Regent Policy Document 10-1 (formerly 91-7)

Endorsement of Statement of Principles from the Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics

The Board of Regents endorses for the University of Wisconsin System’s NCAA Division I Institutions the Statement of Principles recommended by the Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics. The Board is committed to the philosophy of firm institutional control of athletics, to the unquestioned academic and financial integrity of athletic programs, and to the accountability of the athletic departments to the values and goals befitting higher education.

Statement of Principles

(Applies to University of Wisconsin System Division I Institutions at Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee.)

  1. The educational values, practices and mission of this institution determine the standards by which intercollegiate athletics program are conducted.
  2. The responsibility and authority for the administration of the athletics department, including all basic policies, personnel and finances, are vested in the President.
  3. The welfare, health and safety of student-athletes are primary concerns of athletics administration on this campus. This institution will provide student-athletes with the opportunity for academic experiences as close as possible to the experiences of their classmates.
  4. Every student-athlete, male and female, majority and minority, in all sports, will receive equitable and fair treatment.
  5. The admission of student-athletes — including junior college transfers — will be based on their showing reasonable promise of being successful in a course of study leading to an academic degree. That judgment will be made by admissions officials.
  6. Continuing eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics will be based on students being able to demonstrate each academic term that they will graduate within five years of their enrolling. Students who do not pass this test will not play.
  7. Student-athletes, in each sport, will be graduated in at least the same proportion as non-athletes who have spent comparable time as full-time students.
  8. All funds raised and spent in connection with intercollegiate athletics programs will be channeled through the institution’s general treasury, not through independent groups, whether internal or external. The athletics department budget will be developed and monitored in accordance with general budgeting procedures on campus.
  9. All athletics-related income from non-university sources for coaches and athletics administrators will be reviewed and approved by the university. In cases where the income involves the university’s functions, facilities, or name contracts will be negotiated with the institution.
  10. Annual academic and fiscal audits of the athletics program will be conducted. The institution will seek NCAA certification that athletics programs comply with the above principles. The institution will promptly correct any deficiencies and will conduct athletics programs in a manner worthy of this distinction.

See also:  Accountability Reporting Framework for Board of Regents Oversight of NCAA Intercollegiate Athletics Programs

 

History: Res. 5843, adopted 07/12/1991, created Regent Policy Document 91-7; Regent Policy Document 91-7 was renumbered 10-1; Res. 10137, adopted 11/08/2012, approved the Accountability Reporting Framework for Board of Regents Oversight of NCAA Intercollegiate Athletics Programs.