After 15 years of service as Mississippi State University's faculty athletics representative (FAR), Steve Turner will be stepping away from the role in 2020. A search for a new FAR is now underway.
"Dr. Turner has been an exemplary faculty athletics representative and a true advocate for our student-athletes, their academic success, and for academic integrity," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. "I am most appreciative of his commitment to our students as they work to achieve success in the classroom and in their chosen sport."
The FAR plays a strategic role at the university, ensuring the academic integrity of the intercollegiate athletics program, facilitating institutional control of intercollegiate athletics, and enhancing the student-athlete experience.
"It’s been an honor to serve as faculty athletics representative and to watch our student-athletes achieve unprecedented academic and athletic success," said Turner, the director of the Southern Rural Development Center and a professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at MSU. “I would encourage faculty with an interest in working with our student-athletes to apply.”
The FAR represents MSU and its faculty in the relationship between the NCAA and the institution. The FAR also provides significant leadership in the governance of MSU’s intercollegiate athletics programs and represents the president -- in academic and student-athlete matters -- to the athletic department and MSU’s faculty.
Interested members of the faculty are invited to apply to serve as FAR. The three-year term will begin July 1, 2020. Qualifications include:
* Full-time faculty member at Mississippi State University, preferably at the rank of associate professor or professor.
* Demonstrated commitment to academic integrity.
* Experience in faculty leadership and committee or administrative experience at MSU.
Applicants are invited to submit a one-page CV summary and a letter stating their interest in serving as FAR, thoughts about the role of intercollegiate athletics and student-athletes in relation to the larger campus community, and qualifications to serve as FAR. All applications should be emailed to Jim Laird at jim.laird@msstate.edu. The deadline to apply is Oct. 16, 2019.
Chief Communications Officer Sid Salter is chairing the FAR search committee. Committee members are Bracky Brett, executive senior associate athletic director; Ann Carr, executive senior associate athletic director; John Cohen, director of athletics; Randy Follett, president, Robert Holland Faculty Senate; Regina Hyatt, vice president for student affairs; Brandon Jolly, associate general counsel; David Shaw, provost and executive vice president, and MaKayla Waldner, student-athlete representative.
Faculty Athletics Representative Search | Position Description
POSITION DETAILS
Role
The Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) plays a strategic role at Mississippi State University, ensuring the academic integrity of the intercollegiate athletics program, facilitating institutional control of intercollegiate athletics, and enhancing the student-athlete experience.
The FAR represents MSU and its faculty in the relationship between the NCAA and the institution. The FAR also provides significant leadership in the governance of MSU’s intercollegiate athletics programs and represents the president -- in academic and student-athlete matters -- to the athletic department and MSU’s faculty.
Authority
The authority for the FAR’s oversight responsibilities comes from the President, the NCAA Bylaws, and the Southeastern Conference Bylaws. Additionally, the FAR:
* Maintains access to and a working relationship with the Provost and Executive Vice President, Vice President for Student Affairs, Vice President for Finance, Director of Admissions, University Registrar, Director of Financial Aid, Dean of Students, the Director of Athletics, Senior Woman Administrator, Director of Compliance, and other key personnel within the institution and the Athletic Department.
* Reports to the Robert Holland Faculty Senate periodically regarding the operation of the athletics program.
* Chairs the Athletic Council and serves as a member of other committees as assigned.
Term and appointment
The FAR reports directly to and, at all times, serves at the discretion of the President. The appointment is a part-time, 12-month position. The release time amount needed to effectively discharge the FAR duties will be negotiated with the successful candidate for the position. It has a term of three years with the possibility of renewal.
Resources
The University will provide appropriate resources to the FAR consistent with the responsibilities listed below. Resources provided to the FAR will be subject to annual approval by the President and expenses associated with the performance of these responsibilities will be provided.
Note
This position description is based, in substantial part, on the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative Handbook.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Academic integrity
The FAR ensures the academic integrity of Mississippi State University’s intercollegiate athletics program.
* Periodically review appropriate records (for both individual student-athletes and for sport teams) to ensure that decisions related to admissions, academic advising, evaluation of academic performance, and the extent of academic support services are made in ways that are consistent with the primary academic mission of the institution.
* Ensure that MSU has in place effective mechanisms for evaluating whether student-athletes have met all of the academic eligibility requirements for practice, financial aid, and intercollegiate competition established by the NCAA, the Southeastern Conference, and MSU.
* Ensure that all certifications for both initial and continuing academic eligibility have been performed correctly, and with adequate documentation.
* Prepare (or request on the basis of FAR specifications) periodic reports on the academic preparation and performance of student-athletes and discuss such reports with the President, the faculty, and the athletics department.
Compliance
The FAR assumes joint responsibility with the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and the Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance for ensuring compliance with all NCAA, Southeastern Conference, and institutional rules.
* Maintain oversight of compliance-related activities undertaken within the athletics department and coordinate the compliance-related activities of campus units located outside the athletics department including, but not limited to, efforts focused on academic-eligibility certifications (noted above), rules education and staff training, rules interpretations, and periodic spot-checks of records to ensure that all institutional compliance systems are engaged and functioning.
* Play a central role in any major institutional inquiry into alleged or suspected rules violations and in the preparation of any infractions reports submitted to the Southeastern Conference or the NCAA.
* Review the results of any periodic audits of the athletics department that may be conducted.
* Play a major role in any NCAA athletics certification program reviews.
* In collaboration with athletics administration, ensure that appropriate standards of student-athlete conduct are established (for both on- and off-campus behavior), clearly communicated, and consistently enforced.
Student-Athlete Experience
The FAR serves as an advocate for student-athletes, ensures student-athletes’ well-being, and promotes the development of student-athletes as a whole -- as students, athletes, and members of the community.
* Promote a balance between academics, athletics, and the social lives of student-athletes, which affords them opportunities to enjoy the full range of collegiate experiences available to students generally.
* Participate in student-athlete exit interviews, facilitate student-athlete participation on athletics boards and committees, and inform student-athletes about the FAR role as an independent source of counsel, assistance, and information.
* Encourage and facilitate interactions between student-athletes and the mainstream of institutional activities.
* Ensure that testing, counseling, evaluation, and other career-planning services are made available to student-athletes.
Communication/Administration
* Serve as a key advisor on athletics-related matters by the President and others involved in the administration of intercollegiate athletics.
* Represent the faculty perspective in the governance of intercollegiate athletics and play a central role in discussions of matters related to intercollegiate athletics at athletics committee meetings and at faculty senate meetings.
* Play a significant role in the shaping of institutional voting decisions on Southeastern Conference and NCAA legislation.
* Participate in NCAA and Southeastern Conference committees, councils, and in other capacities as appropriate.
* Hold a major role in institutional searches for key athletics department personnel.
Other
* Perform other duties as assigned by the President and/or as appropriate under the NCAA and Southeastern Conference Bylaws.
QUALIFICATIONS
* Full-time faculty member at Mississippi State University, preferably at the rank of associate professor or professor.
* Demonstrated commitment to academic integrity.
* Experience in faculty leadership and committee or administrative experience at MSU.