Athletics program striving for NCAA certification

CSUB has begun a year-long, campus-wide study of its athletics program as part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletics certification program. The self-study will examine how the athletics program helps to fulfill the mission of university and, at the same time, will take a close look at how the university's athletics program and academic environment provide mutual support for student-athletes.

“The self-study will open the athletic department to review by the broader campus community,” said President Horace Mitchell. “The university will benefit by increasing campus-wide awareness and knowledge about the athletics program – what it has been, what it is currently, and what we hope for it to be in the future.”

Initiated by the NCAA in 1993, the athletics certification program is designed to help ensure integrity in institutional athletics programs. The study is part of CSUB's move to Division I athletics.

Mitchell has appointed a steering committee of faculty, staff, students and community members to conduct the self-study. Co-chaired by Provost Soraya Coley and Vice President Shelley Ruelas, the committee will gather information and recommendations through subcommittees on academic integrity, diversity, gender, governance and commitment to rules compliance, and student-athlete well-being. Each area will be measured against a set of operating principles established by the NCAA.

The university has established a web site, www.csub.edu/ncaa, that includes information about the self-study and provides opportunities for input.

After the completed self-study report is submitted on April 30, 2009, a team of NCAA reviewers will then conduct a three-day on-campus evaluation. The full process is expected to be complete by early 2010.