All universities with NCAA Division I athletics programs must conduct a "certification" process every 10 years to ensure that their athletics program is functioning in compliance with basic NCAA Operating Principles in the areas of Governance and Rules Compliance, Academic Integrity, and Equity and Student Athlete Well-being. Lamar University’s last certification was completed in 1999.
"This is an 18-month process that involves the conduct of a campus self-study to allow Lamar’s athletics department to demonstrate that it operates in compliance with NCAA principles," said Barry Johnson, vice president for student affairs and chair of the university’s NCAA certification self-study committee.
"This is an excellent opportunity to evaluate what we have and it provides opportunity to improve," Johnson said.
Lamar must deliver its self-study report to the NCAA by May 1, 2008. A NCAA peer review team will visit the campus in October to conduct a follow up to the self-study that was prepared by the campus.
The NCAA peer review team will evaluate the university's work and make a certification recommendation to the NCAA's Division I Committee on Athletics Certification, which ultimately determines an institution's certification status. A designation of certified, which LU achieved in the first round of certification, means that the university is operating its athletics program in substantial conformity with Division I principles.
"This is a broad-based evaluation from across the university community," Johnson said. "We are engaging faculty, staff, community members, students, student athletes, coaches and athletics administrators in the self-study process."
The self-study committee will be making presentations of their findings to groups on campus and will hold some open forums, Johnson said. "We are looking for input and comments. We’re interested in getting many people from all areas of the university to read this report and to give suggestions."
Through the process, Lamar will identify areas for improvement and continue to find ways to provide a better experience for student athletes and improve its athletics program for campus and community, Johnson said.
"Lamar University looks forward to this opportunity to ensure that we are conducting our Athletics program in compliance with NCAA operating principles," he said.
For more information on the self-study process, or to view a copy of the self-study draft, contact Johnson at 880-8458.
