Approved 3-8-01

Thursday
March 1, 2001
2:00 p.m.
MA 211K

PRESENT 
Bruce Christensen, Gary Dohrer, Dave Eisler, Ron Holt, Marie Kotter, Dan Schroeder, Gene Sessions, Sally Shigley, Alden Talbot, President Thompson, Kay Brown - Secretary. Alden Talbot conducted the meeting.

EXCUSED 
Judy Mitchell

MINUTES 
Bruce Christensen: Moved to approve the minutes from the February 8, 2001 meeting.

Second: Dan Schroeder
Outcome: The minutes were approved.

UAAP AWARD 
Gene Sessions recommended Judith Mitchell for the award because of her service as Chair of the Faculty Senate for three years, and Vice Chair for three years. She also serves as the President of the Utah Council of Faculty Senate Leaders this years, and as Vice President of the group last year. Jim Wilson, Chair of the Curriculum and General Education Committee was also discussed. Jim has served as Chair for three years and on the committee for four years.

Judith Mitchell was selected to receive the Faculty Governance Award for 2000-2001.

NCAA REP 
This was the first Faculty Athletics Representative’s report to the Executive Council of the Faculty Senate. The Faculty Athletics Representative has eight responsibilities: (1) Academic Performance of Student Athletes; (2) Academic Preparation and Performance; (3) Compliance; (4) Eligibility; (5) Contact with Students; (6) Senior Advisor to Chief Executive Officer; (7) Represent the Institution; (8) Member of Athletics Board.

The most important of the specific responsibilities assigned to the Faculty Athletics Representative by the NCAA is that of ensuring the academic integrity of university athletic programs. The FAR reports to the President, makes the final determination of eligibility for practice, financial aid, and competition for each student athlete.

The NCAA tracks graduation rates of student athletes and compares those rates with the graduation rates of the general student population. Student athlete graduation rates at Weber State University do not compare well with the general student population when the NCAA six-year time frame is used. The NCAA six-year time frame does not provide consideration for full time absences from school. At Weber State many of our student athletes leave for two years to serve LDS church missions. This results in extending the time to graduate beyond the six-year period.

WSU has successfully completed its probationary period following the major basketball infraction. WSU is in substantial compliance with Title IX and has a strategic plan to become in full compliance.

Weber State University achieved NCAA Certification. The self-study report was submitted in May 1999 following almost one year of self-review by four separate teams working under a Steering Committee chaired by Helen James.

ADJOURN 
The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.