Minutes – Athletics Committee of Faculty Council
Committee members present: Carol Moder, Bob Hunger, Don Murray, John
Phillips, David Yellin
Also in attendance: Rick Allen (Athletic Dept), Marilyn Middlebrook (Athletic Dept)
Ø
Minutes of the 27 Sep 02 meeting were reviewed and approved.
Ø
Hunger & Phillips distributed their results from surveying services
available to OSU students through colleges & campus (Summary of Student
Services at O.S.U.). To both Hunger
& Phillips, it was apparent:
1. There are extensive services (academic, personal, etc.) available to students.
2.
“At-risk” students are not targeted across campus as are
student-athletes. This is especially
true since 1999 when the University switched its student services computer
system and no longer reports mid-semester grades. Because of this, students admitted to the
University that have academic problems have no way to be identified unless they
(the students) come forward and ask for help.
Middlebrook distributed a
handout (Academic Services for Student Athletes), which describes
counseling services provided to student-athletes through the Athletics
Department. Allen distributed a handout
describing NCAA rules/guidelines for Academic & Other Support Services. This was followed by a discussion comparing
services available to student-athletes and the general student population. Points from this discussion included:
1. Mid-term grade checks. Such grade checks are conducted for
student-athletes three times per semester,
with repeated requests made
if needed. However, some faculty will
not participate.
2. Course syllabi. Not all instructors develop and distribute a
syllabus for their class. This creates
problems for all students, but especially for student-athletes because of
attendance rules, etc.
3. Counseling of
student-athletes can be done either through the Athletic Department or through
the University (NCAA rule). At OSU this
evolved to be done through the Athletic Department.
4. The most significant difference
between counseling/advising of student-athletes and the general student
population is the individualization provided by Athletics - especially the
identification of “at-risk” students.
This probably results from the numbers involved, i.e., the number of
student-athletes (450-500) vs. the number of general students.
The discussion concluded with Moder indicating that the report (Services Available to OSU Students –Hunger & Phillips) would be used in her report to Faculty Council, and linked through the Faculty Council Website. Moder also will refer the points regarding mid-term grade checks and requiring course syllabi to the appropriate Faculty Council Committee. Moder also will contact the O’Colly to see if they have interest in using the information regarding services available to students & student athletes as a basis for a story.
Ø Discussion moved to tracking of athletes to determine what happens to them after leaving OSU. Although the benefits of this are apparent, it would be difficult to conduct because many student-athletes leave prior to graduating, and do not always leave on favorable terms. Tracking of graduates is done through colleges and the university – hence, the suggestion was made that this could be expanded to include designation as to which students are student-athletes. Moder will check with the University Alumni Association if only graduating students are tracked, or if all students are tracked. The possibility of developing a recommendation related to this topic will be discussed at the next meeting.
Ø Discussion moved to the topic of interviewing student-athletes to obtain their views on issues or problems with intercollegiate athletics/academics. Moder will contact officers of the Student Athletics Council to see when and if members of the Athletics Committee can attend some of the SAAC meetings to establish an avenue for these students to voice their concerns. Middlebrook and Allen thought this was a good approach; they would like to see more faculty involvement with Athletics. Moder will contact the SAAC officers & Athletics Committee members need to develop thoughts about topics to ask, etc.
The next meeting of the Athletic Committee is scheduled for Friday, 22 Nov 2002 at 2:00 P.M. in the Academic Enhancement Center.