UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS

UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COUNCIL

Minutes of Meeting – February 2, 2007 11:30 a.m.

PRESENT: C. Barr, R. Goodhue, J. Brigham, J. Duboff, J. McCutcheon, P. Vittum, E. Washington, G. Wong, W. Brian O’Connor, M.J. Peterson, G. Richason, S. Upton, E. Ward, R.Warnick GUESTS: P. T. Archbald, T. O’Connell, T. Bjorn, E. Sortino, S. Langford, R. Harris, D. Markowski ABSENT: E. May

After the usual luncheon meal, Carol Barr called the meeting to order at 11:45AM. Carol Barr introduced a new student member, Alix Garnier, a sophomore communication major from Framingham. MA. All members of the council introduced themselves to the student.

Approval of the Minutes of the December 22, 2006 Meeting · It was moved by R. Goodhue, seconded by E. Ward, and all members voted to accept the December 22, 2006 minutes.

University Social Norms Campaign: Robin Harris, Director of Health Enhancement · Robin Harris and Sylvia Langford, introduced the Social Norms Campaign for dealing with alcohol consumption on campus. A power point presentation was made showing a number of graphs and tables about current alcohol consumption and the basis for the program. · The program came about through the Committee Campus Community Action Coalition. The coalition was asked to look into alcohol consumption among students on campus and through an incentive survey and the application of “social norms” there were methods uncovered to help reduce consumption. The social norms methods will use about 5 to 6 major components and the first was the survey results portrayed on a poster message. The poster message of 0 to 4 and 2 of 3 indicated that 2 out of 3 students who party at UMass consumed only 0 to 4 drinks in any one time. The implication is that heavy alcohol consumption is not as widespread as might be believed. · The social norms method focuses on reality and changes the myths and perceptions with more focus on actual behavior. A major survey of UMass students found that 75% drink nine days or less during any typical month (48% respondents of 2500 surveyed). The data also indicated that the majority ofof students supported more strict sanctions and 60% supported more strict sanctions for repeat offenders. · A number of questions were discussed including whether the program was a promotional campaign or one promoting social change. Discussion centered on the program’s ability to change behavior but to also determine what is the norm and what the reaction among students is and will be over the course of the program. Concern was also raised about the pictures with the message that were from an athletic contest and may have connected fun at an athletic event with alcohol consumption. The program coordinators indicated that numerous pictures were screened by the staff and students and the pictures selected were thought to best communicate the message of social norms. Robin and Sylvia also indicated that they understood the concern and that they expected to use different pictures later in the campaign.]

1 · Questions were also raised about the athletic department’s role and role of the student athlete in the campaign. Rights of privacy and the release of statistics were noted as concerns. In conclusion, the negativity publicity about alcohol consumption contributes to negative perceptions about UMass and the program is thought to be helping to correct the negative perceptions. The program will continue throughout the coming months and additional reports will be shared.

Discussion of Crowd Accommodation and Safety: Pat Vittum, John McCutcheon

· Carol Barr introduced Pat Vittum who brought to the Athletic Council’s attention some of the problems she and her guests encountered during the final football playoff game at McGuirk Stadium against the University of New Hampshire. John McCutcheon, Athletic Director and Don Markowski, Associate Athletic Director of Facilities and two members, Pat Archbald and Tim O’Connell of the UMass Police Department were present to respond to the issues. · Pat Vittum outlined a series of events that she felt threatened her personal security and safety that included [alcohol consumption in general, heavy alcohol consumption before and during the game, fights in the stands, response time to fights, obstruction of walkways and stairs, , signs blocking fans’ view of the field and pvc pipes brought into the stadium to hold signs, lack of adequate lighting and services for the large crowd including bathrooms and food service and supply issues. · The Athletic Department and the Police Department outlined that this was a new level of crowd control that they had not faced in over 20 years in the Department and was by far the largest event at the stadium during the last two decades. Issues discussed included the police’s ability to curb alcohol consumption with the opportunity to allow tailgating. Assigned seating and separation of students with general admission tickets from reserved seating patrons were discussed as possible solutions for better crowd control. CSC security services were found to offer increased levels of crowd control, as one possible solution to assist police and their use was perceived as an improvement over student workers in these situations. An open discussion of a number of ways of curbing the abuse of alcohol were reviewed and the timing of such events were also reviewed. It was concluded that this event served as a baseline of the challenges faced in providing both better services and securing improved crowd control.

Report of the Athletic Department: Athlectic Director, John McCutcheon

· John McCutcheon updated the Athletic Council on the progress of the athletic teams through the first week in February, · Men’s Ice Hockey is currently 12-8-4 and 9-6-2 in and 4 points out of fourth place in the league with big games against BC and UMass Lowell on the schedule in the coming week. · Women’s basketball is currently 12-10 and 2-5 in A10 league. The team has been very competitive and lost a few close games. The team is currently in 10th place in the league and the top 12 teams make the A10 tournament. They have a number of key games coming up in league play in the next few weeks.

2 · Men’s basketball is currently 15-6 and 5-2 in A10 league action. A big game is set for this coming Thursday night against URI and has been themed “Black Out Night.” Attendance is expected to be strong for this game and other themed contests such as the “White Out Night” in ice hockey. Men’s basketball is expected to make a strong run at post-season tournament action if they keep up the current pace. · Ski team is doing well despite the challenging warm weather that has increase travel commitments for training and race competition. The men’s team has won their last two carnival races and the women’s team has performed well. · Tennis started spring competition this past weekend, and men’s lacrosse and women’s softball will commence spring schedules within the coming month. · Facility improvements to the are under consideration including graphic treatments within the building’s concourse level including history of events and looped tape videos to play on concourse monitored. These improvements would help brand and identify the level of competition and memorable events held at the center in keeping with similar treatments observed at Xavier and the University of Montana. · Improvements to Boyden Gym are progressing and helping to upgrade this facility’s overall appearance. · Regarding Athletic Budgets, men’s football, men’s basketball and men’s ice hockey have all met revenue projections with home games and potential tournament playoffs still remaining on the schedule through the coming month(s). These revenues were found to be significant given the substantial increased overages in team travel experiences in this fiscal year to date. · The field hockey coach hire has been completed. Former U.S. National Team Coach Justine Sowry was named to be the new field hockey coach.

New Business · A brief discussion was held regarding the success of the fall teams and the possible upgrade to D1 status in football and the addition of new teams. Issues discussed included the cost of upgrading including infrastructure needs, scholarships and gender equity needs/requirements, sustained budgets and conference affiliation. · The spring Athletic Council meetings will be on March 2, April 6, and May 4 in the Mullins Center Concourse Room. · The meeting adjourned at 1:04 pm. The overrun was attributed to Rod Warnick’s questions under new business.

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