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Regular Session, 2011 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 68
BY SENATORS APPEL AND MURRAY
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request the administration of the University of New Orleans to suspend the
reclassification process with the National Collegiate Athletic Association 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.
WHEREAS, although the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has
approved the application of the University of New Orleans (UNO) to transition from
Division I to Division II, the formal reclassification process will take two years or less; and
WHEREAS, the transitional period in the reclassification process will occur during
the 2011-2012 year, allowing UNO to become a fully eligible Division II member in 2012-
2013; and
WHEREAS, the rationale by which UNO seeks to move to NCAA Division II cites
budget constraints and declining student enrollment figures directly related to the sluggish
recovery of the Greater New Orleans region from the effects of Hurricane Katrina; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes the importance of
intercollegiate athletics to the academic side of the university as well as the role collegiate
athletics plays in enhancing the spirit and economic well-being of the community as a whole;
and
WHEREAS, recruitment of college athletes becomes more competitive each year and
the move to reclassify UNO as Louisiana's only NCAA Division II institution may well
cause the university to lose the opportunity to attract top athletes who may seek to enroll at
the NCAA Division I schools in the state; and
WHEREAS, participating in a highly competitive division invariably draws a larger
number of top student athletes and scholars to a university; and, with the probability of such
students earning undergraduate and advanced degrees, the university may look forward to
increasing student retention and graduation rates; and SCR NO. 68 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, UNO students are likely to remain in the Greater New Orleans area
upon graduation, thus giving back to the city which supported them during their studies by
contributing to the recovery of the region and creating a stronger, more vibrant economy as
the city rebuilds from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina; and
WHEREAS, the Greater New Orleans region has faced the challenges posed by
declining population since 2005, and focusing on strengthening the overall experience for
the community and students choosing to be a part of the Privateer tradition can be an
important way to increase the capacity of the region; and
WHEREAS, UNO has competed in NCAA Division I since 1976; and, if the
university completes the reclassification process and enters Division II, it would be many
years in the future before the university could hope to reclaim Division I status; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate and prudent for the university to initiate an independent
analysis and review of campus and community support for the transition to an intermediate-
level division of competition versus the role that participation in the highly competitive
NCAA Division I can play in achieving the overall goals of the university in attracting top
athletes and scholars for the betterment of the University of New Orleans and the Greater
New Orleans region.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the administration of the University of New Orleans to suspend the
reclassification process with the National Collegiate Athletic Association 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.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Dr.
Joe M. King, acting chancellor of the University of New Orleans.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES