Sept. 23, 2004
Attendance: Ned Jones, John D'Argenio, Donna McIntosh, Nate Maloney, PJ Braun, Colleen Price
Meeting called to order at 3:30 pm.
The meeting's agenda was reviewed and accepted by the group. We talked about the day/time chosen for the meeting. The group agreed for now that this day/time would work. Ned will book four meeting in the next six weeks for Wednesday's at 3:30 pm.
John D'Argenio passed out student-athlete planning calendars and will make available to Ned for distribution to sub-committee members the student athlete handbook for review. John feels that several items in the study are addressed in the handbook and that the handbook would serve as a good tool.
Progress Update: Gender Equity
PJ and Nate have been assigned to address the Gender Equity Questions. Both report general success in obtaining the data needed to complete their task.
PJ is in need of the Gender Equity Plan that has been in place since the last review. John talked about it as a plan that is continually updated and included periodic outcomes. PJ was familiar with actions taken to address the Gender Equity issues raised in the first review, but needed the plan to complete her documentation. John will make the plan available to PJ and Nate.
Nate indicated that he was having some difficulty getting the composition details needed to adequately answer question number 7. John will speak with Human Resources to ensure the list is made available to Nate.
John encouraged PJ and Nate to review the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act. PJ has parts of it, but not the whole. PJ indicated she would get a copy of the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act and forward a copy to Nate.
Minority Issues:
Ned and John are assigned to this question. John indicated that Ned could receive squad list from Colleen Price (she works for Joyce Eggleston in Athletics and completes this task as part of her duties.) The lists will be used to match up against the scholarship lists pulled form the college's administrative database.
Ned indicated that the prior plan suggested changes to the exit interview form and that those changes have been made. John was looking at data from policy recommending groups to assess if progress has been made in including members of diverse groups on these committees.
With regards to the years used to gather data, John asked Ned to seek clarification on the consistence of years used. For example, could we use 00-01 - 002-03 for roster information while using 01-02 - 03-04 for athletic staff member data?
Group felt the task was well underway and no known obstacles existed at this point.
Welfare:
Donna McIntosh and Colleen Price have been assigned to this task.
The group reports significant progress in gathering data. They indicated that several key interviews need to take place and encouraged the other two working groups to utilize interview process to help fill-in the gaps.
Donna indicated that they still needed to gather a list of documents or individuals to interview to adequately address a few of the questions within 4.3. In particular she needed to review department meeting agendas, seeking job descriptions for department members, and would like a list of individuals responsible for particular areas of Athlete Welfare so they can interview them.
Colleen indicated she was able to get the exit interview form and would share it with Donna. They are particularly interested in the questions asked on the form regarding what the Department/College could improve upon. John indicated that this information is reviewed each year and could be made available to Colleen and Donna. The information learned helps the department to strengthen its services to Student-Athletes.
Donna inquired about the Data Analysis conduced on the survey. John indicated that an intern completes it. The data is reviewed and presented to the staff each year.
The working group had questions about item #8 - Appeals and Grievances. John indicated that formal process for financial grievances/appeals exists and is completed, per NCAA requirements, by non-athletic department personnel. In Siena's case, it is completed by the Financial Aid Office. All other Appeals/Grievances are handled through the Assistant Director of Athletics/Compliance Officer (Joyce Eggleston.) John encouraged interviews be conduced with both offices.
The sub-committee discussed item #9 and how the Department should address sexual orientation. The group agreed the question was more focused on how well we train staff and student-athletes on issues of respect, dignity, etc. The group agreed that much work needs to be done. Donna asked John why this group is identified specifically in the document. John discussed progress made in other areas of equity and welfare for other diverse student-athletes at colleges across the country, yet this is not an area that has enjoyed as much progress and holding out the question individually will raise accountability.
The Welfare working group also had questions about how we address question number 12 about off-season workout. John directed them to Department Policy (John will email manual to Donna and Colleen) and encouraged Colleen and Donna to conduct interviews with the training/coaching staffs.
The group reports significant progress on this very lengthy aspect. Yet, for the last question, Donna feels if the first 11 questions are addressed well, the last question will come together very well.
We had a significant conversation regarding student-athletes access to counseling (on and off campus.) Coaches are trained to refer students to the Counseling Center and have identified instances where they refer students to off campus counseling. Donna is very concerned that students and other on campus officials are not aware of the option of seeking counseling off campus.
Reporting Out:
The group agreed that each working group would report out to the group. We asked that a written report be emailed to the sub-committee members 24 hours before the meeting that they will report out. The group is charged with a careful review of the document, analyses the evidence gathered and ensure each question has been adequately addressed.
Minority Issues will report on 10/13
Welfare Issues will report on 10/20
Gender Issues will report on 10/27
On November 3 we will meet to begin drafting recommendations.
Meeting adjourned at 4:32 pm.
