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Athletics
The Board of Regents has strongly committed itself to integrity
in the administration of intercollegiate athletic programs. (See Board
of Regents policies and procedures relating to intercollegiate athletics,
10.21, Policy on Athletics, pages 60-63, at http://www2.state.ia.us/regents/policy.html).
In 1991, the Board of Regents adopted a policy asserting presidential
control of athletics at the three Regents universities, as well as academic
integrity, financial integrity, and accountability through certification.
In 1992, the Board specified consequences for serious infractions of NCAA,
conference, or University rules and regulations and established a reporting
procedure.
In 1999, the Board of Regents added to its policies a statement of principles
vesting all responsibility and authority for administration of university
athletic departments in the presidents and committing itself "to a philosophy
of firm institutional control of athletics, to the unquestioned academic
and financial integrity of the athletics programs, and to the accountability
of the athletics departments to the values and goals befitting higher
education" (p. 62). Among the principles asserted are an affirmation that
the "welfare, health and safety of student athletes are primary concerns
of athletics administration on the campuses," and that "every student
athlete † male and female, majority and minority, in all sports † will
receive equitable and fair treatment." The admission and continuing athletic
eligibility of student athletes is to be based on their showing reasonable
promise of academic success. Graduation rates of student athletes are
to be as high as those of comparable non-athletes. Athletics departments
budgets are to be monitored and audited. Thus the Board of Regents commits
itself and the University of Northern Iowa to the highest standards of
integrity in intercollegiate athletics.
The Intercollegiate
Athletics Advisory Council (IAAC) oversees all aspects of UNI's athletic
program as it relates to the academic quality and integrity of the institution.
According to its mission statement (http://aflink.af.uni.edu/IAAC/mission.shtml),
the Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Council
supports the development and maintenance of a
competitive intercollegiate athletic program which reflects favorably
upon the university; monitors policies and activities related to the welfare
of student athletes; and formulates and recommends to the Provost and/or
Vice President for Administration and Finance, and/or the University Senate,
new policies regarding athletics and student athletes.
The Council meets regularly and reports annually to the Provost, the Vice
President for Administration and Finance, the Professional & Scientific
Council, and the University Faculty Senate. The Intercollegiate Athletics
Advisory Council is charged to do the following:
1.Review, with the NCAA Faculty Representative,
the status of institutional compliance with the NCAA rules and guidelines,
the issues and opportunities pertaining to athletic conferences in which
UNI participates, and problems involving student athletes at UNI
2.Review, with the Athletic Director, the status
of and activities undertaken by Intercollegiate Athletics at this institution
3.Participate on search committees for head coaches
and other athletic administrative positions
4.Conduct team meetings with participants in each
sport to inform student athletes about the IAAC, the rights and responsibilities
of student athletes at UNI, and IAAC concerns for student welfare, academic
integrity, and institutional control
5.Conduct exit interviews with student athletes
6.Monitor schedules of all athletic teams
7.Review grade reports, graduation rates, admission
and retention data, and related information for the institution and then
compare these data with those of the non-athlete student body at UNI and
with those of other NCAA Division I institutions.
The University of Northern Iowa offers a 20-sport intercollegiate athletic
program. All programs are offered at the Division I level, with football
recognized as a I-AA program. More than 475 student-athletes compete in
these 20 programs. The Missouri Valley Conference serves as the league
affiliation for all sports except football and wrestling. Football competes
as a member of the Gateway Football Conference, and wrestling competes
as an independent member of the NCAA.
Women's soccer is the newest varsity sport at UNI, beginning competition
in Fall 2000. It is the mission of the University's athletic program to
offer the same athletic programs at the Division I level that are offered
as championship sports by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The
addition of women's soccer completes that mission.
Currently, the athletic program and its personnel; policies and procedures
are undergoing an extensive evaluation process. This process is a part
of the North Central Association process as well as the NCAA certification
process, which will take place during the 2000-2001 year. Within that
evaluation process is an effort by the new Director of Athletics to reorganize
the department. An evaluation of job duties and responsibilities as well
as departmental mission, goals, and objectives is being undertaken. Intercollegiate
athletics at the University of Northern Iowa is committed to live up to
Title IX.
Student athletes
at UNI receive fair and equitable treatment. They are mainstreamed yet
supported with respect to academic advising and learning assistance. Graduation
rates of student athletes, on average, exceed those of the student body.
(see Table V.1).
Table V.1: Graduation Rates Comparison
Funding for women's teams†in dollars, practice facilities, mode of travel,
and accommodations†is approaching the level of funding for men's sports.
And institutional control provided by President Koob and the Intercollegiate
Athletics Advisory Council ensures the welfare of our student athletes.
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