Newsroom

INDIANAPOLIS--- Following a comprehensive campus self-study and review by the NCAA Division I Committee on Athletics Certification, the Oregon State University intercollegiate athletics program received certification today by the NCAA, the organization announced at its Indiana headquarters.

OSU was one of 12 Division I programs so approved in the association's certification process. The designation of "certified" means that "an institution operates its athletics program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership," an NCAA news release said.

All 335 active Division I member campuses participate in the certification process, and OSU's certification, covering its 17 intercollegiate sports programs, is good for 10 years.

OSU's self-study, which began in summer 2008, included a review of program governance and commitment to rules compliance; academic integrity; gender/diversity issues and student-athlete wellbeing. The process included a series of public meetings allowing faculty, staff, students and members of the public opportunities to offer their thoughts or concerns on any of the areas contained in the study.

As it does with all member campuses, the Division I Committee on Athletics Certification preliminarily reviewed OSU's certification materials and provided a list of issues identified during the evaluation. 

The university then hosted a visit by peer reviewers who filed a report regarding the institution's resolution of issues identified during the preliminary review. The certification committee, whose members represent such institutions as Princeton, California State University and the University of Michigan, then rendered its final decision.

"I'd like to acknowledge the high level of integrity and the tremendous efforts of the faculty and staff who participated in this process," said Rich Holdren, chair of the NCAA Self-Study Certification Steering Committee and interim vice president for Research at OSU. "Our student athletes will see real benefits for many years into the future as a result of those efforts."