University of Maryland Athletics

Established in 1972, the Big Ten Advisory Commission came to fruition resulting from a racial altercation during a basketball game between two Big Ten institutions. Since its inception, the group has been charged with advising the Joint Group and the conference commissioner in the following areas - academic achievement and quality of student life with the primary focus on the continued examination of issues that face African-American student-athletes. The Advisory Commission is a special and unique group; one that has seen many changes over the past 50+ years. There have been several significant actions that have resulted from the Advisory Commission which have been supported through the conference governance structure. A few of these actions range from extending athletic aid to five years to the establishment of the diversity internship.
  The Advisory Commission is comprised of one representative from each member institution. The representative shall be a former African-American student-athlete who represented the member institution in intercollegiate athletic competition as an undergraduate student. This individual will be committed to and dedicate their time as necessary to fulfill this appointment.

The Advisory Commission reports to the Inclusive Excellence Committee, who report to the Joint Group which is comprised of Athletic Directors, Senior Woman Administrators, and Faculty Representatives of all Big Ten universities. The Athletics Director shall meet in person, annually, with their respective Advisory Commission representative.

Members of the Advisory Commission shall serve a four-year term. An institution may reappoint a member whose term has expired to consecutive or additional terms (no term limits). Membership terms begin when the commission representative is appointed by its respective institution.
 

• Attend/participate in one to two in-person meetings annually.
• Participate in monthly conference calls.
• Schedule at least one on-campus visit per year.
• During the on-campus visit, conduct multiple meetings/interviews with administrators, coaches, student-athletes, etc.
• Work with the on-campus Advisory Commission administrator and diversity intern.
• Introduce and continue ongoing dialogue with the Student-Athlete Advisory Commission (SAAC) chairs on campus.

• The Advisory Commission shall develop and distribute an introductory letter annually from each representative to their respective SAAC counterpart at the beginning of the year.
• The Advisory Commission representative will meet annually with their respective campus SAAC group or their SAAC institution chairs.
• The Advisory Commission shall create a one-page document or letter to be sent to institution SAAC groups annually.