May 28, 2008

California State University, Fresno has posted drafts of its NCAA certification process self-study report and invites public feedback by April 28.

The Web site for public comment is www.csufresno.edu/studentaffairs/programs/ncaa/ where a dedicated link sends comments directly to the university’s NCAA Steering Committee chair, Dr. Paul Oliaro, vice president for Student Affairs.

The self-study report will be sent to the NCAA on May 1. A visit to the campus by a peer-review site team is expected in October, Oliaro said. The Steering Committee is composed of 19 individuals representing Athletics, university faculty and staff and the community.

Every Division I athletics program must conduct a certification process every 10 years to ensure that it is functioning in compliance with basic NCAA operating principles in governance and rules compliance, academic integrity, and equity and student athlete well-being.

This 18-month process includes the self-study and peer review, followed by the peer group’s report to the NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification.

Fresno State’s decennial certification process began in fall 2007 when more than 50 faculty, staff, community members, coaches, student-athletes and Athletics administrators serving on several committees began a review of the Athletics Department’s operation and its adherence to NCAA operating principles.

Their responses are included in the self-study posted on the Web site, where there also is information about the entire certification process.

“Everyone on the campus and in the community is encouraged to visit the site and make comments and suggestions on any of the items that are posted,” Oliaro said. “We are utilizing this process to identify areas for improvement so we can continue to find ways to provide a better experience for our student-athletes and develop a more-effective Athletics program for our campus and community.”