1. CIE INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS TASK FORCE UPDATE FOR UMKC FACULTY SENATE 9-19-2017
Task Force background:
An advisory group only (no decision-making authority)
Mission is to provide input for UMKC leadership to take into account along with other relevant input
Comprised of several faculty members, UMKC’s Athletics Director, and other Administration officials
Committed to data-driven analysis
While preliminary work commenced in late 2015 and continued in 2016, the Task Force membership expanded as in-depth study and analysis has occurred largely over the last approximately six months

2. KEY QUESTIONS POSED IN PROJECT PLAN
A. Should UMKC continue to have Intercollegiate Athletics and, if so, why and with what approximate level of institutional subsidy, if any, from UMKC’s General Revenues?
If the answer to A. is yes, should UMKC stay in NCAA Division I or drop down to a lower Division—and, if the latter, which conference(s) might be a good fit, and why?
If the answer to B. is stay in Division I, should UMKC endeavor to switch to a different conference and, if so, which conference(s) should it explore and why?

3. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Must assess value propositions of Intercollegiate Athletics in context of UMKC’s strategic planning for its academic missions (teaching and research) and service to its surrounding communities and to society generally
Must maintain focus on positioning all students for life-long success and positive contributions to society, and provide them with rich and diverse student life experiences while at UMKC
Must consider “opportunity costs” of investments in Intercollegiate Athletics in context of those two principles and with costs/benefits analysis of all resource allocation options
If changes in Division or Conference were to be made, must be mindful of existing obligations to student athletes and others—so, any such recommendations would have to anticipate ample time for transition

4. STATUS OF TASK FORCE’S WORK
Compiled and studied a substantial amount of data relevant to all three key questions posed
Report & Recommendations document to be issued with a target date of mid-October:
Completing identification of final votes on various specific elements—on some may have consensus views, some majority opinions, and some differing opinions among Task Force members
Coordinate with recently commissioned External Study (scheduled to be completed by end of this calendar year)
Update on strategic planning work being done by UMKC’s Athletics Director
Not currently recommending any specific Division or Conference change

5. SUMMARY OF SOME VIEWS SHARED BY MAJORITY OF TASK FORCE (IN ADDITION TO THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES ABOVE)
The dollar amount of investment in Intercollegiate Athletics from General Revenues must be significantly reduced
There are strategic reasons to stay in NCAA Division I if UMKC can do that with significantly less General Revenues investment, and with due regard to opportunity costs involved in utilizing other resources
Operating expenses are leaner than many Division I institutions, but the larger challenges are on the “revenue” side—primarily, ticket and other sales revenues and private donations are significantly lower
In addition to developing a long-term strategic plan for Intercollegiate Athletics, UMKC leadership should study expansion of Intramural Athletics opportunities for its students