The University’s Athletics Review, originally due to be released March 30, has yet to be made public.
The report was commissioned by Dean of Student Affairs Jason Laker, and run by Bob Crawford, computing professor and former dean of student affairs, and Janice Deakin, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research.
The report was completed and submitted to Principal Hitchcock’s office last month, and she has been examining it since then.
“The principal has received the report. She is considering it and will release it in the near future,” said Sally Rigden, spokesperson for the principal’s office.
According to a Feb. 5 press release, “the purpose of the review is to define what the Queen’s community expects of Athletics & Recreation at Queen’s.” Laker said he can’t comment on the review.
“It’s up to the Principal to release the report and enact and recommend changes,” he said.
Leslie Dal Cin, chair of athletics and recreation, said she expects the report to address both intramural and interuniversity issues.
“I think there is a lot of satisfaction with campus intramural programs and a general comfort with the way that currently works. On the interuniversity side of things, there are some things that people would like to see improved upon. That’s why the review was done.”
Dal Cin was involved in the review process, leading the Athletics and Recreation group that gave in various areas of expertise, such as intramurals.
“I think that what will result is a marriage of the opportunity to participate and the capacity for high performance in a number of sports.”
With the new OUA athletic scholarships changing the way universities fund their varsity programs, athletic reviews at mid-sized universities have resulted in reductions in the number of varsity sports.
In May, Brock University cut figure skating, men’s and women’s golf, women’s lacrosse and men’s tennis.
Carleton University also cut eight sports, only to restore seven of them two weeks later. The sole sport not restored was men’s rugby.
The Queen’s review will determine whether the University will continue in its focus on participation or eliminate certain sports in a quest to focus more on varsity success.
Now that the report has worked its way through the necessary channels, coaches and players can only wait to see its results.
Dal Cin remains positive about the initiative the university is taking, specifically with construction of the Queen’s Centre, which will house new athletic facilities.
“These are interesting times,” Dal Cin said.
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