REPORT OF THE

NCAA DIVISION III INITIATIVES TASK FORCE

1. ACTION ITEMS.

a. Reallocations for 2002-03 and 2003-04 Initiative Budgets.

(1) Recommendation. Approve the reallocation of resources to the 2002-03 and 2003-04 Division III initiative budgets (Attachment A). The reallocation includes:

(a) 2002-03.

§ Reallocation of $50,000 from planning and development to women and minority internship grants.

§ Include $750 travel for all 12 senior woman administrator enhancement grant program and add three additional scholarships ($2,250 each).

§ Add 45 grants of $750 for conference members to attend NCAA regional seminars.

§ $1,023,340 into the Division III reserve for one year only.

(b) 2003 - 04.

§ Reinstate $150,000 for 10 additional interns to women and minority internship program.

§ Reinstate $300,000 for initiative grant funds ($100,000 each to diversity, membership education, student-athlete welfare) and increase to $10,000 per institution, plus a maximum of four grants awarded at the discretion of the selection committee for up to $15,000 each. Increase collaborative grant to $25,000.

§ Reinstate $150,000 to conference technology grant and additional $50,000 to accommodate 40 conferences.

§ Add $20,000 to conference student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) grant to accommodate 40 conferences.

§ Previously approved $350,000 for financial aid audit.

§ Use of $1,023,340 from the Division III reserve.

(2) Rationale. The task force reviewed the 2001-02 summary results of initiatives. The task force discussed recommendations for reinstatement of funds that were eliminated from the 2002-03 and 2003-04 initiative budgets and reallocation of funds to support existing initiatives. It should be noted that $1,023,340 will be put back into the Division III reserve for 2002-03 only, and then used for the 2003-04 initiatives.

(3) Budget Impact.

a. $3,493,750 for 2002-03.

b, $3,577,910 for 2003-04.

b. SAAC Conference Partner Program.

(1) Recommendation. Approve funding for travel as part of the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee budget to support Division  III SAAC member attendance at Division III partner conference meetings as a component of the Division III initiatives conference SAAC program.

(2) Rationale. The task force discussed the conference partner program established by the Division III SAAC to enhance representation and communication among all member conferences and campus SAAC groups. The task force supports Division III SAAC member travel to attend Division III partner conference meetings as a component of the Division III initiatives conference SAAC program.

(3) Budget Impact. $6,000.

c. 2002-03 Initiative Grant Fund – Review Factors.

(1) Recommendation. Endorse the inclusion of the following review factors for the initiative grant fund to support student-athlete welfare, diversity and membership education:

(a) All grant applications must bear the signature of the chief executive officer or designee to ensure institutional support for the initiative.

(b) There is no appeal process for grants not recommended for funding.

(c) Specific and detailed budget documentation must be submitted with the grant impact evaluation form identifying how grant funds were used.

(d) Significant shifts in the use of grant funds must be approved.

(e) Any request for grant extensions (on a funded grant) must be submitted in writing or via e-mail and must include a compelling rationale. Grant funds must be returned to the NCAA if the initiative is not begun within six months of the award.

(f) Any unallocated grant funds in excess of $200 must be returned to the NCAA.

(g) Handwritten applications will not be accepted.

(h) Priority funding should be given to first-time applicants.

(i) Grants to support existing campus programs will not be funded; however, identification of funds needed to support a “new aspect” of an existing program will be considered.

(j) Applications and grant review forms should identify “repeat” applicants.

(2) Rationale. The task force reviewed recommendations from the selection committees and endorsed the timetable and the addition of the review factors to solidify the initiative grant program.

(3) Budget Impact. None.

2. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.

a. 2001 – 02 Initiative Results. The task force reviewed the summary results, noting that the overall goal for the initiative program was to expand the reach of the membership to address the three key areas: diversity, membership education and communication, and student-athlete welfare. The task force noted that the results are posted on the NCAA Web site. The allocation of resources to support nonchampionships initiatives was approximately 15.5 percent (11 percent initiatives programs; 4.5 percent overhead) of the overall Division III budget and unallocated funds totaled $1,130,090. It was noted that unallocated resources would be reallocated to support 2002-03 and 2003-04 initiatives and to replenish the Division III reserve. The task force also recommended a session at the 2002-03 NCAA regional seminars to discuss the initiatives to enhance communication and gain membership feedback in preparation for the overall evaluation of the initiatives program scheduled for fall 2003 and that a compilation chart listing all initiatives and identifying all institutions and conferences that accessed funds for each year of the initiatives programs (2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03 and 2003-04) be developed. (Attachment B)

b. 2002 – 03 Initiative Summary. The task force reviewed and endorsed the 2002-03 initiatives and grant recipients. It was noted that unallocated resources from the 2002-03 budget could be reallocated to support 2003-04 initiatives and to replenish the Division III reserve. (Attachment C)

c. Assessment Plans for Overall Review of Initiatives. The task force discussed assessment plans to assist with the overall review of initiatives, noting that the goal of the Initiatives Task Force program was to promote the advancement of three key strategic-planning priorities of the Division III strategic plan through the allocation of resources to the Division III membership. The task force recommended the following assessment tools to support the overall review scheduled for fall 2003:

(1) Solicit feedback from grant recipients.

(2) Develop a chart identifying applicants and recipients for all initiatives grant programs.

(3) Compilation of the total number of Division III institutions and conferences that accessed Division III initiative grant funds and programs.

(4) A specific written evaluation and assessment form should be completed by all grant recipients.

(5) Specific evaluation and assessment form should include information for recipients to evaluate and submit comments on intended versus actual outcomes, benchmarks, budget impact, campus or conference benefits, and assessment of whether the initiative program and allocation should be continued for the Division III membership.

d. Membership Communication Initiatives. The task force recommended that the September Division III newsletter contain information about the Division III Initiatives Task Force meeting, along with the identification of available 2002-03 grant opportunities. The task force also discussed the draft plan for the 2003 NCAA Convention presentation Monday, January 13, 2003.

Task Force chair: John S. Biddiscombe, Wesleyan University

Staff Liaisons: Dan Dutcher, Bridget Belgiovine, Kay Hawes, Janice Whitehead