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FACULTY SENATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Athletic Policy

 

  1. Campus Autonomy, Grants-in-Aid, and Athletic Policy
  2. SUNY Trustee's Policy
  3. Academic Eligibility for Student Athletes
  4. Mandatory Athletic Fee for Students
  5. Student Participation in Athletics

 

  1. Campus Autonomy, Grants-In-Aid, and Athletic Policy
    In view of the Report of the Independent Commission on the Future of the State University and the Report of the Intercollegiate Athletic Board (presented at the Faculty Senate meeting of March 11, 1986), the Faculty Senate reaffirms its adherence to the principle of campus autonomy for academic and programmatic matters. The Faculty Senate urges that this campus be given the right to decide whether grants-in-aid should be provided to student athletes.

    The Faculty Senate endorses the following principles for the development and operation of intercollegiate athletic programs at the University of Buffalo:
    1. Such programs shall complement and enhance the University's academic objectives;
    2. Upgrading intercollegiate athletics shall not divert resources from the academic program nor jeopardize existing recreational and intramural athleticactivities;
    3. Such programs shall be in full compliance with the principles of Title IX and with NCAA regulations;
    4. The conduct of such programs shall be consistent with the academic standards of the University as determined by the faculty; and
    5. Such programs shall be subject to review by the Faculty Senate prior to adoption, including any steps toward possible membership of NCAA Division I.

      Nothing in this resolution should be construed as endorsement for, or endorsement against, grants-in-aid for student athletes at this time.
      [passed by the Faculty Senate on 5/14/86 by 45/1/3]

  2. SUNY Trustees, Resolution on Intercollegiate Athletics, May 28, 1986
    RESOLVED that the Chancellor be, and hereby is, authorized to approve proposals for changes in the level of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association (NJCAA) competition for the intercollegiate athletic program of a State-operated campus, provided that such proposals:
    1. are based on a campus submission of a five-year operational and capital plan for intercollegiate athletics which includes projected expenditures and revenues and sources of funding;
    2. demonstrate support for the plan based upon widespread consultation with campus and community constituencies;
    3. recognize that financial support from alumni and the community will bear a major share of the costs;
    4. stipulate that grants-in-aid, in addition to being administered in strict compliance with NCAA/NJCAA rules and regulations, will be supported exclusively from non-tax funds, which shall not include unrestricted endowment income of the State University of New York;
    5. assure that equitable athletic opportunity will be provided for members of both sexes, so that no person, on the basis of sex, will be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination in the overall intercollegiate athletic program of the campus;
    6. recognize that the operating budget for intercollegiate athletics will continue to be supported in part by funds appropriated by student associations from student fees, and that a separate student athletic fee will not be initiated by the campus administration to support the upgrading of intercollegiate athletics;
    7. stipulate that any increases in State funding for the operational budget of intercollegiate athletics cannot come at the expense of academic programs and essential activities at a campus or by diverting funds from other SUNY campuses;
    8. stipulate that any required changes in or additions to capital facilities to upgrade intercollegiate athletics cannot detract from the normal capital requirements of the campus or the capital needs of the State University system;
    9. stipulate that the level of State operating and capital support for an upgraded intercollegiate athletic program cannot exceed the level that would have been provided for the existing grade of athletic competition at the campus; and
    10. insure that all funds utilized in support of the intercollegiate athletic program will be allocated, administered, and expended directly under the authority of the chief administrative officer of the campus in strict compliance with NCAA/NJCAA regula- tions and State University guidelines for the establishment and conduct of campus intercollegiate athletics boards; and, be it further

      RESOLVED that the Chancellor shall provide appropriate periodic reports to this Board on the status of all intercollegiate athletic program plans which may be approved pursuant to the provisions of this Resolution.
      [passed by the SUNY Board of Trustees on 5/28/86); included here for the record]

  3. Academic Eligibility for Student Athletes
    Effective Fall 1984 - Student athletes who are academically eligible to participate in a sport will retain academic eligibility through the season covering the sport.
    [passed by the Faculty Senate on 5/4/84 by a vote of 26-3-2]


  4. Mandatory Athletic Fee for Students
    Resolved, that the Faculty Senate endorses the concept of a mandatory Intercollegiate Athletic Fee to be imposed on undergraduates in support of the Intercollegiate Athletic Program with the amount of the fee not to exceed the cap set by the SUNY Board of Trustees.
    [passed by the Faculty Senate on 5/8/90 by a vote of 23/20/2]


  5. Student Participation in Athletics
    1. It is long-standing practice of the University at Buffalo that no intercollegiate athletics contests be scheduled during final-examination periods. Students participating in athletic contests should be granted consideration similar to that given students participating on other intercollegiate University sponsored activities. Should a team or individual qualify for post-season competition scheduled at a time clashing with a course's final examination, instructors are encouraged to establish conditions facilitating championship participation.
    2. Policy concerning class attendance and the availability of make-up for any class requirements is set by the individual course instructor. The Faculty Senate recommends that instructors make reasonable allowance for the circumstances of students who formally represent the University in any extracurricular activity.
    3. The Athletics Department should apprise athletes of their right to refuse participation in athletic events which conflict with their academic responsibilities.

[passed by the Faculty Senate on 2/16/88 unanimously]


Faculty Senate
543 Capen Hall
University at Buffalo (North Campus)
Buffalo, New York 14260-1680

Tel: 716-645-2003
Fax: 716-645-2717
Email: faculty-senate@buffalo.edu
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