REPORT OF THE

NCAA DIVISION III INTERPRETATIONS AND LEGISLATION COMMITTEE

 

 

1.                  ACTION ITEMS.

 

a.                  Editorial Revision ? NCAA Bylaws 17.25.5.1 (Number of Dates of Competition ? Maximum Limitations ? Institutional) and 17.25.5.2 (Number of Dates of Competition ? Maximum Limitations ? Student-Athlete).

 

(1)               Recommendation. Editorially revise Bylaws 17.25.5.1 and 17.25.5.2 to clarify that the maximum contest limitations in the sport of track and field apply to both indoor and outdoor combined rather than separately.

 

(2)               Rationale. The committee was made aware of some confusion among the membership regarding the application of this limitation. The committee noted that there are many legislative instances in which these sports are treated differently. However, in the context of maximum contest limitations, indoor and outdoor track and field are considered to be the same sport.

 

(3)               Budget Impact. None.

 

b.                  Interpretation ? Timing of Practice for a Foreign Tour.

 

(1)               Recommendation. Approve the following interpretation:

 

Foreign Tour Practice Limitations. (III). The 10 days of practice permitted prior to the departure for a foreign tour per Bylaw 30.7.7 (Foreign Tours and Competition ? Practice Limitation) need not be held on consecutive days immediately prior to departure for the tour. Accordingly, it is permissible for an institution to conduct such practice during the academic year for a tour that takes place during the summer. [References: Bylaw 30.7.7 (foreign tour/practice limitations) and staff interpretation, 5/19/89]

 

(2)               Rationale. The committee spent much time discussing this issue. The committee noted concerns with permitting an institution to conduct such practice during the academic year. The committee also noted the cost factor of requiring an institution to conduct such practice only during the summer immediately prior to departure for the tour.

 

(3)               Budget Impact. None.

 

 


c.                  Editorial Revision ? Bylaw 17.10.3 (Football ? First Contest).

 

(1)               Recommendation: Editorially revise Bylaw 17.10.3 to delete the first sentence relating to contests sponsored by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

 

(2)               Rationale: The committee agreed that this change will clarify the currently confusing language in Bylaw 17.10.3. Further, these contests will no longer be conducted due to recent legislative changes in Division I. Thus, the sentence can be deleted without changing the current legislation.

 

(3)               Budget Impact. None.

 

 

d.                  Deregulation ? Bylaws 30 (Administrative Regulations) and 31 (Executive Regulations).

 

(1)               Recommendation: Approve the editorial revisions to Bylaws 30 and 31 as specified in the attachment.

 

(2)               Rationale: As part of its ongoing deregulation efforts, the committee reviewed Bylaws 30 and 31 for legislation that could be deleted or clarified. The committee agreed that none of these changes are substantive in nature.

 

(3)               Budget Impact. None.

 

 

2.            INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.

 

a.                  Voting by Proxy. On request of the Management Council, the committee discussed the concept of permitting member institutions and conferences to cast votes by proxy. The committee expressed concern that voting by proxy would compromise the integrity of the vote. There also were concerns that voting by proxy would have a negative impact on NCAA Convention attendance. It also was noted that an institution?s opinion on legislative proposals could change based on debate during the business session or based on other information presented during Convention. However, the process of voting by proxy does not allow for such flexibility. Overall, the committee did not support an amendment to Bylaw 5.1.3.4-(e) (Annual or Special Convention Delegates ? Certification and Voting of Delegates) to permit voting by proxy.


b.                  Deregulation Web Site. The committee will assist in the creation of a ?deregulation? section on the NCAA Web site. The site will include details regarding the committee?s deregulation efforts including its current and future efforts.

 

c.                  Bylaw 12 (Amateurism) Deregulation. The committee plans to review Bylaw 12 from a deregulation standpoint during its June in-person meeting. To assist in this effort, the committee has asked the Amateurism Task Force for feedback on areas that may be clarified or presented in a more clear and understandable manner.

 

 

 

 

Chair: Suzanne Coffey, Bates College

Staff liaisons: Chris T. Martin, Mweni Ekpo, Membership Services