Framework for Comprehensive Athletics Reform

Annual AAUP Governance Conference
Indianapolis, October 9-11
COIA Activities

In recognition of heightened interest in athletics reform, the American Association of University Professors planned its 2003 national Governance Conference with a focus on intercollegiate athletics. The initial day of the conference Thursday, October 9, was hosted by the NCAA at its national headquarters in Indianapolis, and planning for the conference was done in cooperation with the COIA.

Division I-A faculty senate leaders should be aware that a letter to their university presidents requesting sponsorship of faculty attendance had been sent jointly by the NCAA, the Association of Governing Boards (AGB), and our Coalition.

The Coalition was itself in charge of a number of activities at the conference. The first day of the conference, Thursday, October 9, included a talk by COIA co-chair Jim Earl; all Thursday plenary sessions concerned college sports, and had been planned in consultation with the Coalition. On Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m., the COIA caucued with representatives of the Division I-A schools interested in being part of the Coalition.

On Friday and Saturday, there were three breakout sessions devoted to COIA priorities. These 90-minute meetings were designed to be true work sessions, aiming at a tangible accomplishments related to Coalition goals. Their agendas are described in the links below. The results of the conference are described here.

COIA Work Session #1: Best-Practice Standards for the Appointment and Function of Faculty Athletics Representatives
     Friday, October 10, 9:00-10:30 a.m. Addressing issues identified in section III.1 of the COIA "Framework for Comprehensive Athletics Reform"

COIA Work Session #2: Ensuring Integrity in the Academic Experience of College Athletes: Issues and Approaches for Faculty
     Friday, October 10, 3:30-5:00 p.m. Addressing issues identified in sections I.3-4 of the "Framework"

COIA Work Session #3: Best-Practice Standards for the Appointment and Function of Campus Athletics Committees
     Saturday, October 11, 9:00-10:30 a.m. Addressing issues identified in section III.2 of the "Framework"

In addition to these sessions, a panel organized by the AAUP, "The Title IX Controversy," was held on Friday, 10:45-12:15.

COIA Work Session #1: Best-Practice Standards for the Appointment and Function of Faculty Athletics Representatives Friday, October 10, 9:00-10:30 a.m.	Addressing issues identified in section III.1 of the COIA "Framework for Comprehensive Athletics Reform"
COIA Work Session #2: Ensuring Integrity in the Academic Experience of College Athletes: Issues and Approaches for Faculty Friday, October 10, 3:30-5:00 p.m.	Addressing issues identified in sections I.3-4 of the "Framework"
COIA Work Session #3: Best-Practice Standards for the Appointment and Function of Campus Athletics Committees Saturday, October 11, 9:00-10:30 a.m.	Addressing issues identified in section III.2 of the "Framework"