Every 10 years, K-State must complete a self-review process to renew its NCAA accreditation, said Ruth Dyer, senior vice-provost. This year marks the third time K-State has participated in the self-review process.

In 2002, K-State was awarded full NCAA certification with no conditions attached, which is the highest certification level offered by the NCAA.

Certification includes not only the athletic side, but also the academic side, Dyer said. Often, students think of the NCAA as a collegiate sports governing body.

Dyer, a member of the Self-Review Steering Committee, gave a presentation last night at the Student Senate meeting.

Colleges actively participate in the NCAA organization in forming regulations and providing accreditation.

Accreditation, Dyer said, assures the public and students K-State is meeting the standards expected of it.

It also helps K-State to be more self-aware and highlights areas of possible improvement, Dyer said. With the review process, students, faculty, administration and community members have the ability to offer input on K-State's performance.

"We gather input from the campus to demonstrate that the university is meeting standards," Dyer said. "Then we respond to the self-study items and submit the report to the NCAA."

Two of the self-study items the community will review include K-State's governance and commitment to rules and its academic integrity, she said. The committee has 22 members appointed according to NCAA specifications.

The committee began the process in August with a videoconference between campus administration and NCAA officials. This month, the committee will begin holding open-campus meetings to gather input.

This fall, Dyer said, a peer review visit will take place. Following that, the NCAA will announce its certification decision in April 2012.

Danny Unruh, student body president, asked Dyer if controversies during the Wefald administration would affect the NCAA self-review.

"We will certainly have to address a number of issues in the self review process," Dyer said.

Jodi Kaus, program manager of Powercat Financial Counseling, presented SGA with the 2010 Human Ecology Partner Award. SGA helped the counseling program get off the ground last year.

The program was the first of its kind last year, Kaus said.

"It generated a lot of media attention because it was so unique," Kaus said.

They have 13 student counselors that help students with financial problems and dispense advice, said Kyle Landau, senior in finance, accounting and marketing, and member of the student advisory board for the counseling service. The program faces a problem, however, since it is so new.

Despite advertising at 64 campus events and speaking at the residence halls, many students are not aware of the service they offer, he said.

Even so, Kaus said the program is off to a great start. They have had over 2,000 clients and have held 63 workshops.