Feb. 10, 2011

Feb. 28 forum set for comments on athletics NCAA certification process

by Diana Pounds

A six-month study of Iowa State's athletics program is nearing completion, and the study teams are nearly ready to release and seek public input on their findings. The self-study, undertaken by several teams of ISU faculty, staff, students and community leaders, is part of the NCAA Division I certification process.

Public forum on Feb. 28

The public is invited to attend a Feb. 28 forum on the self-study (5:30-7:30 p.m., Campanile Room, Memorial Union). Participants will get an overview of the study results -- focused on academic progress, NCAA rules compliance, gender/diversity issues and student-athlete wellness -- and have opportunities to ask questions and offer comments.

"Our study teams have taken an in-depth look at our athletics program and our institution's commitment to the principles of the NCAA," said Tahira Hira, executive assistant to the president and chair of the steering committee overseeing the certification process. "With the forum, we welcome even broader public input on the study teams' report. Voices of the public are invaluable to the certification process."

Written report available soon

The complete report on the self-study will be available about a week prior to the forum on the NCAA Certification website. Those who cannot attend the forum are welcome to send their comments to ncaacert@iastate.edu through March 1.

ISU's plan for conducting the study also is available on the certification site.

Iowa State's last certification was in 2002. Division I programs must re-certify every 10 years in a process that resembles an accreditation review for academic programs. Athletics certification is designed to ensure the NCAA's fundamental commitment to integrity in intercollegiate athletics.

18-month process

The self-study is the first part of the 18-month process. Iowa State's self-study report is due to the NCAA by April 29. A peer review team then will visit campus in the fall of 2011, and the NCAA likely will make a decision on certification early in 2012.

Team leaders

ISU faculty, staff and students as well as community leaders are involved in the NCAA certification effort. Following are leaders of the key teams:

  • Steering committee: Tahira Hira, executive assistant to the president and professor of consumer economics and personal finance
  • NCAA Rules, Governance Subcommittee: Tim Day, associate professor of biomedical sciences
  • Academic Integrity: Frank Montabon, associate professor of operations and supply chain management
  • Gender/Diversity Issues and Student-Athlete Well-Being: Tonia McCarley, administrative director, NSF Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals