COMPLIANCE AUDIT REPORTS

Section 3: Comprehensive Standard 3.2.11

The institution’s chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for, and exercises appropriate administrative and fiscal control over, the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program.

Statement of Compliance: Dyersburg State Community College is in compliance with Comprehensive Standard 3.2.11.

Rationale for Judgment of Compliance:

A Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) guideline was “established to provide a necessary level of control and consistency among the TBR community colleges in the administration of intercollegiate athletic programs” [Ref 1]. It provides guidelines for budget, competition, and presidential responsibility for adherence to federal and state regulations with regard to athletics. A TBR policy further details the President’s authority over athletic travel claims [Ref 2].

Dyersburg State Community College (DSCC) is a member of the National Junior and Community College Athletic Association and the Tennessee Junior and Community College Athletic Association (TJCCAA) and abides by all rules set forth by both associations [Ref 3]. In Article IV, Section 2 of the TJCCAA constitution, states that, “The voting delegate shall be the president of the institution or his/her proxy in the event the president is not in attendance” [Ref 4]. TJCCAA Appendix 3:01:00, Article VII, Section 4 states, “A Standing Committee, composed of Athletic Directors of member institutions, shall receive recommendations from the Chair of each Sub-Committee, composed of one coach for each of the sanctioned sports for member institutions. The Chair of the Athletic Directors Standing Committee shall be responsible for submitting reports and recommendations to the TJCCAA Commissioner, who shall make a report of recommendations to the presidents of member institutions at their regular or special meetings. The Athletic Directors Standing Committee or Sub-committee report, when dealing with issues that impact TJCCAA policies and/or procedures, must present those proposals in policy format to the Commissioner, who will submit the proposals for consideration by the presidents at a regular or special meeting” [Ref 5].

TBR and DSCC policies state that the President is the executive head of the institution and of all its departments [Ref 6] [Ref 7]. In consultation with the DSCC Athletic Committee, the President has the final authority to approve standards of conduct for intercollegiate athletics [Ref 8] [Ref 9] [Ref 10]. Athletics, as a division of the College, is required to follow all policies and procedures set forth by the College and the TBR regarding the admission policy of students, athletic budget procedures, and purchasing and bid procedures conducted by the Athletic Department.

The Athletic Department follows the budget process set forth by the College. The Director of Athletics prepares athletic budgets, reviews them with the Dean of Student Services and the President. The Budget Advisory Committee assists the President in finalizing the budget requests within the available resources [Ref 11]. Athletic purchasing and bids are in compliance with the stated College policies regarding purchasing [Ref 12] [Ref 13].

Additionally, all fundraising handled by the Athletic Department follows the institution’s policies regarding fundraising [Ref 14]. All raised funds are deposited into DSCC’s agency accounts, which are set up within the College’s Office of Finance and Administrative Services.

Authored by Dr. Karen A. Bowyer in coordination with the SACS Leadership Team

Documentation: