Athletic Affairs Committee History

Executive Memorandum 207 (19 June 1939): Faculty Committee on Athletic Affairs is created.

The documents establishing the Senate also note that among the Faculty’s powers and responsibilities is to “Establish policies for the University and student participation in athletic affairs and advise the president concerning policies and student participation in other group extracurricular activities.” (“University Code” Part II, 4.05 (e))

First report of the AAC to the newly-created University Senate (SD 64-10) (15 February 1965). Previously, the AAC had been reporting to the Executive Council (most recently on 12 October 1964). At this point, the AAC is under the umbrella of the Faculty Affairs Committee.

“The Committee on Athletic Affairs acts for the Faculty in promoting high standards in athletic affairs, enforcing rules and regulations of the Intercollegiate Conference, and in recommending any desirable changes in general University policies affecting athletics. […] It has been the custom of the Committee to take action on all matters requiring its consideration and to report its actions to the Executive Council (Senate).”

SD 78-15 (16 April 1979) reorganizes the membership of the AAC and expands and clarifies its charges.

“The committee shall (1) promote high standards in intercollegiate athletics, (2) study, review, and approve all changes in rules, regulations, or legislative matters affecting the conduct of the inter-collegiate athletic program of the University, (3) approve all schedules of athletic events, (4) act as an advisory and consultative body to the University Senate, the president, the director of Inter-collegiate Athletics and to the faculty representative to the Inter collegiate Conference on matters of policy affecting intercollegiate athletics. […] Following each meeting the executive secretary of the committee will forward minutes to the chairman of the Student Affairs Committee and to the secretary of faculties. The Athletic Affairs Committee also will submit an annual report of its activities to the Student Affairs Committee.”

Informational Flyer on Intercollegial Athletics explains relationships among AAC, Senate, President, Big 10, Athletes, and Coaches:

Activities related to intercollegiate athletics at Purdue University are administered by ICA, which agrees with and adheres to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Principles of Institutional Control. Faculty oversight of the ICA is provided through a linking of the ICA with the Athletic Affairs Committee (AAC), which in turn is linked to the University Senate through an appointed liaison from the Student Affairs Committee (SAC), a standing committee of the Senate. Thus, while administration is wholly within the purview of the ICA, the Purdue University faculty, through the Senate-SAC-AAC linkage, has oversight of the ICA activities. The organization and functioning of the AAC and its relationship to the University Senate, the University president, the Big Ten Conference, the student-athletes, and coaches, is depicted on the facing page.

AAC Charge and Vision Updated: “Developing Champions / Scholars / Citizens”

Athletic Affairs Committee Updated Policy & Procedures Manual