96-04-24 NCAA Team  to Conduct Certification Visit

NCAA TEAM TO CONDUCT CERTIFICATION VISIT

     COLUMBUS --  An external team of reviewers will conduct a 
four-day evaluation visit as part of Ohio State University's 
participation in the NCAA Division I Athletic Certification 
program.  The five-member team will be on campus April 28-May 1.

     Athletic certification is a review program implemented in 
1993 by the National Collegiate Athletic Association membership 
for all Division I institutions.

     While academic accreditation is common in colleges and 
universities, this program is the first to focus on athletics.  
Its purpose is to ensure integrity in the institution's athletics 
program.  Division I schools like Ohio State participate in 
athletic certification every five years.

     The process involves both self-study and external review.  
David Williams II, vice president for student affairs, chairs the 
Athletic Certification Steering Committee, which oversees the 
self-study process at Ohio State.

     The self-study focuses on four general areas: governance and 
compliance; academic integrity; fiscal integrity; and equity.  
Williams appointed four subcommittees, one for each general area, 
to conduct the self-study and report to the Steering Committee.  
All committees include students, faculty and staff from across 
the university.

     After its visit, the external review team will make a 
recommendation regarding Ohio State's certification status to the 
NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification.  The athletics 
certification committee makes the final determination.  A 
decision is not expected until fall 1996, at the earliest.

     The three options of certification are: certified, certified 
with conditions, and not certified.  Institutions will have an 
opportunity to correct deficient areas.  Schools that do not take 
corrective actions may be ruled ineligible for NCAA 
championships.

     The reviewers are peers from other colleges, conference 
offices and universities.  Martin C. Jischke, president of Iowa 
State University, chairs the Peer Review Team.  Members include 
Ann A. Baer, associate director of athletics and senior woman 
administrator, Oklahoma State University; Bud K. Haidet, director 
of athletics, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Jane B. Moore, 
faculty athletics representative, Auburn University; and Thomas 
F. Perry, associate athletics director, Syracuse University.  
Michael Marcil of the NCAA will serve as Ohio State's liaison.

                             #

Contact: Deborah A. Katz, Office of Student Affairs, (614) 292-
9334


[Submitted by: Von Reid-Vargas (ereid@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu)
               
Wed, 24 Apr 1996 16:08:46 -0400]
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