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National Collegiate Athletics Association Certification Principles

GOVERNANCE AND COMMITMENT TO RULES COMPLIANCE

Operating Principle 1.1: Institutional Control, Presidential Authority and Shared Responsibilities

The Association’s principle of institutional control vests in the institution the responsibility for the conduct of its athletics program, including the actions of its staff members and representatives of its athletics interests. In fulfilling this principle, the institution shall demonstrate that:

  1. The institution’s governing board provides oversight and broad policy formulation for intercollegiate athletics in a manner consistent with other units of the institution.
  2. The chief executive officer is assigned ultimate responsibility and authority for the operation and personnel of the athletics program.
  3. Appropriate campus constituencies have the opportunity, under the purview of the chief executive officer, to provide input into the formulation of policies relating to the conduct of the athletics program and to review periodically the implementation of such policies.

Operating Principle 1.2: Rules Compliance

Membership in the Association places the responsibility on each institution to assure that its staff, student-athletes, and other individuals and groups representing the institution’s athletics interests comply with the applicable Association rules and regulations. Consistent with this responsibility, the institution shall demonstrate that:

  1. It has in place a set of written policies and procedures that assign specific responsibilities in the areas of rules compliance, including assignment of direct accountability for rules compliance to the individual the chief executive officer assigns overall responsibility for the athletics program.
  2. In critical and sensitive areas, institutional compliance procedures provide for the regular participation of persons outside of the athletics department.
  3. Rules compliance is the subject of an ongoing educational effort.
  4. A clear and unambiguous commitment to rules compliance is a central element in all personnel matters for individuals involved in the intercollegiate athletics program.
  5. At least once every four years, its rules-compliance program is the subject of evaluation by an authority outside of the athletics department.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Operating Principle 2.1 : Academic Standards

The Association’s fundamental principles indicate that an intercollegiate athletics program shall be designed and maintained as a vital component of the institution’s educational system, and student-athletes shall be considered an integral part of the student body. Consistent with this philosophy, the institution shall demonstrate that:

  1. The institution admits only student-athletes who have reasonable expectations of obtaining academic degrees.
    1. If the academic profile of entering student-athletes, as a whole or for any student-athlete subgroup, is significantly lower than that of other student-athlete or comparable studentbody groups, the contrast shall be analyzed and explained by appropriate institutional authorities.
    2. If the graduation rate of student-athletes, as a whole or for any student-athlete subgroup, is significantly lower than that of other student-athletes or comparable studentbody groups, this disparity shall be analyzed, explained and addressed (through specific plans for improvement) by appropriate institutional authorities.
  2. Academic standards and policies applicable to student-athletes are consistent with those adopted by the institution for the student body in general or the NCAA’s standards, whichever are higher.
  3. The responsibility for admission, certification of academic standing and evaluation of academic performance of student-athletes is vested in the same agencies that have authority in these matters for students generally; and
  4. Written policies related to scheduling are established in all sports to minimize student-athletes' conflicts with class time and/or final examination periods due to participation in intercollegiate athletics, consistent with the provisions of Constitution 3.2.4.13.

Operating Principle 2.2 : Academic Support

Members of the Association have the responsibility to conduct intercollegiate athletics programs in a manner designed to protect and enhance the educational welfare of student-athletes and to assure proper emphasis on educational objectives. Consistent with this responsibility, the institution shall demonstrate that:

  1. Adequate academic support services are available for student-athletes.
  2. Student-athletes are encouraged and assisted in reaching attainable academic goals of their own choosing.
  3. When it is determined that individual student-athletes have special academic needs, these needs are addressed.
  4. The support services are reviewed and approved periodically by academic authorities outside the department of intercollegiate athletics; and
  5. There is a commitment to the fair treatment of student-athletes, particularly in their academic role as students.

EQUITY AND STUDENT-ATHLETE WELFARE

Operating Principle: 3.1 Gender Issues

Consistent with NCAA Constitution 2.3, it is the responsibility of each institution to implement the Association’s principle of gender equity. In accordance with this fundamental principle, the institution shall:

  1. Have implemented its approved gender-equity plan from the previous self-study. If modified or not carried out fully, the institution shall provide an explanation from appropriate institutional authorities.
  2. Demonstrate that it is committed to, and has progressed toward, fair and equitable treatment of both male and female student-athletes and athletics department personnel.
  3. Formally adopt a written plan for the future for the intercollegiate athletics program that ensures the institution maintains a program, or continues progress toward a program, which is equitable for both genders. The plan shall include measurable goals the institution intends to achieve, steps the institution will take to achieve those goals, persons responsible and timetables.

Operating Principle: 3.2. Minority Issues

It is a principle of the Association to promote respect for and sensitivity to the dignity of every person and to refrain from discrimination prohibited by federal and state law. Consistent with this fundamental philosophy, the institution shall:

  1. Have implemented its approved minority-opportunities plan from the previous self-study. If modified or if not carried out fully, the institution shall provide an explanation from appropriate institutional authorities.
  2. Demonstrate that it is committed to, and has progressed toward, fair and equitable treatment of all minority student-athletes and athletics department personnel.
  3. Formally adopt a written plan for the future for the intercollegiate athletics program that ensures the institution maintains a program, or continues progress toward a program, which expands opportunities and support for minority student-athletes and athletics personnel. The plan shall include measurable goals the institution intends to achieve, steps the institution will take to achieve those goals, persons responsible and timetables.

Operating Principle : 3.3. Student-Athlete Welfare

Conducting the intercollegiate athletics program in a manner designed to protect and enhance the physical and educational welfare of student-athletes is a basic principle of the Association. Consistent with this fundamental principle, the institution shall:

  1. Provide evidence that the welfare of student-athletes and the fairness of their treatment is monitored, evaluated and addressed on a continuing basis.
  2. Have established grievance or appeal procedures available to student-athletes in appropriate areas.
  3. Provide evidence that the institution has in place programs that protect the health of and provide a safe environment for each of its student-athletes.