[su_spacer size=”20″] David Shipley, Professor of Law and Faculty Athletics Representative at the University of Georgia, has been named to a seven-person working group that will review issues surrounding student-athlete conduct, according to an announcement Thursday by SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.
[su_spacer size=”40″] Sankey announced in July at the SEC’s annual Football Media Days that he would convene the SEC Working Group on Student-Athlete Conduct, a collection of campus leaders to discuss and review student-athlete behavior. In addition to Shipley, other members of this group, chosen from campuses across the league, include Dr. Jimmy Cheek, Chancellor, University of Tennessee; David Williams, Director of Athletics, Vanderbilt University; Scott Stricklin, Director of Athletics, Mississippi State University; Julie Cromer, Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator, University of Arkansas; and Dr. Matt Gregory, Associate Dean of Students, Louisiana State University. Dr. R. Bowen Loftin, Chancellor for the University of Missouri, will serve as chair of the working group.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “The SEC has already established a leadership role with our transfer review policy approved by the SEC membership last May, which for the first time establishes conduct expectations of individuals seeking to transfer to and compete in the SEC,” said Sankey. “This working group has been established to engage in a continued conversation on student-athlete conduct for the ultimate purpose of making recommendations for Conference policies or institutional best practices to shape student-athlete behavioral expectations in the SEC.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] The working group will review and discuss existing NCAA and Conference policies governing student-athlete conduct and related eligibility outcomes; standards for institutional fulfillment of expectations associated with SEC transfer requirements for personal conduct; as well as University and athletic department best practices and policies governing conduct of students and student-athletes. In addition, the group will look at issues and policies arising in other conferences which may inform decision-making within the SEC; State and Federal legislation related to student discipline and reporting; drug testing policies and procedures; and other related issues as determined by the working group.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “Student-athlete conduct is a topic of serious concern for leaders in higher education today because the actions of a few individuals can have a devastating effect on the reputation of an entire program and institution,” said Loftin. “The SEC is taking a proactive position in addressing this issue by analyzing contributing factors as well as considering practical measures and best practices to positively impact student-athlete conduct now and into the future.”
[su_spacer size=”40″] Shipley joined the UGA Law faculty as dean and professor in 1998. He has served as the school’s Faculty Athletics Representative since 2010.
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