REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
and the
FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE
University of Louisville Athletic Association Board of Directors
3 June 2008

The Committee on Academic Performance, made up of the faculty members
of the ULAA Board and chaired by the Faculty Athletics Representative,
is charged with oversight of the eligibility and academic performance of
our student-athletes. The Committee meets on the third Tuesday of the
month at 11:30 AM, in the Bingham Humanities Building, Room 300. The
Committee held nine meetings during the 2007-2008 academic year.

Among its regular duties, the Committee on Academic Performance (CAP)
received, discussed, and acted upon the following matters:
--U of L Cohort reports for Summer, Fall, and Spring, tracing
student-athlete grade point averages and graduation rates for the last
five years.
--Big East and NCAA Academic Performance Rate (APR) and Graduation Rate
Reports.
--Appeal of the University 2.0 Rule (2.0 GPA at the end of the second
year).
--Transfer Appeal (The committee serves as the appeals committee to
hear waiver requests that concern student-athlete transfer).

The Committee planned and hosted the twelfth annual Red and Black
Banquet for Scholar Athletes, held on March 2, 2008. This event
continues to be a huge success, with over 200 student-athletes earning
an invitation and over 80 faculty members invited as faculty mentors to
these scholar-athletes.

The Committee conducted the following standard reviews:
--Annual Review of Athletic Academic Advising.
--Annual Review of Compliance Operations, including Secondary Violation
Reports.
--Review of Student-Athlete Exit Interview Information.

The Committee also:
--Met with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
--Continued to monitor the effectiveness of the revised University
Excused Absence Policy for University Sanctioned Activities.
--Participated in the Provost’s ad hoc committee to establish a
university policy on a waiver of 12 hours as full time for students with
disabilities.
--Supported the revision of Big East academic awards and the adoption
of new Big East Awards for student-athletes.
--Continued to monitor the impact of the move of the Pep Band to the
Athletics Department.
--Reviewed Title IX Issues and issues that have impact on women in
athletics.
--Reviewed the COIA report and proposed best practices for college
athletics.
--Reviewed the impact of missed class time on student-athlete
performance. The Committee continues to hear and discuss complaints
both from faculty and student-athletes concerning the scheduling of
classes and athletic events which conflict.
--Initiated review of the impact of the scheduling of final
examinations at times other than those listed on the Examination
Schedule (The Big East schedules competitions so as to avoid the
published examination schedule for each institution, but cannot avoid
conflicts if examinations are actually given during the last week of
class).

In addition to my role as Chair of the Committee on Academic
Performance, I also serve as the Provost’s Liaison for Athletics. In
that capacity, I provide a direct line to and from the Provost, to
monitor the oversight of Athletics Academic Advising. I report to and
confer with the Provost on matters pertinent to student-athlete
performance and welfare, including three reports on the student-athlete
grades and progress toward the degree (Fall, Spring, and Summer).

The Faculty Athletics Representative has local, conference, and
national roles.
At U of L, among many responsibilities, the FAR:
--Met with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee to hear their
concerns. --Administered the
Coaches Certificatio
n Exam to all of our coaches, and discussed with
them U of L academic procedures and policies in order to promote “one
university.”
--Met with each team at its initial Compliance meeting, to discuss the
role of the FAR and strategies for achieving academic excellence.
--Met with the Associate ADs for Compliance and Academic Services to
review the progress toward the degree of each student-athlete and team
at the end of each term.
--Reviewed and signed off on eligibility for every student athlete,
every waiver appeal, and formal reports to the NCAA.
--Reviewed secondary violation reports.
--Served on Advisory Committee for the hiring of new head coaches.
--Served on the Student-Athlete Summer Aid Committee.
--Served on the Provost’s Ad Hoc Committee to adopt a plan for
reduction of credit hours for students with disabilities to qualify as
full-time.
--Reported each month to the Faculty Senate.
--Participated in review of pending legislation to determine a U of L
position.
--Advised the President and the Provost on matters relating to
athletics, and advised the Athletics Director and SWA on matters
related to student-athlete welfare.
--Met with and wrote letters of nomination for all student-athletes
competing for NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarships, and met with seniors to
discuss graduate and professional school preparation and opportunities.
--Resolved conflicts involving faculty and student-athletes.
--Participated in Big East 4 Year review of our compliance operations.
--Served as ombudsperson for individual student-athletes.
--Served as a liaison with Student Services and Compliance to
facilitate good practices in the preparation of student-athlete data.
--Attended at least one competition in every sport.
--Chaired the Committee on Academic Performance of the ULAA Board, and
served on all ULAA Committees.

In the Big East Conference, the FAR:
--Participated in the annual Big East Compliance and Rules Seminar.
--Served as Chair-Elect and Secretary for the Big East FAR Council,
attending three Big East FAR Council meetings and participating in
weekly consultations on legislation and other matters that have impact
on the Big East and on student-athlete well being.
--Served on the Big East’s Academic Affairs Committee, a committee
that selects recipients of Big East academic awards.
--Served on the Big East Non-Qualifier Appeals Committee.
--Served on the Big East FAR Council Best Practices Sub-Committee.

For the NCAA, the FAR:
--Served as a member of the Division I Academics, Eligibility, and
Compliance Cabinet, and its Financial Aid Sub-Committee (three on-site
meetings). The AEC Cabinet reviews all pending legislation that
involves academics, amateurism, financial aid, compliance, eligibility,
and student-athlete well being.
--Served as a member of the Transfer Issues Task Force (three on-sight
meetings and five conference calls).
--Attended the Faculty Athletic Representative Association (FARA)
Annual Meeting, serving on the Panel to Review the Presidential Task
Force, Knight Commission, and COIA reports.
--Was elected to the new Division I Academics Cabinet, which will
replace the AEC, as a representative of the Big East (new governance
structure).

In conclusion, I would like to welcome to CAP (and the ULAA Board)
Professors
William Cheadle and Mary Ann Stenger, who have been elected by the
faculty of the university to three-year terms. Likewise, I would like
to thank our two retiring members, Professors George Raque and Robert
Stenger, whose contributions to our Committee and to the ULAA Board have
been immeasurable. Continuing members are: Professors Thomas Byers,
Brenda Hart, Bruce Kemelgor, Melissa Laning, Craig Roberts, and Gerald
Tolson, as well as Elaine Wise, FAR.

Professor Elaine O. Wise,
Chair of the Division of Humanities, College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty Athletics Representative
Provost’s Liaison for Athletics
Chair of the Committee on Academic Performance of the ULAA Board
3 June 2008