July 11, 2024

Dear Colleagues, 

The Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) is a presidential appointment held by a full-time faculty member who does not hold an administrative or coaching position in the athletics department and serves as the primary liaison between the faculty and the athletics program at the institution. For the past four years, Frank Black has served ably in this role. In the coming academic year, he will be on merit leave, which has prompted me to seek a new faculty member for this position.  

Primary roles of the FAR include knowledge, awareness, and understanding of academic and administrative process to ensure academic integrity in support of student athletes, coordinating with the Athletics department and mentoring students to advance student success, participating at new and transfer student orientations, providing education and training on NCAA progress toward degree requirements, serving on the Athletics Advisory and Athletics Compliance Committee and helping to uphold appropriate standards of student-athlete conduct, administering the annual NCAA Coaches Certification Exam, and participating in discussions regarding intercollegiate athletics with formal governance bodies. The FAR also represents Westminster and plays a role in shaping the institutions voting decisions on conference and NCAA legislation and is advised to participate in NCAA, FARA conferences and meetings as applicable.  

Although the FAR is appointed by and reports to the president, this appointment is made in consultation with the provost, VP of Student Affairs and Athletics, and academic deans. Alysse Morton has expressed interest in this position, and I have welcomed her into the role. Alysse begins her term as FAR on August 1, 2024. 

Please join me in thanking Frank and supporting Alysse as our newest Faculty Athletic Representative. 

Regards, 
President Beth Dobkin, PhD