SUNY Chancellor Appointed Vice Chair of NCAA Enforcement Working Group

Albany – The State University of New York today announced that Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher has been appointed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) to serve as vice chair of one of four working groups recently charged with recommending changes to improve the culture and operation of Division I intercollegiate athletics.

The Chancellor’s working group, Collegiate Model: Enforcement, will address enforcement issues directly related to the NCAA’s violation and penalty structure and work towards defining shared responsibility. Dr. Edward J. Ray, president of Oregon State University, will serve as chairman.

“Consistent and fair regulation of Division I athletic programs at colleges and universities is a critical component of promoting the success of student athletes both in the classroom and beyond,” said Chancellor Zimpher. “It is also a challenging task that requires regular review and improvement. I commend the NCAA for its commitment to this mission and look forward to working with my colleagues across the country to review the NCAA enforcement program.”

Specifically, the charge of the Collegiate Model: Enforcement group is to propose a multi-level violation reporting and penalty structure that ensures focus on those infractions that clearly violate NCAA enduring values; consider the level and severity of penalties associated with the most egregious violations; and re-establish a sense of shared responsibility with clarified roles among those who participate in, lead, and administer intercollegiate athletics at the campus, conference, and national levels.

The NCAA Division I Board of Directors will hear their recommendations in April 2012.

About the NCAA Enforcement Program

The NCAA enforcement program strives to maintain a level playing field for the more than 400,000 student-athletes. Commitment to fair play is a bedrock principle of the NCAA. The NCAA upholds that principle by enforcing membership-created rules that ensure equitable competition and protect the well-being of student-athletes at all member institutions. The enforcement program is dedicated to creating positive student-athlete experiences by preserving the integrity of the enterprise.

About the State University of New York

The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 467,000 students in more than 7,500 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses with nearly 3 million alumni around the globe. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunity, visit www.suny.edu