ACTION ITEMS.
Nonlegislative.
Division I only.
a. Division I Governance Subcommittee Continuing Examination of the Division I Governance Structure, Second White Paper.
(1) Recommendation.To support CWA's request that the Division I Management Council Governance Subcommittee reconsider the position stated in its second white paper (August 2006, page 7) that "the diversity requirements be amended to apply in the aggregate across the council and cabinet levels rather than applied to each body independently."Any new structure for Division I governance should at least retain or, more appropriately, seek to enhance, the current composition requirements of Constitution 4.5.1 for each council and cabinet.
(2) Effective date.Immediate.
(3) Rationale.The CWA encourages the Governance Subcommittee and the Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity Issues to use the restructuring proposal as an opportunity to develop enhanced representation of women and individuals of racial/ethnic diversity within the governance structure.
The CWA recognizes the Governance Subcommittee is struggling to solve rotational issues with regards to gender and racial/ethnic diversity requirements and applauds its stated desire to grow more leaders in a new model for management of Association business. However, an unintended consequence of the recommendation to apply composition rules in the aggregate may be to limit growth opportunities for women and minorities at the highest level of the governance structure. Women and individuals of racial/ethnic diversity may be relegated to certain councils, and the diversity of opinion and insight compromised by their absence on others, if diversity composition only applies to the collective structure. The Committee suggests an in-depth review of the rotational appointment system to allow for flexibility without compromising individual council or cabinet diversity composition.
The current constitutional requirements, while intended as minimums for representation of diverse groups, have in practice become the maximums. Management Council should continue to guarantee the diversity of appointments as it strives to develop a larger pool of leaders in intercollegiate athletics.
(4) Estimated budget impact.None.
(5) Student-athlete impact.There is need for and value in a diversified decision-making structure that represents the perspectives of the diverse student-athlete population.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.
Association-wide.
1. Welcome of new committee members.The committee formally welcomed, Joni Comstock, senior vice president for championships and senior woman administrator and Karen Morrison, director of education services.
2. Emerging sports.The committee voted to move forward through the governance structure and with staff in order to determine the most effective process by which to appropriately apply the "sunset clause" of emerging sports legislation per Bylaw 20.02.5.2.The CWA seeks to raise awareness about current emerging sports that have not demonstrated growth during the permitted 10-year period.Yet, the committee maintains support for the increase of participation opportunities for women and further encourages emerging sport national governing bodies to continue efforts toward growth of institutional sponsorship.
3. Male practice players.The committee reviewed the current status of male practice player discussions in each division.The committee continues to be concerned that the use of male undergraduate students in practice activities with women's teams is in conflict with the mission of this committee to promote opportunities for women and thus violates the spirit of gender equity and Title IX.The committee acknowledges that some coaches are using male practice players to augment the competitive ability of women student-athletes.Yet, the committee is concerned that some women student-athletes are losing opportunities to develop their own skills because of male practice players.
The committee supports Division III's initiative to propose legislation for the 2007 NCAA Convention because it places restrictions on the use of male practice players.
4. Education Services update.The committee discussed a group of topics to be considered for an Association-wide educational session at the 2007 Convention: male practice players, education regarding the inherit issue of understanding the gay male student-athlete perspective and environment, outcomes of the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual think tank, and the current landscape of and further education about the pregnancy waiver policy.Staff also provided an update about the 2007 Gender Equity and Issues Forum, April 30 through May 2 in
5. NCAA Athletics Certification Third Cycle Preparation.Staff provided the committee with an update about the third-cycle certification process set to begin in the fall of2008.Staff invited the committee to offer feedback about increased accountability in the areas of compliance, academic integrity, racial/ethnic diversity and gender equity.The committee supports the appointment of a staff liaison to ensure accountability in the certification process.
6. CWA appointments.The committee continues to be concerned about the need for racial/ethnic diversity among the divisional appointees to the committee. Additionally, the committee placed members on several programmatic committees shared with the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee and selected its replacement on the Woman of the Year Committee.
7. Woman of the Year (WOTY) update.Staff provided the committee with an update about the 2006 WOTY nominations and selections, including a comparison of diversity demographics with those of previous years and a review of feedback received from the membership about the inaugural conference-based recognition process.The committee requests that staff develop anonline process to permit conference offices greater ease of reporting nominations to the national office.
8. Hiring report card for women in athletics.The committee remains concerned about declining numbers of women in collegiate coaching ranks and the limited number of female athletic directors. The committee is supportive of the potential to partner with the Black Coaches Association in order to track the hiring of female athletics directors and head coaches.Staff will respond to the stated interest of the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport to also be involved with these efforts.
9. Membership database reporting update.The committee received an update about the low response by institutions to the membership database request for institutional Title IX coordinator information.Staff will communicate with the presidents and chancellors of non-reporting institutions in order to obtain this information.
10. Postseason WNIT expansion.The committee appreciates the increased participation opportunities for women student-athletes provided by the WNIT postseason expansion.However, concern remainsabout the quality of the student-athlete experience.The committee discussed the need to ensure that the WNIT provide equitable opportunities for women in the wake of the NCAA control of the Men's National Invitation Tournament.Additionally, the committee remains concerned about the number of postseason opportunities for women compared to those provided to Division I football bowl game participants.
11. Role of the Senior Woman Administrator. The committee discussed the need to continue educating the membership about the use of the "fifth person" designee as an opportunity to include more women and individuals of racial/ethnic diversity in the governance structure.
12. Life/Work Balance Task Force. The committee reviewed the status of the Life/Work Balance Task Force's August meeting summary, and will continue to support efforts to improve the professional experience of women in athletics.
13. CWA Strategic Plan. The committee formed a subcommittee to analyze its strategic plan and intends to review the forthcoming Diversity Leadership Strategic Plan initiatives for incorporation into its own plan.
Committee Chair:
Staff Liaison(s):Karen Morrison, Education Services
Kimberly Ford, Diversity and Inclusion
Matthew Stach, Education Services
The contact for this page is kmorrison@ncaa.org
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