MINUTES OF THE

NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

DIVISION III INITIATIVES TASK FORCE

October 30, 2001

NCAA National Office

Indianapolis, Indiana

Participants:

John Biddiscombe, Wesleyan University, chair

Carlyle Carter, Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

Tom Courtice, Ohio Wesleyan University

Ann Die, president emeritus, Hendrix College

Kerry Gotham, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Nazareth College

Bette Landman, Arcadia University

Joy Reighn, Rowan University

Kathryn Springsteen, Wilmington College

Christopher Walker, University of Redlands

Michael Walsh, Washington and Lee University

Bridget Belgiovine, NCAA

Daniel T. Dutcher, NCAA

Kim Ford, NCAA

Sarah MacInnis, NCAA

Dallas Pride, NCAA

Aaron D. Robinson, NCAA, recording secretary

Rosie Stallman, NCAA

Sharon Tufano, NCAA

Stanley P. Caine, Adrian College; Walter Johnson, North Central College; Oscar Page, Austin College; and Megan Stevens, State University College at Cortland, Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; were unable to attend the meeting.

[Note: While certain items in the Initiatives Task Force's agenda were acted upon by the task force at various times throughout the meeting, all final actions with a given topic are combined in these minutes for convenience of reference. Also, these minutes reflect only actions (formal votes or “sense of meeting”), in accordance with the established policy governing minutes of all NCAA entities. The only discussion included is that ordered by the chair or a member of the group.]

The meeting was called to order at 12:10 p.m. by the chair, Mr. Biddiscombe.

1. Review of minutes. The task force reviewed the minutes of its August 9, 2000, meeting.

It was VOTED

“That the minutes of the August 9, 2000, Division III Initiatives Task Force meeting be approved.”

2. Review of 2000-01 initiatives results. The task force reviewed the 2000-01 initiative results and took the following action:

a. Senior woman administrators enhancement grant (NACWAA/HERS Institute).

It was VOTED

“To approve and forward to the Division III Management Council the request to fund an additional $250 per scholarship, which will fully fund a scholarship to NACWAA/HERS ($2,250) for interested Division III women (12 total scholarships = six minority and six nonminority at $2,250 each).”

b. Minority male enhancement grant (NACDA Management Institute).

It was VOTED

“To endorse the loss of one year’s funding for grant recipients that do not inform NACDA that they will not attend the Management Institute.”

c. Annual commissioners meeting. The task force agreed to retain the annual commissioners meeting in Indianapolis due to the opportunity for better access and support by NCAA staff.

3. Review of 2000-01 grant recipients. The task force reviewed the list of grant recipients for 2000-01, noting that all information is on the NCAA Web site.

4. Review of 2001-02 initiatives. The task force took the following action:

a. Initiative Grant Fund – Student-Athlete Welfare/Diversity/Membership Education. The task force agreed to amend the submission deadline to June 1, with recipient notification on July 15.

b. Conference Grant for Technology. The task force agreed to retain the total annual grant allocation of $350,000 through 2002-03. Beginning in 2002-03, conferences will be required to present a comprehensive funding plan demonstrating how the requested resources will be used.

c. Financial aid education/enforcement. The task force expressed support for the proposed Presidents Council recommendation to establish a Division III Financial Aid Audit Task Force consisting of members from the Management Council, Presidents Council, the Financial Aid and Awards Committee and institutional financial aid officers to determine the feasibility of an audit process.

d. Independent Institutions Grants.

It was VOTED

“To increase the grant allocation to ‘up to $750 per person’ for individuals at independent institutions to attend an NCAA regional seminar.”

e. 2001-02 Initiative Grant issues for consideration. The task force:

(1) Reviewed the 2001 Initiative Grant Selection Committee process and review factors. The task force recommended implementing a process that would allow for the “carryover” of initiative grant reviewers to maintain institutional memory and continuity in the review and selection process and suggested the addition of three former grant recipients.

(2) Recommended the development of a simplified chart for the membership that identifies due dates and program deadlines.

It was VOTED

(3) “To limit collaborative efforts to a maximum of $20,000 with the exception of those of exceptional merit and the availability of funds.”

(4) “To endorse the Management Council recommendation that all decisions of the selection committee be final (no appeals process).”

(5) “To endorse the Management Council recommendation that consultant fees not exceed 25 percent of the total grant request and are limited to travel fees and services.”

(6) “That grant requests normally may not exceed $5,000 for each of the three target areas (diversity, membership education and student-athlete welfare).”

(7) “That the selection committee reserves the right to amend the funding amount.”

(8) That institutions are limited to one grant request in each area (diversity, membership education and student-athlete welfare).”

6. Review 2002-03 initiatives.

· Reallocation. The task force recommended the following reallocation of resources from the Initiatives Task Force budget to address anticipated Division III budget shortfalls and to support continued progress in accomplishing the priorities and objectives of the Division III strategic plan:

a. 2000-01 – Reallocate $150,000 of the unallocated total of $183,387 to support the creation of a pool of available resources.

b. 2001-02 – Remain committed to established budget allocations and initiatives.

c. 2002-03 – Amend the initiatives and corresponding budget as follows:

(1) Remain committed to all pre-existing allocations and initiatives.

(2) Eliminate allocation of $420,000 of addition new funds in the following areas ($100,000 to Initiative Grant Program – Membership Education; $100,000 Initiative Grant Program – Diversity; $100,000 Initiative Grant Program – Student-Athlete Welfare; and $120,000 Women and Minority Internship Program). Reallocate the $420,000 to support the creation of a pool of available resources.

d. 2003-04 – Remain committed to all pre-existing programs, as amended from 2002-03, with one exception. Reduce the Conference Technology Grant program from $10,000 to $5,000 per conference, for a total of $200,000. Reallocate the additional $150,000 to the pool of available resources.

e. The task force also recommended that the Budget Committee consider reallocating the new pool of available resources ($420,000 in 2002-03 and $570,000 in 2003-04) to address strategic initiatives related to championships (e.g., 2000-01 deficit, contingency fund) and financial aid education (e.g., possible audit expenses).

7. The meeting adjourned at 4 p.m.

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