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"Measuring graduation rates is indeed a charade. Yes, some programs have a “respectable” rate of graduating athletes, but these grads often take gut courses, major in fields that have little academic rigor (coaching, general studies), and are placed in courses taught by profs who wouldn’t recognize an academic standard if it slept in their bed. The whole enterprise ought to be called academic gerrymandering."
—Gary
NCAA Imposes Stiffer Penalties for Academic Performance of Midlevel Division I Teams
U. of Nevada at Reno, Facing Dozens of Lawsuits, Spends Big on Outside Legal Help
The university, which says most of the complaints are meritless, has spent about $1.7-million on lawyers to help in just four of the cases.
Canadian Panel to Investigate University's Halting of Controversial Research
The university had approved a study of assisted suicides, but changed its mind after getting legal opinions.
Dispute Over Academic Freedom Roils Turkish-Studies Institute
Some scholars say the Turkish government, which supports the center, forced a former board chairman to resign because of his published views on the massacre of Armenians in 1915.
U. of Evansville President Arrested on Drunken-Driving Charges
In a statement released today by the university, Stephen G. Jennings acknowledged making “a very serious mistake” and apologized.
Petitions Are Filed for Arizona and Nebraska Referenda on Affirmative Action
The backers of a similar measure in Colorado filed petitions months ago, but legal challenges may complicate such campaigns.
Darwin Defeated in the Bayou: Louisiana Encourages 'Critical Thinking' About Evolution | 88
ACLU Complains About Noon-Meal Prayers at Naval Academy | 77
Columbia U. Fires Teachers College Professor Accused of Rampant Plagiarism | 61
U. of Phoenix's Report on Students' Progress Is 'Disingenuous,' Critic Says | 49
Student Who Died at Professor's Home Suffered a Drug Overdose | 47
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January 3, 2008
NCAA to Support Research on Diversity in College Sports
The National Collegiate Athletic Association will provide financial and other means of support to a research laboratory at Texas A&M University at College Station that examines ethnic, racial, and gender diversity in college sports, the NCAA announced today.
Under the new partnership, Texas A&M’s Laboratory for Diversity in Sport will receive financial support from the NCAA for its research into how athletics departments can increase diversity among employees, teams, and fans. The agreement also calls for the eventual expansion of the laboratory’s annual Diversity in Athletics Award to all three NCAA divisions.
The lab, in the department of health and kinesiology, studies the impact of diversity on college sports teams and athletics departments. In the 2006-7 academic year, it recognized 10 Division I institutions for demonstrating “overall excellence in diversity.” —Libby Sander
Posted on Thursday January 3, 2008 | Permalink |Comments
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When will we realize that an athletic scholarship is an oxymoron?
— JMM Jan 4, 10:08 AM #
How is this going to increasing diversity overall at the university? With special admit status already given to many athletes, I can’t believe that the only way a university sees to increase its diversity is to do it through athletics. We as a society are so afraid of looking at the K-16 as a whole and see how we can increase the eligible pool of students (through increased state/federal funding, outreach efforts, etc.), that the only politically safe way to do it through athletics!? That is pathetic and smacks of social darwinism.
— Marie Nubia-Feliciano, M.S. Jan 4, 12:43 PM #
I am a faculty member of a small university that applauds the NCAA for their efforts in the area of diversity. My campus maintains a truly diverse population due to student involvement in athletics. One of our missions is to offer access to education for those students at risk and for a large segment of our national population that means athletic (don’t have the time here to explain the hypothesis). Unfortunately, I believe most D I&II institution will not want to see the data that will come out of the NCAA’s efforts. It will force the athletic programs to view the student athletic as a student first and an athletic second. Once again, by following the money we can surmise what changes “may” take place and what will be found on a shelf collecting dust.
If we are truly concerned about diversity then we need to look at triggers to academic success and self-efficacy. It is the turn over of students from diverse environments that keep our numbers down. If nothing but a workable definition of “diverse” and a common “baseline” we can intelligently draw speculation from, the NCAA’s efforts will be a success.
— Dr. Bill Jan 4, 01:18 PM #
Imagine that…the NCAA is funding the study of its own navel lint. I get it…equity AND entertainment at the same time…
Hmmm…I wonder when OJ will join the research team.
Just pathetic…
— greg Jan 7, 02:58 PM #