REPORT OF THE
1.
ACTION ITEMS.
a.
Interpretation -- 2001
Convention Proposal No. 62 -- Women’s Rowing.
(1) Recommendation. Approve the following interpretation:
Women’s Rowing and
Application of NCAA Bylaw 17.1.9.2. The
committee determined that the sport of women's rowing is subject to the provisions
of Bylaw 17.1.9.2, inasmuch as the Division III championship is held in
the spring. Therefore, by
definition, the spring becomes the "traditional segment" and the fall
becomes the "nontraditional segment." In accordance with Bylaw 17.1.9.2, the sport of women's
rowing must conclude all practice and competition in the nontraditional segment
by October 30. [References: 2001 Convention Proposal No. 62 and
Bylaws 17.1.9.2 (dividing traditional and nontraditional segments), 17.16.2
(women’s rowing – preseason practice), 17.16.3 (women’s rowing – first date of
competition) and 17.16.4 (women’s rowing – end of regular playing season)]
(2) Rationale. The committee issued this
interpretation in response to an inquiry regarding the traditional and
nontraditional segments in the sport of women’s rowing. The confusion arose based on the layout
of the current women’s rowing legislation in Bylaw 17. The interpretation standardizes the
sport of women’s rowing with all other Division III fall and spring sports.
b. Interpretation – Division III
Institution Revoking Multidivisional Classification.
(1) Recommendation: Approve the following interpretation:
Division III Institution Reclassifying a Sport Currently in Division I
to Division III. A Division III
institution, holding multidivisional classification with a sport in Division I,
must complete a two-year reclassification process consistent with Bylaws 20.4
and 20.6 prior to being eligible for participation in the Division III
championship in that sport.
[References: Bylaws 20.4
(multidivisional classification) and 20.6 (change of division membership)]
(2) Rationale. The committee issued this
interpretation based on a recommendation from the Division III Membership
Committee. It clarifies that an
institution currently holding multidivisional classification with a sport in
Division I would be required to complete a two-year reclassification process
prior to being eligible for the Division III championship in that sport. This interpretation is based on prior
precedent and the intent of Bylaws 20.4 and 20.6. The committee supports the Membership Committee’s
recommendation for the Management Council to sponsor intent-based legislation
to address this situation in the future.
c. Interpretation – Application of Bylaw
14.1.7.2.1.3 to Graduate Student-Athletes.
(1) Recommendation. Approve the following interpretation:
Final Semester/Quarter Exception – Graduate Student. It is
permissible for a student-athlete pursuing a graduate degree to participate in
competition while enrolled in less than a full-time program of studies per
Bylaw 14.1.7.2.1.3, provided the student-athlete is enrolled in his or her
final semester and the institution certifies that the student-athlete is
enrolled in the number of credits necessary to achieve the desire graduate
degree.
(2) Rationale. This interpretation was issued to
permit a student who has already earned his or her undergraduate degree to
participate while enrolled in less than a full-time program of studies per
Bylaw 14.1.2.1.3, provided the student-athlete is enrolled in his or her final
semester and the institution certifies that the student-athlete is enrolled in
the number of credits necessary to achieve the desired graduate degree. This opportunity is currently available
to student-athletes seeking an undergraduate degree. The committee agreed that this interpretation benefits the
few student-athletes in this unique situation while maintaining the integrity
of the current legislation in Bylaw 14.1.7.2.1.3.
2.
INFORMATIONAL ITEM.
Deregulation – Review of Bylaws 30 and 31. The committee will continue its deregulation efforts of Bylaws 30 and 31 during its February 2002 in-person meeting. It is envisioned that the committee will present recommended changes to the Management Council in April 2002.
Chair: Suzanne Coffey, Bates College
Staff liaisons: Chris
T. Martin; Mweni Ekpo