Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The Athletics Department held a public town hall meeting Monday afternoon to discuss its draft of an NCAA self study.
Frank DeSalvo, associate vice provost for student success and chair of the Self Study Steering Committee, said the purpose of the report was to document the areas of excellence and areas for improvement within the department. In addition, DeSalvo said the self study would provide the University and the general public an overview of the athletics program and provide a transparent look at the affairs of the department.
Every 10 years, the NCAA requries Division I athletics departments to carry out self studies, and DeSalvo said that Kansas was the first institution to be reviewed in this 10-year cycle of self studies.
Steve McAllister, professor of law and member of the panel, identified the operating principles, or the main criteria, of the self study and said the report was a culmination of the principles and not the success of the University’s athletic teams.
“There are things you obviously know about athletics like the Orange Bowl, the Insight Bowl and the National Championship, but that’s not really what this report is about,” McAllister said. “The NCAA is measuring the department on lots of things that don’t have to do with success on the field or on the court.”
The study focuses on the areas of governance and rules compliance, academic integrity, gender issues, diversity issues and student athlete well-being. McAllister said the study’s improvement plans included the monitoring of academics for the men’s track and field team, a gender equity plan and a diversity plan. The gender equity plan focuses on establishing equal facilities for both men and women’s sports, and the diversity plan will bring an auditor to address diversity issues within the department.
Another issue addressed at the meeting was the role of athletics and its connection with the University.
“We are hopeful that we can all begin to understand the symbiotic nature of the connection and the importance of having a strong university and how athletics reflects the overall strengths of the University,” DeSalvo said.
Kyle West, Ellsworth senior, was one of the only students who attended Monday’s town hall meeting. West said he liked the different viewpoints of how athletics felt it fit in with the rest of the University.
“I appreciated the opportunity to hear from the athletics administration and what they’re doing to try and improve the overall experience for the student athlete,” West said. “But also what they’re doing to improve the responsibility to the institutional setting of the University of Kansas.”
West said he was also interested in the discussion of the Olympic Village.
Many of the questions directed toward the panel were about plans for the Olympic Village and what the time frame was for the new facilities.
Sean Lester, associate athletics director, said that the Olympic Village was in the “grassroots phase” and that it was only one facet to the large self study.
The first draft of the self study is due to the NCAA by May 1. The Self Study Steering Committee will receive feedback from the NCAA and have an opportunity to respond and make changes. The committee said it was open to suggestions and improvements, which can be made to the self study before April 10.
— — Edited by Susan Melgren
Athletics department proposes new facility
The Olympic Village will combine soccer, softball and track into one complex.
Long-distance relationships really can work
Study reaffirms KU alcohol abuse prevention efforts
Joint efforts between KU and the community helps prevent risky drinking habits.
University encourages safety on stop day
Many students will drink on stop day, but the university is encouraging ...
Jayhawk Buddy System gets financial boost
The program will use the funds to gain program awareness and evaluate ...
Former adviser to the Bush administration visits ...
John Yoo, current professor of law at the University of California at ...
Online gambling puts students in red
Matt Anderson was a freshman when he got involved in a habit ...
Diversity statement implemented on campus
The Office of Diversity published a statement of diversity, hopes to broaden ...
University uses campaigns class project
The class created the Jayhawk Buddy System, which can be seen across ...
First Amendment, controversial protests up for debate
'Is Nothing Sacred?' inspects the free speech case Snyder v. Phelps.
University implements communication system
The University of Kansas is working to implement Message Blox, a system ...
University answers parents' questions
Website helps prepare students for finals
Students should take into account their physical and mental well-being in addition ...
Parents cope with changes
Perkins investigation taken to state level
The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission will meet to resolve the state level ...
Memory of Jason Wren educates students about ...
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon pledge died of alcohol poisoning in 2009.
Chief justice to field questions at business ...
John G. Roberts, Jr., will answer questions from students at the Vickers ...
Search committee for athletics director named
The six-member committee has equal representation within and outside the University
You breast believe it
What to know about bras.
Perkins retires, Lester named interim AD
The embattled athletics director surprised many by leaving Kansas a year ahead ...
Advice for students going home
Perkins' retirement wouldn't end a state investigation
State ethics commission director said a retirement wouldn't end an ongoing investigation ...
Gridiron Club expansion still on track
Despite Coach Mark Mangino's departure and the six-game losing streak, plans for ...
Administrative reshuffling targets low retention rates
The University ranks among the lowest in the Big 12 with 20 ...
Student Senate passes mascot resolution
Leaving a lasting legacy
As Hemenway prepares to retire, he and others look back at how ...
Devoted scholar dies at 63; remembered by ...
Students can report worrisome classroom behavior to ...
The Tucson, Ariz., shootings brought up concerns about addressing mental illness.
Editorial: Tuition increase mishandled
The proposed tuition increase leaves students' best interests behind
Roesler: Study examines student-athletes' graduation rates
If NCAA tournament were based on academia, Kansas, Texas, Butler and Princeton ...
Jayhawk Buddy System promotes a safe spring ...
The campus group is providing information and tips to students this week.
Holmes: Students take part in Honors director ...
In the search for a new Honors Program director, students' opinions matter.
Zenger takes over a changing Athletics Department
New Athletics Director Sheahon Zenger took over the department amid conference controversy ...
Player sues for Title IX violation
Former football sues University for not letting him play another year of ...
Workin' on the railroad
Federal government provides grants to improve railway.
Students, faculty share mixed feelings on diversity
Despite the number of minority students increasing over the past 10 years, ...
LEGAL LETDOWN
Former athletics director remembered by many
Robert Frederick, athletics director for 14 years, died Friday night at the ...
Legalizing Love: the state of same-sex marriage ...
A look at the battle for marriage equality.
Study finds women’s successes affected by psychological ...
Women’s perception of their education and social status affects their success in ...
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID