MWC Board of Directors Emphasizes Academic Performance During Annual Meeting

MWC Board of Directors Emphasizes Academic Performance During Annual Meeting

Lt. General John Dallager of the United States Air Force Academy assumes the position as chair.

June 4, 2002

Craig Thompson Teleconference: Review of Board of Directors Meeting

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Issues related to academics were the focus of the Mountain West Conference Board of Directors meeting which concluded today at The Broadmoor. The gathering of the presidents from the eight member institutions that comprise the MWC marked the Board's fourth formal meeting since the league's inception in 1999.

The Board of Directors took the following actions to continue and enhance its emphasis on the academic mission of the Mountain West Conference - which is a primary tenet of the Conference philosophy statement.

After considering the issue during the past year, voted to establish a policy whereby MWC institutions shall not permit nonqualifiers to participate in intercollegiate athletics. The policy will begin with the 2003-04 academic year (for those students first entering a collegiate institution as a full-time student on or after August 1, 2003).

The Board also discussed the issue of partial qualifiers and deferred taking a position until after the NCAA Division I Management Council and Board of Directors vote on the initial eligibility proposals currently in the Division I legislative process.

Expressed support for the NCAA academic reform agenda, including proposals related to initial eligibility and progress toward a degree.

Approved a meeting of the athletic academic counselors from the member institutions, thus continuing the MWC's academic initiatives. These initiatives include cooperative efforts between member institutions outside of the athletics arena, such as academic services to visiting Conference student-athletes and meetings among academic officials and student affairs officers from each member institution.

In other actions, the MWC Board of Directors:

Approved the report of the MWC Joint Council, including revisions in the bowl revenue distribution formula, continued promotion of the Conference at the institutional level, and enhancement of both the league's sportsmanship and student-athlete welfare initiatives.

Reviewed the proposed NCAA Division I-A membership requirements, reaffirming the MWC's support of such defined standards.

Discussed several methods by which the Board can track Conference development and the performance of individual member institutions. This includes a "benchmarks" process developed during the past two years.

Lt. General John Dallager of the United States Air Force Academy assumes the position as chair of the MWC Board of Directors. He will be joined on the Executive Committee by outgoing chair Dr. Stephen Weber of San Diego State University, incoming chair for 2003-04, Dr. Bernard Machen of the University of Utah and Dr. Carol Harter of UNLV, the MWC's representative on the NCAA Board of Directors.

"The MWC recently completed its third season of competition, followed by a successful meeting of the MWC Board of Directors," said Dr. Stephen Weber, President of San Diego State University and Chair of the MWC Board of Directors. "The Board concluded its meetings today pleased with the accomplishments of the Conference, both academically and athletically." President Weber also expressed thanks to Commissioner Craig Thompson and his staff for their efforts and contributions in the successful development of the Mountain West Conference.


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