Section 3356-6-03 - Governance and operation of intercollegiate athletics programs - student-athletes(A) Policy statement. In conjunction with the mission and goals of Youngstown state university (university), intercollegiate athletics offers broad-based programs that support the educational objectives and academic progress of student-athletes; comply with the regulations of the national collegiate athletic association (NCAA) and university affiliated intercollegiate athletic conferences; and accommodates the institution's intercollegiate athletic competitive interest of students while providing spectator events of interest to students, faculty, staff, and members of the broader community. The university through the intercollegiate athletics department is committed to the wellbeing of student-athletes, academic integrity, sportsmanship and ethical integrity, fiscal integrity, diversity of student-athletes and staff, gender equity, and community outreach. The intercollegiate athletics programs will be managed to reflect the educational values and mission of the university, to achieve the academic success of student-athletes, and to develop pride and support among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community at large. The board of trustees will properly oversee athletics at Youngstown state university.(B) Purpose. To delineate the roles of the university's board of trustees, president and university administrators in the governance of intercollegiate athletics consistent with leadership and oversight responsibilities. To establish procedures for operation of intercollegiate athletics programs.(C) Scope. This policy applies to sports played at the collegiate level with eligibility requirements established by the NCAA.(D) Oversight by the board of trustees. The board of trustees provides broad oversight of the intercollegiate athletics program's fiscal integrity, administrative structure, operational activities and the overall development and success of student-athletes to ensure consistency with the mission of the university, the mission of the athletics department, and in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and university policy. The board of trustees carries out this oversight by: (1) Delegating administrative responsibility for intercollegiate athletics and its management to the office of the president and lending its full and public support to the president in the execution of these duties.(2) Approving, with the president, standards of accountability, and benchmarks against which to measure the success of the intercollegiate athletics program; in particular, those related to the academic performance and progress of the student-athletes and reviewing the same at least annually.(3) Holding the president responsible for the appropriate execution of those responsibilities, assessing presidential performance during periodic reviews.(4) Reviewing and approving the intercollegiate athletics budget as part of the regular institutional budget process, including revenue, expenditures, compensation procedures for athletic director and coaches, debt capacity, and gift policies, in keeping with the board of trustees' overall responsibility as financial stewards of the institution.(5) Reviewing and approving the intercollegiate athletics' mission statement that reflects the university's mission and academic values.(6) Including in new board member orientation an overview of the intercollegiate athletics department and review of all policies.(7) Ensuring the full integration of the intercollegiate athletics department into the administrative structure of the university.(8) Periodically conducting a review of governance policies related to intercollegiate athletics.(9) Ensuring the proper independent oversight of all funds raised and expended by booster clubs and affiliated organizations.(10) Monitoring the compensation packages and contract terms of the athletic director and head coaches of major sports, and ensuring compensation policies are consistent with the university's overall standards.(E) Responsibilities of the president of the university. The responsibilities of the president include, but are not limited to: (1) Exercising ultimate administrative responsibility for all aspects of the intercollegiate athletics program.(2) Overseeing the university's executive director of athletics.(3) In conjunction with the executive director of athletics and appropriate athletics department staff: (a) Establishing appropriate measures and benchmarks necessary to assess the success of the intercollegiate athletics program.(b) Establishing and upholding academic and eligibility standards for student-athletes that reflect the university's mission and values.(4) Appointing and establishing the term of the NCAA faculty representative(s).(F) Responsibilities of the executive director of athletics. The responsibilities of the executive director of athletics include, but are not limited to: (1) Developing the athletic department's mission statement and ensuring that it reflects the university's mission and academic values.(2) Exercising day-to-day control over the activities of the athletic department, including but not limited to student-athlete educational programs and objectives, personnel decisions, corporate sponsorships/partnerships, broadcasting contracts, affiliated organizations and fund raising efforts.(3) Providing information regarding accountability and benchmarks to the university president and board of trustees and reporting quarterly to the board of trustees on matters related to athletic accomplishments, developments, budget and finances.(4) Administering financial and managerial affairs with transparency and adherence to university business practices.(5) Communicating clearly with the board of trustees, coaches, administrators, students, faculty, boosters, and alumni concerning compliance with institutional, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations; the mission, values and goals of the athletics department; appropriate contact with donors and students.(6) Establishing expectations for on and off field ethical and respectful standards of behavior for coaches and student-athletes appropriate to their positions and as representatives of the university.(7) Monitoring and promoting compliance with all federal, state, institutional, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations to which the university is subject, including provisions concerning gender equity.(8) Reporting and responding to known and alleged NCAA violations according to procedures established by the NCAA and informing the president of such violations.(G) Responsibilities of the NCAA faculty representative(s). The NCAA faculty representative(s) report directly to the president. Their responsibilities include but are not limited to: (1) Ensuring and promoting the academic, health, and social wellbeing of student-athletes and the academic integrity of the intercollegiate athletics program.(2) Serving as the liaison between the faculty and the athletic department.(3) Representing the university with the NCAA and with its conferences.(4) Providing a yearly update to the academic senate.(H) Parameters.(1) Compliance with university, conference and NCAA regulations is a primary responsibility of coaches, departmental staff, student-athletes, parents, boosters, and others associated with the department of intercollegiate athletics, as well as all fiscal matters, including fundraising, must be conducted within such stated regulations.(2) Members of the university community are expected to follow conference and NCAA regulations.(3) The effectiveness of the compliance program will be evaluated on a regular basis.(4) The primary objective of the intercollegiate athletics program is to promote the physical, emotional, and educational wellbeing of student-athletes, while utilizing prudent management and fiscal practices in providing opportunities for competition as an integral part of their quality educational experience.(5) Both academic and athletic abilities are considered during the student athletic recruitment process and followed up with offering a variety of support services upon enrollment, including academic and personal counseling, tutorial services, and substances abuse education and testing.(6) The department of intercollegiate athletics maintains revenue-producing teams in NCAA division I men's and women's basketball, and in NCAA division I football championship subdivision level football.(7) A variety of other historically nonrevenue-producing intercollegiate athletic men's and women's teams are also supported.(8) Each of the intercollegiate athletics teams and staff members must exercise ethical conduct and support the principles of amateur athletic competition, fair play, and sportsmanship, and follow the NCAA goals regarding gender equity and diversity.(I) Procedures. (1) The intercollegiate athletics council reviews, on a regular basis, intercollegiate athletics policies and procedures.(2) The intercollegiate athletics department is responsible for developing, updating, and distributing the "Student-Athlete Handbook."(3) The executive director of intercollegiate athletics, or designee, will meet regularly with the student-athletes advisory committee to discuss areas of interest and concern.(4) All fundraising activities are conducted in accordance with rules 3356-5-07, 3356-5-09, and 3356-5-12 of the Administrative Code (university policies 3356-5-07, "Gifts for the Benefit of the University," 3356-5-09, "Endowment Funds," and 3356-5-12, "Licensing of University Names and Marks"). Replaces: 3356-6-03
Ohio Admin. Code 3356-6-03
Effective: 10/21/2022
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 3356.03
Rule Amplifies: 3356.03
Prior Effective Dates: 06/16/2003, 07/10/2010, 08/21/2010, 01/23/2012, 02/04/2013, 12/31/2018