REPORT OF THE

NCAA MINORITY OPPORTUNITIES AND

INTERESTS COMMITTEE (MOIC)

 

 

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.

 

Association-wide.

 

 

a.         NCAA Coaching Academies.  The committee received an update regarding the NCAA Coaches Academy and the NCAA Women Coaches Academy.  The committee discussed the perception of the programs and the participants’ preparedness for upper athletics coaching positions upon completion of the academies.  The committee also supported the notion that the academies include all sports and that eventually the academies encourage cross-participation.

 

b.                  Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males and Females.  Staff reported that the third class of the Leadership Institute for Ethnic Minority Males graduated on June 23 and noted the program’s continued success.  Staff indicated an emphasis on continuing education for all of the graduates and that search firms will participate in the June 23rd session.  Staff noted that the first class of the female leadership institute began on June 24.

 

c.                   Fellows Program.  Staff provided an update on the Fellows program and indicated that the participants will be graduating in June 2006. 

 

d.                  NCAA Initiatives to Promote Gender and Ethnic Diversity in Intercollegiate Athletics.  Staff reported on the NCAA initiatives to promote gender and ethnic diversity in intercollegiate athletics.  The committee received a report on the matching grants programs and requested that staff use more effective assessment tools to evaluate the progress of the programs.

 

e.                  Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports.  The committee received an update from the Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS) noting that the NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet and the NCAA Divisions II and III Management Councils have approved in a concept, a membership-wide survey regarding homophobia.  This will be submitted as a new initiative for the 2006-08 budget cycle.

 

f.                    NCAA Internship Program.  Staff provided an update on the NCAA Internship Program.  The 2005-06 intern class started on June 20 and that interns are assisting in the preparation of the millennium celebration in January 2006.

 

 

g.                  Division I Minority Issues Plan.  Staff provided an update concerning the Division I minority issues plan.  Staff also reported that the “Best Hiring Practices” document was disseminated to the membership. 

 

h.                  Employment Registry and Pathfinder Implementation.  The committee received an update on the employment registry and pathfinder implementation.  The committee expressed concern about the name of the registry and requested that staff eliminate the use of “employment” in the title of the registry.  The committee requested that staff review the viability of the registry prior to public release.

 

i.                    Office for Diversity and Inclusion.  Staff introduced Charlotte Westerhaus, as the new Vice-President for Diversity and Inclusion, whose start date is August 1.  The new Vice President provided a brief update on external and internal office of diversity and inclusion initiatives.  The committee heard an update on the director of professional development search.  Staff updated the committee on the strategic plan as well as budget implications.

 

j.                    American Indian Mascot Issue.  The staff provided the committee an overview of the issues surrounding American Indian mascots, imagery or nicknames in intercollegiate athletics.  In addition, the staff reviewed all of the institutional self-evaluations received from institutions that currently possess American Indian mascots (imagery or nicknames), changed all references to American Indians, or never possessed any references to American Indian culture.  After a very thorough discussion of the issues and potential courses of action, the committee provided the Executive Committee Subcommittee on Gender and Diversity with a review of the issues and their recommendations. 

 

k.                  Institutional Self-Study.  The committee accepted the email from Ron Stratten to Eric Baumgartner, staff liaison to the Committee on Athletics Certification; detailing methods of accountability regarding an institution’s minority-issues plan to ensure compliance with the certification guidelines.  Further, the committee recommended that the staff explore adding language to the certification and self-study criterion that addresses the use of American Indian mascots, nicknames and imagery in intercollegiate athletics.

 

 

Committee Chair:       Robert C. Vowels, Southwestern Athletic Conference

Staff Liaisons:             Ronald J.  Stratten, Education Services;

Corey Jackson, Student-Athlete Reinstatement; and

Dea Shipps, Enforcement Services.