EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY FACULTY SENATE ACADEMIC,
APPELLATE, AND SENATE COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT

COMMITTEE: University Athletics Committee

1. Membership (include ex-officio members).

Elected Members

(Presence determines quorum; also comprises the Academic Integrity Subcommittee)

Cal Christian

Mike Felts, Chair

Sunday Ajose

Lori Flint, Secretary

Rosina Chia

Art Rodriquez

Mark Moore

Scott Below, Vice Chair

Ex-Officio Members with vote

Joe Luczkovich

David Dosser

Sabrina Bengal

Brad Congleton

John Hudson or Grant Jarman

Ex-Officio Members without vote

Austin Bunch

Nancy Mize

Nick Floyd

Nita Boyce

Tyler Richardson

Jarrett Newby

Tim Metcalf

Gary Overton

Stacey Altman

2. Meeting Dates (include members present*).

September 11, 2008

PERSON PRESIDING: Mike Felts

REGULAR MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Felts, Chia, Below, Flint

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Luczkovich, Congleton, Dosser

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Bunch, Mize, Floyd, Boyce, Altman, Newby, Richardson, Terry Holland, Rosie Thompson, Gary Overton, Jan Tovey

October 9, 2008

PERSON PRESIDING: Mike Felts

REGULAR MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Felts, Ajose, Christian, Flint, Moore,

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Dosser, Luczkovich, Congleton, Richardson

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Gary Overton, Rosie Thompson

November 13, 2008

PERSON PRESIDING: Mike Felts

REGULAR MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Felts, Moore

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Bunch, Dosser, Congleton, Altman, Newby, Metcalf, Richardson

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Gary Overton, Rosie Thompson,

December 4, 2008

PERSON PRESIDING: Mike Felts

REGULAR MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Felts, Ajose, Christian, Flint, Moore,

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Dosser, Luczkovich, Congleton, Boyce, Altman, Newby, Floyd, Richardson

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Rosie Thompson

February 3, 2009

PERSON PRESIDING: Mike Felts

REGULAR MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Felts, Chia, Below, Christian

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Congleton, Altman, Metcalf, Luczkovich, Bunch, Floyd, Boyce, Richardson

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Rosie Thompson, Terry Holland, Gary Overton

April 9, 2009

PERSON PRESIDING: Mike Felts

REGULAR MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Felts, Ajose, Christian, Flint, Moore

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Dosser, Boyce, Altman, Mize, Metcalf

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Terry Holland, Gary Overton, Rosie Thompson

May 7, 2009

I was not able to access minutes for this meeting that was chaired by committee vice-chair Scott Below.

3. Subcommittees established during the year (include progress and/or completion of work).

Established the Gender Equity Subcommittee charged with reviewing the University’s 2008-2013 Gender Equity Plan for Athletics. The composition of the subcommittee was a follows: Stacey Altman (EXSS), Rosina Chia (PSYC), Cal Christian (ACCT), Mike Felts (HEP) David Dosser (FAR), Nancy Mize (Student Life), Rob Donnenwirth (ATHL) Nick Floyd (ATHL), Rosie Thompson (ATHL), Gary Overton (ATHL), Charina Sumner (Student-Athlete), Taffye Clayton-Benson, (Student Affairs).

The work product of this committee is contained in Appendix 1 of this report.

4. Accomplishments during the year, especially as addressed through committee goals. Please include recommendations made to any University agency other than the Faculty Senate that will be noted under #5.

Committee goals and related committee efforts were as follows:

A. monitor the academic progress of all intercollegiate athletic teams – the Academic Integrity Subcommittee met following the October and February meetings to review the academic progress of student athletes for the Spring 2008 and Fall 2008 semesters respectively. While some sport-specific issues were noted the general was positive.

APR difficulties experienced by the men’s basketball program remain a concern of the committee. These penalties result largely from player attrition resulting from the prior coaching staffs. The circumstances make it difficult to remedy the situation. It was noted that the GPA improvement that occurred in the last academic had leveled off this year. Nita Boyce suggested that this was due to more difficult classes as students matriculated. The committee will continue to monitor this situation closely.

B. when deemed appropriate, consult with appropriate athletic department personnel regarding academic issues for specific teams – see A above.

C. review the gender equity plan associated with the NCAA certification process and makes recommendations in regards to assuring compliance – See item 3 above and the associated Appendix.

D. review the process for awarding ‘special talent’ waivers for admission to the university – a committee has been established to screen candidates for these waivers. The process remains a ‘work in progress’ and will assessed on an ongoing basis.

E. continue to work with student development personnel to identify appropriate facilities for tutoring and other development activities – Plans were presented for the renovation of the Pat Draughn Room, Ward Sports Medicine Building for the purpose of academic support. The renovation is to be ready for Fall 2009.

5. Reports to the Faculty Senate (include dates and resolution numbers).

None, however the Gender Equity Review Report filed with this report is, effectively a report to the Senate as the UAC has oversight of University efforts as specified in the 2002 NCAA certification report.

6. Business carried over to next year (list in priority order).

a. Provide oversight regarding the 2008-2013 Gender Equity Plan.

b. Explore the development of a faculty mentor program for each sport.

c. Through the Academic Integrity Subcommittee, monitor the progress of those teams identified as having problems in the Spring 2009 review.

d. Continue oversight of efforts to formalize the processes involved in granting so-called “special talent waivers”.

e. Continue to monitor the APR situation with regard to men’s basketball as the potential associated penalties could significantly impact the university.

f. Explore the pros and cons of moving the compliance and student development functions currently house in athletics to Academic Affairs.

g. Continue to assess whether clustering of athletes within majors is occurring and assessing the impact of the phenomenon if, indeed, it is occurring.

7. Evaluation of the committee (include anything that hindered or assisted the committee's work during the year).

The committee did excellent work this year. The members were consistently present and interested. There is a high degree of cooperation with the Department of Athletics. That department is genuinely invested in the academic success of the student athlete. The only issue that hinders this committee is the complexity of its charge. Understanding college athletics requires a great deal of investment.

8. Suggestion(s) to the Chair of the Faculty and/or Faculty Senate for improving the effectiveness of the committee.

None except to have as much continuity of membership as practical (see seven above).

9. Does the Committee’s organizational meeting next year need to be earlier than the date set this year?

No

Signed: W. Michael Felts, Chairperson

Appendix 1

Report of the Gender Equity Subcommittee

2008-2009 Progress Report

Report of the Gender Equity Subcommittee

2008-2009 Progress Report

Chair: Michael Felts, Professor, HHP

2309 Belk

Committee Charge

The “University Athletics Committee” (UAC) is a standing committee of the ECU Faculty Senate. According to its’ charge, the UAC’s primary functions are oversight responsibility in the area of academic integrity, compliance with NCAA rules and regulations, and the overall development of student athletes. The Committee makes recommendations concerning the implementation and administration of policies and procedures pertaining to intercollegiate athletics at ECU to the Chancellor.

UAC Charge, FS Resolution #05-49, Dec. 2005)

The Gender Sub-Committee of the UAC is charged with the development and oversight of the five-year Gender Equity Plan. The 2002 NCAA Certification document mandates that such a plan be in place and states that UAC has oversight responsibilities for the plan. The Gender Equity Subcommittee generated the plan and it was approved by the UAC in the spring of 2008. This report documents the progress made by the Department of Athletics toward the goals specified in the plan during the 2008-2009 academic year.

Committee Membership

The 2008-2009 Gender Equity Subcommittee consisted of the following members: Stacey Altman (EXSS), Rosina Chia (PSYC), Cal Christian (ACCT), Taffye Clayton-Benson (Student Affairs), Rob Donnenwirth (ATHL), David Dosser (FAR), Mike Felts (HEP), Nick Floyd (ATHL), Nancy Mize (Student Life), Gary Overton (ATHL), Charina Sumner (Student-Athlete) and Rosie Thompson (ATHL).

Introduction

The NCAA Gender Equity Task Force states“ an athletic program is gender equitable when the men's sports program would be pleased to accept for its own overall participation, opportunities and resources currently allocated to the women's program and vice versa."

The Gender Equity Review Subcommittee of the University Athletics Committee met on April 4, 2009 to receive a report from the Department of Athletics related to progress toward those goals established in the 2008-2013 Gender Equity Five-Year Plan. This report interprets the data presented in that meeting in the context of the five-year plan.

The committee concludes the following based on the data presented:

The 2008-2013 report documented that the university appeared to be in compliance with Title IX participation criteria under factor three, that is, accommodation of interests and abilities. Participation remained essentially unchanged in 2008-2009 with 40% of student athletes being female.
Funding for female sports remained relatively stable and slightly below the proportion of female student athletes. Women’s sports accounted for 27% or the recruiting budget in 2008-2009. Thirty-three percent of the equipment budget was allotted to women’s teams and 35% of the scholarship dollars were awarded to female athletes. During 2008-09 all women’s sports received the maximum scholarship allotment allowed for the first time.
Female representation among the athletic department staff improved in 2008-2009. Specifically, a female head volleyball coach was hired. Among women’s or gender-mixed sports there are six female assistants and eight male assistants.
The goal to improve coaches’ of female sports salaries relative to their male counterparts was difficult to assess given the data presented. Selected female coaches did receive substantial increases, however.
The 2008-2013 report documented substantial inequities in athletic facilities. This situation did not change appreciably is 2008-2009. Planning is underway for major facilities upgrades for the Olympic sports.
The 2008-2013 report documented substantial inequities in support services provided to women’s sports. This situation did not change in 2008-2009.
The 2008-2013 report documented dissatisfaction with the publicity received by women’s sports. Documentation indicates that efforts have been made to improve both the marketing of women’s athletics and publicity related to the achievement of female student-athletes.
The 2008-2013 report found that while inequities did not exist in the area of academic support there were inadequate facilities available for this function. This situation did not change in 2008-2009 but plans were established to improve the situation in the next academic year.
The 2008-2013 report found that housing and dining services and medical and training services were available on an equitable basis. No data were presented in the update relative to these areas.

ECU Athletics 2008-2013 Gender Equity Five-Year Plan

2008-2009 Progress Report

Issues in the Self Study

Measurable Goals

Steps to Achieve Goals

Individuals/Office Responsible for Implementation

2009 Status

1. Increase scholarships

Fully fund all women’s programs

Add scholarship support to move women’s soccer towards being fully funded

Director of Athletics

As of Spring 2009 all women’s sports were fully funded. Thirty-five percent ($1,425,064) of the total scholarship dollars ($4,079,853) are allotted to female student athletes. (Attachment A)

2. Ongoing need to monitor participation data

Maintain participation to at least 2008 levels

Implement fully funding of all women’s programs

Director of Athletics

Coaches

Forty percent of student athletes are female. This percentage has remained essentially unchanged since 2002.

(Attachment B)

3. Maintenance of proportional spending for equipment and supplies

All teams are equipped and supplied in a equitable manner

Maintain appropriate budgets

Business Manager, Coaches, Sr. Assoc. A-D

Thirty-three percent ($196,500) of the athletic equipment budget ($591,800) was allotted to women’s teams. (Attachment C)

4. Coaches and student surveys suggest some dissatisfaction with practice times in shared facilities

Provide for equitable arrangements for scheduling of games and practice times

Collaborative input from coaches and student athletes

Complete new facilities

Director of Athletics, SWA, facilities manager, coaches

No data were presented regarding this issue.

Issues in the Self Study

Measurable Goals

Steps to Achieve Goals

Individuals/Office Responsible for Implementation

2009 Status

5. Continue gender equitable travel and per diem regulations

Team travel and per diem are arranged according to policies that are gender neutral

Ensure adequate budget to meet travel needs

Review schedules of all sports to minimize travel

Director of Athletics, Sr. Assoc. Dir., Business Manager

No data were presented on this issue.

6. Meet student need and demand for academic support on gender neutral basis

All athletes have equitable access to needed academic assistance, resources and equipment

Ensure adequate budget and facilities to meet student demand

Director of Athletics, Assoc. Dir., SWA

Plans were presented for renovation of the Pat Draughn Room in the Ward Sports Medicine Building for use as a tutoring and study center. (Attachment D)

7. Lack of female proportional female presence in both athletic administration and coaching staffs

Increase the number of female coaches and administrators

Add a second full-time assistant for softball

Add one assistant track coach

Add an one assistant swimming coach

Actively recruit qualified female candidates as vacancies are anticipated and occur.

Meet with campus EEO personnel to develop strategies to attract female applicants.

Director of Athletics, Affirmative Action Dir., SWA

There are three female and five male head coaches of women’s or gender-mixed teams. This number reflects an increase of one female in 2009 (volleyball). There are currently six females and eight male assistant coaches (excluding GA’s) attached to these teams. (Attachment E)

Issues in the Self Study

Measurable Goals

Steps to Achieve Goals

Individuals/Office Responsible for Implementation

2009 Status

8. Coaching salaries need to move toward a proportionate spending basis

Increase salaries for coaches of women’s sports

Increase salaries of coaches in women’s sports at a minimum of 1.0% higher rate than coaches of comparable men’s teams for each of the next five years

Director of Athletics, SWA

Salary increases for head coaches of female sports ranged from 4% to 20% (soccer). This was the same range for coaches of men’s sports. No data were provided for assistant coaches’ salaries. (Attachment F).

9. Lack of equity in locker rooms, playing facilities and coaches’ offices.

1. Create more locker space for softball, soccer, track and tennis of the same quality available to men’s football, baseball and basketball.

2. Construct a new softball facility.

3. Construct a new track for use by cross-country and indoor and outdoor track.

4. Construct a new soccer facility.

5. Provide office space for women’s team that is of equivalent quality to that provided to men’s football, basketball and baseball.

1. Secure funding stream for capital projects.

2. Hire facilities consultant and develop construction plan

3. Initiate construction based on priorities

Director of Athletics

Director of Athletics, Asst. AD for Development, Sr. Assoc. AD

Plans were presented for the Olympic Sports Complex to include new competition facilities for softball, track, soccer and tennis. Also included are a 30,000 square foot building to house locker rooms, coaches’ offices, equipment storage and offices for administrative support personnel.

Construction is to begin in June 2009 on the softball stadium to be ready for play in the 2010 season. (Attachment G)

Issues in the Self Study	Measurable Goals	Steps to Achieve Goals			Individuals/Office Responsible for Implementation	2009 Status
10. Maintain gender equitable medical and training services	Continue to provide high quality services to all students, taking particular care student-athletes have full access to gender specific medical services.	Continue to assess practices in this area.			Director of Athletics, SWA, Assoc. AD	No data presented.

11. Continue gender equitable policies with regard to housing and dining services	Ensure that male and female athletes receive comparable benefits			Continue to assess practices in this area.	Director of Athletics, SWA, Assoc. AD	No data presented.

12. Female athletes and their coaches question whether marketing efforts are gender equitable	Publicity produced by the university will be equitable in all respects—quality, size, quantity, etc. Educate all student athletes in regard to marketing efforts in athletics.			Conduct of review of current practices in this area. Formalize a plan to inform students about marketing efforts.	Director of Athletics, SID, Marketing Director, SWA	Marketing plans have been upgraded for the Olympic sports. (Attachment H).
Issues in the Self Study	Measurable Goals		Steps to Achieve Goals		Individuals/Office Responsible for Implementation	2009 Status
13. Support services are not being provided on an equitable basis	Support services will be equitable in terms of clerical support and office space.		Conduct a review of current staffing policies. Increase staffing for understaffed sports as space becomes available.		Director of Athletics	No progress has been made in this area.

14. Recruiting expenditures continue to reflect proportion of male to female student athletes	Budgets and expenses for recruiting will reflect proportionality		Continue to assess practices in this area.		Director of Athletics, SWA, Assoc. AD	The recruiting budget for women’s sports ($155,940) accounted for only 27% of total recruiting budget of $584,364. (Attachment I)

15. Consistent monitoring of gender equity plan	To review gender equity progress on an ongoing bases			University Athletics Committee will establish an advisory counsel to monitor	Chairperson of the UAC in consultation with the Director of Athletics	Ongoing.

Attachments

The following attachments were provided by the Department of Athletics and are appended to the full report. No electronic copies of these documents were made available to the committee:

A - Scholarship allotments for men’s and women’s sports

B - Gender-specific sport participation, 2002- 2009

C - Gender-specific sport equipment budgets

D - Student development study lounge renovation plan

E - Gender data for coaches of women’s sports

F - Head coaches’ salaries for all sports

G - Athletic facilities expansion master plan

H - Athletics marketing plan

I – Gender-specific budgets for all sports