SLS 11RS-1654 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2011
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 68
BY SENATORS APPEL AND MURRAY
COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES. Requests the UNO administration to suspend the
reclassification process with the NCAA and remain in Division I until an independent review
of such reclassification is conducted and a recommendation is made to its management
board.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the administration of the University of New Orleans to suspend the2
reclassification process with the National Collegiate Athletic Association and remain3
in Division I until such time as independent review of such reclassification is4
conducted and a recommendation is made to the university's management board.5
WHEREAS, although the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has6
approved the application of the University of New Orleans (UNO) to transition from7
Division I to Division II, the formal reclassification process will take two years or less; and8
WHEREAS, the transitional period in the reclassification process will occur during9
the 2011-2012 year, allowing UNO to become a fully eligible Division II member in 2012-10
2013; and11
WHEREAS, the rationale by which UNO seeks to move to NCAA Division II cites12
budget constraints and declining student enrollment figures directly related to the sluggish13
recovery of the Greater New Orleans region from the effects of Hurricane Katrina; and14
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes the importance of15
intercollegiate athletics to the academic side of the university as well as the role collegiate16
athletics plays in enhancing the spirit and economic well-being of the community as a whole;17
and18 SCR NO. 68
SLS 11RS-1654 ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, recruitment of college athletes becomes more competitive each year and1
the move to reclassify UNO as Louisiana's only NCAA Division II institution may well2
cause the university to lose the opportunity to attract top athletes who may seek to enroll at3
the NCAA Division I schools in the state; and4
WHEREAS, participating in a highly competitive division invariably draws a larger5
number of top student athletes and scholars to a university; and, with the probability of such6
students earning undergraduate and advanced degrees, the university may look forward to7
increasing student retention and graduation rates; and8
WHEREAS, UNO students are likely to remain in the Greater New Orleans area9
upon graduation, thus giving back to the city which supported them during their studies by10
contributing to the recovery of the region and creating a stronger, more vibrant economy as11
the city rebuilds from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina; and12
WHEREAS, the Greater New Orleans region has faced the challenges posed by13
declining population since 2005, and focusing on strengthening the overall experience for14
the community and students choosing to be a part of the Privateer tradition can be an15
important way to increase the capacity of the region; and16
WHEREAS, UNO has competed in NCAA Division I since 1976; and, if the17
university completes the reclassification process and enters Division II, it would be many18
years in the future before the university could hope to reclaim Division I status; and19
WHEREAS, it is appropriate and prudent for the university to initiate an independent20
analysis and review of campus and community support for the transition to an intermediate-21
level division of competition versus the role that participation in the highly competitive22
NCAA Division I can play in achieving the overall goals of the university in attracting top23
athletes and scholars for the betterment of the University of New Orleans and the Greater24
New Orleans region.25
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby26
urge and request the administration of the University of New Orleans to suspend the27
reclassification process with the National Collegiate Athletic Association and remain in28
Division I until such time as independent review of such reclassification is conducted and29
a recommendation is made to the university's management board.30 SCR NO. 68
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Dr.1
Joe M. King, acting chancellor of the University of New Orleans.2
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Sherri H. Breaux.
DIGEST
Appel SCR No. 68
Requests the UNO administration to suspend the reclassification process with the NCAA and
remain in Division I until such time as independent review of such reclassification is
conducted and a recommendation is made to the university's management board.