AB.04.01
April 26, 2004
Resolution on Athletics Reform
Background
Reform of intercollegiate
athletics is an urgent priority. Successful reform will require a broad
consensus and a comprehensive approach. Some issues may be resolved quickly,
others may require much more time, but national agreement on a comprehensive
plan in the near future is essential to accomplish meaningful reform; the
piecemeal approach has not succeeded. The COIA Framework, aimed at Division
I-A, outlines essential features such a plan should include, and calls for the
NCAA and national academic constituencies to develop detailed, appropriately
flexible strategies for implementation. The goal of reform is not negative; it
is to bring out the positive aspects of intercollegiate athletics, which
contribute to the personal development of athletes and enhance college life on
campus and off.
Academic Integrity. Colleges should admit only students with realistic
prospects of graduation. Admissions practices should confirm that high schools
must prepare athletes to meet such standards. Continuing eligibility standards
should ensure that only academically engaged students compete in athletics.
Faculty must take responsibility to ensure academic integrity in all programs.
Athletics advisors must be closely integrated with academic advising to ensure
prioritization of academic goals and integrity.
Athlete Welfare. The design and enforcement of limits on athlete
participation in non-academic activities must be improved; assessment of coaches
must reflect commitment to athletes’ academic opportunities. Optimal season
schedules for each sport should be designed and adopted. The terms and bases of
scholarships should be reexamined so as to support student academics, and
athletes should be fully integrated into campus life.
Governance. Shared oversight of athletics between governing boards,
administrations, and faculty should involve clear communication and
complementary responsibilities. Best-practice designs for the interaction of
faculty athletics representatives, campus athletics committees, and faculty
governance should be designed nationally, and adapted locally. Uniform
reporting standards for athletics budgets should be established, to provide more
financial transparency. Stable athletics conferences should support the linkage
of athletics and academics, and become the basis for intercollegiate
relationships beyond athletics competitions and finances.
Finances. The link between winning and financial solvency undermines the
values of college sports and contributes to the athletics arms race. Broadened
revenue sharing, and limits on budgets and capital expenditures should be
implemented. Amateur goals appropriate to each sport should determine standards
of expectations. Cost cutting in the areas of scholarships, squad size, season
length, and recruitment should be explored.
Over-commercialization. Excesses in marketing college sports impair
institutional control and contribute to public misperception of the nature and
purpose of higher education. Schools must step back from over-commercialization
by cutting costs and setting clear standards of institutional control and public
presentation of college sports.
Resolution
Whereas, We recognize that there are serious problems at many institutions relative to intercollegiate athletics, and that reforms are necessary, andWhereas, We are proud that the University of Illinois and its Division of Intercollegiate Athletics are in a unique position to be able to serve as a role model for best practices in the areas of academic integrity, athlete welfare, governance, finances, and corporate relations,Resolved, That the Senate of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign strongly supports in principle the goals and ideals articulated in the Executive Summary of the Framework for Reform of Intercollegiate Athletics proposed by the Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics (COIA). Athletic Board Susan Cohen, Chair