VANCOUVER - The University of British Columbia today announced that it will maintain its membership with Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and will not apply to join the U.S.-based National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
UBC President Stephen J. Toope also affirmed that UBC will take a leadership role in promoting reform in CIS – in governance, in the creation of two divisions within Canada West, and in the rules concerning athletic scholarships.
UBC began reviewing the implications of moving to the NCAA's Division II after UBC Athletics' 2008 recommendation to consider changing the university's athletic membership. The NCAA started a pilot project to allow for schools outside the United States to apply for membership in June 2008.
Following an initial report in 2009, UBC deferred a decision about participating in the pilot, so as to gain better information on the future plans of CIS, and to clarify issues concerning NCAA Division II membership requirements. In January of this year, a second report was issued, followed by a round of consultations with members of the UBC community.
“The thorough consultation process revealed a tremendous diversity of opinion at all levels. Today, I am pleased to announce that we have decided to maintain our CIS membership,” said Toope. “As we look ahead, UBC will continue to work with the CIS to ensure that students and student athletes across Canada are provided with the best opportunities for competition and development.”
UBC considered switching its athletic membership in part because of concerns that the CIS was limiting the opportunities available to student athletes. Key concerns are scholarship limitations for student athletes and the changing competitive landscape created by the growth in membership of the CIS.
“Although the CIS has not yet resolved these issues, I believe that progress is finally being made. Therefore UBC is today committing to both honouring and seeking to build upon the tradition of Canadian Interuniversity Sport,” Toope said.
“UBC has a proud history within the CIS as both a founding member and successful competitor,” he said. “But we need to build upon this tradition because, frankly, the status quo is no longer acceptable. Therefore we commit, in affirming our membership, to drive change.”
The Canada West CIS conference has already agreed to divide into two regional associations at an undefined future time. Throughout the consultation process, UBC heard that this plan is insufficient to meet current concerns.
“A number of universities in Canada West have today urged CIS to institute a two-tiered system beginning in the 2012-2013 academic year,” announced Toope.
The consultation process also exposed issues about the governance structure of CIS.
“UBC looks forward to discussing governance issues at the June CIS meeting, and I anticipate playing an even more active role in this organization,” Toope said.
A top concern throughout the consultation process has been the flexibility of scholarships for student athletes. UBC had hoped for greater flexibility in CIS regulations regarding scholarship support for student athletes.
“I believe that significant reforms within CIS, which must also include enhancing scholarship opportunities, will offer Canadian student athletes the kind of competitive opportunities they need and deserve.”
“UBC's consultation process has contributed greatly to preparing the ground for the changes that are required for CIS to become the effective competitive arena that will offer student athletes here at UBC and across Canada a better future.”
For more information about UBC's consultation and review process, visit:
www.students.ubc.ca/ncaa/
