An attorney reported to the the University of Wisconsin’s Athletic Department’s Equity, Diversity and Student Welfare Committee that the university is, as far as he is aware, in alignment with the Big Ten standards Thursday.
The committee, comprised of academic staff, faculty, legal council, alumni and student representatives, works to ensure that the Athletic Department is equitable, diverse in its employment and student athletes while promoting the ultimate well being of the students.
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Andrew Norman, an attorney employed by the University Legal Counsel, said after speaking to parties across campus, he believes that overall the university meets Big Ten standards.
While the university didn’t transgress any major standards, Norman said he came across one questionable incident in his investigation. A student athlete was in an airport when his computer died and he couldn’t work on a due assignment. The athlete’s coach emailed the student’s professor asking if the student could turn his work in the following Monday.
While it is against Big Ten standards for coaches to persuade professors, Norman said the system the athletic department currently has in place is what initially caught the incident. An Academic Support Staff member was CC’ed in the email and informed the coach his actions were against protocol.
To be in compliance with Big Ten standards, Norman also touched on how it’s necessary that coaches don’t influence athlete trainers or medical professionals that work with the students. Coming away from his evaluation, Norman said he is even more confident in the Athletic Department’s professional medical structure.
“I was surprised at how often our doctors were with these teams,” Norman said. “I came across after this more confident in the structure that we have than even before”
Staff Liaison Terry Gawlik also presented on the Athletic Department’s compliance with Title IX. Gawlik said a lot of things have to be kept in balance in order to keep the university in compliance with Title IX, a law meant to eliminate sexual discrimination across all educational institutions funded by the government.
From coach preferences, to the gender ratio of the overall student population, to the timing of space renovation between men and women’s sports, there are multiple aspects that must be closely monitored.
Gawlik said since the implementation of Roster Management, the university has been and remains in compliance.
The committee’s next meeting will be held next Tuesday at 1p.m.
