REPORT OF THE

NCAA COMMITTEE ON WOMEN'S ATHLETICS (CWA)

1. ACTION ITEMS.

Division I only.

· Impact of Multidivisional Classification Compliance Period on Women Student-athletes.

(1) Recommendation. Sponsor legislation to change the multidivisional classification process to waive the two-year eligibility period for NCAA Championships in a women’s program for Division II and III institutions that are already administering the same sport for men at the Division I level (NCAA Bylaw 20.4).

(2) Rationale. Institutions with Division I programs are in compliance with Division I legislation and commit to supporting the Division I differences. Historically, women's programs have been discriminated against. Due to the past discrimination, there are more men's multidivisional programs than women's. The ability to immediately qualify for championships would shorten the time of disparity in championship opportunities between the men's programs and the women's programs.

(3) Budget Impact. None.

2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.

Association-wide.

a. Nominations for Vice Chair. Janet Kittell, Syracuse University was elected vice chair of the committee.

b. Governance Reports and Legislative Updates. The committee sent a letter to NCAA President Myles Brand to express its concerns related to proposed funding changes to the National Youth Sports Corporation and Youth Education through Sports clinics. The committee maintains that the youth of today are our student-athletes, coaches, administrators and fans of tomorrow. The committee stated its hope that issues related to youth will continue to be part of the mission statement of the NCAA Executive Committee Subcommittee for Gender and Diversity Issues, as well as a priority of the Association.

c. Women Coaches Academy Update. The committee received an update, including demographic information, regarding both sessions of the 2004 Women Coaches Academy, held in Wilmington, North Carolina, and Denver, Colorado. As part of this update, the group reviewed thank you letters, notes and e-mails received from participants. The committee learned that the 2005 academies have received funding and the national office education outreach staff will play a role in the administration of future academies.

d. NCAA National Office Gender-Equity Plan. The national office gender-equity plan has been finalized and placed with the human resources department for implementation. The committee requests an update be provided at the October meeting.

e. 2004 Woman of the Year (WOTY) Selection Committee Members. Committee members Tanya Rush and Kyle Kallander were named to the WOTY selection committee.

f. History of Women in Sport Project Update. The committee received an update on the history of women in sport project, developed by Pam Gill-Fisher, Jean Cerra and Jennifer Alley. Further updates will be provided on an annual basis.

g. Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Females. The committee reviewed materials on the Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males. The staff indicated that this leadership program is under review, and movement on a similar program for women will not take place until that review is complete.

h. Emerging Sports Update. The committee reviewed the list of emerging sports and discussed the implications of removing sports from this list. It was noted that in 2003 bowling joined rowing, water polo and ice hockey as sports that now have championships. The gender equity and advocacy subcommittee will collect historical data on the remaining sports and present the information at the October meeting.

i. Health and Safety Update. The staff liaison to the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS), presented an overview of issues, including items related to emerging sports. It was noted that CSMAS has requested the following as it relates to emerging sports: to require governing sports bodies to include information about health and safety considerations for future sports considerations; and that CWA forward to CSMAS the rules pertaining to health and safety for existing emerging sports in order that rules related to equipment may be addressed in the sports medicine handbook. The committee will review the request.

j. Title IX Seminar. Committee members involved with the 2004 Title IX Seminar shared feedback from their respective divisions on the format changes. It was noted that participants felt more engaged and got more out of the sessions by interacting with their divisional counterparts. The 2005 seminar will be held in New Orleans April 25-26. The committee discussed implementing a refundable registration fee to discourage cancellations and no-shows.

k. Mission Statement. The committee approved the following modified mission statement: The mission of the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics is to provide leadership and assistance to the association in its efforts to provide equitable opportunities, fair treatment and respect for all women in all aspects of intercollegiate athletics. Toward these ends, the committee shall seek to expand and promote opportunities for female student-athletes, administrators and coaches. The committee shall promote governance, administration and conduct of intercollegiate athletics at the institutional, conference and national levels that are inclusive, fair and accessible to women. The committee shall develop programs and resources, which can be of practical use to the association in its effort to achieve these ends.

l. Proposal to Study Women in Coaching and Athletics Administration. The committee voted to support a proposal to assess information and trends regarding women in coaching and administration in all divisions and forward it to the NCAA Research Committee for funding.

m. Proposal to Split NCAA Fencing Championships. The committee reviewed a proposal from the NCAA Men's and Women's Fencing Committee to split the existing championship. The committee referred the issue back to the committee with a request to identify the potential adverse impact on men’s sports and also to determine if the split would allow both genders to qualify for a championship opportunity.

n. National Office Restructuring. The committee expressed concern that the national office restructuring component that would move secondary infractions oversight to conference offices will have an unintended impact on administrative opportunities. The committee requests the national office staff to review and provide an update at its January 2005 meeting.

Committee Chair: Lynda Calkins, Hollins University

Staff Liaisons: Rosie Stallman, Education Services; Laurie Kerns, Administrative Services;

Anne Little, Education Services