INDIANAPOLIS --- The Executive Committee of the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association voted earlier this month at their convention in Baltimore to unanimously support Division I academic reform.

In making the announcement, FARA President Dennis Leighton, FAR at the University of New England, encouraged Division I faculty athletics representatives to take the lead at their institutions in supporting policies that measure the Academic Progress Rate and the Graduation Success Rate of student athletes.

“Some coaches and athletics administrators have voiced criticism of these academic reforms,” said Leighton, in spite of the positive impacts the reforms have had on academic performance.

Leighton says the NCAA academic reform agenda of bringing in student athletes who are better prepared for college level work and moving them on towards a meaningful, worthwhile degree is needed, fair and balanced both from the individual and institutional perspective.

“The guiding philosophy of academic reform is to improve the academic success of student athletes and not to penalize institutions. With the demands placed upon student-athletes, institutions must provide the support necessary for these young people to succeed academically,” he said.

He cited the APR and GSR as “fair and equitable ways to measure an institution’s outcomes in the academic progress of student athletes.”

A recent partnership between the National Athletic Academic Advisors Association and NCAA provides FARs with campus-based instruction on the APR and GSR to help FARs lead academic reform efforts at their institutions.

In making the announcement, FARA joined the Division I Board of Directors in voicing support for the NCAA’s academic reform initiatives.

FARA is the collective voice of FARs at all three NCAA divisions and serves as the national advocate for FARs. It is the role of the FAR to ensure the balance between academics and athletics for the benefit of the student athlete.

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