DRAFT

NO. 01-

ASSOCIATION-WIDE COMMITTEES – STUDENT-ATHLETE REPRESENTATION

Intent: To permit student-athletes to serve as full members on specified Association-wide committees.

[Note: The proposed change involves a common provision and, thus, must be acted upon by Divisions I, II and III acting independently.]

A. Bylaws: Amend 21.1.1, pages 235-238, as follows:

[Common provision, all divisions, divided vote]

"21.1.2 Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports Committee on

"21.1.2.1 Composition. The Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports shall consist of 16 19 members, including five positions allocated for men, five allocated for women and six unallocated. The membership of the committee shall be constituted as follows:

[21.1.2-(a) through 21.1.2-(i) unchanged]

"(j)

One member with expertise in the area of drug education; and

"(k)

[21.1.2-(k) relettered as 21.1.2-(l) unchanged]

"21.1.2.1.1 Student-Athlete Representation. One student-athlete from each division shall serve as a member of the committee in an advisory capacity and may serve on the committee up to two years after completion of his or her intercollegiate athletics eligibility."

B. Bylaws: Amend 21.1.5, page 236, as follows:

[Common provision, all divisions, divided vote]

"21.1.5 Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee

"21.1.5.1 Composition. The Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee shall consist of 12 15 members. There shall be six members from Division I, three members from Division II and three members from Division III. One student-athlete from each division (who shall have one combined vote) shall serve as a member of the committee and may serve on the committee up to two years after completion of his or her intercollegiate athletics eligibility. Committee membership shall include a minimum of eight ethnic minorities, including at least four males and four females.

"21.1.5.1.1 Student-Athlete Representation. One student-athlete from each division shall serve as members of the committee in an advisory capacity and may serve on the committee up to two years after completion of his or her intercollegiate athletics eligibility."

C. Bylaws: Amend 21.1.7, page 237, as follows:

[Common provision, all divisions, divided vote]

"21.1.7 Olympic Sports Liaison Committee

"21.1.7.1 Composition. The Olympic Sports Liaison Committee shall consist of 11 14 members, including at least one from each division. One student-athlete from each division (who shall have one combined vote) shall serve as a member of the committee and may serve on the committee up to two years after completion of his or her intercollegiate athletics eligibility.

"21.1.7.1.1 Student-Athlete Representation. One student-athlete from each division shall serve as a member of the committee in an advisory capacity and may serve on the committee up to two years after completion of his or her intercollegiate athletics eligibility."

D. Bylaws: Amend 21.1.9, page 237, as follows:

[Common provision, all divisions, divided vote]

"21.1.9 Research Committee

"21.1.9.1 Composition. The Research Committee shall consist of 10 13 members, including four representatives from Division I, two each from Divisions II and III and two unallocated. In addition, three positions shall be allocated for men, three allocated for women and four unallocated. The membership of the committee shall consist of at least three athletics administrators and at least three faculty athletics representatives with appropriate research experience. One student-athlete from each (who shall have one combined vote) shall serve as a member of the committee and may serve on the committee up to two years after completion of his or her intercollegiate athletics eligibility.

"21.1.9.1.1 Student-Athlete Representation. One student-athlete from each division shall serve as a member of the committee in an advisory capacity and may serve on the committee up to two years after completion of his or her intercollegiate athletics eligibility."

E. Bylaws: Amend 21.1.10, page 237, as follows:

[Common provision, all divisions, divided vote]

"21.1.10 Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct, Committee on

"21.1.10.1 Composition. The Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct shall consist of eight 11 members. One student-athlete from each division (who shall have one combined vote) shall serve as a member of the committee and may serve on the committee up to two years after completion of his or her intercollegiate athletics eligibility.

"21.1.10.1.1 Student-Athlete Representation. One student-athlete from each division shall serve as a member of the committee in an advisory capacity and may serve on the committee up to two years after completion of his or her intercollegiate athletics eligibility."

F. Bylaws: Amend 21.1.12, pages 237-238, as follows:

[Common provision, all divisions, divided vote]

"21.1.12 Women's Athletics, Committee on

"21.1.12.1 Composition. The Committee on Women’s Athletics shall consist of 12 15 members, including six members from Division I, three members from Division II and three members from Division III. Four positions shall be allocated for men, four allocated for women and four unallocated. One student-athlete from each division (who shall have one combined vote) shall serve as a member of the committee and may serve on the committee up to two years after completion of his or her intercollegiate athletics eligibility.

"21.1.12.1.1 Student-Athlete Representation. One student-athlete from each division shall serve as a member of the committee in an advisory capacity and may serve on the committee up to two years after completion of their intercollegiate athletics eligibility."

Source: NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Effective Date: August 1, 2001.

Rationale: The primary focus in intercollegiate athletics should be the student-athlete. Therefore, student-athletes should have direct input in the management of intercollegiate athletics. Student-athlete involvement and voting responsibilities will lead to a more active role for student-athletes within the governance process. Input from student-athletes has been used throughout the legislative process and management decisions by each division have been made after considering student-athlete input. Student-athletes should have voting responsibilities on issues that ultimately will affect their lives. Pursuant to NCAA Constitution 2.2.6, it is the responsibility of each member institution to involve student-athletes in matters that affect their lives, and the Association's governance structure should be held to the same standard. Voting rights will demonstrate to student-athletes, the membership, the media and the general public that the Association is committed to involving student-athletes in matters that affect them. Student-athletes already vote on some committees and in various divisions. This legislative change will ensure that student-athletes have voting rights within the governance structure on all association-wide committees.

Estimated Budget Impact: None inasmuch as student-athletes are participating in committee meetings in an advisory capacity.

Impact on Student-Athletes Time: No additional impact on student-athletes' time inasmuch as student-athletes are serving on these committees in an advisory capacity.