Special Committee on University of Tennessee Athletics Programs: Committee Charge

Purpose

In accordance with applicable NCAA principles and rules, the Board of Trustees has delegated direct responsibility for administration and control of the intercollegiate athletics programs to the Chancellor of each campus with an athletics program. Nevertheless, the Board of Trustees must oversee and monitor the athletics programs and, through the President, hold the Chancellors accountable for the appropriate execution of their responsibility for administration and control of those programs.

In the exercise of the Board’s oversight and monitoring responsibilities, this Special Committee on Athletics Programs shall carry out the following specific tasks to provide assurance to the Board of Trustees that the three athletics programs are operating effectively and in compliance with applicable University policies and NCAA and conference rules:

1. Recommending to the Board mission statements for the athletics departments that reflect the University’s mission and academic values;
    
2. Recommending to the Board any Board policies necessary for the proper exercise of the Board’s oversight responsibility with respect to intercollegiate athletics programs;
    
3. In consultation with the President and Chancellors, recommending to the Board standards of accountability and benchmarks against which to measure the success of the intercollegiate athletics programs;
    
4. Determining the adequacy of the compliance function within each athletics department, including the process for reporting and investigating alleged violations of NCAA rules;
    
5. Reviewing the policies and standards concerning admissions, academic progress, and academic integrity for student-athletes to determine whether they are generally consistent with policies and standards for the general student body; and
    
6. Recommending the kind of academic, fiscal, compliance, and other reports the full Board should receive on a regular basis concerning the intercollegiate athletics programs.
    

In carrying out this charge, members of the special committee must avoid involvement in the day-to-day operations of the athletics programs, including personnel matters and matters involving particular student-athletes.

Term of Appointment

The Special Committee on Athletics Programs is appointed for a term ending on June 30, 2020 or upon the earlier completion of the tasks outlined in this charge.

Meetings

The provisions of Article V of the Bylaws of the Board of Trustees apply to meetings of the Special Committee on Athletics Programs. All meetings shall be open to the public except as authorized by a statutory or judicially recognized exception to the Tennessee Open Meetings Act, and adequate public notice of meetings must be given. Minutes of all meetings shall be prepared and provided to all members of the committee.