INDIANAPOLIS --- The Faculty Athletics Representatives Association, an affiliate organization of the NCAA, will hold its annual Fall Forum in New Orleans this Wednesday through Saturday (Nov. 15-18). This is the third year FARA has held its yearly meeting in New Orleans, first visiting the city in 1999.

Faculty Athletics Representatives are appointed by their institution’s president or chancellor and charged with providing oversight of the athletics program. Faculty Athletics Representatives believe that intercollegiate athletics is central to the academic mission of the institution, and they work to ensure academic integrity within athletics at the institution, conference and national levels.

“The Fall Forum provides an opportunity for faculty athletics representatives to develop ways to be more effective on their own campuses,” said Dennis Leighton, president-elect of FARA and associate professor of physical therapy at the University of New England.

Sensitive to the devastating effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, FARA has solicited donations for a community relief fund. The money collected will be donated to the City Park of New Orleans to purchase athletics equipment. This equipment will increase the use of park facilities by local youth.

The Executive Committee of FARA will meet with City Park officials at Tad Gormley Stadium at 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday (Nov. 15) to present a $4,000 donation. Following the presentation, the Executive Committee will take a bus tour of New Orleans to view the damage caused by the hurricanes and the rebuilding efforts of the residents.