UC Davis is discussing a possible move to the Big West Conference and NCAA Division I membership. As the initial conversation has advanced on campus, a number of frequently asked questions have surfaced. The answers are listed below in order to explain the implications of the proposed change.
Why would the university be interested in such a move, particularly when it enjoys such success at the Division II level?
First, it is important to understand that UC Davis is not considering a move to Division I to simply move to that level. UC Davis is exploring a move to the Big West Conference, which offers the university a significant advantage over present circumstances. Second, the university is exploring this option in light of a changing environment for intercollegiate athletics - with changes inside and outside the campus and within the NCAA.
What are some of those external changes?
In the past few years Divisions I, II, and III of the NCAA have made significant changes to their separate bylaws affecting academic eligibility standards for student-athletes, progress-to-degree requirements, financial aid requirements, number of sports sponsored, Title IX compliance issues, and others. An argument can be made that with these changes Division I has become more compatible with UC Davis values and traditions, and Division II has become less so.
At the same time, many of the schools with which UC Davis once enjoyed spirited competition have either dropped one or more of their sports or have moved to Division I, where the rules provide strong disincentives for them to compete with us.
What are some of the internal changes that might suggest the campus should consider a move to the Big West?
UC Davis has matured as a campus and as an athletic program so that by many measurements we don't fit well in Division II. Some schools with which we engage in athletic competition have little in common with our academic interests. Division II includes primarily much smaller institutions with an average enrollment of under 4,000 students, while we enroll well over 20,000 undergraduates alone. We have added sports and, in our current Division II conference (the California Collegiate Athletic Association), we can compete in only 13 of our 25 sports. Hence, we must currently compete in two NCAA divisions (with two teams competing at the Division I level in two different conferences) and four other Division II conferences. The Big West, on the other hand, sponsors 17 sports.
The recent opportunity to meet with the Big West Expansion Committee gave the campus a chance to explore whether this situation would better fit our academic profile, philosophy, goals and current circumstances, and provide an enhanced athletic experience for our student-athletes. Individuals who participated in the meetings came away saying YES!
UC Davis places a strong emphasis on academics - on student-athletes. Would a move to Division I encourage a reordering of that priority?
No. And this is a critically important point. UC Davis will not even consider a move just for the sake of "going D-I." UC Davis is exploring a move to a known entity, the Big West Conference. The member schools of this conference are similar to UC Davis in size and scope of university resources.
Our program emphasis will continue to revolve around the welfare of student-athletes first. The academic standards for admission and continued matriculation of students who are athletes will not be different from those for students who are not athletes. Further, it is essential that the coaches remain formally connected to the university's academic mission by continuing in academic job titles that require them to teach courses in the Physical Education program. UC Davis will continue to insist that the intercollegiate athletics program be delivered by student-athletes and lecturer-coaches.
In short, the primary focus for our student-athletes has been, and will continue to be, on academics first whether we remain in Division II or move to Division I.
How will Big West and Division I membership affect this campus?
The diversity of students choosing UC Davis will increase as the level of financial aid increases. The Financial Aid Office, in turn, will likely have more aid to offer the general student population. These are two important factors that will have a very positive impact on the campus as a whole.
The increased media coverage for a Big West Conference school and Division I member will greatly enhance the visibility and recognition of the Davis campus in the state of California, especially with high achieving prospective students and potential alumni donors. The overall reputation of UC Davis as an academically renown, major research university is likely to increase dramatically, thereby enhancing the value of a Davis diploma.
Are current student-athletes in favor of moving to the Big West and competing in Division I?
Yes, overwhelmingly so, including the coaching staff. Most student-athletes say the move is inevitable, so it might as well be done sooner than later. Many are excited about the opportunity to compete against schools in the Big West. Opportunities for student-athletes in some sports to compete for individual All-America or national championship honors during the four-year provisional period will be affected, however, head coaches are working with administrators to create alternative culminating events and/or tournaments for them.
How much would it cost to join the Big West and become a Division I member?
A number of important facility enhancements are already under way, so we don't see significant additional cost in our funding of athletics facilities. On the operating budget side, however, the costs are considerable with by far the largest piece going to scholarships, or what we call athletics grants-in-aid. Providing the funds necessary to offer full grants-in-aid in all 25 of our sports would require about $4 million annually. Operating costs will go up by at least $1 million. So, we believe it necessary to fund an additional $5 million annually.
Why doesn't the campus pay for the move to the Big West Conference?
State funds pay for the cost of academic buildings and instruction. Fee increases mandated by the state don't add to the quality of student life. Increases in education fees go toward instruction and operational expenses of the campus. Student fees fund all the other kinds of services important to students, for example, student housing, student health, the counseling program, etc. If UC Davis wants to join the Big West Conference, more financial help from students will be needed.
How do other UC's fund their athletic programs?
The funding process is the same as UC Davis - a combination of university support and student fees. UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Riverside, and UC San Diego have all passed various student initiatives in support of their athletics programs. So have Long Beach State, Cal Poly Pomona, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, just to name a few state schools.
How much will student fees be raised for Big West membership?
If the Campus Expansion Initiative passes, the fee increase will be phased in over four years. Starting in 2003-04 the support for athletics will be $15 per student per quarter. In 2004-05 fees will increase to $30 per student per quarter, in the following year increased to $46, and then to $61 in 2006-07.
Further information about UC Davis' possible move to the Big West Conference can be found at the following web sites:
http://www.ucdavisaggies.com
http://ballotinformation.ucdavis.edu
