Athletic Board
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The Athletic Board is a 23-member shared governance board that oversees University of Wisconsin athletic activities and policies. The board meets roughly three times a semester and is chaired by law professor Walter Dickey.
The board reports to the Faculty Senate, University Committee and Chancellor Biddy Martin.
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Organization and Structure
Composition
The Athletic Board is composed of 22 voting members and one non-voting member:
- Voting members
- 12 faculty members appointed by the University Committee
- 2 members of the academic staff appointed by the Academic Staff Executive Committee
- 4 alumni appointed by the Wisconsin Alumni Association
- 3 students
- 2 selected by the Associated Students of Madison
- 1 seat shared by two students chosen by the UW student athlete organization
- Non-voting members
- 1 Division of Recreational Sports representative
Committees
Responsibilities are delegated to six[clarification needed] committees that advise the board on specific issues:
- Academics and Compliance Committee
- Equity, Diversity and Student Welfare Committee
- Personnel Committee
- Finance, Facilities and Operations Committee
- University Ridge Committee
Responsibilities
According to Chapter 6 of the Faculty Policies and Procedures, "the Athletic Board exercises the authority of the faculty over intercollegiate athletics, subject to the review, direction and control of the Faculty Senate and of the faculty itself." The board is responsible for overseeing areas such as the following:
- Eligibility standards for athlete recruitment
- Academic standards and other requirements for student athletes
- The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics' systems' providing of academic services and monitoring of student athlete academics
- Equity and nondiscrimination policies
- Schedules for athletic events
- Coach and administrative search-and-screen and contract procedures
- Division of Intercollegiate Athletics staff performance evaluation
- Approval of awards and prizes
- Facility policy and use approval
- Budget development and recommendation
- Ticket pricing and policies
- Compliance with NCAA, Big Ten, WCHA
Athletic Board meetings usually consist of board members and a number of observers and guests. The chair gives a report, usually followed by an update on a specific athletic team, a director's report, committee reports and any other business. The meeting then adjourns to a private session.
Current issues
The board is currently considering what have been described as "inevitable" increases in ticket prices for the 20010-11 academic year. Adding sand volleyball as an NCAA sport and a 12th team to the Big Ten are also being considered.
Controversy
The Athletic Board came under fire in the fall of 2008 after allegations of discrimination and harassment surfaced. Some also alleged the Athletic Board only represented the agenda of the Athletic Department and most major decisions were made in closed meetings without the presence of the entire voting body. The alleger, history professor Jeremi Suri, eventually resigned, stating the ad hoc committee the board created to study its relationship with the department was counterproductive in addressing issues. Dickey and other prominent board members denied all claims of improper behavior.
Further compliance issues were raised, including the hiring process used for current head football coach Bret Beliema and that the board had no consultative role in the creation of the Big Ten Network.
The ad hoc committee eventually found the board to be in compliance with university policy. However, a response from the university stated there were still several compliance issues that needed to be addressed. The board disagreed, reiterating they believed they were in compliance. The faculty senate then voted in May of 2009 to form an external review committee, which began meeting that fall.
In a separate incident, in March of 2009 three coaches were admonished by the NCAA for improper recruiting practices.
External links
Notable articles
- Jeremi Suri resigns
- Ad hoc report bounces back and forth
- NCAA admonishes 3 coaches
- Faculty Senate creates external review committee
- External review committee begins meeting
- Board will advocate for 12th Big Ten team
