PART 1: PURPOSE

The purpose of this rule is to implement the authority granted in the Regents Policy Manual (RPM) to establish and maintain an Athletics Department with responsibility for the operation of the various intercollegiate athletic programs authorized by the New Mexico State University Board of Regents (NMSU or Regents).

PART 2: ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT AND OVERSIGHT

The president will appoint a director of athletics to manage and direct the operations within the Athletics Department, and to provide oversight for all intercollegiate NCAA sanctioned sports programs at NMSU, subject to the polices and regulations of NMSU. The director will report to the president and may be employed under a written contract or in an at-will status as provided by university policy and administrative rules.

PART 3: MISSION

The mission of NMSU Department of Athletics is to support the vision of NMSU by offering an intercollegiate athletics program of local and national acclaim in an equitable and diverse environment that supports student-athlete excellence in academics and athletics, and that engages the university community and stakeholders in achieving and celebrating Aggies’ success.

PART 4: RESPONSIBILITIES

In order to implement RPM 17.00 and to achieve the mission set forth above, the Athletics Department is charged with the following responsibilities:

1. Maintain the integrity of all intercollegiate sports programs at NMSU and cooperate with the Athletics Compliance department to achieve full compliance with NCAA rules and regulations, as further articulated in ARP 17.30;
2. Establish programs to encourage and support high academic achievement by all student athletes;
3. Steward all resources available to the department including facility usage, preparation of an annual budget (under the supervision of the NMSU budget office), and proper fiscal management of all budgeted funds;
4. Support the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR), as established by ARP 17.40 in the fulfillment of the FAR’s responsibilities under the NCAA Guidelines, Conference Rules;
5. Support the Athletics Council, established under ARP 17.15, and advise the Athletics Director, the Faculty Athletics Representative and the President on all strategic decisions relating to athletics;
6. Give appropriate consideration to gender equity and Title IX compliance in all aspects of NMSU’s sports programs, including consideration in the distribution of all resources and the acceptance of external gifts;
7. Establish ticket prices for intercollegiate athletic events and a plan for distribution of post-season tournament tickets;
8. Admit all NMSU students and affiliated students who have paid student fees to all intercollegiate ticketed athletic events on the NMSU campus in which NMSU athletes are competing, excluding tournaments;
9. Conduct fundraising activities in cooperation with the NMSU Foundation, Inc., including operating booster clubs;
10. Manage and monetize all multi-media rights for intercollegiate athletic events; and
11. Implement a marketing plan to promote NMSU athletics programs and events.