New Fresno State commission will scrutinize athletic finances
Fresno Bee 2/14/07
University President John Welty said the commission had been in the works for the last several weeks and that Fresno State -- like other universities -- is following direction from the National Collegiate Athletic Association to get a better grip on athletic finances.
However, Welty acknowledged that a corporate donor controversy now confronting the university could be a small part of what the new Fresno State Commission on Athletics Finances delves into.
That controversy involves the misdirection to athletics of hundreds of thousands of dollars in individual donations and corporate matches.
Welty said outside auditors -- whom he would not identify -- are now reviewing the corporate donor program and they have said there's no evidence so far that the money was intentionally misdirected.
"If there are any recommendations that emerge from the external review, the commission will be asked to look at those," Welty said.
Several times on Tuesday, Welty declined to say whether he was forming the Commission on Athletics Finances because of news coverage on misdirected corporate donations.
"Some questions you don't answer 'yes' or 'no,' " Welty said. "They require explanation."
Part of his explanation centered on the NCAA.
Welty served on the 50-person Task Force on the Future of Division I Intercollegiate Athletics put together in 2005 by NCAA President Myles Brand. The group was formed after research found the rate of growth in spending in Division I athletics significantly outpaced the rate for higher education in recent years.
The task force issued a report last fall that called for university presidents to exert leadership and for their schools to have greater accountability in sports financing and to mesh athletic programs with the overall educational program.
"There needs to be a greater integration between athletic and academic programs in the university," Welty said, "and that includes an integration of the fiscal operation of athletic programs."
He added that California State University, Fresno, already has changed athletic business practices and that the new commission will provide more ideas on how to run a model program. Welty wants preliminary recommendations from the commission by June 1.
Paul Oliaro, one of several vice presidents serving under Welty, will lead the commission, which will be composed of 15 other administrators, professors, supporters of Bulldog sports and others.
But a retired Fresno State English professor already questions how independent the Commission on Athletics Finances will be.
" is a master at choosing these committees to do what he wants done," said Eugene Zumwalt, who taught at Fresno State for 40 years. "He is a master of choosing committees that he controls. What the community needs is an absolutely independent look at this."
Oliaro said in response that the commission is made up of independent thinkers who "want to make sure the university is conducting both fundraising and management of athletic-department funds in a way that is clear, consistent, accountable and transparent."
Commission members
Chairman:
Dr. Paul Oliaro, vice president and dean of student affairs at Fresno State
Serving as members:
Thomas Boeh, director of athletics
Steve Katz, associate vice president for financial services
Dr. Ken Shipley, associate provost
Dr. Andrew Hoff, interim dean, College of Engineering
Ellen Jamra, director of advancement services
Dr. Mike Botwin, chairman of the Academic Senate
Dr. James Kus, chairman of the University Budget Committee
Dr. Lynn Williams, faculty athletics representative
Faculty member to be appointed by Academic Senate
J.P. Moncayo, president of Associated Students Inc., or designee
Bill Chaltraw, chairman of the Bulldog Foundation Board of Directors, or designee
John Wallace, president of the Bulldog Foundation Annual Fund
James Woodward, chairman of the Audit Committee, Fresno State Foundation
Vinci Ricchiuti, member of the Fresno State Athletic Corporation Board and Fresno State Foundation
Tom McFerson, chairman of the Athletic Corporation, Audit Committee
Ex-officio, nonvoting members: Cynthia Matson, vice president for administration and chief financial officer; and Dr. Peter Smits, vice president for university advancement
Staff resources: Chris Robinson, university controller; and associate director of athletics for business upon appointment to the position
Source: California State University, Fresno