OXFORD,
Miss. – The National Collegiate Athletics Association’s Committee on
Athletics Certification has certified the University of Mississippi as
part of the NCAA Division I athletics certification program.
“We
are very pleased,” Ole Miss Chancellor Robert Khayat said. “This not
only validates the integrity of our athletics programs but also this
university’s commitment to academic integrity, rules compliance and the
well-being of our student-athletes.”
NCAA’s Division I
certification program focuses solely on athletics as an integral part
of a university. It was adopted by NCAA Division I members in 1993 and
helps them ensure the integrity of their athletics operations by
opening them to the rest of the university community and the public
every 10 years. Members also benefit by increasing campuswide awareness
of their athletics programs, confirming their strengths and developing
plans to improve areas of concern.
“We’re extremely proud that Ole Miss has been certified by the NCAA’s committee,” said Pete Boone, UM athletics director. “We thank Chancellor Khayat and Provost (Morris) Stocks for their leadership during this very important process. We also wish to thank the many individuals who contributed their time and energy to this effort.”
The effort began in September 2007, when Khayat appointed a steering committee and subcommittees of faculty, staff, students, alumni and athletics personnel to conduct Ole Miss’ yearlong self study. The committees and their chairs were:
- Steering Committee – Morris Stocks, provost and vice chancellor of academic affairs, and professor of accountancy
- Academic Integrity Subcommittee – Ann Canty, associate provost and associate professor of management; Tyrus McCarty, associate professor of mechanical engineering
- Governance and Commitment to Rules Compliance Subcommittee – Ronald Rychlak, associate dean and professor of law
- Equity and Student-Athlete Well-being Subcommittee – Linda Chitwood, dean, School of Applied Sciences, and professor of health, exercise science and recreation management
Within each area studied, the certification program has set standards, or operating principles, which serve as a “measuring stick” upon which all Division I members are evaluated. The subcommittees examined how Ole Miss’ athletics programs related to those standards and to the institution’s mission and purpose.
The study resulted in a 375 page report mailed to the NCAA in May 2008. In October, an external review team conducted a three day evaluation visit on campus. The review team then submitted a report to the NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification, another independent
group, which determined Ole Miss’ certification status and announced its decision today.
The three options of certification status are certified, certified with conditions and not certified.
“This study engaged representatives from a wide spectrum of the campus in a full review of the athletics department,@ Stocks said. “We’re pleased that the external review team recognized the care with which we manage our athletics programs and the concern we show our student-athletes.”
A membership organization of colleges and universities that participate in intercollegiate athletics, NCAA has the mission of maintaining athletics as an integral part of educational programs and athletes as integral members of the student body. The NCAA also formulates rules of play for NCAA sports, conducts national championships, adopts and enforces standards of eligibility, and studies all phases of intercollegiate athletics.