FUTURE OF NCAA DIVISION III: REFORM AGENDA I

ELIGIBILITY AND RECRUITING

Summary of Recommendations

PRESIDENTS COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS

1. ISSUE:		Seasons of Participation (Redshirting).
Oversight Group Legislative Recommendation:
	Redshirting. Limit a student-athlete to four seasons of participation, including any competition as well as any practice occurring after the first contest following the student-athlete’s initial participation. Retain existing waiver options (e.g., hardship waiver). Effective date. August 1, 2004 (for participation on or after August 1, 2004). Sponsors. Joint PC/MC Subcommittee on the Future of Division III (Eligibility and Recruiting Subgroup); College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin; Centennial Conference; Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Management Council Recommendation:
	Sponsor legislation for the 2004 Convention. The Council noted: l The legislation is consistent with the Division III philosophy that the highest priority is placed on the overall quality of the educational experience and successful completion of all students’ academic progress. l The retention of existing waiver options (e.g., medical hardship) support opportunities for unique situations to be handled. l The legislation encourages degree completion and may eliminate pressure for some student-athletes who do not wish to redshirt.
Presidents Council Action:
2. ISSUE:		Athletics Recruiting Policies.
Oversight Group Legislative Recommendation:
	Off-campus recruiting Athletics recruitment. Amend and strengthen the Division III philosophy statement to establish a principle to assure that athletics recruitment should comply complies with established institutional policies and procedures applicable to the admissions process and demonstrate a consistent pattern of recruitment for all students. Effective date. August 1, 2004. Sponsor. Joint PC/MC Subcommittee on the Future of Division III (Eligibility and Recruiting Subgroup).
Management Council Recommendation:
	Sponsor legislation for the 2004 Convention to revise the philosophy statement (Bylaw 20.11), as amended. The Council noted: l The title change more accurately reflects the principle. l The philosophy statement language – “…assure that athletics recruitment complies with the established institutional policies and procedures applicable to the admissions process” – is consistent with existing statements of philosophy. l The principle applies to identification, evaluation and admission of prospective student-athletes. l The Division III Institutional Self-Study Guide would be amended to reflect the principle. l The language assumes that campus dialogue should occur to assess admissions practices, consistent with the principle. l The proposed legislation is responsive to results of the membership survey (84 percent support).
Presidents Council Action:
3. ISSUE:		Transfer Contact Rule
Oversight Group Legislative Recommendation:
	a. Deregulate contact initiated by a student-athlete through a written “self-release” forwarded to the student-athlete’s director of athletics at the current institution and schools of interest to the student-athlete. Notify student-athletes of the ability to self-release via the student-athlete statement.

	b. Forward to Committee on Infractions a policy directive to Sstrengthen the current rule by more aggressively penalizing impermissible contact initiated by an athletics staff member or representative from another member school. Effective Date. August 1, 2004. Sponsor. Joint PC/MC Subcommittee on the Future of Division III (Eligibility and Recruiting Subgroup).
Management Council Recommendation:
	Sponsor legislation to revise the transfer contact rule, as amended. The Council noted: l The amendment provides student-athletes with flexibility and freedom to pursue options related to transfer and subsequent enrollment. l Notification of the ability to self-release should be incorporated into the student-athlete statement. l Student-athletes already can transfer to a second school without permission, provided they do not contact athletics personnel at that school. l Strengthened enforcement by the enforcement staff and the Committee on Infractions is critical to address institutional issues related to inappropriate transfers and contact with student-athletes. l The proposed legislation is responsive to results of the membership survey (63 percent support).
Presidents Council Action: