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| Focus
on the Presidency column written
by Tulane President Scott S. Cowen Athletics Reform Is Possible With a Big Assist From Boards College sports command board attention because of their power to influence the institution's reputation. There is little disputing that big-time college athletics can be at odds with the mission of higher education. Increased commercialization, especially in the major sports of football and basketball, and a seemingly insatiable appetite for greater visibility and revenue not only have sullied the reputations of various universities but also have led to diminished respect for the integrity of our entire higher education system. But hope is on the horizon. If trustees also become engaged in these processes as part of their oversight function, athletics can find their natural equilibrium within the overall academic missions of our universities and colleges. This is the ultimate goal of intercollegiate athletics reform—to have college sports serve as one integral part of a university's overall mission, not to have it overshadow or diminish that mission. From
my perspective, academic reform is essential
because it holds the promise of making the
word "student" meaningful
in the phrase "student-athlete." For
decades, the NCAA has dealt with various academic
issues, producing evolving standards
for initial and continuing eligibility of student-athletes.
Now, after years of study and discussion,
it has developed a comprehensive package
of standards, methods and incentives
to guide academic reform. The key ingredient
of this package is a new formula for measuring
academic performance, known as the Academic
Progress Rate or APR, and a system of meaningful
rewards and penalties. In the NCAA's first APR-revised report, issued in May, about six percent (363 teams) of the total number of college teams fell below the penalty line. As expected, there are critics of the reform agenda. Some say the system is monolithic and ignores the unique characteristics of each sport and the missions of particular universities. They also warn that it will force universities to further dilute their curricular options for student-athletes or lead to grade inflation. Supporters, by contrast, believe the policy is a positive starting point for change and discussion and that it will will evolve and improve over time. Intercollegiate athletics reform can be successful only if it is understood and supported by trustees. From my experience, trustee involvement in athletics ranges from benign neglect by those uninterested in sports to invasive micromanagement by unabashed boosters. AGB is leading the way in encouraging appropriate board involvement, having published its “Statement on Board Responsibilities for Intercollegiate Athletics.” At a minimum, board members need to (1) be informed about the relevant athletics-related issues, (2) expect transparency from university leadership on the topic, and (3) demand accountability in addressing issues—all the while supporting their president. Even though athletics constitutes a relatively small part of any university's overall budget, trustees should devote careful attention to the topic because of its external visibility and its power to influence institutional reputation and financial standing. Board members should regularly review their institution’s athletics programs in an objective manner consistent with their concern for the well-being of the institution as a whole. Begin with a focus on the academic performance of student-athletes because, in the end, that is most important to maintaining the integrity of the collegiate model. Genuine
change is possible if trustees and presidents
summon the fortitude to do their part and the
NCAA keeps continuous reform as its highest
priority. |
