NCAA Certification
Steering Committee

November 16, 2005

Meeting Notes

Present: Cyndy Anderson, Ken Brayer, Ron Chordas, Elaine Jacobs, Jane Kestner, Tom Maraffa, Janelle McDonald, Daryl Mincey, Jimmy Myers, Ron Strollo

The meeting began at 3:05 p.m.

   Jane Kestner, chair of Academic Subcommittee, provided an update of the progress the subcommittee has made thus far.  They have met three times and have completed a review of all 14 self study items in Operating Principle 2.1 (Academic Standards).  Items included comparisons of student-athletes vs the general student population in areas like admission policies, registration procedures, as well as average test scores and gpas of entering freshmen.  Also, a review of graduation rates for students vs student-athletes was completed with no negative conclusions drawn.  In addition, policies and procedures for evaluating initial, transfer, and continuing eligibility were reviewed, as well as missed class policies.

    Ron Chordas, chair of Student Welfare and Equity Subcommittee, provided an update of his subcommittee thus far.  They have met three times and have completed review of all self study items in Operating Principle 3.1 (Gender Issues).  The self study items reviewed the implementation of the 1999-2005 Gender Equity Plan, trends of the three recent Equity and Disclosure Acts reports, as well as how the 2005-2010 Gender Equity Plan addresses deficiencies noted in the EADA.

    Tom Maraffa, chair of the Governance and Rules Compliance Subcommittee, provided an update of progress the subcommittee has made thus far.  They have met three times and have completed review of all self study items in Operating Principle 1.1 (Institutional Control), and 1.2 (Rules Compliance).  The committee has reviewed policies regarding how the conduct and oversight of the athletics department is comparable to other units within the university and ensuring the President is involved with athletics in a similar fashion as with other units in the university.  In addition, the committee reviewed policies and procedures in place to ensure NCAA compliance with student-athletes, coaches, staff, and boosters.

    Elaine Jacobs provided a draft of the Introduction of Self Study Report.  She high-lighted some areas and requested input regarding the responses noted.  The steering committee is to review and provide input to Elaine, which will be shared with the entire committee prior to the next meeting in January.  Elaine also noted that updates of subcommittee minutes are being added regularly on the YSU sport web page under “Certification”.

    The tentative agenda for January will include more updates from the subcommittees, a draft of the Governance and Rules Compliance Subcommittee section, and approval of the Introduction items.

The meeting concluded at 3:33 p.m.