The National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) requires Division I universities and colleges to undergo a certification process and conduct a thorough self-study of their athletics programs on a periodic basis. Initially, this was to be every five years; recently, this was changed to every 10 years. American University conducted its last self-study in 1995-96, which was approved by the NCAA, following a peer review team visit, assessment, and evaluation report.

The current self-study process began in fall 2001, with the creation of a Steering Committee and four sub-committees to meet regularly, gather data, and compile the report. David Taylor, President's Chief of Staff, was appointed to chair the Steering Committee and lead the self-study. Concluding the work done over the past year, the document was finished in December 2002 and sent to the NCAA and the peer review team who will visit campus in late February 2003 to assess the report and the athletics program.

American University’s self-study is compiled in four topic reports – Governance and Commitment to Rules Compliance; Academic Integrity; Fiscal Integrity; and Equity, Welfare and Sportsmanship. The responses to follow up items from the last self-study (1996), including NCAA required actions and institutional recommendations, are provided in a Response Section. All follow up responses, both NCAA required and institutional, are identified with appropriate references in each topic report. A separate book of appendices is available in hard copy only.

The university is happy to provide additional information, further elaboration, or data requests as needed by the review team or the NCAA. You are invited to provide feedback to president@american.edu.