Improving facilities and increasing scholarships will be top priorities for the Department of Athletics in the upcoming years.
Director of Athletics Joe Alleva led a discussion regarding the athletics strategic plan, entitled "Unrivaled Ambition," with the Academic Council at the council's monthly meeting Thursday.
Members also reviewed campus safety procedures presented by Richard Riddell, vice president and University secretary.
The athletics strategic plan lays out a series of short-term and long-term priorities for the department, and Alleva fielded questions about the plan regarding admissions standards, facility renovation and athletic financing.
Some council members asked Alleva to explain the department's stance on the current admissions policy, because the plan requests a reconsideration of the "reaches and stretches" policy.
This policy allows coaches to bring in athletes who fall slightly below University admissions standards with the approval of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
But if the coach successfully recruits the "reach" or "stretch" athlete, the team is penalized and must sacrifice a few scholarship spots on the roster, according to University rules.
The draft states that the penalties are too severe and limit the teams' ability to compete.
"The reality is that students who were admitted in these categories in the past have always succeeded academically," the report reads. "The risk is minimal."
Alleva emphasized, however, that athletics is not seeking to loosen admissions requirements.
"We have no regard for lowering the academic admission standards, none at all," he noted.
Regarding financing, Alleva said funding for athletics has "gone crazy" in the last 10 years. He singled out rising salaries for coaches as a key component of the financial "arms race."
As costs increase, the department needs to reevaluate its financing plans and broaden its funding base to include the Duke University Medical Center and School of Law, Alleva said. Currently, athletics is funded mostly by the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences and the Pratt School of Engineering.
He added that in the long term, athletics aims to fully endow all of its programs.
Aside from broad issues of financing, Alleva said facilities and scholarships are the two big focus points for the department.
Renovations for Wallace Wade Stadium, increased scholarships for Olympic sports and restoration of Cameron Indoor Stadium are several of the priorities for athletics.
"As we go forward, I would love to give scholarships to more of our teams and improve our facilities," Alleva said. "But that depends on our ability to raise the funds to do that."
Following the question-and-answer session with Alleva, Riddell presented an update on the University's emergency management plans.
Larry Moneta, vice president for student affairs, and Aaron Graves, associate vice president for campus safety and security, were also present to answer questions.
Riddell explained the infrastructure in place to respond to an emergency.
A management council led by President Richard Brodhead, which also includes deans and administrators, will lead Duke through an emergency, Riddell said.
He also announced plans to install sirens and loudspeaker systems across campus, expand cellular coverage and implement a text-messaging system.
In other business:
Council members were also updated on the status of the Quality Enhancement Plan, which is part of the University's reaccreditation process and is submitted to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools every 10 years. A Compliance Certification document must also be submitted to SACS.
Mary Boatwright, co-chair of the QEP committee and a professor of classical studies, presented the plan, entitled "Reimagining Liberal Arts Education in the 21st Century," and led a discussion regarding the efforts of the committee to understand and enhance the undergraduate experience.
The council also approved a new Ph.D. program in marine science and conservation. The proposal was presented to the council during its January meeting.
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