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Athletics Committee

The Athletics Committee (Committee) is established in the Bylaws as a standing committee of the Board of Trustees. The Committee is responsible for overseeing policies and issues related to University athletics and recreation.

Committee Members, 2023-2025

  • Michael W. Kempner, Chair
  • Maria Otero, Vice Chair
  • Stephanie Bennett-Smith
  • Michael Balmuth
  • Jack C. Cassell
  • Betsy A. Mangone
  • Alan L. Meltzer
  • Korey Neal

Resource Persons

Cabinet Members:
Vice President of University Advancement
Director of Athletics and Recreation
Campus Representatives:
Alumni Association
Faculty Senate
Staff Council
Graduate Leadership Council
Student Bar Association
Student Government

CHARTER

Purpose

The Athletics Committee (Committee) is established in the Bylaws as a standing committee of the Board of Trustees. The Committee is responsible for overseeing policies and issues related to University athletics and recreation.

Organization

  1. Membership/Structure. Pursuant to the Bylaws (Article VII, Other Standing Committees) and the Board Policies (Article IX, Election of Committee Officers and Members), the Athletics Committee shall consist of four or more trustees appointed by the Trusteeship Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees. The Chair and Vice Chair(s) of the Committee shall be appointed by the Trusteeship Committee and approved by the Board of Trustees.
  2. Staff Designee. The Director of Athletics and Recreation shall be responsible for staffing the Committee.
  3. Meetings. Meetings shall be held in conjunction with regularly scheduled meetings of the Board, or as deemed advisable by the Chair of the Committee.
  4. Agenda, Minutes and Reports. The Chair of the Committee, in collaboration with the Staff Designee, shall be responsible for establishing the agendas for meetings of the Committee. An agenda, together with relevant materials, shall be sent to the Committee members in advance of each meeting. Minutes for all meetings shall be prepared in draft form by the Staff Designee and reviewed by the Chair and shall be approved by the Committee members at the following meeting. The general session minutes shall be available for review by any member of the Board of Trustees. The closed executive session minutes shall be available for review by any voting member of the Board of Trustees. The Committee shall make regular reports to the Board of Trustees.
  5. Review of Charter. The Committee shall conduct a self-assessment and review its charter on a periodic basis, or as required by Board policy.

Roles and Responsibilities

Guided by the University's mission and its strategic plan, the Athletics Committee is charged with supporting and monitoring the University’s key strategic efforts related to advancing the priorities of the University through active involvement with athletics and recreation. The Committee leads the Board’s engagement on emerging issues, sets priorities, provides guidance, and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees on University policies and issues related athletics and recreation.

To fulfill its purpose, the Committee will:

  • Review and evaluate academic, competitive and other departmental data to ensure that the programs within the department reflect the University's mission, strategies and priorities;
  • Ensure that the department has the resources available to support initiatives for student-athlete growth and development;
  • Provide advice and counsel to the Director of Athletics and Recreation in his or her development of the department's plans, goals and programs;
  • Ensure that the program is a focal point for school spirit, builds community and provides a positive contribution to the university brand;
  • Ensure that the department's students are graduating and performing academically at a level that reflects the high standards of American University; and
  • Ensure that there is a regular review the University’s goals relating to increasing diversity, equity and inclusion as they pertain to the areas for which the Committee has oversight responsibilities, the progress that the University is making in achieving those goals, and actions the Committee and Board of Trustees should consider taking to support the University’s efforts.

Updated September 2023