The institution’s chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for, and exercises appropriate administrative and fiscal control over, the intercollegiate athletics program.

_X_Compliance                      ___Partial Compliance                       ___Non-Compliance

Narrative

St. Petersburg College is in compliance with this comprehensive standard because the President of the College has ultimate responsibility over the intercollegiate athletics program and carefully monitors the administration and finances of the program.

State of Florida policies addressing intercollegiate athletics

Formal authority for the administration of intercollegiate athletics is granted by Florida Statute.  The statute further provides that the Board of Trustees shall grant authority to the President for the administration and operation of the program.  The goals and objectives of the Athletics program are congruent with the mission of the College to deliver enriched learning experiences, as established under Board of Trustees Rules and Procedures.  SPC’s Athletic Program does not include upper division students at the present time.

Relationship between the President and the Athletics Director

In accordance with the President’s position description, the President exercises appropriate administrative and fiscal control over the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program.  Administratively, coaches and other personnel for the athletic programs report to the Athletic Director, who in turn reports to the Vice President of Educational and Student Services.  The Vice President, who reports to the Senior Vice President of all other activities, reports directly to the President for all activities related to athletics and, in cooperation with the Athletic Director, is responsible for program oversight, monitoring eligibility requirements, establishing competition schedules, administering scholarships, book allowance and housing, and monitoring student/athletic educational success and progress toward associate degrees.

The Athletics Organization Chart shows the direct relationship between the Vice President of Educational and Student Services and the President for all issues regarding athletics.

The authority for adherence to both collegiate athletic rules and general college rules and procedures lies, ultimately, with the President thru the reporting relationships illustrated in the above organization chart. ` The President has signature authority on all National Junior and Community College Athletic Association (NJCAA) forms including, but not limited to national letters of intent.

The College President is also required to exercise oversight of the intercollegiate athletics program in the following manner:

The by-laws and policies of the Florida Community College Activities Association (FCCAA) require that the College President approve St. Petersburg College participation in the FCCAA.

The College President’s signature, or that of his designee, is required on state and national forms and reports:

§         Intercollegiate Athletic Financial Aid and Participation Report

§         State of Florida Council on Athletic Affairs Academic Report

President’s control over athletics policies and procedures,  The Athletic Procedures Manual provides information for coaches regarding the authority vested in the President and the Board of Trustees, reporting relationships, as well as the importance of adherence to both collegiate athletic rules and general college rules and procedures.  The policy manual also clearly defines the President’s signature authority on all National Junior and Community College Athletic Association (NJCAA) forms (for example, national letters of intent).

President’s control over academic performance and conduct standards for athletes.  As a member of FCCAA, the College adheres to the academic standards set by the association.  Eligibility of athletes to participate in their sport(s) is determined semester by semester.

Excerpt from FCCAA Council for Athletic Affairs Handbook

Academic success of SPC’s athletes is monitored closely each semester by the Athletic Director and the Vice President of Educational and Student Services, with reports submitted to the National Junior College Athletic Association.  In Fall 2005, the overall average GPA of the Men’s Basketball team was 2.75, the Women’s Basketball team’s overall average GPA was 2.69, and the Women’s Volleyball team was 3.26. In Spring 2006, The Women’s Softball GPA was 3.11 and Men’s Baseball was 2.72.  Overall average GPA’s are improving each year.

Student athletes are held to a high standard of conduct, as described in the Athletic Procedures Manual, which are a direct reflection of the President’s core values.  The Athletic Director and Vice President of Education and Student Services have guidance to involve the President’s office in any incidents involving student athletes.

Excerpt from Athletic Procedures Manual

President’s control over operating budgets and financial aid.  The President of the College exercises fiscal control over the athletic operations and scholarship budgets.  Annually a financial aid committee formulates a budget for the funding of athletic scholarships through the Student Activities budget that must be approved by the President.  In addition, the student activities and services budget board, with broad student and staff membership, is charged by the President with formulating an athletic operations budget as part of the overall student activities and services budget pursuant to state law requiring student input.  Florida Board of Education Rule 6A- 14.057 requires student participation in the budget approval process.  The College President presents the budget for Board of Trustees approval.

Excerpt from Florida Board of Education Rules regarding Student Activities

President’s control over recruiting standards.  As a member of FCCAA, the College adheres to the recruiting standards set by the national and state associations, which include both academic standards and recruiting standards. 

Excerpt from FCCAA Council for Athletic Affairs Handbook

The President also reviews the athletic budget prior to Board approval to ensure the athletic program is adhering to the National and State Association guidelines for recruiting trips.  All travel requests in conjunction with recruiting are approved by the Senior Vice President of Administration, who follows the FCCAA guidance on the standards for recruiting athletes:

Excerpt from FCCAA Council for Athletic Affairs Handbook

Evaluation of the College’s athletic program.  In 2004, the College underwent a peer review audit of athletic program policies and procedures by the athletic director of another institution who has also served as the attorney for the State Board of Community Colleges.  Responses and recommendations for improvement were provided to the President and approved for implementation.  Among the recommendations implemented from the peer review was to develop a comprehensive Athletic Department Policies and Procedures Manual to consolidate and standardize policies across all sports programs.

Fund-raising support for intercollegiate athletics

To support the intercollegiate program, the College has established the St. Petersburg College Athletic Club, whose mission is to support all phases of the Athletic Department.  Through fundraising, elevating College spirit and promoting attendance at games, the Athletic Club enhances and strengthens the tradition of SPC athletics.  The SPC Athletic Club supports five intercollegiate sports: men's basketball and baseball, women's basketball, softball and volleyball, and a cheerleading squad.  The goals of the Athletic Club are to provide continued educational opportunities, program growth and success.  Donors to the St. Petersburg College Athletic Club become members of the SPC athletic family.  Levels of membership and benefits are clearly delineated on the SPC Athletics Web site.

Excerpt from SPC Athletics Web site

Money raised by the St. Petersburg College Athletic Club supports scholarships, travel, medical services, recruitment, uniforms and equipment.  All donations are made directly to the St. Petersburg College Foundation, Inc., which is organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and to make expenditures to, or for the benefit of, St. Petersburg College.  The College’s Board of Trustees, by virtue of its Rules, authorizes the transfer of contributions received by the College to the Foundation.

The Foundation’s Executive Director reports through the Senior Vice President of Administration to the College President.  Each request for disbursement of scholarship, travel, medical services, recruitment, uniforms and equipment for athletes, as well as every development activity and initiative for the Foundation are prepared by the Foundation Business Manager and then individually evaluated and approved/rejected by the Executive Director of the Foundation and the President of the College.

References