CSUN Faculty Votes in Favor of Division I

Cal State Northridge has taken another step toward upgrading its athletic program after the university’s Academic Senate passed a motion Thursday recommending a move from Division II to Division I status in all sports except football.

The senate, which includes 77 members of the faculty and administrative staff, voted to advise that President James W. Cleary declare the university’s intention to the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. by June 1.

Bob Hiegert, Northridge athletic director, said Friday that the senate’s action reflected university-wide support for the move that was formally recommended by a special committee in February.

“When you get a cross-section of the whole faculty, it’s probably the hurdle that is going to present the most questions,” Hiegert said. “I think it helped that the issue has been put before a lot of constituent groups, so lots of people have had the chance to see the proposal.”

Said Cleary: “If there were a place that there might be the greatest opposition, it would have been in that forum. With that as a given, I was impressed with the overwhelming support.”

Northridge’s Intercollegiate Athletic Board, Alumni Board, Dean’s Council, University Planning Council and President’s Associate Board of Directors already had approved the recommendation, Cleary said.

“I’m very much impressed with the favorable responses so far,” Cleary said. “But it’s obvious that a key component of the whole proposition is the level of support the community itself is willing to provide.”

Nearly 500 copies of the committee’s 18-page report have been circulated to various university groups and the community to gain feedback, said Cleary, who indicated he will make a decision by May 15. He said he is open to response until April 12 when the University Advisory Committee will vote on the recommendation. The matter then will go to a senior executive group that includes three university vice presidents and two special assistants.