Possible Transition from Division II to Division I

1. Possible Transition from Division II to Division I The expected impacts to the University Presented jointly by the President’s Office, Campus Life and Athletics Impacts of Possible Transition from Div. II to Div. I

2. Presentation Outline Current status Is UIW prepared for Division I? Timeline of a transition, if it were to happen Division I and the impacts to the university Frequently Asked Questions Impacts of Possible Transition from Div. II to Div. I

3. Current Status • Division II, Lone Star Conference • 19 sports; 18 are NCAA sponsored (Synchronized Swimming is not “NCAA Sponsored” • Men’s Sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, tennis, track and field, soccer, swimming and diving, • Women’s sports: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, synchronized swimming, tennis, track, volleyball • Possible addition of fencing when Fine Arts building is built • 600+ student athletes • Similar schools in our conference (size, academic stature, number of teams and athletes): Abilene Christian Impacts of Possible Transition from Div. II to Div. I

4. Differences Between Division II and Division I Impacts of Possible Transition from Div. II to Div. I

5. Division I and Impacts to the University • 2012 – 2013 school year possible impacts: • Increased Athletics budget to pay for travel expenses and recruiting expenses • Increased level of competition for sports • Increase of student fees to a maximum of $100.00 per semester • Staff increases expected: • Academic advisors • Graduate assistants in administrative areas • 2013 – 2014 school year possible impacts: • Increased Athletics budget to pay for travel expenses and recruiting expenses • Begin playing Division I schools in some sports • Addition of fencing as a sport • Increased availability of financial aid for students • Need to increase student-athlete financial aid also means a parallel increase in student financial aid. • Additional academic space expected Impacts of Possible Transition from Div. II to Div. I

6. Frequently Asked Questions • Why will Division I improve our degrees? • With a successful transition to Division I athletics, our admission standards are expected to increase, thus making our admission process more competitive, which builds equity in our degrees. • A transition to Division I will align us with universities of similar size and stature, including professional academic schools (Pharmacy, Optometry, Physical Therapy, etc.), campus activities (concerts, comedy shows, etc.) and Athletics. • How would a transition to Division I improve our facilities? • Make facility improvements/upgrades, which could include new academic classroom/space • Increase the amount of academic/advising support • Improve recreation facilities for our growing intramural and club sports program • Increase the number of computer labs, study areas and functional study/tutoring space, • Renovate existing facilities (Wellness Center, Convocation Center, etc.) Impacts of Possible Transition from Div. II to Div. I

7. Frequently Asked Questions • Would going Division I impact the size of our university? • Whether we go Division I or not, our university will continue to grow in its enrollment. Division I would require the university to increase our funding and facilities, therefore, probably helping to manage the university’s rapid student enrollment growth. • Is this move all about football? • Absolutely not. There are many Div. I programs without football. This vision to transition is mostly guided by the need to align ourselves with universities of similar size, academic structure, athletics, student life, etc. Additionally, it would help brand our university’s name on a national scale. Impacts of Possible Transition from Div. II to Div. I