ANAHEIM, Calif. — The NCAA’s board of governors plans to meet in a special session in the coming weeks to work on expanding the organization’s sexual violence policy.
Chairman Michael Drake said the board had a “robust discussion” during its meeting at the annual NCAA convention Wednesday about the need for new regulations in that area. The NCAA does not currently have any rules that prohibit its member schools from accepting student-athletes with a history or track record of sexual violence.
“I think we are committed to addressing this very important issue,” Drake said.
The board met Wednesday for the first time since two members of Congress called for the creation of an independent commission to review why college athletes could transfer to new schools even after being suspended or expelled for sexual assault.
Rep. Donna Shalala, the former University of Miami president turned Democratic congresswoman, told USA Today last month that there is “no question” the NCAA should have a personal conduct policy for its athletes. Shalala’s interest came on the heels of a USA Today investigation into how sexual offenders move from school to school and continue to play sports.
Drake said the impetus for Wednesday’s discussion wasn’t directly related to prior reporting of congressional interest.
“This has been an active area of discussion for us over these last several months,” he said.
NCAA president Mark Emmert is expected to speak at the organization’s convention in a 90-minute state-of-college-sports address Thursday evening.
No date has been set yet for discussions about what a sexual violence policy might look like in the future.