Faculty Athletics Representative

USP's current Faculty Athletics Representative is:
Dr. Joseph Ruane, Professor of Sociology
215-596-8906
email - j.ruane@usip.edu

Definition

The Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) is involved in the assurance of the academic integrity of the athletics program and in the maintenance of the welfare of the student athlete. The FAR is appointed and empowered by the President of the University for a five year renewable term. The FAR reports to the President. The FAR is further empowered by the Faculty Council to act in the interest of the student athlete’s academic and personal welfare with the support of the Athletic Department. The FAR should have the highest degree in the field, and be a tenured Associate Professor or Professor, and have significant committee or administrative experience at the University. The FAR is the university’s representative of the president and faculty on issues regarding athletics.

Academic Integrity

The FAR should know the enrollment figures, the number of student athletes, the number of varsity sport programs, the percentage of student athletes, the rules of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the responsibilities identified in the Faculty Athletics Representative Handbook.

FAR assists in the preparation of the NCAA report and confers on academic matters regarding athletes with administration, faculty, admissions, registration, financial aid and alumni, reviewing certification of academic eligibility as well as review of graduation rates of student athletes. FAR is known to student athletes. Review of an athlete’s academic information is necessary to ensure that the student-athlete can and does thrive academically. The FAR maintains an interest in student athlete welfare through observation and through exit interviews of those students terminating athletic activity and in active involvement with the student-athlete advisory committee, and its officers. The FAR influences policy and assists in the maintenance of integrity on the institutional, conference, and national level

Compliance

The FAR meets regularly with the Athletic Director. FAR assists the Athletic Director, coaches, Senior Woman Administrator, and Compliance Officer in understanding and carrying out compliance requirements, and in the administration of the coaches’ certification tests, and secondarily participates in NCAA rules education at the University, and in preparation of written reports of infractions, waivers or appeals. The FAR participates in investigations in which major or minor rules violations may have been committed.

Communication/Liaison

The FAR participates in local, regional, and national NCAA meetings, the latter two being a required responsibility of the NCAA FAR on campus. The FAR should know and be in contact with the conference FAR representative to NCAA. The FAR is involved with the President and the Athletic Director in discussions in which the university’s voting position on NCAA legislation is established. The FAR may be designated as the voting delegate in the absence of the chief executive officer.

The FAR has the responsibility to inform the Athletic Department of faculty concerns, and conversely, inform faculty of developments in athletics, and be active in the development of athletics policy. The FAR provides advice to the chief executive officer that reflects the traditional values of the faculty and which is rooted in the academic ethic of the university. The FAR should serve as a member of the University Institutional Athletics Committee in an advising capacity on athletics and student-athlete matters.

Terms and Conditions

Secretarial support should be provided by FAR’s departmental secretary or the Athletic Department’s support staff. FAR should be allocated a budget that comes from sources outside the Department of Athletics to carry out the duties of the position. The work expectation of the FAR will range from one to five hours per week, with the average time being spent 36% in academics, 30% in administration, and 25% in compliance. Activity at the high end of the range should be compensated monetarily and/or with release time.