NCAA Certification
Equity and Welfare Subcommittee

December 1, 2005

Meeting Notes

Member in Attendance: Ron Chordas, Kathlynn Feld, Frank Bosso, Brittny Humphrey, Elaine Jacobs

    A copy of tentative meeting dates for January, February, and March were provided.

   The committee reviewed the five evaluation questions related to Operating Principle 3.1 Gender Issues and unanimously supported a “Yes” to every evaluation question. The committee did not feel any “Plans for Improvement” were needed for gender issues.

    For Operating Principle 3.2, Self Study Item 3, the committee reviewed documentation that verified a new 2001-2010 Intercollegiate Athletics Minority Plan was adopted by the Board of Trustees on September 28, 2001. The committee reviewed the plans and actions taken in the new plan from 2001 to 2005. The committee agreed that all steps in the plan were taken in the timelines established and implemented to the fullest extent possible. It was noted that in 2004, the plan was modified (as permitted within the plan’s directive) to address the legislative changes regarding the utilization of numerical targets, as well as to effectively address the 8 minority issues established by the NCAA.

    For Operating Principle 3.2 Self Study Item 4, the committee reviewed the modified 2001-2010 Minority Opportunity Plan that begins in 2005-06. The Plan provides for an annual evaluation of the implementation of all action steps. The action steps include ways of monitoring and enhancing staffing, enrollment, and plans to enhance and be sensitive to diversity issues.

   For Operating Principle 3.2, Self Study Item 5, the committee reviewed the NCAA chart of all YSU athletic department employee racial makeup from the years 2001–2004. The data showed a slight increase in diversity in the coaching positions. The committee noted the lack of diversity in the full-time professional staff. Although increasing diversity is a goal, the committee noted that there has been virtually no turnover in the professional administrative staff which makes the opportunity to increase diversity challenging. The committee noted that three professional athletic staff left the department in the past five years and their positions were eliminated.  The committee concluded that when positions become available, as with coaching positions, the athletics department is committed to increasing diversity in its staff.

    For Operating Principle 3.2, Self Study Item 6, the committee reviewed the NCAA chart of racial composition of student-athletes receiving athletic aid compared to the general student body.  The student-athlete population has a greater percentage of minority students than the general student body. The committee concluded no apparent discriminatory practices are occurring in the recruitment of minority student-athletes.

   
    For Operating Principle 3.2, Self Study Item 7, the committee reviewed the NCAA chart of racial composition of student-athletes receiving athletic aid by sport.  The large majority of minority student-athletes on aid were in football, men’s basketball, and women’s track.  The committee agreed that the current racial make-up of our sports would reflect a national trend.  It was also noted that there has been an increase in diversity in women’s basketball and women’s volleyball since the years of data being reported was completed. The committee concluded no apparent discriminatory practices are occurring in the recruitment of minority student-athletes.

     For Operating Principle 3.2, Self Study Item 8, the committee reviewed documentation to support how YSU studies, is committed, and is prepared to address future needs in the 8 minority issues identified by the NCAA. The committee concluded there were no deficiencies or negative trends based on the data provided and the Intercollegiate Athletics Department has policies in place to address diversity issues.

    The next meeting is scheduled for December 15, 2005 at 11 a.m. in the Provost’s Conference Room.