Q and A on decision related to sports programs

Dear Campus Community:

The following Q&A is provided in the interest of actively communicating about decisions that have a significant impact on the University.

— Peter Johnson, Interim Vice President for University and Public Affairs

Q: Why did President Kennedy open up the question of how many sports UND should sponsor if the conclusion is to make no changes in sponsorship?

A: President Kennedy did not open the question. It was left open by interim President Ed Schafer. President Kennedy recognized that continued uncertainty would be detrimental to recruiting efforts and moved to close the question by referring it to the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee (IAC), a subcommittee of University Senate. Now that the question has been considered and decided, President Kennedy considers questions of sport sponsorship closed for the remainder of his tenure. This is necessary to facilitate recruiting the best student-athletes to UND.

Q: Why did President Kennedy accept the core recommendations of the IAC when some faculty members disagree with the decision?

A: President Kennedy has stated from the beginning of his tenure that he will regularly seek and give serious consideration to the collaborative governance institutions of the university. The IAC has been long established with a mission to do exactly the task they just completed. It is faculty dominant with half its members being faculty members. Those faculty members with strong views on athletic matters are encouraged to seek to be a member of the IAC or express their views when such members are chosen.

Q: What factors contributed to the decision by the IAC to support all 20 program and increased funding?

A: While each member’s decision was based on factors unique to the individual, information presented to the committee showed that the level of institutional support that UND has historically provided for its athletic programs is below most of its conference competitors. Many recognize the strategic benefits to a university of successful athletic programs. For example, large attendance sports regularly bring prospective students and their parents to campus and cultivate affinity to the school. The scholarships provided to athletes in all programs, which often only cover part of tuition, attract many high quality students to campus.

Q: Will up to $7.3 million more be invested in UND’s athletic program immediately as recommended by the IAC?

A: No. That amount reflects funding all sports at highly competitive levels. Such an increase may never happen. For those sports that are nurtured to achieve highly competitive levels, higher funding levels will only gradually occur as coaches and assistant coaches demonstrate by their performance that the program warrants more investment. President Kennedy has made it clear that he is prioritizing the six high attendance sports (men’s and women’s basketball and hockey, football, volleyball) for such consideration. The other sports will continue to be funded at historic levels, pending increased funding sources from student fees or increased contributions.

Q: Will the increased funding cause a reduction in funding for academic programs?

A:  Our ability to increase funding will be dependent on considerations necessary to stay in compliance with Title IX and during this period of fiscal constraint will be dependent on outside resources.  This is necessary to limit the adverse impact on priority academic funding.  We will pursue options suggested in the IAC recommendation, though it is important to recognize that the ability to generate funding through those avenues depends on the agreement with others, and as a consequence there is uncertainty about whether such hoped for funding will materialize.

Q: Will the additional sources of funding be explored?

A: Yes, every option proposed by the IAC will be explored, though even the most optimistic outcomes would not come close to the $7.3 million recommended by the IAC.

Neither the Ralph Engelstad Arena nor the Alerus Center have any contractual obligation to reopen discussion of established agreements. It must be noted that both organizations must retain sufficient resources to properly maintain these facilities, which are vital to the success of UND’s athletic programs.

The advisability of increased ticket prices when attendance for most sports is below capacity must be carefully weighed against the prospect of fewer fans choosing to attend games instead of watching on television, coverage from which the university already receives revenues.

If approved through a vote of the student body, the proposed student fee increase would generate approximately $1.25 million and would represent an  approximate 7.7% increase in the overall student fee, based on historical student credit hour production. Students and their leaders must carefully consider this proposal, particularly given that students will also be asked to consider a vote on upgrading the Memorial Union.

In the end, the IAC recommendation empowers President Kennedy to work with the athletic department to prudently and selectively support the sponsored programs that contribute to the success of the university as a whole.