The University of California, Riverside intercollegiate athletics program has received official certification from the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Committee on Athletics Certification, the NCAA announced on Oct. 28.

The Highlanders' athletic program was classified as operating "in substantial conformity with the operating principles adopted by the Association's Division I membership". This is the highest form of certification from the NCAA.

The purpose of athletics certification is to ensure integrity in the institution's athletics program and to assist institutions in improving their athletics departments. Legislation mandating athletics certification was adopted in 1993. Institutions can be certified in substantial conformity, certified with conditions, or not certified. This is the first time that UCR has gone through the certification process since the move to NCAA Division I in 2001-02.

"We are very pleased to have completed the certification process and to have our program fully certified," UCR Athletics Director Stan Morrison said. "It is a recognition of a vast number of individuals working together to uphold our commitment to the principles of NCAA Division I."

"The list is long of superior administrators who chaired and served on committees to bring this certification to fruition," Morrison said. "Our admiration for each is consummate."

The certification process involves a self-study process led by the school's chief executive officer, and includes a review of governance and commitment to rules compliance, academic integrity, fiscal integrity and commitment to equity. A peer review team consisting of administrators from other NCAA institutions then visits the campus to verify the accuracy and completeness of the self-study report, verify broad-based participation in the self-study, and identify issues that may prevent the institution from establishing conformity with the operating principles of Division I Athletics Certification.

"This NCAA Division I certification affirms our commitment to uphold the highest standards in intercollegiate athletics," said UCR Chancellor France A. Córdova. "I wish to thank the members of the Self-Study Steering Committee, a diverse and dedicated group of faculty, students, staff, and representatives of the Intercollegiate Athletics department and Big West Conference. Under the direction of Dr. Robert Gill prior to his retirement last summer, this group conducted the thorough and thoughtful assessment that led to this successful certification."

"The wise, steady and enthusiastic guidance that Stan Morrison has brought to UCR's transition to the NCAA Division I level has set the stage for even greater accomplishments by our student-athletes in the years to come," she said.