Reclassifying Process

• Introduction to the Reclassifying Process and Education Program
  
• Calendar of Activities/Requirements

Introduction to the Reclassifying Membership Process and Education Program

The education program for members seeking to reclassify membership from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I is designed to prepare reclassifying members for Division I active membership.  The goal of the education program is to ensure that reclassifying members are able to satisfy the Division I membership requirements and legislation and otherwise operate a successful, competitive program at the Division I level.

The focus of the educational is as follows:

1. To provide an educational foundation that encourages rules compliance.
   
   
2. To provide a vehicle for reclassifying Division I member institutions to more thoroughly assess their commitment and preparedness to operate a Division I athletics program.
   
   
3. To provide the NCAA membership greater assurance as to the readiness of new Division I members.
   

General Principles

The program is based on the following principles:

1. Chief executive officers (or designee), directors of athletics, faculty athletics representatives, senior women administrators and compliance coordinators must be involved in orientation and education programs in each year of the reclassifying membership process.
   
   
2. It is important to observe and meet all deadlines in the reclassifying process.  Failure to meet the required deadlines may delay advancement to the next year and may ultimately result in a failure to meet the requirements for active Division I membership.
   
   
3. Reclassifying members that complete the program should accrue the following benefits:
   
   

a.  An enhanced level of awareness and engagement of the Division I philosophy.

b.  An understanding of the membership requirements and full compliance with these requirements.

c.  A more complete understanding of NCAA rules and the ability to develop institutional policies    and systems for complying with NCAA rules.

d.  An appreciation for the importance of campus-wide involvement in the conduct and oversight of the athletics program.

The Program

A calendar summarizing the schedule of activities is below.  The progressive nature of the activities, which shall be closely monitored by the NCAA Division I Management Council Membership Subcommittee, shall lead reclassifying members through three distinct phases:

1. Exposure to philosophy and education on rules, membership requirements, and compliance concepts associated with NCAA athletics programs.
   
   
2. General application of that knowledge to the individual institution's campus.
   
   
3. Initial assessment and verification of how the institution is responding to the new information.
   

The activities, all of which are required, include:

• An orientation session for chief executive officers (or designees), directors of athletics, faculty athletics representatives, senior women administrators and compliance coordinators to educate the institution regarding the Division I philosophy, Division I membership requirements and issues affecting Division I membership.
  
  
• The annual submission of a strategic plan to address the Division I philosophy statement and certification operating principles.
  
  
• Annual attendance by the chief executive officers (or designees), directors of athletics, faculty athletics representatives, senior women administrators and compliance coordinators at the NCAA Convention during the reclassifying process.
  
  
• Instruction regarding NCAA rules and an assessment of rules knowledge.
  
  
• Successful completion of an NCAA athletics certification visit.
  
  
• Compliance-systems education and self-assessment.
  
  
• Verification that the membership requirements are being met and that key elements are in place in the athletics program.
  

Strategic Plan

By June 1 of each year, a reclassifying member will submit a strategic plan that addresses the Division I philosophy statement and certification operating principles.  

• Checklist for Strategic Plan
  

Annual Report

Each year the reclassifying member will submit an annual report by June 1 summarizing its progress in fulfilling the reclassified membership requirements and addressing various concerns identified by the membership subcommittee.  Annual report documents will be posted on this website each March preceding the June 1 deadline.  

• Sample Annual Report Documents - Reclassifying
  

Calendar of Activities/Requirements

Exploratory Period

To reclassify to Division I status, an institution must submit an application form to the Division I Management Council by June 1 (or postmarked May 25) prior to the academic year that it begins its one-year exploratory period.  Accompanying the form must be an application fee in the amount of $15,000. 

During the exploratory period, the chief executive officer (or designee), the director of athletics, the senior woman administrator, the faculty athletics representative and the compliance coordinator of the institution seeking to reclassify must attend the NCAA Convention and an NCAA regional rules seminar.  In addition, those same individuals must complete a separate orientation session regarding Division I membership requirements.  Also in this same time period, the institution will receive Division I mailings.  By June 1 of the exploratory year, the institution must submit a skeleton strategic plan that addresses the Division I philosophy statement and certification operating principles.  In addition, by June 1, the institution must submit to the national office confirmation of its intent to reclassify.  Failure to meet prescribed deadlines and/or satisfy all requirements will delay advancement to first year reclassified status.

Year One

In the first year of reclassified status, the institution must comply with all Division I legislation except scheduling requirements and continuing-eligibility requirements (e.g., progress toward degree, five-year rule) for students who are completing their final season of competition and were enrolled at the institution at least one year prior to institution's petition for exploratory membership.  In addition, the institution's chief executive officer (or designee), the director of athletics, the senior woman administrator, the faculty athletics representative and the compliance coordinator must attend the NCAA Convention and an NCAA regional rules seminar. The same individuals must complete a second orientation session conducted by NCAA staff regarding Division I regulations.  Finally, by June 1, the reclassified member must submit to the national office an updated version of the strategic plan it developed during its exploratory year.  Failure to meet prescribed deadlines and/or satisfy all requirements will delay advancement to second year status.

Year Two

Prior to the conclusion of the second year of reclassified status, an institution must complete an NCAA compliance review.  The institution also must complete a certification orientation visit.  During the second year of reclassified status, an institution must be in full compliance with all Division I legislation and membership requirements.  Further, the institution's chief executive officer (or designee), the director of athletics, the senior woman administrator, the faculty athletics representative and the compliance coordinator shall attend the NCAA Convention, complete a third orientation session regarding Division I issues and attend an NCAA regional rules seminar.  The institution must also submit to the national office by June 1 an annual report and updated strategic plan based on feedback received from the membership subcommittee related to the report submitted at the conclusion of the first year.  Failure to meet prescribed deadlines and/or satisfy all requirements will delay advancement to third year status.

Year Three

During the third year and in all subsequent years, a reclassifying insitution must apply all Division I legislation.  The chief executive officer (or designee), the director of athletics, the senior woman administrator, the faculty athletics representative and the compliance coordinator must attend the NCAA Convention, a seminar to discuss the issues facing Division I members and an NCAA regional rules seminar.  The institution must also submit to the national office by June 1 an annual report and updated strategic plan based on feedback received from the membership subcommittee related to the report submitted at the conclusion of the first year.  Failure to meet prescribed deadlines and/or satisfy all requirements will delay advancement to fourth year reclassified status.

Year Four

By the end of the fourth year of reclassified status, an institution must complete an NCAA certification evaluation visit and self-study process.  The chief executive officer (or designee), the director of athletics, the senior woman administrator, the faculty athletics representative and the compliance coordinator must attend the NCAA Convention, an additional seminar regarding Division I issues and an NCAA regional rules seminar.  Finally, the institution must also submit, by June 1, an annual report and updated strategic plan.  Failure to meet prescribed deadlines and/or satisfy all requirements will delay advancement to active status.

The contact for this page is mvaughn@ncaa.org