The Student Athlete In The CSU

AS-2062-92/AA & FA - January 9-10, 1992

Attachment to AS-2062-92/AA & FA

WHEREAS, Intercollegiate athletics is an important activity in the California State University; and

WHEREAS, There is heuristic and social value in competitive sport for our students; and

WHEREAS, Athletic programs in the CSU have made a dynamic contribution to nearly all of our campuses, helping to build a sense of community as well as to promote community support; but

WHEREAS, Recent studies, such as the March, 1991 report of the Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics (KFCIA) and the February, 1990 report of the American Association of University Professors Special Committee on Athletics (AAUP) document widespread concern regarding the relationship of some programs in intercollegiate athletics to the primary mission of colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS, The KFCIA has issued a call for the reform of intercollegiate athletics, asserting that "[i]t is time to get back to first principles. Intercollegiate athletics exist first and foremost for the student-athletes who participate, whether male or female, majority or minority, whether they play football in front of 50,000 or field hockey in front of their friends" (KFCIA p.8); and

WHEREAS, The KFCIA has published (March, 1991) and the AAUP has adopted (June 1991) guidelines for intercollegiate athletics; and

WHEREAS, The obligation of the California State University is to educate, as well as to graduate, our students; and

WHEREAS, CSU programs in intercollegiate athletics should reflect the highest academic values, which should be expressed in a statement of principles common to all campuses of the California State University; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Academic Senate of the California State University endorse the "Principles and Guidelines for Intercollegiate Athletics Programs in the CSU" appended to this resolution and urge each campus senate to do likewise; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Academic Senate CSU urge the Chancellor to endorse and the presidents to implement the "Principles and Guidelines for Intercollegiate Athletics Programs in the CSU" to provide necessary guidance for faculty, students, and administrators in the appropriate operation of CSU intercollegiate athletics programs; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Academic Senate CSU urge the CSU Board of Trustees and Chancellor to hold campus presidents accountable for all aspects of their athletic programs.

APPROVED WITHOUT DISSENT - May 8, 1992