Athletic Committee FY2027

Committee Details:

Committee: Athletic Committee
Committee Category: Standing Committees of the University Senate
Fiscal Year: FY2027

Members—

  • Chair: Jana Fitchett, School of Business, Faculty, Voting, 2029
  • Megan Greene, History / International Affairs, Faculty, Voting, 2027
  • Tom Ringenberg, Political Science, Faculty, Voting, 2029
  • Lisa Wolf-Wendel, School of Education & Human Sciences, Faculty, Voting, 2029
  • Austin Bogina, Health, Sport, and Exercise Sciences, Faculty, Voting, 2027
  • Matt Tidwell, Journalism and Mass Communications, Faculty, Voting, 2027
  • Shu Tosaka, School of Business, Staff, Voting, 2028
  • Ian Adkins, Business, Staff, Voting, 2029
  • Wendy Karpowitz, Mechanical Engineering, Staff, Voting, 2029
  • Tait Haag, Student Athlete, Voting, 2029
  • Zoe Pillinos Vasquez, Student Athlete, Voting, 2029
  • Shea Marney, Undergraduate Student Representative, Voting, 2029
  • Jillian Opie, Undergraduate Student Representative, Voting, 2029
  • Kianna Csolle, Graduate Student Representative, Voting, 2029
  • Ryan King, Assistant Director for Student Athlete Support Services, Ex-officio, Non-voting
  • Susan Williams, NCAA Faculty Representative, Ex-officio, Non-voting
  • Steph Mahal, Assistant Athletics Director for Student Athlete Support Services, Ex-officio, Non-voting 

Charges—

Standing Charges

  1. Receive new charges from the KAI staff regarding athlete needs.
  2. Continue to monitor summer classes to ensure availability.
  3. Monitor and address the overall well-being of student-athletes including nutrition, physical health, mental health, and safety.
  4. Continue to monitor the changing landscape of college athletics and determine how changes might affect the University of Kansas.
  5. Continue monitoring the academic success of student-athletes by reviewing the KAI academic reports on grade summaries, graduation rates, NCAA academic progress, etc.
    1. Identify potential academic barriers and provide recommendations. 
    2. Consider the effects of university changes regarding core requirements, majors, minors, certificates etc. and determine the effect on athletes. Solve, as necessary.
    3. Recommend mechanisms for improved communication between KIA coaches, staff, KU faculty, and students.
  6. Help to ensure KU maintains athletic compliance by assisting KIA with needed resources.

Specific Charges

  1. Continue to refine advising tools, academic systems, and communication surrounding athletic travel and absences
  2. Continue to work on expanding flexible course options and strengthening support for international students
  3. Continue to work towards enhancing student engagement
  4. Keep up to date with Protect College Sports Act of 2026 

Athletic Committee FY2027