INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC

COMMITTEE MEETING

October 21, 2008

 

ATTENDING:   Cory Absey, James Antes, Charlie Bridgeford, Judy DeMers, Brian Faison, Greg Gagnon, Daniella Irle, Jon Jackson, Sue Jeno, Jeremy Jones, Susan Nelson, Glenn Olsen, Lowell Schweigert, Paul Todhunter

 

Recorder:  Bev Hopman

 

Susan Nelson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. in the Memorial Room of the Memorial Union. 

 

Minutes:  Judy DeMers  moved the minutes from the September 16, 2008, meeting be approved as submitted.  Lowell Schweigert seconded.  Motion carried.

 

New Members:  Two new student-athlete committee members were introduced, Jeremy Jones and Cory Absey

 

Faculty Athletic Representative Report: 

  • Sue Jeno distributed a handout from the Women’s Sports Foundation, titled Who’s Playing College Sports?  Money, Race and Gender
  • Sue Jeno will be attending national FAR meetings in San Diego in November.  The conference emphasis will be on enhancing the student-athlete experience. 
  • The NCAA offers a number of post graduate scholarships.  Sue Jeno asked for recommendations for the Walter Byers Scholarship, a $24,000/year scholarship that is renewable.  More detailed information on all scholarships can be found at NCAA.org.
  • The NCAA is evaluating ice hockey regional playoff assignments.  In an effort to save money, they may start assigning teams to the closest playoff sight as early as 2009.  The final decision has not been made.

 

Departmental Updates:

 

Athletic Director:

  • Brian Faison stated the new ten year facility agreement with the Alerus is near completion.
  • Chicago State will soon be announced as the 7th member of the Great West Athletic Conference.
  • Swimming and diving has accepted an invitation to participate in the 2009 Conference USA Swimming & Diving Invitational at the University of Houston on February 25-28, 2009.  This gives the team a chance for post season competition.
  • Brian Faison has had to address a series of small issues regarding student-athletes.  Having an approved Student Athlete Code of Conduct will ensure that all student-athletes and coaches understand the policies, procedures and ramifications of inappropriate behavior.  He has presented the current draft of the Student Athlete Code of Conduct to SAAC for their review. 
  • An “in-house” drug testing policy is being developed.

 

 

Compliance:

  • Daniella Irle passed out a summary of compliance office activities.  The highlights were coaches’ education, monitoring activities, external education and financial aid.  Greg Gagnon asked if there was a limit on outside financial aid.  Daniella Irle said there is not a limit, but that all financial aid must be reported.  Too much outside aid may put a team at over their allowed limit.
  • As of October 15, three minor violations were reported. 
  • Fantasy leagues are being set up using current college athletes.  It is the schools responsibility to contact the individuals to ask them to “cease and desist.”  However, the NCAA has no power to take action against the individuals running fantasy leagues.  Once the individual has been notified to cease and desist, neither the university nor the student-athletes are in violation of NCAA rules.

 

Brian Faison said that UND is fortunate to have Daniella Irle and Kara Helmig on staff to work with compliance issues.  They have an excellent network to draw from and are working very hard to educate both internal and external constituents to do the right thing.

 

Missed Class Policy:

Brian Faison presented the missed class policy.  Daniella Irle said information to develop the policy was drawn from several different sources.  Jon Jackson moved the missed class policy be adopted as submitted.  Judy DeMers seconded.  Motion carried.  Charlie Bridgeford asked if any progress had been made to assist student-athletes when they miss classes due to team travel and competitions.  Judy DeMers and Jon Jackson said this issue has been discussed by the Senate Executive Committee and by the Academic Policy Committee but no campus-wide policy has been developed.  Sue Jeno said this affects not only student-athletes but all students involved in extra curricular activities.  Daniella Irle said that when students receive their syllabus at the start of each semester they need to visit with the professors if conflicts exist.  Sue Jeno said she can become involved if necessary.

 

Student Athlete Code of Conduct:

Brian Faison said that research to develop the Student Athlete Code of Conduct was done by athletic administrative staff and coaches.  The policies set up in the code do not replace any rules or laws of UND, the state or local authorities.  Daniella Irle said the SA Code of Conduct mirrors the Dean of Students Office policies.  Greg Gagnon expressed concern that a student-athlete could be punished under the code for violating team rules since the IAC has not seen or approved team rules.  Judy DeMers stated that she was concerned the student-athletes were being denied “due process”.

 

At the recommendation of the IAC, the following two items were removed:

 

  • The student-athlete is found by the Director of Athletics, in consultation with the Associate Athletic Director of Internal Operations and the Sport Administrator, to have multiple violations of a team policy as indicated by a Head Coach.   (from Section II, A, Category I Misconduct)

 

  • All actions of the Appeal Panel are approved by the Director of Athletics and the Director of Athletics acts as the sole appeal body for sanctions approved by the Panel. (from Section IV, last sentence first paragraph)

 

Brian Faison said he would take the amended draft to Legal Counsel for their review.  It will then be brought before the IAC for final approval.  Greg Gagnon moved the Student Athlete Code of Conduct draft, as amended, be used as a guideline until it is approved by UND Legal Counsel and the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee.  Sue Jeno seconded.  Motion carried.  Judy DeMers abstained. 

 

Tennis Schedule:  Lowell Schweigert moved the tennis schedule be approved as submitted.  Charlie Bridgeford seconded. Motion carried.

 

Next Meeting:  Due to scheduling conflicts, the next meeting will be held on Thursday, November 20, at 4:30 p.m.

 

The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.