2002 NCAA CONVENTION PROPOSALS
SPONSORED BY THE NCAA DIVISION III PRESIDENTS COUNCIL

 

Pursuant to NCAA Constitution 5.3.6.3.1.2 proposed amendments sponsored by the NCAA Division III Presidents Council to be considered by the NCAA Division III membership at an annual NCAA Convention must be submitted not later than September 1. The following is a list of the proposals in legislative form that the Presidents Council has agreed to sponsor. Those items that the NCAA Division III Management Council has not yet reviewed in legislative form are marked with an asterisk.

*NO. 1

VOTING RIGHTS – FOOTBALL ISSUES

Intent: To eliminate legislation permitting only conferences and institutions that sponsor the sport of football to vote on proposals related to the sport of football.

A. Constitution: Amend 3.3.2.2.4, page 13, as follows:

[Division III]
 

"3.3.2.2.4 Football Issues. In addition to meeting the requirements of Constitution 3.3.2.2.3 for men's and/or women's sports, conference championship competition shall be conducted in the sport of football in order for the conference to vote on issues pertaining only to football."

B. Constitution: Amend 5.3.11.4, page 38, as follows:

[Division III]
 

"5.3.11.4 Voting on Football Issues. An active member or voting member conference with no football program shall not be permitted to vote on issues affecting only football."

Source: NCAA Division III Management Council (Interpretations and Legislation Committee).

Effective Date: Immediately.

*NO. 2

ELIGIBILITY – FULL-TIME ENROLLMENT – NONTRADITIONAL COURSES

Intent: To permit a student-athlete to use hours earned in nontraditional courses in conjunction with hours taken in residence to meet the full-time enrollment requirement.

Bylaws: Amend 14.1.6.2.5, page 94, as follows:

[Division III]
 

"14.1.6.2.5 Extension Nontraditional Courses. A student-athlete may use a combination of hours taken in residence during a regular term and extension courses taken from the certifying institution taught via the Internet, distance learning, independent study, individualized instruction, correspondence and courses taught by similar means taken during that term to meet the minimum 12-hour enrollment requirement, provided: the institution considers enrollment in such extension courses as regular course enrollment for all students during term time.
 

"(a)

The institution considers enrollment in such nontraditional courses as regular course enrollment for all students during term time;
 

"(b)

The college, university or agency offering or sponsoring the course(s) is accredited by a regional accrediting agency; and
 

"(c)

The course(s) is accepted by the certifying institution."

Source: NCAA Division III Presidents Council [Management Council (Interpretations and Legislation Committee)].

Effective Date: August 1, 2002.

Rationale: Current legislation does not permit a student-athlete to use nontraditional hours (e.g., extension courses) taken at an institution other than the certifying institution. This proposal will permit the use of nontraditional hours provided the specified conditions are met. Institutions will have the "academic freedom" to accept hours taken via a nontraditional format. Due to modern technology, courses delivered in a nontraditional format are becoming more common and should be accepted according to standards established by the certifying institution.