REPORT OF THE

NCAA DIVISION III MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

ACTION ITEMS.

1. Legislative Action Items.

a. 2007 NCAA Convention Legislation – Provisional and Reclassifying Membership.

(1) Recommendation. Sponsor a legislative package for the 2007 Convention to amend NCAA Constitution 3.6.3 (election procedures) and NCAA Bylaws 20.3 (provisional membership) and 20.6 (change of division membership) to:

(a) Establish a maximum provisional and reclassifying class size of four and establish a waiver process for classes larger than four. Waivers shall be based on recommendation of the Membership Committee as approved by the Management Council. (Attachment A)

(b) Increase the provisional and reclassifying member fee to $20,000.

(c) Accept or reject provisional and reclassifying member applications based on meeting all of the following standards at the time of application:

· Compliance with the five-(six)-sport/three-season and minimum contest and participant requirements;

· Satisfactory completion of a viability statement describing the institution's commitment to the Division III philosophy statement;

· Sponsorship by an active Division III member, including the establishment of a good-faith mentoring relationship and a letter of recommendation signed by the sponsoring institution's president, athletics director, senior woman administrator and faculty athletics representative; and

· Demonstration of the existence of a compliance system.

(d) Establish the following as priorities that the committee should consider in its approval or rejection of applications and placement

of institutions in a provisional/reclassifying class (not in rank order):

· Geographic location in an area that needs or can support new members;

· Reclassifying versus provisional status;

· Existing or potential membership in an active Division III conference; and

· Profile of sports sponsorship in accordance with broad-based program philosophy.

(e) Require institutions to be in full compliance with all Division III regulations in each year of provisional membership, consistent with the current requirement for reclassifying members and maintain the existing legislative standard (Constitution 3.6.1.2.1.2) regarding the awarding of athletically related financial aid in years one and two of the provisional membership process.

(2) Effective date. August 1, 2007.

(3) Rationale. Based on the progress of the NCAA Executive Committee Working Group to Study Membership Issues and the North Coast Conference proposal to establish a cap on the size of the Division III membership, the committee believes the recommendations address the membership's desire to manage the growth of Division III by admitting only fully prepared institutions into active membership.

(4) Estimated Budget Impact. Increased cost to more fully monitor compliance with all Division III rules shall be absorbed by the $8,000 increase in the provisional and reclassification membership fee.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

b. 2007 Convention Legislation - Active Membership.

(1) Recommendation. Sponsor a legislative package for the 2007 Convention to amend Constitution 3.02.3.1.2 (membership classification status), 3.2.4 (conditions and obligations of membership), 6.3.1(self-study report) and Bylaw 20.2.5.1.2 (failure to meet minimum sports sponsorship criteria) to:

(a) Conduct a random audit of the results of the NCAA Division III Institutional Self-Study Guide, as authorized by Constitution 6.3.1.

(b) Conduct an annual review of satisfactory sports sponsorship for all Division III institutions by reviewing the institutionally reported figures for completed contests and participants. Further, to annually audit the reported information for five percent of the membership based on random selection or committee concern. Any application of membership penalties (probation or restricted membership status) based on this audit shall be based on information reported for the 2006-07 year and beyond.

(c) Require registration and attendance by a voting delegate at the NCAA Convention at least once every two years.

(d) Require attendance by at least one institutional representative at the NCAA Regional Rules Seminar at least once every three years and increase the amount of funds in Tier I of the strategic grant program to support this new requirement.

(e) Require that the NCAA Division III Rules Test be administered to all head coaches and athletics administrators with compliance responsibilities on an annual basis. The institutional sports sponsorship form shall be updated to ask the institution to verify administration of the rules test.

(f) Require each institution placed on probation or restricted status to complete the athletics program assessment (a tool to assess the strength of the institution's compliance program), and to provide these institutions with the “models for success for a Division III athletics program” as an informational document.

(g) Increase institutional Division III membership dues as necessary to implement and support the package.

(2) Effective date. August 1, 2007.

(3) Rationale. Based on the progress of the Executive Committee working group and the North Coast Conference proposal to establish a cap on the size of the Division III membership, the committee believes these recommendations address the membership's desire to manage the growth of Divisions III by screening active members and holding them accountable for membership and legislative requirements. Thus, the increase in membership dues is justified as the need to monitor the active member requirements are enhanced. Additionally, the committee strongly agrees that institutions demonstrate their commitment to Division III when institutional representatives attend NCAA-sponsored events (i.e., Convention, regional rules seminar). In its review of data from 2001-2005, the committee determined that 20 institutions were not represented at the NCAA Convention during this time period.

(4) Estimated Budget Impact. Costs to conduct and monitor increased active membership requirements would be covered by increased dues. The Division III strategic initiative budget may be increased to cover greater participation at the regional rules seminars.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

c. Noncontroversial Legislation – Secondary Violations Reporting - Updated Annual Report.

(1) Recommendation. Adopt noncontroversial legislation to require Division III provisional and reclassifying institutions to report violations to the NCAA enforcement staff in the same manner as active members. The enforcement staff shall forward those reports to the Membership Committee on an annual basis.

(2) Effective Date. Immediate.

(3) Rationale. The establishment of a formal legislated infractions process for reclassifying and provisional members seeking active Division III membership will more adequately prepare such members for the transition, eliminate confusion associated with the current process and assist the Membership Committee in identifying areas of concern.

(4) Estimated Budget Impact. None.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

2. Nonlegislative Items.

a. Provisional Member Annual Reports - Active Membership.

(1) Recommendation. Grant the following institutions active membership:

(a) Finlandia University; and

(b) Spelman College.

(2) Effective Date. September 1, 2006.

(3) Rationale. Based on its review of the aforementioned institutions' annual reports, the committee agreed that the institutions should be moved into active membership.

(4) Estimated Budget Impact. None.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

b. Provisional Member Annual Reports - Fourth Year of Provisional Membership.

(1) Recommendation. Move the following institutions into the fourth year of provisional membership:

(a) Keystone College;

(b) Tri-State University; and

(c) University of Texas at Tyler.

(2) Effective Date. September 1, 2006.

(3) Rationale. In its review of the requests to accelerate the four-year provisional membership process, the committee noted that Keystone College and Tri-State University satisfied the criteria as outlined by the committee with compelling evidence. In its review of the University of Texas at Tyler's request to accelerate the four-year provisional membership process, the committee denied the waiver request noting there was no new information since its fall 2005 waiver request except for the successful completion of year three of the provisional program. The

committee reaffirmed it original position on this issue, where it requires full rules compliance and satisfaction of all membership requirements from the start of year one. The University of Texas at Tyler failed to satisfy the sports sponsorship requirements for two years since the women's golf and women's cross country failed to meet the participant requirements in 2003-04, which resulted in not meeting the sport sponsorship requirements for provisional year one. The committee further noted that the emphasis of Division III membership is not championships access, which was a point highlighted by the institution in its waiver request. (Attachment B)

(4) Budget Impact. None.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

c. Reclassification Request - Fourth Year of Reclassification.

(1) Recommendation. Move Green Mountain College into the fourth year of reclassification.

(2) Effective Date. September 1, 2006.

(3) Rationale. Based on its review of the aforementioned institution's annual report, the committee agreed that the institution should be moved forward into the fourth year of reclassifying membership.

(4) Budget Impact. None.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

d. Provisional Member Annual Reports - Third Year of Provisional Membership.

(1) Recommendation. Move the following institutions into the third year of provisional membership:

(a) Crown College (Minnesota);

(b) Mount Aloysius College;

(c) Penn State Berks College; and

(d) University of Maine at Presque Isle.

(2) Effective Date. September 1, 2006.

(3) Rationale. Based on its review of the aforementioned institutions' annual reports, the committee agreed that the institutions should be moved forward into the third year of provisional membership

(4) Budget Impact. None.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

e. Provisional Member Annual Reports - Repeat of Third Year of Provisional Membership.

(1) Recommendation. That Mount Mary College repeat the third year of provisional membership.

(2) Effective Date. September 1, 2006.

(3) Rationale. The committee recommended that Mount Mary College repeat the third year of provisional membership for failure to meet the sports sponsorship requirements as set forth in Constitution 3.6.1.4 (five-sport/three-season requirement) and Bylaw 20.11.3.3 (minimum contests and participants requirements for sports sponsorship). The committee noted significant concerns with sports sponsorship, including: (1) completion of only one contest in tennis; (2) a significant number of forfeitures and cancellations in multiple sports; (3) low numbers of scheduled contests for the upcoming year; and (4) the institution's lack of response to compliance questions concerning fiscal practices, disbursement of meal money and financial aid practices.

(4) Budget Impact. None.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. Student-athletes at Mount Mary College will experience a one-year delay in receiving the benefit of full Division III membership.

f. Reclassification Request - Third Year of Reclassification.

(1) Recommendation. Move the University of Minnesota, Morris, into the third year of reclassification.

(2) Effective Date. September 1, 2006.

(3) Rationale. Based on its review of the aforementioned institution's annual report, the committee agreed that the institution should be moved forward into the third year of reclassification.

(4) Budget Impact. None.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

g. Provisional Member Annual Reports - Second Year of Provisional Membership.

(1) Recommendation. Move the following institutions into the second year of provisional membership:

(a) Bethany Lutheran College;

(b) La Sierra University;

(c) Mitchell College;

(d) North Central University;

(e) Northwestern College;

(f) Presentation College;

(g) Purchase College; and

(h) Salem College.

(2) Effective Date. September 1, 2006.

(3) Rationale. Based on its review of the aforementioned institutions' annual reports, the committee agreed that the institutions should be moved forward into the second year of provisional membership.

(4) Budget Impact. None.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

h. 2006-07 Provisional Member Applications.

(1) Recommendation. To accept the following applications for Division III provisional membership:

(a) University of Cincinnati Clermont College (2008-09);

(b) Doane College (2008-09);

(c) Geneva College (2007-08);

(d) Lancaster Bible College (2006-07);

(e) Penn State Harrisburg (2007-08);

(f) Spalding University (2007-08); and

(g) State University of New York at Cobleskill (2008-09).

(2) Effective Date. Acceptance of application 06-07 with first year of provisional status noted for each institution.

(3) Rationale. Based on its review of the aforementioned institutions' applications, and the limit of six institutions per provisional class, the committee agreed that these institutions shall be moved into their first year of provisional membership in their respective class (2006-07, 2007-08 or 2008-09). Each of these institutions completed its exploratory year in 2005-06.

(4) Budget Impact. None.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

i. 2006-07 Reclassifying Member Applications.

(1) Recommendation. To accept the following applications for Division III reclassifying membership:

(a) Birmingham Southern College (2007-08); and

(b) University of Minnesota, Crookston (2007-08).

(2) Effective Date. Acceptance of application 06-07 with reclassification process effective beginning 2007-08.

(3) Rationale. The committee approved the applications of each institution to begin the reclassifying member process in 2007-08. Both institutions requested a one-year delay in starting the reclassification process in order to honor financial aid awards made for the 2006-07 year.

(4) Budget Impact. None.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. Incoming student-athletes (e.g., freshman, transfers) will not receive athletically related financial aid beginning in the 2007-08 academic year. Following the completion of 2008-09, the institutions may no longer award athletically related financial aid to any student-athlete and must comply with all financial aid requirements set forth in Bylaw 15.4.

j. Bennett College – Corresponding Membership Status.

(1) Recommendation. Place Bennett College into corresponding membership status based on a failure to meet sports sponsorship requirements in 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06.

(2) Effective Date. 2006-07 corresponding membership status.

(3) Rationale. On February 25, 2005, Bennett College was notified of its failure to conform to Constitution 3.2.5.2, failure to meet five-sport/three-season requirement. The committee notified Bennett of its restricted membership status effective for the 2005-06 academic year and allowed Bennett to present its progress on its operational plan to increase its sport sponsorship to five. Based on the institution's continued noncompliance with sports sponsorship requirements, Bennett should be placed into corresponding membership.

(4) Budget Impact. None.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. Loss of access to Division III programs and services. (e.g., championships; Division III grant funds; voting privileges; catastrophic insurance)

k. D'Youville College - Restricted Membership Status.

(1) Recommendation. Place D'Youville College in restricted membership for 2006-07 based on a failure to meet sports sponsorship requirements in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

(2) Effective Date. 2006-07 restricted membership.

(3) Rationale. It was brought to the committee's attention that D'Youville did not meet the minimum contests and participant’s requirements for the sport of golf during the 2004-05 and 2005-06 academic years. As a result of the D'Youville's failure to comply with the sports sponsorship requirements for two consecutive years, the institution should be placed in restricted status for the 2006-07 academic year. Thus, the institution is subject to loss of eligibility for a number of membership privileges, including championships eligibility, voting privileges, Division III grant and initiative funding and catastrophic-injury insurance. Failure to fulfill membership requirements during 2006-07 could result in corresponding membership during 2007-08.

(4) Budget Impact. None.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. Loss of access to Division III programs and services.

l. Fisk University - Probation Membership Status.

(1) Recommendation. To deny the five-sport/three-season waiver request from Fisk University and place the institution on probation for failure to meet sports sponsorship requirements in 2005-06.

(2) Effective Date. 2006-07 probation.

(3) Rationale. Due to scheduling conflicts and several student-athlete injuries, Fisk University failed to meet the minimum contests for indoor and outdoor track and field during the 2005-06 academic year. As a result of Fisk's failure to comply with the sports sponsorship requirements for 2005-06, the institution should be placed on probation for the 2006-07 academic year. The status of probation serves as a warning that certain conditions and obligations of membership have not been satisfied and failure to correct such deficiencies shall result in the institution's reclassification to the category of restricted membership.  An institution does not lose membership benefits as a result of being placed on probation.

(4) Budget Impact. None.

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

m. NCAA Regional Seminars/National Association of Division III Athletics Administrators (NADIIIAA) Summer Forum.

(1) Recommendation. To accept NADIIIAA's request to conduct the summer forum in conjunction with the 2007 NCAA Regional Rules Seminar (Attachment C) in lieu of NACDA Convention as originally approved.

(2) Effective Date. Spring 2007.

(3) Rationale. The NADIIIAA Partnership Grant was established to provide professional development for Division III administrators in conjunction with the regional rules seminar and National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). The grant was approved by the Management Council in July 2005 noting that the 2006 NADIIIAA Forum would be held in conjunction with the regional rules seminar in Dallas, Texas and the 2007 Forum in conjunction with NACDA Convention in Orlando, Florida. Following NADIIIAA's inaugural forum, the NADIIIAA executive committee requested to conduct the summer forum in conjunction with the 2007 regional rules seminar instead of as initially approved (in conjunction with NACDA). The committee supported NADIIIAA's rationale for the request.

(4) Budget Impact. Funding previously approved ($49,500).

(5) Student-Athlete Impact. None.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS.

1. NCAA Division III Conference Self-Study Guide (CSSG). The committee received an update on the commissioner's review of the CSSG and discussed the CSSG deadline and five-year reporting requirement. The committee clarified that the CSSG shall be due on a consistent date for all institutions, which is every five years after the original August 1, 2008, deadline (e.g., August 1 of 2013, 2018, 2023, 2028). The committee considered the value in requiring a conference with new conference personnel (e.g., commissioner, executive director) to complete the CSSG early in the new staff member's tenure. The committee tabled that discussion until after the first CGGS deadline of August 1, 2008.

The committee also considered the value of requiring new conference applicants to complete a CSSG and established a working group to update the conference application to include pertinent questions from the CSSG.

2. Waiver of Attendance at the Provisional/Reclassifying NCAA Convention Meeting. The committee approved that a blanket Convention attendance waiver be granted to provisional and reclassifying presidents if the president is attending the Council of Independent Colleges convention and sends the senior institutional administrator with athletics oversight to represent the institution at the NCAA Convention.

3. Changes to Geographical Regions. The committee reviewed the work of the NCAA Division III Geographic Region Project Team. The team reviewed the current Division III geographical regions and the new championships policy to consider contests between two members of the same geographic region as an in-region contest for championship selection principles. The committee accepted the information, and expressed a preference for model number two of the available options.

4. College of St. Joseph in Vermont. The College of St. Joseph in Vermont formally removed itself from the provisional membership process, noting the institution's withdrawal was based on miscommunication by NCAA staff members and lack of clear guidelines relative to the start of the provisional process.  The institution had requested a delay in its provisional start date from 2006 to 2007, which was ultimately denied by the committee due to the lack of any exploratory institutions to fill the 2006 slot (Attachment D).

Committee Chair: William Mandel, Western New England College

Staff Liaison(s): Leah Nilsson, Membership Services

Susan Peal, Membership Services