On September 28, 2011, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) -- the membership organization that regulates policies and monitors adherence of those policies, mainly among four-year higher education institutions and conferences -- sent a notice of four allegations to Kean University. While the investigation is still ongoing for all four of the allegations, Kean University has taken immediate action on the third of allegations -- a violation of NCAA guidelines to comply with appropriate scholarship amounts awarded to student athletes compared to the average student body.

A notice of allegations received from the NCAA is a letter that requests senior leadership of the involved institution for cooperation during an investigation on any violations filed. The notice is only sent once the NCAA enforcement staff has determined enough evidence exists to indicate infractions of policy.

The scholarship award allegation is in reference to the eleven student athletes currently receiving tuition remission through the Dr. James E. Dorsey Scholarship program. Each of those students met all of the scholarship requirements; unfortunately, the amounts exceeded what was allowed by NCAA policy.

The decision, announced by Kean University Athletic Director Chris Morgan on September 30, 2011, was to implement a self-imposed ban this fall on postseason play for its men's soccer, women's soccer and women's volleyball teams -- the teams with students receiving the Dorsey Scholarship. The men's and women's basketball team and the women's softball team, also have one or two players who are Dorsey scholarship recipients; however, their traditional seasons have yet to begin and, according to Kean University media release, "the university hopes to work with the NCAA to rectify the scholarship-related issues prior to the start of competitive play [for those three teams]."

While these students will get to keep their scholarships, it is the loss of the season for those students which may feel as initial detriment. During his announcement, Morgan sympathized with the reality of that feeling, but stressed the necessity of such a university response:

"This is a heartbreaking decision. We have an amazing group of student athletes here at Kean, real champions, who unfortunately are suffering from what amounts to technical errors. Many of our student athletes are the first generation in their family to attend college. This is going to hurt, but it needs to be done to protect generations of students to come."

Major violations, like that pertaining to the Dorsey recipients, is a major infraction viewed usually as an extensive recruiting or competitive advantage, and can thus lead to severe penalties against the school and involved individuals.

The University terminated its former athletic director in May 2011, during an annual performance evaluation after an internal review found serious deficiencies in management and supervision of direct reports; a failure to review financial aid reports to ensure compliance with NCAA guidelines; and, a failure to appropriately monitor the academic progress of student athletes. The athletic director is the university's chief compliance officer with the NCAA.

According to Kean University media release, "it is anticipated the university will appear before the NCAA's Committee on Infractions in March 2012."