3.2.11 The institution’s chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for, and exercises appropriate administrative and fiscal control over the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program.
JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE
Compliance.
NARRATIVE/JUSTIFICATION FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE
The University’s chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility
for, and exercises appropriate administrative and fiscal control
over the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program. At
the time the University committed itself to becoming a four-year
institution in The
Texas A&M System (1993), informal discussion began concerning the
need for an intercollegiate athletics program. A serious study of the
matter had
to await construction of the new campus. In the spring of 1998, the
University President asked the Dean of Arts and Humanities to chair a
group to recommend when and how a competitive sports
program could be initiated at the University. That committee submitted
its report to the University President on August 12, 1998, recommending
an incremental approach, moving toward membership in National Collegiate
Athletics Association (NCAA) Division III, which requires five men’s
and five women’s sports. The committee recommended that in choosing
which sport to offer, the University should be guided by budget constraints
and regional interest and talent. (Athletic
Advisory Council Committee Memorandum) It was unanimously
agreed that the sports selected should be soccer, baseball, softball,
tennis, volleyball,
and golf.
An advertisement for the University’s first Director of Athletics
was approved on December 16, 1999.
In keeping with the University's primary responsibility to deliver highest quality
academic programs, and because of budgetary demands of a rapidly expanding enrollment,
the
University
President
postponed
implementation
of
the
Committee’s
recommendation until FY 2001. A search committee was appointed, conducted a
nationwide
search,
identified three finalists, and with the approval of the University President,
the Provost appointed Steven Garippa as Director of Athletics in
the summer of 2001.
The director's first task was to develop a 5-year Athletic
Programs Proposal. This plan,
presented by the Director of Athletics to the Executive Council on September
12, 2001, was subsequently approved by the President. The plan became
the basis for the first athletic budget, allowing for
a gradual phase-in of sports as facilities and resources permitted. An
annual review allows for adjustments as necessary.
The University President
and Director of Athletics invited a group of interested community
leaders to form an Athletics Advisory Council. The Council drafted
guidelines and procedures
to govern the awarding of athletic scholarships with the University President’s
approval. (Procedures
for Awarding Athletic Scholarships)
In the fall of 2002, intercollegiate sports began offering women's volleyball,
and soccer in men’s and women’s divisions. Because NCAA had in place
a moratorium on new membership, the University joined the National Association
of Intercollegiate
Athletics (NAIA), and continues as a member of the Red River Athletic
Conference. Golf, cross-country, and basketball in men’s and women’s
divisions have been added. Guided by the needs assessment included
in the Athletic Program Proposal, the University is at present reviewing
plans with architects for a build-out of Phase V, including facilities
to permit competitive track and tennis, as well as a substantial addition to
the existing kinesiology building.
The Athletic Council of each component university is established to advise
the president in the development and supervision of intercollegiate athletic
programs. (The
Texas A&M University System Policy 18.1: Athletic Council)
All programmatic and budget decisions related to athletics come through the University Provost to the University President for approval. (Organizational Chart)
SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION
| SOURCE |
LOCATION/Special Instructions |
| Athletic Advisory Council Committee Memorandum |
|
| Athletic Programs Proposal | http://www.tamiu.edu/archives/athletic-proposal.pdf  |
| Procedures for Awarding Athletic Scholarships | http://www.tamiu.edu/president/ procedures-athletic-scholarships.pdf |
|
The Texas A&M University System Policy 18.1: Athletic Council |
http://sago.tamu.edu/policy/18-01.htm |
| Organizational Chart | http://www.tamiu.edu/org-chart.pdf |