The Drake Group (TDG) urges Faculty
Senates and other bodies concerned with academic the ever-widening gap
between athletics and education. Our approach is in three phases.
Please read this document for a full explanation and rationale for the
proposals. TDG firmly believes that enacting the proposals listed below
will dramatically improve the academic integrity of college campuses
and return control of the classroom back to the faculty:
Phase I: Academic Transparency
Ensure that universities provide
accountability of trustees, administrators and faculty by public
transparency of such things as a student's academic major, academic
advisor, courses listed by academic major, general education
requirements, electives, course grade point average (GPA) and
instructor-without revealing the names of individual students.
Phase II: Academic Priority
Require students to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 each semester to continue participation in intercollegiate athletics.
Make the location and control of academic counseling and support services for athletes the same as for all students.
Establish university policies that will ensure that athletic contests and practices do not conflict with scheduled classes.
Phase III: Academic-Based Participation
Replace one-year renewable
scholarships with need-based financial aid (or) with multi-year
athletic scholarships that extend to graduation (five year maximum).
Require one year in residency before
an athlete can participate in intercollegiate sport. This rule would
apply to transfer students as well as to first year students.
