives of the University and can meet academic, social and athletic expectations
9. Be committed to and participate actively in the academic success of student athletes
10. Ensure that coaches’ staff members are fully informed of and help promote behavioral standards and expectations
11. Participate in annual performance evaluations that include compliance with the expectations listed above, in addition to those related to teams’ academic and athletic performance

Principle D: The operation of the department will be conducted in an ethical and effective manner that complies with all relevant policies and practices. Decision-making will be based on:

1. Full compliance with NCAA, State of Colorado, and University policies as they pertain to the department’s fiscal operations, employee hiring, and personnel practices
2. Creating a supportive atmosphere for all people, including women and people of color, in order to enhance equity and diversity within the department
3. Open and fair personnel search processes, with meaningful involvement by faculty, staff and students
4. An understanding of current research, policies, practices, and protocols related to sexual harassment, diversity, gender equity, substance abuse and other issues, with appropriate training provided for coaches, departmental staff and student athletes

Principle E: The department will be committed to promoting competitive athletic programs. A competitive program:

1. Consistently strives to compete at a championship level
2. Supports the best interests of the University’s mission, and represents the University with integrity at all times
3. Helps to instill pride within the campus and among alumni and friends
4. Provides a positive, beneficial experience for the student athletes involved

IV. ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES

In order to meet the goals and adhere to the principles of this plan, the University will institute a number of changes within the organization of the Athletics Department.

Primary responsibility for the management of the Athletics Department will remain with the Boulder campus Chancellor, who has overall authority in personnel, budgetary and organizational matters. The President of the University will maintain a representational role for intercollegiate athletics, as approved by the Board of Regents in June 1996.

Changes articulated below will become effective July 1, 2004. Other changes may be implemented after further study and consultation with the campus community and the department. Immediate actions include:

1. The Athletics Director will no longer report to the Chancellor, but will report directly to the Provost, the campus’s chief academic officer, in order to enhance accountability and oversight.
2. An Academic Policy Board for Athletics, composed of faculty, staff and students, will advise the Provost on a wide range of departmental issues, such as admissions standards, recruiting practices, hiring processes, long-range planning and others.
3. The Provost will develop policies guiding academic decisions related to athletics, such as admissions, financial aid, eligibility, progress toward graduation and academic support, with input from the Academic Policy Board. For example, a plan will be developed to help ensure that recruits accepted to attend CU-Boulder are prepared to succeed academically.
4. The Provost will review and approve all personnel actions within the Athletics Department.
5. In order to help ensure independence in compliance responsibilities, the Provost will conduct the annual performance evaluation and set the salary for the Associate Athletics Director for Compliance, in consultation with the Athletics Director.
6. The Senior Associate Athletics Director for Facilities, Development and Business Affairs will report directly to the Provost; together, they will work closely with the campus’s Chief Financial Officer to help ensure fiscal integrity.
7. The Athletics Director will serve on the Chancellor’s Executive Committee, the major policy advisory group, in order to enhance interaction with campus leadership.
8. The Athletics Director will provide regular reports (at least quarterly) to the campus Dean’s Council and to academic department chairs.
9. The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs will assume additional liaison responsibilities for oversight of the integration of athletics more fully into the life of the campus.
10. Athletics student services will report to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, in order to promote further integration of student athletes into the campus student body.
11. The Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs will oversee development and adjudication of disciplinary team rules for all sports, in order to ensure fair and equal treatment and improved coordination of discipline matters campus-wide.
12. The Associate Athletics Director for Compliance will assume additional duties for coordinating the department’s educational and monitoring efforts related to compliance with general campus policies and practices.
13. In line with campus-wide practices, the Vice Chancellor for Administration will review and approve all sponsorships and revenue contracts, in order to help facilitate consistent compliance with University and state regulations.
14. The campus’s Director of Human Resources will review and monitor the department’s employment practices, in order to ensure consistent compliance with policies set or implemented by the Boulder campus.
15. The department’s Gender Equity Committee will develop recommendations for addressing gender equity issues identified in recent studies.
16. The Athletics Media Relations Director will report to the Executive Director of University Communications, to help improve coordination among communications professionals on the Boulder campus.
17. The University will conduct targeted financial audits and performance reviews of the Athletics Department on an annual basis.

V. INTERFACE WITH THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY

Faculty Involvement
The new Athletics Department Academic Policy Board, comprised of faculty, staff and student representatives, will advise the Provost on matters related to the department’s role on campus and the department’s adherence to campus principles, values and policies. More specifically, the board will advise on admissions standards, recruiting practices, hiring processes of major Athletics Department staff (including head coaches), evaluations and assessments, and long-range planning.

The Athletics Department, with the help of the Boulder Faculty Assembly and academic departments, will identify faculty members who will serve as liaisons and mentors with the coaches and athletes of each sport. The role of such faculty liaisons will be to foster a greater participation in the academic life of the University – both for student athletes and the department in general. Faculty liaisons also will be involved in official recruiting visits by prospective student athletes.

Campus-wide Issues and Initiatives
As underscored in recent reports, we know that issues of alcohol and drug abuse and sexual misconduct are not limited to the athletic environment. They plague the broader campus life at CU-Boulder as well, representing serious challenges for the campus community.

Under the leadership of the Chancellor, the Boulder campus is determined to address these difficult issues through a plan that incorporates education, training, prevention, intervention and adjudication. In recent months, the campus has taken a number of actions to address behavioral issues, including:

• Strengthening the campus’s alcohol intervention program (see Attachment B), including stricter disciplinary actions
• Enhancing programs in the education, prevention and adjudication of sexual assault/sexual harassment
• Modifying and clarifying sexual assault response protocols

Alcohol and Substance Abuse.  Alcohol initiatives announced in April 2004 include more intensified research on alcohol issues on college campuses, expanded education and intervention programs, and strengthened campus sanctions for violations of alcohol rules and laws. The initiatives will be implemented by fall 2004. Under the direction of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the campus also will work with the Boulder community in developing more effective measures to address issues related to substance abuse.

Sexual Assault/Harassment.  Violence against women is abhorrent to the values held by the University of Colorado at Boulder. Concern for the safety and welfare of women must be a high priority in efforts to create a supportive environment for learning, living and working. Discussions with faculty, staff and students have identified a number of initiatives aimed at addressing these serious issues.

Specifically, we will commit necessary resources to raising awareness of sexual assault issues and reducing the number of incidents on the Boulder campus. We do not tolerate violence against women in any area of campus life. We are committed to providing supportive resources for women who report incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment.

In March 2004, a group of faculty, staff and students was formed to help enhance educational programming on these issues. The group was charged with:

• Reviewing current programs and initiatives
• Identifying gaps in programming, services, and educational efforts
• Making recommendations for enhanced educational programs, services and training

The committee includes representatives from such groups as the Boulder Faculty Assembly, Student Affairs, New Student Orientation, CU Rape and Gender Education Program (COURAGE), Interactive Theatre Project, Office of Victim Assistance, Office of Judicial Affairs, Life Skills Program, Women’s Resource Center, student government, Office of Sexual Harassment Policy and members of the SAFE-T student group. Discussions to date have focused on such initiatives as:

• Design and delivery of focused educational efforts directed toward men
• Revision and enhancement of new-student orientation programs to include initial sessions on student responsibilities and expectations in the area of sexual assault/harassment
• Enhanced and expanded First-Year Programming as students begin their academic careers

In an effort to ensure proper response protocols to acts of sexual harassment and sexual assault, a group of campus professionals has been charged by the Chancellor to review all related policies, protocols and training and recommend any needed changes. The group, which has been meeting since March 2004, includes representatives from campus legal counsel, residence halls, CU Police Department, Administration, Student Affairs, Office of Judicial Affairs, Office of Sexual Harassment Policy, Office of Victim Assistance and the Athletics Department.

To date, the group has reviewed such issues as reporting, adjudication, protocols for responding to victims, the Student Code of Conduct standards and compliance under Title IX and the Cleary Act. The group is expected to report its findings and recommendations in summer 2004.

In addressing issues related to sexual assault and sexual harassment, the campus community can benefit from the experience and knowledge of groups and professionals inside and outside the University. For example, careful consideration will be given to implementing recommendations recently suggested by Amy Robertson, director of the Office of Victim Assistance. Open-forum discussions on protocol revisions will be organized in order to encourage input from the general public and campus community. Interaction with community groups will continue, for the purpose of sharing information and coordinating activities.

The actions outlined above are important steps in the effort to address alcohol abuse, sexual harassment and sexual assault. However, we can – and will – do more, as we continue to confront these challenging societal issues that affect our campus community.

Academic Expectations. The Boulder campus currently is examining the connection between academic rigor and behavioral issues. Initial discussions indicate that CU-Boulder’s academic climate would be enhanced by:

• Ensuring that all students accepted to attend CU-Boulder are prepared to succeed academically
• Increasing expectations for student learning
• Continuing development of academic neighborhoods, small-group learning experiences that foster more faculty-student interaction
• Consideration of a required “capstone” experience (such as a senior thesis, community service project, or technology project) as a focal point for each undergraduate’s academic career
• Reviewing class scheduling to promote more consistent schedules throughout the week
• Other actions to be proposed by faculty governance and student representatives

VI. CONCLUSION

By implementing this Action Plan, the University of Colorado at Boulder commits itself to major changes – changes in the way intercollegiate athletics operates, changes in the role of athletics in campus life, and changes in the culture within athletics and throughout the campus.

In the coming weeks and months, we expect to identify many other actions and initiatives that will help us reach our goals. We intend to involve numerous individuals and groups in our planning and decision-making. We plan to keep the campus community and general public informed of our progress. And we expect to restore public confidence in this great University through our actions, commitment and perseverance in accomplishing our goals.

ATTACHMENT A
Football Recruitment Policy Changes
March 8, 2004

Summary
Recruitment guidelines at the University of Colorado at Boulder have been revised several times in recent years. Changes were made in 1998 and again in 2002, resulting in improvements and further strengthening of expectations. Further revisions were announced on March 4, 2004, as part of a new model for football recruiting practices.

In summary, the new model will:

• Strengthen and clarify behavioral expectations for recruiting visits
• Change the schedule and timing of recruiting visits
• Require adult supervision of recruits during the entire visit
• Prohibit participation in private parties
• Establish an earlier curfew for the overnight stay.

Revised Guidelines
Specific guidelines within the new model include:

• The Head Football Coach will continue to communicate the recruiting guidelines to student-athletes.
• Football recruiting visits to campus will occur primarily after completion of the regular football season, with only a few exceptions such as visits by local recruits or other extraordinary circumstances approved by the Chancellor.
• Prior to the visit, prospective student-athletes, parents, and high school coaches will continue to receive letters explaining all expectations, including behavioral standards.
• Recruitment visits will be limited to one overnight stay, rather than the current two-night stay.
• Prospective student-athletes will be supervised by their parents or a designated coach from the time of arrival until departure. The involvement of player hosts will be discontinued.
• On the night of arrival, curfew will be set at 11:00 p.m., rather than the current 1:00 a.m. curfew, and will be documented by a designated coach.
• Recruitment day will be scheduled and supervised by Athletics Department staff and will include:
  • Breakfast with coaches and players
  • Meetings with faculty members and academic advisors
  • Review of campus academic expectations, support services and sportsmanship issues
  • Review of campus and program policies, processes and expectations regarding responsible alcohol use, sexual and other assault, date rape, sexual harassment, and all aspects of the Student Code of Conduct
  • Meetings with football staff, departmental staff and players
  • A mandatory exit interview will be held with each recruit who visits the campus.
  • Departure for home in the late afternoon or evening of the recruitment day.
• Recruits already are prohibited from using alcohol or drugs. They also are specifically prohibited from attending private parties or entering bars or strip clubs.
• All activities attended by recruits will be planned, approved and supervised by a designated coach.
• Coaches, student athletes and recruits continue to be required to adhere to all NCAA regulations prior to and during a recruiting visit.

Enforcement of Recruitment Guidelines
Sanctions for violations will be strengthened and clarified for all involved in the recruitment process. Specific sanctions include:

• Any prospective student-athlete violating recruitment guidelines will not be admitted to the University.
• Violations by current student-athletes or coaches will result in disciplinary action appropriate to the level of severity of the violation.
• Any violation of the CU-Boulder Student Code of Conduct by current student-athletes will be referred immediately to the campus Office of Judicial Affairs for prompt investigation and adjudication.

ATTACHMENT B
CU-Boulder Finalizes New Alcohol Initiatives
April 8, 2004

Chancellor Richard L. Byyny of the University of Colorado at Boulder today announced several new initiatives designed to supplement on-going campus efforts aimed at reducing high-risk alcohol use by students.

The new initiatives will add more intensified research on alcohol issues on college campuses, expand CU-Boulder's education and intervention programs, and strengthen campus sanctions for violations of alcohol rules and laws, Byyny said. The new initiatives will be implemented by fall 2004, he said.

Over the past few years, the Boulder campus has implemented a number of actions intended to address alcohol issues. For example, the campus instituted a "three strikes" policy in sanctioning violators of alcohol policies. Under the current policy, a student is suspended if he or she accumulates three alcohol violations while enrolled at CU-Boulder.

The announcement follows several months of work by a committee created last fall to consider and recommend new actions that may help the campus address alcohol issues among students. Led by Ron Stump, vice chancellor for student affairs, the group included representatives from the campus health service, student housing, judicial affairs, campus police and the university's Standing Committee on Substance Abuse (SCOSA).

"High-risk alcohol use continues to be one of the most challenging issues of our schools, colleges and society at large," said Stump. "There is no single or easy answer to the issues we are facing. However, we must continue to work on building a safer and healthier environment for all members of our campus community."

Stump said that, despite the challenges, the CU-Boulder committee concluded that additional actions could have positive impacts on the problem. Also, the group felt that a number of current programs should be continued and enhanced.

Specific initiatives include:

• Clarifying high behavioral and academic expectations for prospective and entering students
• Requiring a Web-based alcohol education program for all entering freshmen
• Initiating a social norms campaign, led by students, to reinforce the positive values and behaviors that already exist among a majority of CU-Boulder students
• Establishing parental notification on the first and any subsequent alcohol offense by a student and placing the student on probation
• Instituting, within the "three strikes" policy, a "2nd strike" response that includes suspension for second-time violators already on probation for a first alcohol offense
• Strengthening collaboration between the university campus and other communities
• Referring second-time student offenders to the City of Boulder 2nd Offender Program, an educational workshop that focuses on smart decision-making regarding alcohol
• Creating a total of 17 on-site student conduct boards for the campus's residence halls, each serving a specific hall
• Developing an assessment and research program to evaluate effectiveness of alcohol programs, including the new initiatives
• Organizing and hosting conferences on alcohol awareness and intervention efforts
• Petitioning national agencies, foundations and other organizations, such as the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), for support of campus alcohol initiatives

The committee also strongly supported continuation and enhancement of several existing programs and efforts. For example, the group suggested the campus continue its ongoing research on alcohol issues, including work with the U.S. Department of Education's Higher Education Center and CU-Boulder's nationally recognized research centers in behavioral genetics, behavioral science and psychology.

Also, the group endorsed continuing support for late-night social and recreational programs, peer educator programs, student health education and intervention programs, and substance-free living areas in residence halls.

Members of the group recommended that CU-Boulder continue to include educational programming about alcohol issues, utilizing such tools as interactive theater presentations during orientation programs for entering students. The campus should continue its multi-media and other campaigns to communicate behavioral expectations for all students, the group said.

The committee also recommended continued participation in campus-community coalitions and community-building programs and continuing such alcohol sanctions as suspension for any major alcohol violation that endangers the health and safety of another person.