Inside Iowa State Oct. 13, 1995 ______________ Self Study: Athletic Department On The Right Track by Steve Jones The committee that recently completed a self-study of Iowa State's intercollegiate athletic program cites substantial progress by the department while recommending additional efforts to expand athletic opportunities for women and raise graduation rates for male minority athletes. "While the committee notes areas in which the university's athletic department could be strengthened, it believes the department is making substantial progress and that the university is achieving its athletic goals without compromising athletic integrity or the well-being of student-athletes," said Ed Lewis, associate provost and chair of the self-study steering committee. The study, released today (Oct. 13), cites many ISU efforts in critical areas, including gender equity and financial integrity, to improve the athletic department. About 100 faculty, staff, students and community leaders participated in the self-study, a key part of the NCAA process to certify ISU's intercollegiate athletic department. Lewis said because ISU officials have openly discussed issues, such as budget, gender equity and student-athlete welfare concerns, the report does not raise major issues that haven't already been identified. The report recognizes athletic department efforts to address those issues through such efforts as a strategic financial plan, upgraded marketing programs, and plans to address equity and market value in staff salaries and gender equity. The ISU self-study reported that the university "is genuinely committed to fair and equitable treatment of men and women in its intercollegiate athletic programs," but pointed to a few areas of concern. Increases in staff and support services were recommended to create more opportunities for women to compete on athletic teams. ISU has more women's intercollegiate teams (11) than men's teams (9), but more males compete because of the large rosters on some squads, such as football and track. The report also suggests increasing operating budgets for women's teams and developing a plan to improve salaries for women's team coaches. Although the graduation rate of black male student-athletes (29 percent) is higher than the rate for all ISU black male students (18 percent), the report notes improvement is needed in this area. The committee also recommended that ISU continue to work to recruit more coaches from under-represented groups; increase the role of the faculty athletics representative in key personnel searches; and work at the national level to revise satisfactory progress rules that disadvantage students who seek to change majors. The NCAA approved in 1993 a process to certify all Division I athletic programs to ensure that they are operated with integrity. Certification is based on meeting strict standards in governance and commitment to rules, academic and fiscal integrity, and commitment to gender equity. In November, a review team of academic and athletic representatives from other institutions will come to ISU to assess the athletic program. ISU officials will be notified early next year as to whether the university is certified, certified with conditions or not certified. If a university is not initially certified, it is given additional time to correct problem areas. __________ University Relations Iowa State University