The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Committee on Athletics Certification announced on May 15 that Yale has been recertified, along with 15 other Division I member institutions.
This caps a year-long process that included a self-study to determine the University's compliance with NCAA principles for college athletics, designed to promote integrity in the financing of athletics and in the education of athletes, and a commitment to equity in athletics. Yale's self-study was directed by a steering committee appointed by President Richard C. Levin and chaired by Worth David, assistant to the president and former master of Branford College.
The designation of certified means that an institution has shown that it operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with the principles adopted by the Division I membership. In addition to the self-study, Yale was visited by a peer review team of administrators from other NCAA member institutions, who met with students, administrators, and faculty. The peer group then reported back to the NCAA certification committee, which rendered the final decision.
"We are thrilled with the news of our certification," says Thomas A. Beckett, director of athletics at Yale. "This validates Yale's commitment to our students who are involved in varsity athletics. We will continue to address in a positive way the issues that affect our students who represent us on the fields of varsity intercollegiate competition."
All 307 Division I members will undergo the process within five years, according to legislation adopted by a vote of all Division I members at the annual 1993 NCAA Convention. To date, 129 institutions have received certification status decisions.