» NCAA Divison I Self-Study
California State University, Bakersfield 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 the 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.
While academic accreditation is common in universities, the NCAA program focuses solely on certification of athletic programs. 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.
President Horace 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.
This web site includes lists of committee and subcommittee members and will be regularly updated with information about the self-study and opportunities for public input.
After the completed self-study report is submitted to on April 30, 2009, a team of NCAA reviewers from other colleges, universities, or conference offices will then conduct a three-day on-campus evaluation. The peer-review team will report its findings to the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification where the final certification status is determined. The process is expected to be complete by early 2010.