These colleges and universities completed a year-long certification process that all 307 Division I members will underdo within five years. So far, 112 institutions have received certification status decisions.

This program's purpose is to ensure integrity in the athletic departments in improving their programs. Legislation mandating certification was adopted by a vote of all Division I members at the 1993 NCAA Convention as a key part of the reform agenda.

A year ago, the NCAA was on campus to review Hawaii's self study for certification. In November of 1996, the NCAA turned down Hawaii's application for certification because the school did not submit a minority program plan, one of four major requirements of certification.

At the time, UH associate athletic director Jim Donovan said it was more of a delay than anything else. Had Hawaii failed to comply with this mandate, it could have been barred from NCAA tournaments and eventually been stripped of its NCAA membership.

Obviously, Hawaii remedied the problem, thanks in part to the work done by UH assistant athletic director Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano and UH vice president of student affairs Doris Ching.

Even though Hawaii was in compliance with the requirements of the minority program, the NCAA still wanted UH to submit a plan in writing. Once that was done, UH received its certification.

In addition to commitment to equity, NCAA certification also examines the athletic department's academic and financial integrity, and governance and commitment to rules compliance.

The self study provides an opportunity for other members of the campus community to learn about and to help evaluate the athletic program.

This committee analyzed the four areas of certification and submitted a report.

Once it's completed, a peer group of administrators from other NCAA member institutions visits the campus. This group then reports back to the NCAA Committee on Athletics Certification and gives its verdict.

Last summer, members of this peer group told UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida that his department's efforts to increase funding for women's sports over the next five years were very ambitious.

Yoshida was not concerned that Hawaii would be certified. It was more of a case of when not if. Being certified means Hawaii has shown that it operates its athletic program in substantial conformity with operating principles adopted by the Division I membership.