5.2.b Control of Intercollegiate Athletics

The chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for and exercises appropriate control over the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program.

Judgment

x Compliance o Non-Compliance o Partial Compliance

Narrative

The UL System BOS mandates that “All coaches, assistant coaches, and support personnel…shall hold appointments at the pleasure or will of the institution and the Board of Supervisors.” As indicated in the UL Lafayette Athletic department’s organizational chart, control of the administration and finances of the intercollegiate athletics programs flows directly from the University President, subject to the approval of the BOS. The President exercises fiscal control over the intercollegiate budget through the development and execution of the University’s budget. The operating budget, developed by the Vice President for Administration and Finance and his staff, includes funding for intercollegiate athletics and requires approval from the President prior to submission to the BOS.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s policies also specify presidential responsibilities. Section 2.1.1 of the 2017-2018 NCAA Division 1 Manual states, “It is the responsibility of each member institution to control its intercollegiate athletics program in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Association. The institution’s president or chancellor is responsible for the administration of all aspects of the athletics program, including approval of the budget and audit of all expenditures.” UL Lafayette’s Athletic department is fully compliant with this standard. In 2016, the University requested a thorough and critical review of its athletics compliance program by Bond, Schoeneck, and King. This latest assessment concluded that “the athletics compliance systems at UL Lafayette are sound and complete.”

In August of each year, the President meets with all employees of the Athletic department as well as with other institutional employees who play a role in athletics. At this meeting, the President outlines his expectations of the Athletic department for the upcoming year, including compliance with rules and sportsmanship. This is a mandatory meeting for all employees. Sign-in sheets are utilized to acknowledge attendance, and agendas for the meetings are presented to each employee:

· 2017 Athletics All Staff Meeting Sign-in

· 2018 Athletics All Staff Meeting Sign-in

· 2017 Athletics All Staff Meeting Agenda

· 2018 Athletics All Staff Meeting Agenda

The Athletic Director reports directly to the President and serves at his pleasure. The President and Athletic Director meet twice per month. During one of these meetings, the Athletic Director presents the monthly Executive Operations Report, providing the President with a comprehensive, consistent, and timely flow of information about the significant facets of monthly operations. The report consists of two sections: the University Community Summary, which lists the significant activities within the University Community, and the Department Operating Unit Summary, which lists all of the significant activities within each operating unit of the Athletic department.

The University Community Summary provides the President with information relating to University Academics, University Advancement, University Finance, and Community Activities within the Athletic department.

The Department Operating Unit Summary provides the President with information relating to the following areas within the Athletic department:

· Operations Planning and Management

· Leadership Team

· Academic Service

· Business Office, including Budget and Foundation

· Camps and Clinics

· Coaches

· Communications

· Compliance

· Development

· Equipment

· Events Management

The University Athletics Committee, composed of faculty and administrative staff outside of Athletics, is also appointed by and reports directly to the President. This Committee monitors academic support services for student-athletes, diversity, and equality among student-athletes, student-athlete academic performance, and general issues related to student-athlete safety and well-being. It acts in an advisory capacity to the President. The President meets with the Committee on an annual basis.

The Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) reports to the President on all matters dealing with athletics, and serves on the University Athletic Committee. The FAR signs all appeals and waivers, is informed of all violations, and may be involved in rules investigations, if necessary. Annually, the FAR administers the coaches’ NCAA certification tests.

Further examples of Presidential Oversight and Control include:

· All employment contracts are approved and signed by the President;

· All job descriptions for individuals directing intercollegiate athletics, athletics budgets, athletics fundraising, and athletics compliance clarify the reporting structure;

· All football game contracts are approved by the President;

· All naming rights for athletic facilities are approved by the President;

· The President is an ex officio member of the Ragin Cajun Athletic Foundation (RCAF) Executive Board and approves all Foundation warrants for Athletics; and

· The President approves all requests for renovations or construction of athletic facilities.