The faculty athletics representative position (“FAR”) is required of all institutions by the NCAA. The FAR must be a member of the faculty or an administrator who holds faculty rank and who does not hold an administrative or coaching position in the athletics department.

Individual institutions are free to define the role and other terms of appointment. The role at Stanford centers on athletics program alignment with the core academic mission of the University, student-athlete academic opportunities and performance, academic integrity, student-athlete experience including experience as members of the Stanford community, and athletics program governance and institutional control. The FAR:

• Engages with the Faculty Senate and Academic Council committees
• Serves as an advisor to the Board of Trustees, President, Provost, and the athletics department
• Serves as a member of the Athletic Affairs Committee established by the Board of Trustees
• Chairs the Committee on Athletics, Physical Education, and Recreation, a committee focused on athletics and composed of faculty members, student-athletes, a student from the general student community, representatives from the offices of the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education and Vice Provost of Student Affairs, and the Director of Athletics
• Carries our reviews and approves actions as required under NCAA and conference rules
• Administers appeals by student-athletes of decisions by Stanford to reduce, cancel, or not renew athletic scholarships, or to deny requests for release from contact prohibitions in athletic aid agreements
• Chairs or serves on task forces, committees or other groups as requested by the President or Provost

The FAR also participates in Atlantic Coast Conference meetings including regular meetings with counterparts at other schools. A “FAR Committee” consisting of the FARs has certain responsibilities as set out in the ACC bylaws.

The FAR reports to the President and Provost and is appointed to a five-year term subject to renewal. The President and Provost may terminate the appointment at any time.

The current FAR is Jay A. Mitchell, Professor of Law, Emeritus, at Stanford Law School. His email address is jmitchell@law.stanford.edu.