Tulane University President Scott S. Cowen is asking the 63 presidents of universities who are members of the Bowl Championship Series Alliance to assist and support him in addressing issues critical to the future of Division I-A intercollegiate athletics, including:

Reforming the system that currently governs post-season play in college football

Requesting that the NCAA adopt policies and procedures that support even higher academic standards and

Asking the NCAA to reconsider the appropriateness and cost implications of the Division I-A membership criteria adopted last year that will go into effect in 2004.

In a letter sent today, Cowen wrote, "If continual, bold reform of intercollegiate athletics is to happen, it will only be through the efforts of all of us working together."

"I realize this is a complex and controversial issue to address but I am confident that we, as a community of presidents and chancellors, can find a way to mitigate the circumstances that lead to financial disparities," he wrote.

Last week Cowen sent a letter to 52 fellow university presidents whose schools are not part of the Bowl Championship Series, seeking their support in achieving the same goals he outlined in today’s letter.

Cowen will host a teleconference for the non-BCS presidents on July 22 to begin the process. "NCAA President Myles Brand has agreed to join us throughout our discussions and will try to join us for our inaugural teleconference as well," said Cowen.

Under Cowen’s direction Tulane University recently completed an exhaustive review of its athletics department (http://feedback.tulane.edu). Cowen said the invitation to university presidents to participate in a collegial and open dialogue, regardless of conference affiliation, is a result of the lessons learned during that process.

In today’s letter Cowen also wrote, "I know that you believe as I do that we, as presidents and chancellors, have a responsibility to ensure that intercollegiate sports operate according to the highest ethical standards and the noblest principles of equity and fair play, and within the values that bind us together as a system of higher education."

After a year of study and discussion, the Board of Tulane decided June 10 to re-affirm its commitment to the continuation of intercollegiate athletics at the Division I level. In doing so the board adopted a resolution calling for the university to operate an athletics program that is a model in terms of academic performance and graduation rates, is financially viable on a sustainable basis and supports the academic mission and goals of the university.