REPORT OF THE
NCAA DIVISION I ACADEMICS/ELIGIBILITY/COMPLIANCE CABINET
1. ACTION ITEMS.
· Legislative – Requests for Legislative Action at the April NCAA Division I Management Council Meeting. (See Attachment A for the full text of the proposals forwarded to the Management Council as noncontroversial/emergency legislation.)
(1) NCAA Division I Proposal No. 2006-3
– Amateurism – Involvement with Professional Teams – Tryout
Before Enrollment – Predraft Basketball
(a) Recommendation. The NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Com-pliance Cabinet unanimously requests that the Management Council approve and forward to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors for adoption, Proposal No. 2006-3 as emergency or noncontroversial legislation, which, in basketball, would permit a prospective student-athlete to accept actual and necessary expenses from a professional sports organization to attend that organization's predraft basketball camp regardless of the length of the camp.
(b) Rationale. Currently, enrolled basketball student-athletes are permitted to receive expenses from a professional sports organization to attend the organization's predraft camp regardless of the length of the camp. Historically, for men's basketball, predraft camps occur over a four-day period. However, prospective student-athletes may only participate in an expense-paid tryout, including a predraft camp, for up to 48 hours, even if the camp occurs over a longer period of time. In June 2005, the NCAA Division I Administrative Review Subcommittee granted a waiver filed by the NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet Subcommittee on Amateurism/Agents to permit prospective student-athletes to receive expenses to attend the full four-day camp. Prospective basketball student-athletes should be afforded the same opportunity as currently enrolled basketball student-athletes to attend and receive expenses for the full predraft camp without jeopardizing their eligibility.
(c) Effective Date. Immediate.
(d) Budget Impact. None.
(2) Proposal No. 2006-4 – Recruiting – Contacts and Evaluations – Contact Period Exception – Institutions with Official Admissions Notification Dates After Final Contact Period.
(a) Recommendation. The cabinet unanimously requests that the Management Council approve and forward to the Board of Directors for adoption, Proposal No. 2006-4 as noncontroversial legislation, which would eliminate the current Management Council waiver in NCAA Division I Bylaw 13.1.4.1 and establish an exception to permit an institution that does not subscribe to the National Letter of Intent (NLI) in a particular sport and has an official admission notification date that occurs subsequent to the end of the final contact period of the academic year, to extend the final contact period of the academic year through 30 days after the institution’s official admission notification date. The institution remains subject to all dead periods that occur during the extended contact period and may not exceed the maximum number of contacts permitted in the particular sport.
(b) Rationale. This proposal will permit affected institutions to apply an exception to address a situation that has required an annual waiver request of the NCAA Division I Management Council. It is reasonable and practical to establish this exception for institutions that do not subscribe to the National Letter of Intent in the applicable sport. Prospective student-athletes who are recruited by institutions with late admissions notification dates are not typically notified they have been admitted until late March or early April. Once the prospects are notified they generally have 30 days to reply. The proposed 30-day extension beyond the final contact period of the academic year will allow ample time after the NLI signing date for prospects to make critical decisions.
(c) Effective Date. Immediate.
(d) Budget Impact. Minimal.
(3) Proposal No. 2006-5 – Ethical Conduct – Gambling Activities – Sanctions – Timing of Reinstatement Request.
(a) Recommendation. The cabinet unanimously requests that the Management Council approve and forward to the Board of Directors for adoption, Proposal No. 2006-5 as noncontroversial legislation, which would eliminate the requirement that a request for reinstatement of a student-athlete's eligibility may be submitted only on fulfillment of the minimum one-year period of ineligibility for instances in which a the student-athlete solicits or accepts a bet or participates in any gambling activity that
involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling.
(b) Rationale. This proposal does not reduce or provide any flexibility regarding the imposition of the minimum one-year ineligibility penalty in which a student-athlete solicits or accepts a bet or participates in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling. The change, however, does address the timing of processing a reinstatement request and allows an institution to submit a request prior to the completion of the minimum one-year period of ineligibility. It is in the student-athlete's best interests to be able to know as soon as possible whether he or she will be eligible at the completion of the minimum one-year period and whether additional conditions of reinstatement will be imposed. In addition, this change will allow for sufficient time for a case to be fully and thoughtfully reviewed without the added pressure of pending competition. This revision is consistent with the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee's efforts to streamline the student-athlete reinstatement process.
(c) Effective Date. Immediate.
(d) Budget Impact. None.
(4) Proposal No. 2006-6 – Recruiting – Unofficial Visit – Activities – Eligibility Ramifications.
(a) Recommendation. The cabinet unanimously requests that the Management Council approve and forward to the Board of Directors for adoption, Proposal No. 2006-6 as noncontroversial legislation, which would specify that a prospective student-athlete's eligibility would be affected and that an institution would be required to seek reinstatement of the prospect's eligibility, in cases involving violations related to the types of activities that may occur on an unofficial visit as currently regulated in Bylaw 13.7.2.1.8.
(b) Rationale. Currently, a violation of Bylaw 13.6.6.9, which prohibits miscellaneous personalized recruiting aids and a prospect's involvement in any game-day simulations on an official visit, affects the prospect's
eligibility while a violation of Bylaw 13.7.2.1.8, which prohibits the same activities on an unofficial visit, does not. The results of violations of these two provisions should be consistent. Violations of these regulations should affect prospect's eligibility regardless of whether the impermissible activities occur on an official or unofficial visit.
(c) Effective Date. Immediate.
(d) Budget Impact. None.
2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.
a. Legislative – Comments on Proposals Scheduled for Final Consideration at the April 2006 Management Council Meeting.
(1) Proposal No. 2005-49-B – Eligibility – Progress-Toward-Degree – Nontraditional Courses. The cabinet unanimously supports Proposal No. 2005-49-B, which would permit the use of up to six semester or nine quarter credits of nontraditional courses (e.g., distance-learning, correspondence, extension and credit-by-examination courses) per year completed at an institution other than a student-athlete's certifying institution to meet 24/36 credit-hour and/or percentage-of-degree requirements, provided the courses satisfy the current legislation on distance-learning courses, receive prior approval by the appropriate academic officials from the certifying institution and are accepted by the certifying institution for degree credit. Proposal No. 2005-49-B is very similar to Proposal No. 2005-49-A, which was sponsored by the cabinet and was defeated by the Management Council in January, but for the limitation that permits the use of up to six semester or nine quarter credits of nontraditional courses per year.
(2) Proposal No. 2005-160-B – Recruiting – Official Visit – Entertainment /Tickets On Official Visit – Student Host – Entertainment Allowance. The cabinet opposes Proposal No. 2005-160-B, which specifies that during an official paid visit the cost of entertainment of no more than two athletics department staff members, per activity, who accompany a prospect is excluded from the entertainment allowance; further, to specify that when an athletics department staff member serves as a prospect’s host, his or her entertainment costs must be included in the official visit allowance. The proposal does not address the concerns expressed by the cabinet at its September 2005 meeting. The original intent of the entertainment allowance legislation was to cover the
expenses associated with the entertainment of a prospect outside of coordinated official visit activities. All funds used for this purpose should be deducted from the student host allowance, including the cost of entertainment for any athletics department staff members who accompany the prospect. In addition, in accordance with the recommendations made by the NCAA Recruiting Task Force, it is important that a prospective student-athlete experience an official visit that is consistent with normal student life. Activities that are cost prohibitive, if a staff member's involvement is included in the entertainment allowance, may not be consistent with activities in which typical students participate. [Vote count to oppose 32-2-1].
(3) Proposal Nos. 2003-24 and 2003-24-1 – Financial Aid – Terms and Conditions – Period of Award. The cabinet received a report from the NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet Subcommittee on Financial Aid regarding its continued review of issues related to Proposal Nos. 2003-24 and 2003-24-1. Feedback was received regarding the application of football student-athletes who are in their final year of eligibility. Specifically, the subcommittee discussed the concept of allowing institutional discretion to award athletics aid on a term-by-term basis during a student-athlete’s final year of eligibility or once the student-athlete has exhausted eligibility. No action was taken based on the belief that there are other ways, rather than awarding aid on a term-by-term basis, to address issues related to student-athletes who withdraw mid-term. In addition, the subcommittee noted that the final semester/quarter exception should also apply to student-athletes who are completing a graduate or professional degree.
(4) Proposal No. 2005-25 –
Amateurism – Institutional, Charitable, Educational or Nonprofit
Promotions –
(5) Proposal No. 2005-26 – Amateurism – Promotional Activities – Institutional, Charitable, Educational or Nonprofit Promotions. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Agents/Amateurism regarding its review of Proposal No. 2005-26. The subcommittee requests that the Management Council and Board of Directors defer action on the proposal until after June in order to allow the subcommittee to offer suggestions to modify the
proposal. The subcommittee agrees with the concept of revising Bylaw 12.5.1.1 to address changes in technology. However, the subcommittee believes it has a unique perspective in the governance structure and the membership would benefit from additional conversations with individuals and entities impacted by this proposal. The subcommittee noted that if it could not reach a consensus on how to improve the proposal, it would recommend that the governance structure move forward with the proposal as written.
(6) Proposal No. 2005-47 –
Financial Aid – Summer Financial Aid –
(7) Proposal No. 2005-52 – Eligibility – Five-Year Period of Eligibility – Transfer Status and Progress Toward Degree. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Continuing Eligibility in which it noted that the SAAC, the National Association of Athletics Academic Advisors (N4A) and the Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee do not support Proposal No. 2005-52 for various reasons. However, the subcommittee continues to support the proposal. Specifically, the subcommittee noted the desire to create a simple and uniform standard for applying NCAA legislation related to the “triggers” for the start of a student-athlete’s five-year period of eligibility, responsibility for progress-toward-degree requirements and conditions affecting transfer status. Registering for classes as a full-time student and remaining registered as of the first day of classes at an institution demonstrates an intent to be a student-athlete at the institution. As such, the student-athlete should become subject to the start of his or her five-year period of eligibility, progress-toward-degree requirements and transfer status at that time. Further, a student-athlete who is enrolled full time prior to the first day of classes should not be able to avoid the application of these rules by simply departing campus on the first day of classes.
b. Legislative – Possible Legislative Concepts for the 2006-07 Legislative Cycle.
(1) Financial Donations from Outside Organizations. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Agents/Amateurism indicating it will
recommend that the cabinet sponsor legislation at its June meeting for the 2006-07 legislative cycle to permit institutions to enter into a reciprocal marketing agreement with a professional sports organization for the purpose of marketing and promoting football and men’s basketball. Reciprocal marketing agreements are currently permissible for sports other than football and men’s basketball. The rationale for the legislation to permit reciprocal marketing agreements in other sports was to increase the exposure of and fan interest in the less visible sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. The subcommittee believes that the cross-promotional activities are beneficial to all intercollegiate sports, regardless of the visibility of the sport.
(2) Tryouts After Enrollment. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Agents/Amateurism indicating it will recommend that the cabinet sponsor legislation at its June meeting for the 2006-07 legislative cycle to permit student-athletes to receive actual and necessary expenses from a professional team to participate in a tryout that does not exceed 48 hours. Currently, tryouts with a professional team are permitted during the summer or during the academic year if the student-athlete is not enrolled full time. However, the student-athlete may not accept any payment of expenses from the professional team for participation in a tryout. The subcommittee believes that permitting the professional team to pay for expenses associated with a tryout would provide more opportunities for student-athletes who may not be able to pay their own expenses. In addition, the subcommittee believes this would reduce the pressure on student-athletes to seek funding for these opportunities from outside sources.
(3) Requirements for a Student-Athlete Enrolled Less than Full Time in his or her Final Season of Athletics Eligibility. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Continuing Eligibility indicating it will recommend that the cabinet sponsor legislation at its June meeting for the 2006-07 legislative cycle that would require student-athletes who are in their final season of athletics eligibility and enrolled less than full time pursuant to Bylaw 14.1.8.2.1.3 to pass all coursework required to complete the student-athlete’s degree requirements in order to be eligible for postseason competition between terms. Currently, pursuant to Bylaw 14.1.10.2, to be eligible to compete in a postseason event that occurs between regular terms, a student-athlete in his or her final season of competition in the applicable sport must have satisfactorily completed six-semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit during the preceding regular academic term of full-time enrollment. Student-athletes that take advantage of Bylaw 14.1.8.2.1.3 and enroll part time, however, are not subject to the six-hour requirement
(4) Meals in Conjunction with Competition. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Financial Aid indicating it will likely recommend that the cabinet sponsor legislation at its June meeting for the 2006-07 legislative cycle that will make the legislation related to the provision of meals in conjunction with away-from-home competition consistent with the legislation related to meals for home competition. Such legislation will promote consistency and ease of administration. In addition, the subcommittee discussed the methods by which student-athletes are provided meals (i.e., provision of a meal or provision of cash per diem in lieu of a meal). A survey will be developed and administered to explore the concept of limiting or prohibiting the provision of cash in lieu of meals and feedback will be sought from Division I conference and national Student-Athlete Advisory Committees.
c. Nonlegislative.
(1) Report on the Working Group to Review Initial-Eligibility Trends. The cabinet received a report related to the working group's review of initial-eligibility trends. The panel noted that problems of academic fraud posed by some preparatory schools and "diploma-mill" high schools affect all of secondary and higher education, not just college athletics. The working group plans to issue a final report with recommendations by June 1 to President Myles Brand.
(2) Update regarding the NCAA/USOC
Joint Task Force. The cabinet received a copy of the
The
Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet believes that participation in
intercollegiate athletics represents a uniquely valuable educational experience
for student-athletes and enriches the quality of campus life generally. As
such, there is great benefit, consistent with the academic mission of American
colleges and universities, in ensuring that diverse athletics opportunities are
available to students, especially in those sports that connect to the Olympic ideals,
inspire young people and attribute to a lifelong commitment to fitness. We are
committed to doing all we reasonably can to help ensure that those diverse
athletics opportunities continue to exist as part of intercollegiate athletics
in
(3) Changes to the Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee's Policies and Procedures. The cabinet approved amendments to the committee's policies and procedures. The cabinet agreed that the changes were needed to implement new policies and reflect the current practices of the staff and committee. The approved changes to the policies and procedures are underlined in the attached copy (Attachment B).
(4) First-year Success of Student-Athletes Subject to the 14 Core-Courses Rule. The cabinet received a report from the NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet Subcommittee on Initial-Eligibility Issues describing its review of research related to the first-year success of student-athletes subject to the 14 core-courses rule. The subcommittee will continue to examine related data on an annual basis. Outcomes of the data examined to date indicate that student-athletes who have lower standardized test scores but higher core grade-point averages (i.e., former nonqualifiers or partial qualifiers) are performing better in their first year in college (e.g., higher first-year grade-point averages, more credits earned and higher retention rates) than those who have historically been qualifiers, but who have had lower core grade-point averages and higher test scores.
(5) Initial-Eligibility Waiver Approvals. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Initial-Eligibility Issues describing its examination of research related to initial-eligibility waiver approvals, particularly for those student-athletes whose academic profile was below the current sliding scale. The subcommittee reviewed preliminary information related to the academic success of student-athletes whose waivers were approved; however, the preliminary data did not support any specific policy changes in the manner in which waivers are reviewed and processed. The subcommittee determined that a more detailed review of the academic profile for these student-athletes and their academic success will be helpful in providing direction to the staff and the waiver committee regarding initial-eligibility waiver decisions. The subcommittee requested the NCAA research staff provide further data regarding credit hour attainment, retention and degree completion for student-athletes who received initial-eligibility waivers.
(6) Recommendations from the National Association of Academic Advisors for Athletics. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Continuing Eligibility regarding the position of the N4A on 16 legislative proposals within the 2005-06 legislative cycle. The subcommittee also reviewed two legislative concepts forwarded by the N4A for consideration. The subcommittee agreed to collect further information and have further discussion on these issues at the
June 2006 meeting. In addition, the subcommittee reviewed the results of a survey conducted by the N4A focusing on NCAA academic reform and issues related to reform (e.g., impact of the Academic Performance Program and progress-toward-degree legislation on choice of degree programs by student-athletes, the number of transfer student-athletes, the impact of academic reform on academic advisors, etc.).
(7) Institutional Requests for Blanket Waivers for Full-Time Enrollment. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Continuing Eligibility describing instances in which institutions have requested blanket waivers (i.e., continuous waiver without having to reapply for each student-athlete) of full-time enrollment for a specific degree program. The subcommittee reviewed this current position to deny such blanket waivers and continues to oppose the concept; however, the staff is authorized to grant individual waiver requests using precedent and guidelines created by the subcommittee.
(8) Use of Extension Courses and Distance-Learning Courses. The Subcommittee on Continuing Eligibility requested that the NCAA Division I Legislative Review/Interpretations Committee modify an April 20, 1994, Item No. 4, official interpretation in order to eliminate an inconsistency between this interpretation, Bylaw 14.4.3.4.11 (distance-learning courses), and Bylaw 14.1.8.2.6 (extension courses). Currently, the interpretation indicates that extension courses can be used only if they include classroom work. With the proliferation of nontraditional courses, which often do not include classroom instruction, the language in the interpretation is outdated. Further, full-time enrollment and progress-toward-degree rules permit the use of nontraditional courses to meet the provisions of the legislation.
(9) Financial Aid Educational Resources. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Financial Aid regarding its continued review of terminology related to financial aid for student-athletes in Bylaw 15. The application of financial aid legislation is often misunderstood and complex. Financial aid educational resources that clearly define NCAA financial aid terminology and provide guidance regarding the application of financial aid legislation should be made available for institutional financial aid and athletics administrators. The subcommittee recommended that the staff review educational resources currently available to the membership and consider developing additional educational materials related to the terminology and application of financial aid legislation.
(10) Review of Possible Approaches to Increase Opportunities for Student-Athletes to Receive Nonathletically Related Financial Aid. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Financial Aid regarding its review of legislative concepts developed by the Ivy League related to exempting need-based financial aid. The subcommittee believes that the concepts do not adequately address current issues for student-athletes who must choose between participation and accepting nonathletically related financial aid. In addition, concerns were raised that the concepts were complex and would require additional monitoring resources.
(11) Institutional Note Cards. The cabinet received a report from the NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet Subcommittee on Recruiting regarding its discussion about the types of materials institutions are using as institutional note cards. The subcommittee requested that the Collegiate Commissioners Association Compliance Administrators (CCACA) review this issue as a group, discuss the issue with constituent member institutions and provide feedback to the subcommittee for discussion at its June meeting.
(12) Video Playbooks. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Recruiting regarding a discussion on the provision of video playbooks to prospective student-athletes subsequent to signing an NLI. The subcommittee noted that with the adoption of Proposal No. 2003-32, it is no longer permissible to provide video playbooks to signed prospects as permissible pre-enrollment information and that prospects may access such material only through the institution’s Web site. Further, the subcommittee agreed that posting video playbooks on the institution’s Web site may not be practical due to privacy concerns. As a result, the subcommittee requested that the Legislative Review/Interpretations Committee consider whether this issue may be addressed through an official interpretation to permit institutions to provide video playbooks to signed prospects, noting that the elimination of this provision was an unintended consequence of Proposal No. 2003-32.
(13) Media Guides. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Recruiting regarding the provision of supplemental materials to the media. The subcommittee recommended that the NCAA membership services staff consider issuing an interpretation to clarify that the provision of institutional binders and similar items in conjunction with the provision of supplemental media materials is not permissible.
(14) Institutional Sports Camps and Clinics. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Recruiting regarding the practice of relocating
institutional sports camps and clinics to off-campus locations and whether such practice is for reasons unrelated to the recruitment of prospects. The subcommittee requested the CCACA and conferences discuss the issue during their spring meetings and provide feedback to the subcommittee for consideration at its June meeting.
(15) Employment at Camp or Clinic – Exception. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Recruiting concerning its review of a request from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes related to the exception permitting institutional coaching staff members to be employed at camps and clinics that are not operated in accordance with the restrictions applicable to institutional camps and clinics under specified conditions. Specifically, the provision that all prospects must reside within the state or within a 100-mile radius of the camp or clinic location was reviewed. The subcommittee agreed that a change in the legislation is neither necessary or appropriate.
(16) Personnel – Limitations on Number – Off-Campus Recruiting. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Recruiting related to its review of the limitations on the number of coaches and recruiters in particular sports. During its September meeting, the subcommittee requested feedback from various coaches associations regarding the restrictions related to the number of head coaches and assistant coaches that may be employed and the number of coaches who may engage in off-campus recruiting activities at any one time. The subcommittee received feedback from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA), National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), National Fastpitch Coaches Association, and National Soccer Coaches Association of America. It was recommended the CCACA and conferences discuss the issue during their spring meetings and provide feedback to the subcommittee for consideration at its June meeting. In addition, the subcommittee requested that the staff follow-up with those coaches associations that previously favored changes to the limitations but did not respond to the request for information. Finally, the subcommittee requested that the staff compile a comparison and legislative history of coaching limitations in all men’s and women’s sports.
(17) Pre-college Expenses – Prohibited Expenses. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Recruiting concerning a request from the Big 12 Conference to review Bylaw 13.15.1 as it relates to institutional donations of memorabilia for fund-raising efforts to organizations that benefit prospective student-athletes. Specifically, the conference requested the subcommittee consider amending the legislation in order to clarify the application of the
bylaw. The subcommittee agreed it is not appropriate to amend the current legislation; however, it requested that the staff develop additional educational materials for the membership, including an educational column and the development of a frequently asked questions document.
(18) NCAA Summer Basketball Event Certification – Men’s Basketball – Basketball Event Certification – Women’s Basketball and Final Four Basketball Event Certification. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Recruiting concerning its review of current basketball event certification guidelines and reports from the NABC and the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) in order to determine whether to recommend any changes to the certification process. The subcommittee was informed that the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Issues Committees, NABC and WBCA will forward recommendations to the subcommittee for consideration at its June meeting. In addition, the subcommittee will consider a possible recommendation to preclude the observation of noninstitutional, nonorganized (e.g., open gyms, pick-up games) events during the summer evaluation period in men’s basketball.
(19) Text Messaging. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Recruiting regarding its discussion of the use of text messaging by institutional staff members during the recruiting process and its potential impact on prospective student-athletes. The subcommittee requested that the CCACA and SAAC discuss this issue and provide comment on the following options by June 1:
· Eliminate text messaging as a permissible form of communication;
· Take no action on the use of text messaging in the recruiting process (maintain current rule); or
· Regulate text messaging with specified conditions (e.g., once-per-day/week)
The subcommittee requests that each group provide detailed rationale statements along with any recommendation.
(20) Contact Subsequent to a Prospect's Signing of the NLI. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Recruiting regarding its discussion of contacts subsequent to a prospect’s signing of the NLI. The subcommittee requested that the membership services staff issue an interpretation clarifying
that it is not permissible for coaching staff members to engage in countable athletically related activities (e.g., review playbooks) during contacts with signed prospects.
(21) Proposal No. 2005-155 – Tryouts – Tryout Events – Host Institution. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Recruiting related to the application of Proposal No. 2005-155, which was adopted by the Board of Directors in January and is effective August 1, 2006, and the use of member institutions’ facilities to host national team tryout events. The subcommittee agreed that, consistent with other Bylaw 13 exceptions related to national governing body events, institutions should be permitted to host national team trial events and requested that this issue be forwarded to the Legislative Review/Interpretations Committee for consideration. If the Legislative Review/Interpretations Committee does not believe it has the interpretive authority, the subcommittee may consider requesting that the cabinet sponsor legislation at its June meeting.
(22) Recruiting –
(23) AVCA Recruiting Task Force. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Recruiting related to a report from the AVCA Recruiting Task Force. The subcommittee noted that this group may provide legislative recommendations for consideration at its June meeting.
(24) Verbal Offers of Financial Aid Prior to a Prospect's Senior Year. The cabinet received a report from the Subcommittee on Recruiting related to feedback regarding verbal offers of financial aid prior to a prospect's senior year from the AVAC, CSCAA, NABC, NFCA, and NSCAA. The subcommittee agreed to continue to monitor this issue and consider feedback from other groups.
(25) Review of NCAA Compliance Forms. The cabinet began its initial review of the 2006-07 compliance forms and discussed possible changes in the appropriate subcommittee meetings. The subcommittees will discuss additional
changes, if necessary, during conference calls prior to the June cabinet meeting. The cabinet will review and approve the final forms during its June meeting and the forms will then be posted to the NCAA Web site.
(26) Campus Athletics Boards. The cabinet received a report from the NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet Ad Hoc Governance Group regarding the concept of establishing a requirement that all Division I campuses designate a campus advisory board that has the responsibility for advising or establishing athletics policies and making policy decisions. The group generally was supportive of the concept. The group will seek additional feedback from the Faculty Athletics Representatives Association (FARA), Division I-A faculty athletics representatives and the Presidential Task Force regarding mandatory faculty athletics representative service on the campus athletics board and the appointment of campus athletics board members in consultation with a campus faculty senate or appropriate faculty entities.
(27) Faculty Governance Body Statement. The cabinet received a report from the Ad Hoc Governance Group regarding a legislative concept endorsed by the Coalition on Intercollegiate Athletics (COIA) to require an annual report from an institution’s faculty governance body, confirming that the body has been able to fulfill responsibilities regarding athletics governance or specifying the obstacles that prevented it from doing so. The group did not support the concept. It was noted that the Division I athletics certification process currently includes an examination of faculty involvement in campus athletics governance, which provides an appropriate review of this issue.
(28) Faculty Athletics Representative. The cabinet received a report from the Ad Hoc Governance Group regarding the concept of a requirement that each institution’s faculty athletics representative be appointed by the institution’s chancellor or president after consultation with appropriate campus entities. The group noted such entities should be consulted during any future faculty athletics representative reappointment process. The group will seek feedback from the FARA and Division I-A faculty athletics representatives regarding this concept, as well as potential requirements related to term limits and renewals.
(29) Academic Data Collection Requirement. The cabinet received a report from the Ad Hoc Governance Group regarding a legislative concept endorsed by COIA to require institutions to annually collect and report to their respective faculty governance bodies, data on student-athlete course enrollment and grades by course section, including grade-point averages and choice of majors by student-athletes by sport. The group did not support the concept. It was noted
that the NCAA’s Academic Performance Census is already in place to collect information regarding student-athlete academic performance by team. Further, the group noted that academic fraud committed by faculty members is not isolated to student-athletes and that institutions should have the flexibility to deal with such instances through their own campus policies.
(30) Period of Institutional Financial Aid Award. The cabinet received a report from the Ad Hoc Governance Group regarding a legislative concept endorsed by COIA that would specify that an institution shall award athletics aid on a year-by-year basis, renewable up to four times for a total of five years, or until undergraduate graduation, whichever is earlier. The group elected to wait to review the recommendations from the Presidential Task Force on the Future of Division I Intercollegiate Athletics Student-Athlete Well-Being Subcommittee before further discussion of the concept.
(31) Summary of Student-Athlete Reinstatement Cases Processed. The cabinet received a report from the NCAA Division I Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee related to the number of reinstatement cases that have been processed in recent years. During the 2004-05 academic year, the student-athlete reinstatement staff processed approximately 1,744 cases in all three divisions. In Division I, 913 cases were processed involving violations and 308 cases involving waiver requests (e.g., extension requests). From August through October 2005, the staff processed approximately 675 cases in all three divisions. In Division I, 357 cases were processed involving violations and 103 cases involving waiver requests. In addition, 120 of the 460 Division I cases were urgent (defined as competition occurring within seven days from when the case is received), which is more than double the amount of urgent cases received during the same three-month period in 2004. The committee expressed serious concerns over the increase and frequency of urgent cases and in the interest of fairness, directed the staff that cases involving violations most recently discovered should take priority when the staff is unable to process a large number of submitted cases. The committee also directed the staff to remind the CCACA that institutions need to submit requests in a timely manner.
(32) Recruiting Violations. The cabinet received a report from the Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee related to discussions between the chair of the committee and the chair of the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions on the subject of recruiting violations. Specifically, concerns have been raised by the membership that current penalties are not addressing the recruiting advantages gained for certain significant and obvious recruiting violations. The committee began discussing possible solutions and will forward its thoughts to
the Committee on Infractions. Once recommendations have been established, they will also be shared with the membership.
(33) Impermissible Employment of Prospective Student-Athletes by an Institution. The cabinet received a report from the Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee related to its review of cases in which an institution impermissibly employs a prospective student-athlete and discussed whether the staff should require the prospect to repay any money earned during such employment. Noting the potential for a very significant recruiting advantage in such cases, the committee directed the staff to continue to generally require repayment, but if sufficient mitigation is presented, relief from repayment may be warranted.
(34) Committee Appointments. The cabinet unanimously approved the following committee appointments:
(a) Initial-Eligibility Waivers Committee.
(i)
Tim N.
Metcalf,
(ii)
Margaret
Turner,
(iii)
(b) Progress-Toward-Degree Waivers Committee.
(i)
Todd
Diacon,
(ii)
Shaney
Fink,
Cabinet Chair: Jacqueline Blackett, Columbia University-Barnard College, Ivy Group
Lynn Holzman, Membership Services