A search committee has been formed to seek and evaluate candidates to serve as the University of Oregon's next Faculty Athletic Representative, who will act as an advocate for UO student athletes and for academic integrity.

Suggestions must be received by the committee by April 10.

UO professor emeritus of law Jim O'Fallon, who has served in the FAR position for 25 years, is retiring – but will serve through the 2014-2015 academic year as his successor transitions into the position.

Andy Karduna, an associate professor of human physiology, will chair the advisory recruitment committee has been appointed to conduct a confidential search for the new FAR. Other members are Dennis Howard, professor emeritus of marketing; Lorraine Davis, special assistant to the provost and president; Sue Eveland, university registrar; Ben DeJarnette, student; and Miriam Deutsch, professor of physics.

The committee, staffed by presidential chief of staff Greg Rikhoff, will recommend finalists to the president, who will make the final appointment.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association requires that each of its member institutions have a Faculty Athletic Representative to serve a liaison role between athletics and academics, and to represent the institution in conference and NCAA affairs. The NCAA requires that the FAR be a member of the institution’s faculty or an administrator who holds faculty rank. He or she may not hold an administrative or coaching position in the athletics department.

The UO's Faculty Athletic Representative is responsible for ensuring the academic integrity of the intercollegiate athletic program, promoting the well-being of student athletes, and supporting institutional control of athletics through oversight of compliance and student eligibility. The FAR is required to travel to meetings and attend many athletic events, and must be immediately available to address compliance and eligibility issues, and to meet certification deadlines as required by the NCAA.

The FAR receives support from various departments on campus, including the Office of the Registrar, in carrying out eligibility certification and compliance-related duties. The FAR reports directly to the president, and one of his or her roles is to communicate regularly with the president to discuss general issues related to student athletes on campus, and compliance issues with the PAC-12 and NCAA.

The complete description of the FAR’s duties are listed here.

The FAR appointment is for five years. It is a half-time, 12-month position with a negotiated salary and stipend. The Office of the President will buy out the half-time position and will help negotiate relinquishment of the appointee’s duties from his or her current assignment, if necessary.  

Additional information about the national FAR program can be found in the Faculty Athletics Representative Handbook. Questions about the position may also be submitted to Karduna, (karduna@uoregon.edu) or Rikhoff (grikhoff@uoregon.edu).

To express interest or suggest a suitable faculty member candidate, submit a brief letter of interest or of nomination to Karduna (karduna@uoregon.edu) by April 10.

- from the UO Office of Public Affairs Communication