May 31, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern University athletics director Mark Murphy announced today (May 31) that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has again certified Northwestern's intercollegiate athletics program.
The certification process, which was led by William J. Banis, Northwestern's vice president for student affairs, concludes a year-long self-study process in which all aspects of Northwestern's 19-sport athletics program were examined. The process includes a review of these primary components: governance and commitment to rules compliance; academic integrity; and student-athlete welfare.
A designation of certified means that an institution operates its athletic program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership. The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in the institution's athletics program and to assist institutions in improving their athletics departments. NCAA legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted in 1993.
"We are very pleased that we have been certified without conditions" said Murphy. "Many people from across campus were involved in the process. The process was very helpful to our athletic department, and helped people from other parts of the campus learn more about the operation of our athletic program."
"We're very pleased to receive the certification from the NCAA," said Northwestern University President Henry S. Bienen. "This certification recognizes the strong continued efforts by the dedicated staff of the Northwestern Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation in maintaining the integrity of the department and providing opportunities for our outstanding student-athletes.
"I'd also like to thank Vice President for Student Affairs William Banis and the other members of the internal steering committee for their dedicated work during the certification process."
Northwestern was one of 13 universities to be fully certified. Three others were certified with conditions -- meaning problems were identified that must be corrected before full certification can be awarded.
In addition to Bienen, Banis and Murphy, members of Northwestern's internal steering committee were: Robert A. Gundlach, NU faculty athletics representative and director, writing program, and professor, department of linguistics; Kathleen Galvin, professor, department of communication studies; Rebecca R. Dixon, associate provost for university enrollment; Eric H. Wachtel, assistant director of the budget office; Marcia A. Mahoney, director, sexual harassment prevention office; Carretta A. Cooke, director of African America student affairs; Daniel I. Linzer, dean of Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences and professor, biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology; Eugene Y. Lowe Jr., special assistant to the president; Noreen Morris, associate athletics director for intercollegiate services; and Adam D. Paoli, student-athlete representative.