Invitation to Comment at Open Forums

The President's Committee on Sportsmanship cordially invites members of the University of Maryland family, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and residents of the City of College Park, to participate in the three upcoming open forums. The Committee is seeking comments on any activities related to its work, as well as the "Charge to the Committee," which appears below.

The Open Forums will be held on:

Friday, September 14, 2001, 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. Grand Ballroom Lounge, Stamp Student Union

Thursday, October 11, 2001, 12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. Atrium, Stamp Student Union

Tuesday, October 30, 2001, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Grand Ballroom Lounge, Stamp Student Union

Additional information will be posted on the Committee's web page prior to each forum, including any draft documents available for comment. The web address is: www.umd.edu/pres/sportsmanship.

The open forums will be audio taped. Speakers are asked to limit their remarks to five (5) minutes.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Sapienza Barone at (301) 405-5790 or sbarone@deans.umd.edu.

CHARGE TO THE PRESIDENT'S COMMITTEE ON SPORTSMANSHIP

The Committee has been charged with conducting a study of fan behavior before, after, and during University athletic events; reviewing current University policies to encourage sportsmanship; and recommending improvements in University policies and practices that promote sportsmanship and appropriate fan behavior. The Committee is asked to develop a vision statement that sets forth our goals for sportsmanship and civility surrounding athletic events.

The scope of the Committee's review includes:

• 1) fan behavior at campus athletic events;
• 2) actions taken by the Athletic Department and the campus to encourage sportsmanship at events and their effectiveness;
• 3) fan behavior before and after athletic events and the effectiveness of campus planning for, and reaction to, such events.

The Committee should also consider practices and policies at other universities. Finally, the Committee has been asked to recommend changes in campus policy and practices that will encourage fan behavior that is consistent with the principles set forth in our statement.