NEW ORLEANS - The University of New Orleans is nearing the
completion of an extensive analysis and budget exercise intended to plot the
course of the athletic department's future.
The process is very similar to what is occurring on campus
amongst the different academic units and is a necessary act as the University
positions itself to face changes in student enrollment and the challenges of
maintaining a high level of service in wake of declining financial assistance
from the state of Louisiana.
As the athletic department serves as a very positive and
visible part of the University's strategic plan moving forward, the LSU Board
of Supervisors charged the institution with creating a plan for its future.
In order to complete this plan, UNO has utilized numerous
resources, including consultations with a number of conferences and
institutions that are affiliated with each of the three classifications that
exist under the NCAA umbrella - Division I, Division II and Division III.
Each classification has its own specific rules and
requirements as it relates to University financial commitment, scholarships,
sport sponsorships, eligibility, competition dates and a host of
compliance-related issues.
In addition to getting an opportunity to learn how these
institutions work within their financial models, UNO also gained an
understanding of what it would take to successfully secure a conference
membership within each of the three classifications.
As the process is nearing its conclusion, members of the
athletic department administration, in addition to members of the University
leadership have begun meeting with internal and external constituency groups.
These meetings have consisted of education on what it would
take for UNO to run a successful athletic department at each level while
maintaining its role within the academic mission of the University.
The meetings will continue over the next few weeks as
different stakeholders are given the chance to be an active participant in the
education process.
Following these meetings and the feedback provided by these
groups based on the information shared, the University leadership in tandem
with the athletic department will develop a plan for presentation to the LSU
Board of Supervisors at one of their regularly-scheduled meetings.
