Jan. 20, 1998 Contact Gaye Vandermyn (541) 346-3134 Source: Duncan McDonald, vice president for public affairs, (541) 346-5558 EUGENE--The University of Oregon has completed its self-study for a new Division I Athletics Certification, conducted under auspices of the National Collegiate Athletics Association. The study will be available by Tuesday, Jan. 20, for public review at the Knight Library on the UO campus. A peer review team headed by Utah State University President George Emert will visit the UO campus April 7-10 to examine the following areas of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics: governance, academic integrity, fiscal integrity and equity. This is part of a new process to certify an institution's eligibility to participate in NCAA championships. "We welcome this opportunity to demonstrate how athletics are woven into the fabric of the university," said Dave Frohnmayer, UO president. "We are justifiably proud of the strong academic support provided to our student-athletes and of the openness with which all aspects of our athletic programs are conducted." The self-study committee, appointed by Frohnmayer, is headed by Duncan McDonald, vice president for public affairs and development. Chairing the group's four subcommittees are Ralph Barnhard, assistant head of the UO Department of Chemistry (governance); Martha Pitts, director of admissions (academic integrity); Sherri McDowell, director of business affairs (fiscal integrity); and Ken Lehrman, director of affirmative action (equity). The NCAA certification program was approved at the group's 1993 convention. The program provides a "measuring stick" by which all Division I athletics programs are evaluated. Of special importance to the NCAA is an examination of how the athletics program relates to the mission and purpose of the university. The three options of certification status are "certified," "certified with conditions" and "not certified." Universities and colleges that do not take corrective actions to remove a "not certified" status may be ruled ineligible for NCAA championships. The NCAA most likely would issue its determination about the UO review in late summer or early fall. McDonald said that copies of the self-study will be available for review by Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 20, in the Reserve Room of the Knight Library, 1501 Kincaid St. The reports are available to members of the public but cannot be removed. McDonald added that he hoped soon to have an electronic version linked to the UO Home Page on the World Wide Web. "We welcome any public comments on the report," said McDonald. Direct comments to McDonald, Office of Public Affairs and Development, University of Oregon, Eugene, Ore. 97403. -30- #O-1120/Local, OD