Southland Report

The Cal State Northridge athletic program was exonerated of racial bias in a university report, which said the academic and financial struggles of African-American athletes were the outcome of “inadequate financing at all levels” of the university, not the result of racism.

On Friday, more than five months after leaders of two black student groups leveled charges of racism against the athletic program, the school released an “assessment report,” authored by its Athletics Oversight Advisory Board.

Among other recommendations, the advisory board agreed with the task force’s call for improved academic advisement, a voucher system for dispersing financial aid and the need for more ethnic diversity on the coaching staff.

However, the board stopped short of placing blame for shortcomings on the athletic program.