House Resolution 167 PAG LIN 1 1 HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 1 2 BY FORD 1 3 A Resolution encouraging the state board of regents to 1 4 establish a task force to develop a model athlete 1 5 recruitment policy and to review college 1 6 student=athlete graduation rates at the universities 1 7 under its control. 1 8 WHEREAS, college student=athletes must balance 1 9 their endeavors between academics and athletic 1 10 competition, making success in both challenging; and 1 11 WHEREAS, there is a significant gap between the 1 12 graduation rates of African=American student=athletes 1 13 and white student=athletes; and 1 14 WHEREAS, the national collegiate athletic 1 15 association tracks student=athlete graduation rates at 1 16 its member colleges and universities and promotes the 1 17 long=term importance of enrolling in and competing at 1 18 an institution with high student=athlete graduation 1 19 rates; and 1 20 WHEREAS, the state of Iowa values its student= 1 21 athletes and demands excellence in both academic 1 22 achievement and athletic competition; and 1 23 WHEREAS, Iowa state university, the university of 1 24 Iowa, and the university of northern Iowa enjoy 1 25 success in recruiting student=athletes in this state 1 26 and throughout the nation and have a stake in ensuring 1 27 continued success; NOW THEREFORE, 1 28 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 1 29 That the state board of regents is encouraged to 1 30 establish a task force to review college student= 2 1 athlete graduation rates at the institutions of higher 2 2 education under the control of the state board of 2 3 regents, make recommendations on ways to improve 2 4 student=athlete graduation rates, and develop a model 2 5 athlete recruitment policy that at a minimum 2 6 establishes strong, clear standards and behavioral 2 7 expectations for recruiting visits. The task force 2 8 shall consider the disparities that exist in the 2 9 graduation rates of the various subgroups of student= 2 10 athletes. The task force shall review the current 2 11 policies and practices at the institutions to 2 12 determine whether the best practices are being used to 2 13 promote academic excellence. The task force shall 2 14 complete its review and submit its findings and 2 15 recommendations in a report to the general assembly by 2 16 January 15, 2005. 2 17 LSB 6863HH 80 2 18 kh/cf/24.1