FUTURE OF NCAA DIVISION III: REFORM AGENDA I

MEMBERSHIP

Summary of Recommendations

PRESIDENTS COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS

1. ISSUE:

Multidivision Classification.

Oversight Group Legislative Recommendation:

Eliminate the awarding of athletics aid by Division III institutions in sports classified in another division.

Effective date. August 1, 2008.

Sponsor. Joint PC/MC Subcommittee on the Future of Division III (Membership Subgroup).

Current Division III members with multidivisional classification.

Institution	Division I Sport	Athletics Aid
St. Lawrence University	Men's Ice Hockey	Yes
St. Lawrence University	Women's Ice Hockey	Yes
Colorado College	Men's Ice Hockey	Yes
Colorado College	Women's Soccer	Yes
Johns Hopkins University	Men's Lacrosse	Yes
Johns Hopkins University	Women's Lacrosse	Yes
Hobart and William Smith Colleges	Men's Lacrosse	No
Clarkson University	Men's Ice Hockey	Yes
Clarkson University	Women's Ice Hockey	Yes
Union College	Men's Ice Hockey	No
Union College	Women's Ice Hockey	No
Franklin & Marshall College	Men's Wrestling	No
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute	Men's Ice Hockey	Yes
Hartwick College	Women's Water Polo	Yes
SUNY Oneonta	Men's Soccer	Yes
Rutgers-Newark	Men’s Volleyball	?

Management Council Recommendation:

Sponsor legislation for the 2004 Convention, as recommended. The Council noted:

l This recommendation is consistent with the fundamental Division III principle of no athletics aid for any students.

l The recommendation furthers the concept of sports equity.

l The delayed effective date provides reasonable notice for affected institutions and student-athletes.

l Historically, the current Division III application was implemented to accommodate existing men’s sports.

l The proposed legislation if responsive to the results of the survey (46 percent supported complete elimination of multidivision classification, while another 13 percent “somewhat” supported elimination).

Presidents Council Action:

2. ISSUE:

Coaching and Travel Squad Limits.

Oversight Group Legislative Recommendation:

Amend the Philosophy Statement to encourage schools and conferences to establish reasonable coaching and travel squad size limits, to encourage sport equity.

Effective date. August 1, 2004.

Sponsor. Joint PC/MC Subcommittee on the Future of Division III (Membership Subgroup).

Management Council Recommendation:

Sponsor legislation for the 2004 Convention, as recommended. The Council noted:

l Travel squad limits are for student-athletes.

l Coaching includes part-time/full-time staff, not student coaches.

l The proposed legislation is responsive to the survey (50 percent supported coaching limits, while another 19 percent “somewhat” supported them; 43 percent supported travel squad limits, while another 16 percent “somewhat” supported them.)

Presidents Council Action:

3. ISSUE:		Membership Growth.
Oversight Group Legislative Recommendation:
	Sponsor a resolution to commit, as part of the ongoing strategic planning process, to addressing issues related to membership growth. The review should include a review of the broad based program philosophy; appropriate championships access; access to other programs and services; and the greater exercise of institutional and conference autonomy. Report back to the Division III membership at a future Convention. Sponsor. Joint PC/MC Subcommittee on the Future of Division III.
Management Council Recommendation:
	Sponsor legislation for the 2004 Convention.
Presidents Council Action:
4. ISSUE:		Institutional/Conference Autonomy.
Oversight Group Legislative Recommendation:
	The NCAA should commit resources and facilitate opportunities to permit groups of institutions and conferences to gather and dialogue about legislative and other issues of mutual interest. Annual visits to Division III conferences and independent institution meetings by members of the Management Council should occur and should include the topic of legislative autonomy.
Management Council Recommendation:
	Support the recommendation and allocation of Division III resources beginning with the 2004-06 biennial budget.
Presidents Council Action: