Minutes of the Athletic Board
for November 9, 1999

Athletic Board Called to order at 3:15. Present were Piazza, Canary, Wallen, Van Dyke and Klaver, ex officio. Wright joined the meeting. Minutes were approved as corrected for the 10/25 meeting. The vollyball coaching issue was discussed. After an open and clear detailling of the issues concerned in gender equity and number of teams for university athletics, the sense of the meeting was that this board strongly supported the idea that vollyball be separated from a faculty line, and that it be linked to programming in the new facility, which will allow the coach to continue as a full time staff member. In short, the person hired will be charged with revenue generation as part of his or her position; but this is the best way to allow the position to continue as full time. Outside of the purview of this board, the faculty position will be designated as sports management and fitness, having its full job description to be devoted to course work, and this person will not be involved in coaching. A brief discussion of alternate sports concerned especially asking the athletic director to consider developing tennis, and men's vollyball as ideal additions to our athletic program. Mr. Klaver suggested that he is in favor of this kind of consideration; but that a way to generate the additional financial support such sports would need is not clear. He suggests that women's golf is a likely addition; while Van Dyke and others suggest that team sports (such as men's vollyball) which would contribute to the campus' sense of community would be equally desirable. Van Dyke asked if a presence at the student athletic board would be helpful; and promised to consider attending. There may be a request from the students to relax, slightly, the alcohol and drug policy to include a forgiveness policy at the end of each academic year. Pending such a request from the student-athletes, the meeting adjourned. A second draft of the letter which may accompany student athletes who are trying to arrange make-up work around their travel schedule, will be distributed at the next meeting. Respectfully submitted, Leon J. Van Dyke secretary pro tem