Exhibit A
POLICY ON INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
The Auburn University Board of Trustees reaffirms its responsibility to oversee and monitor policies and practices concerning intercollegiate athletics. In accordance with this responsibility, the Board of Trustees:
1. Acknowledges its constitutional and statutory obligation to “manage and control” the University, commits itself to the most effective administration of that duty, and as such, delegates to the President of the University the full conduct and control of Auburn’s athletics program, holds the President responsible for it, and includes this responsibility among those assessed during presidential performance reviews.
2. Requires the President to report to the Board of Trustees annually and periodically as necessary (as outlined below), regarding the President’s fulfillment of his responsibilities for the athletics program, even as it extends full support to the President in execution of his responsibility for intercollegiate athletics. The President’s reports shall include, as pertinent to board policies, information concerning the operations of the Athletics Department and Presidential actions taken or to be taken in compliance with this Policy on Intercollegiate Athletics.
3. Designates its Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Finance, and Executive Committees with ongoing responsibility for diligent review of the President’s annual report on athletics programs and, as advisable, further research into areas of athletics policy. Other committees and task forces, each from its own perspective, shall further be charged with review of the athletics program insomuch as policy to be reviewed falls into such committees’ legally charged areas of responsibility.
4. Sets and reviews expectations of the overall benefits the University may expect from the Athletics program and requires that there be an Athletics Department mission statement.
5. Approves, with the president, benchmarks and standards for success.
6. Verifies that the intercollegiate athletics program reflects and supports the University’s academic values and mission.
7. Reviews and approves the athletics budget, along with all others within the University, all within a full understanding of the complex finances of the department. Proposals for significant capital improvements are to be approved by the Board within the framework established by already existing policies. The Board makes sure that all funds raised by affiliated organizations and spent on athletics are controlled and overseen by the President.
8. Confirms that the President reviews and monitors institutional compliance with Title IX requirements, reviews and discusses the results of the NCAA self-study process, monitors the independent audit of the department required by the NCAA, and reviews the athletics department’s compliance with other laws or regulations to which the University is subject.
9. Monitors the compensation packages of the athletic director and head coaches of major sports.
10. Regularly reconsiders its policies with respect to athletics, for both currency and completeness.
11. Agrees to include a thorough review of athletics policy issues as a part of its orientation of new trustees.
12. Requires the President to review and report to the Board regarding admissions policies, financial assistance, graduation rates, transfer rates, declared majors, and academic support for athletes, all as compared to the general student population and to statistics from peer institutions.
The Auburn Board of Trustees long has
taken great pride in the University’s athletics programs, stands firm in its
commitment to athletics as a vital component of
ADOPTED: