Telephone Conference March 25, 2004

Participants:

Tim Downes, California Institute of Technology, chair

Kristin Hall, Bard College

Carolyn Hunter, Christopher Newport University

Del Malloy, Salve Regina University

Bill Mandel, Western New England College

Chris Martin, College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

Mark Molesworth, University of Wisconsin, Platteville

Leah Nilsson, NCAA, recording secretary

Anne Steele, Muskingum College; and Dick Strockbine, University of Dallas; were unable to participate.

[Note: These minutes contain only actions taken (formal votes or stated "sense of the meeting") in accordance with NCAA policy regarding minutes of all Association entities. While certain items on the committee's agenda were acted on at various times throughout the meeting, all final actions within a given topic are combined in these minutes for convenience of reference.]

The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m. Eastern time by Mr. Downes. All were present as noted above.

1. Announcements. Mr. Downes and Mr. Martin made note that is was 70 degrees in Chicago in March. All committee members were quite impressed.

2. Review of Previous Minutes. The NCAA Division III Membership Committee reviewed the minutes from its February 26 teleconference.

It was VOTED

"That the February 26 teleconference minutes be approved as amended."

3. Review Additional Information for Waiver Request of Five-Sport/Three-Season Requirement from North Carolina Wesleyan College. The committee reviewed the additional information submitted by North Carolina Wesleyan College to explain the unusual circumstances that would justify granting this waiver. The committee noted that a coaching change is not an unusual circumstance, thus the situation at North Carolina Wesleyan did not justify granting a waiver of the five-sport/three-season requirement.

It was VOTED

"That the five-sport/three-season waiver request for North Carolina Wesleyan be denied.

4. Review Web Survey Related to NCAA Regional Rules Seminars. The committee reviewed the draft Web survey prepared by staff. The content of the Web survey will be forwarded to the NCAA's Internet staff for spring distribution of the survey.

5. Review the Timeline for Data Collection on Minimum Contest and Participant Requirements. The committee reviewed the memorandums distributed to each of the NCAA Division III sports committees to gather information about appropriate minimum contest and participant requirements. The information will be available to the committee for the June in-person meeting.

6. Consider Eligibility Status of Upperclassmen at Institutions with Two-Year Degree Programs. In light of several of the NCAA Division III provisional institutions being in transition from two-year colleges to four-year institutions, the committee considered the eligibility status of upperclassmen at institutions with two-year degree programs. Currently, an interpretation exists to explain the eligibility of student-athletes enrolled in an associate's degree program that will lead to a baccalaureate degree. The committee expressed concern about un upperclassman pursuing an associates degree beyond the first two years of full-time collegiate enrollment, because that does not seem to meet the spirit of NCAA Bylaw 14.01.2 where a student-athlete must be enrolled in a program leading toward a baccalaureate or equivalent degree. This information will be forwarded to the NCAA Division III Interpretations and Legislation Committee for official action.

7. Review Fall Provisional/Reclassification Education Dates. The committee approved the following dates and assignments for the 2004 year two campus visits and the year one orientation.

a. Finlandia University September 15 Chris Martin;

b. University of Minnesota, Morris September 22 Del Malloy;

c. Palm Beach Atlantic University September 30 Mark Molesworth;

d. Mount Mary College October 11 Mark Molesworth;

e. Penn State Berks-Lehigh Valley October 12 Tim Downes;

f. University of Texas at Tyler October 22 Dick Strockbine;

g. University of Maine, Presque Isle October 25 Kristin Hall; and

h. Year One Orientation October 4 Chris Martin, Del Malloy.

8. Future Teleconferences. The committee reviewed its future teleconference schedule, which includes the following. All calls are scheduled for 9 a.m. Central time.

a. April 22, 2004; and

b. May 27, 2004.

9. Adjournment. The telephone conference adjourned at 10:40 a.m. Eastern time.

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