Clemson issues report on admission reform

*** Tigerillustrated.com will release an edited transcript of Terry Don Phillips' meeting with reporters later today.

CLEMSON, (S.C.) – Clemson University released a report today recommending changes in its procedures for admitting student-athletes who do not meet standard admissions qualifications. The report was developed by a task force appointed Feb. 22 by Clemson President James F. Barker to review existing procedures and recommend improvements to ensure academic integrity, athletic competitiveness, and full compliance with NCAA certification.

The task force recommended two key procedural changes:

• Separating the issuance of national letters-of-intent from the admissions decision process, since letters are issued before the completion of the high school senior year;

• Incorporating the NCAA's graduation success rate and academic progress rate scores into the admissions director's formula for determining which student-athlete applications warrant review by the university's Athletic Admissions Review Committee (AARC). The formula will use a sliding scale that grants the admissions director greater flexibility if a team is successfully retaining and graduating student-athletes.

The task force also recommended shifting the deadline for submission of admissions materials for international student-athletes from July 1 to August 1, adding a staff member in admissions and a learning specialist in Vickery Hall to handle increased workloads related to supporting needs of student-athletes, and appointing an athletics representative as a non-voting member of the AARC. The new positions will be jointly funded by the university and athletics. Barker said the university will implement the group's recommendations. "The changes recommended by the task force will give our coaches a level playing field in the competitive world of athletic recruiting while protecting academic integrity," he said.

"The procedures they have outlined accomplish three things. First, they clearly leave admissions decisions in the hands of the academic community. Second, they accommodate the national schedule for signing letters-of-intent. And third, they create incentives for coaches to work hard at retaining and graduating student-athletes, which is our ultimate goal."

Tommy Bowden Statement

"I want to thank President Jim Barker and Provost Dori Helms for developing the Task Force to re-evaluate the admissions practices for student-athletes.

"In speaking with Dabo Swinney, our assistant head coach who was a member of the task force, it is apparent that this was a very positive process in which everyone was given an opportunity to present pertinent data, and their perspective based on personal experiences.

"All sports at Clemson will benefit from the admission principles released today and will allow us to compete on a level playing field with the other BCS institutions who strive to win championships with academic integrity. "