This update is a tool to enhance communication between the NCAA national office and the Division III membership, with distribution to athletics directors, senior woman administrators, faculty athletics representatives, presidents, national SAAC, conference commissioners and the NADIIIAA listserv. We encourage athletics directors to share this communication with their athletics department members. Please contact Louise McCleary to include an item or share comments, and remember to check out the Division III governance
homepage for the latest news and information.
The national Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee held its inaugural Mental Health Social Media Campaign on May 4-7. The campaign raised awareness surrounding mental health issues by creating a social dialogue and establishing a mental well-being presence associated with the NCAA. Nearly 70% of Division III institutions took part in the campaign, while over 80% of the division’s conferences participated in the four-day event. “I couldn’t be happier with the direction the campaign took,” said Division III SAAC chair Braly Keller. “A lot of great effort went into this initiative over the past two years, and the entire
committee deserves recognition for their hard work. With the help of the NCAA Sport Science Institute and after gaining support from the Division I and Divisions II national SAACs, Division III SAAC has taken a big step forward in raising awareness to help break the stigma surrounding mental health.” The Division III SAAC intends to make this campaign a yearly occurrence. For highlights and more information, including resources for after the campaign, click here.
NCAA Committee Nominations
This past spring, the NCAA Division III Management Council approved a change to the time frame a nomination for an NCAA committee vacancy will stay active. Previously, the nomination remained active for two years. New nominations will now remain active for one year. Any previous nominations that are in the system will expire based on their original submission dates. Please email Jen Roe if you have any questions or concerns.
Sport Sponsorship and Demographic Form
The Sport Sponsorship and Demographic Form is open for completion. Completing the form is an annual membership requirement and must be submitted by July 31. Access to the site is through the NCAA single source sign-on system. The instructions and frequently asked questions documents found within the site will guide the user through each area of the form. If you have additional questions please contact Maria DeJulio, Lynn Dickey, or Erin Irick.
NATA Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine (ICSM)
On May 7, the ICSM held a webinar that addressed topics provided by the Division III membership regarding COVID-19 and return to sport considerations. The presentations focused on the COVID-19 pandemic requiring clinicians to adapt to new and unique situations. The webinar and related American College Health Association (ACHA) document are linked below:
The Division III NIL Oversight Group recently released a survey to presidents/chancellors, athletics directors and commissioners to seek feedback on legislative concepts proposed by the Interpretations and Legislation Committee and endorsed by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Management Council and Presidents Council. The survey will be used to gather feedback from the membership before the July and August council meetings. On June 19, as part of the 2020 Regional Rules Seminars, staff will conduct a webinar that will address the survey feedback. Click
here for a document that provides a timeline of the actions and steps taken by the Association to modernize its rules related to the use of a student-athlete’s NIL.
Reminder: COVID-19 Modifications for 2019-20 BOG Policy on Campus Sexual Violence
Modifications to the 2019-20 sexual violence attestation form process were recently announced to help member schools attest their compliance amid these challenging circumstances. You can find more information on the modifications on our FAQ page and download the modified form here. The deadline has been extended to June 15 due to COVID-19. Please contact questions@ncaa.org if you have further questions.
Sexual Violence Prevention Expansion
At its April meeting, the Board of Governors announced an expansion of the existing Association-wide campus sexual violence policy. The board’s action will require additional disclosure beginning in the 2021-22 academic year. According to the new policy, all incoming, current and transfer college athletes must disclose annually to their school whether their conduct has resulted in an investigation, discipline through a Title IX proceeding or a criminal conviction for sexual, interpersonal or other acts of violence. A failure by the athlete to accurately and fully disclose investigatory activity, a disciplinary action or criminal conviction may result in penalties, including a loss of athletics eligibility as determined by the school. For more on the updated policy, visit ncaa.org.
Division III Webinars
Future webinars will be on the following dates and topics (all times are Eastern):
1 to 2 p.m. June 2 – COVID-19 Impact on Playing and Practice Seasons.
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 4 – TBD.
1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 1 – Association-wide Strategic Plan.
All past webinar PowerPoints are on the Division III website.
Division III Governance Intern
In mid-June, the Division III governance team will welcome Jarett Gerald as its 2020-21 NCAA post-graduate intern. Gerald graduated from the University of South Carolina with both his bachelor’s and master’s degree in sport and entertainment management. At South Carolina, he was a member of the track and field team and a four-time Southeastern Conference honor roll member. He has served as the special assistant to the Gamecocks head men’s basketball coach for the past five years and previously served as a graduate student manager for the team, as well. Gerald also has served on the university’s Athletics Diversity and
Inclusion Committee. Please join us in welcoming Gerald to Division III governance.
2019-20 Identity Initiative Purchasing Website
With three months remaining in the 2019-20 academic year, do you still have purchasing website credit remaining? Have you checked out the new items recently added to the Division III purchasing website? The site now includes United As One banners for purchase. Log in through My Apps and select the Division III Purchasing icon or click here. Do not forget that a $500 credit is available for each institution and conference through August 2020 for purchases from the site. Access the site by entering the email address of your institution's director of athletics (or for conferences, the commissioner's email address) as the username. Then enter the password you created. For assistance, contact Kristen Zeedyk at Source One Digital.
Looking for virtual ways to reach your student-athletes? It is simple to administer the 360 Proof PFI from a distance. The PFI is a confidential online tool for students to answer a series of questions about their alcohol use, receive web-based personalized feedback on the impact of that use, and receive personalized normative feedback to allow them to see how their behaviors compare to other students.
There are several instances where the 360 Proof PFI could e useful at this time:
The PFI can be helpful to complete scheduled or required alcohol programming, particularly for intercollegiate athletics.
If students are feeling isolated while isolating, or are struggling to manage stress, it is possible alcohol use motives (for example, drinking to cope) are shifting. Here, too, managing risk becomes important.
Some student-athletes, especially spring sport athletes and/or seniors, could be literally grieving the loss (or possible loss) of their intercollegiate athletics careers. This is another area where being sensitive about "drinking to cope" becomes important.
Please contact Leah Kareti
with any questions about 360 Proof. Don't miss us on Twitter for 360 Proof highlights, tips and tutorials: @Real360Proof.
Division III plans to conduct the sixth annual Athletics Direct Report (ADR) Institute on Jan. 13-14 at the 2021 NCAA Convention. The purpose of the program is to engage Division III ADRs in best practices to oversee and manage athletics departments and to improve the relationships between ADRs and their presidents, athletics directors and conference commissioners. The two-day program includes both networking opportunities and interactive discussions with ADR peers and other expert presenters. Click
here for event details. ADR Institute participants will receive a registration fee waiver to the NCAA Convention to continue their professional development. The institute also provides travel, meals and lodging for all participants.
Nominations will open in Program Hub on June 15 and close at 5 p.m. (Eastern time) Aug. 15. Eligible nominators include commissioners, presidents/chancellors and directors of athletics. ADRs also may self-nominate for the institute. Please contact Leah Kareti with any questions.
The New FAR Orientationhas moved to spring 2021 to better enable in-person attendance by FARs. The dates will be announced, and application deadlines adjusted before the start of the academic year. FARs with less than two years of experience will be invited to apply for the program, which focuses on understanding the Division III model of athletics and exploring the role of a Division III FAR. Also, participants will have the opportunity to build networks of new and experienced FARs, and to establish goals for engagement in the role. Contact Leah Kareti with any questions.
The Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports has established a reporting process through which member institutions will report instances of diagnosed concussions for NCAA student-athletes and their resolution. The website and online reporting process will be available to the membership July 1. The URL for that website can be found in step-by-step reporting instructions for member institutions, which can be accessed here. In addition to the instructional information about the reporting process, we have developed a Frequently Asked Questions page that contains answers to anticipated membership questions related to the concussion reporting process.
The NCAA has a Digital Library that houses all NCAA logos and style guides. Go to www.NCAAlogos.com to register as a “new user”. To access the digital system, you will need to create an account. Click here
to learn more about creating an account. Once you register as a "new user", a notification will be sent to your email address permitting you to access the site. This process takes approximately 24 to 48 hours to receive permission to access the site.
NCAA and D3SIDA Recognition Award
Congratulations Aaron Todd, St. Lawrence University assistant athletics director of communications and marketing on receiving the 2020 Spring Division III and D3SIDA Recognition Award! The selection committee of D3SIDA members chose Todd’s story titled: As One. Division III and D3SIDA applaud the work. Award winners receive a $1,500 credit to attend Division III Day held in conjunction with the annual 2021 CoSIDA Convention.
The next submission for the NCAA Division III and D3SIDA recognition award is now open until Oct. 15. Click here for more details. The award is a partnership between the Division III governance staff and the Division III College Sports Information Directors of America. The recognition program is part of the Division III Identity Initiative. It seeks to honor the best news releases, feature articles, videos, blogs and other materials produced by Division III campus and conference athletics communication offices to portray the Division III identity and student-athlete experience.
CoSIDA Virtual Divisional Day
Join us for the 2020 CoSIDA Virtual Convention! Featured sessions will take place June 8-12, with Divisional Days running June 3-4, and more general sessions throughout the entire month of June. To view a complete schedule, click here.
There were no submissions for the May Division III Diversity Spotlight Initiative. The Diversity Spotlight Initiative recognizes and promotes outstanding diversity related projects, programming and initiatives occurring on Division III campuses and in conference offices. All selected recipients receive $500 toward their next diversity initiative. To submit an initiative for consideration for June, email Louise McCleary, with a brief statement (no more than 500 words) as to why your institution or conference office deserves to be the spotlight recipient. Attach a video or photo if applicable. The nomination deadline is June 21.
Diversity Tip of the Month
Last week was the official launch of Return On Inclusion™ (ROI), a groundbreaking online learning platform for coaches and athletic administrators, created by nationally-recognized diversity thought leader, Nevin Capel. ROI is a sport-specific diversity and inclusion education platform designed to develop inclusive leaders and foster a culture of belonging across social and cultural differences. ROI teaches administrators how to develop and implement a strategic plan, but first centers the curriculum on self-reflection and personal transformation as the pathway to inclusive leadership. The six self-paced learning modules will help athletics
professionals develop the skills to assess departmental needs, address challenges, and achieve goals in programs, policies and practices to champion diversity and inclusion from the top-down. Athletics administrators and coaches who successfully complete all six modules will earn the ROI Inclusive Leader Certificate, recognizing their personal investment in developing the skills and competencies necessary to support student-athletes across differences. The modules will be released in the fall of 2020 and can be purchased individually or as part of the Inclusive Leader Certificate Bundle. To learn more, visit www.roinclusion.com.
The NCAA Division III Special Olympics Spotlight Poll is a story-telling initiative on ncaa.org/D3SpecialOlympics. It features new stories each month that highlight a Division III and Special Olympics joint activity or event. The story with the highest number of votes on the 25th day of each month is the winner. That institution or conference receives $500 to use for its next Special Olympics event. Written and digital submissions both are accepted. Featured stories are selected based on inclusion of the student-athlete perspective and Division III messaging.
After 2,954 total votes, 2020 CCIW Ball Toss Video with Special Olympicswon the May Special Olympics Spotlight Poll by gathering 52% (1,526) of the total votes. The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin will receive $500 to use for its next Special Olympics event.
Graduate Student/Postbaccalaureate Participation. Per Bylaw 14.1.9, only a student-athlete who graduated from a Division III institution may participate in intercollegiate athletics at a DIII institution as a graduate or postbaccalaureate student. For example, a student-athlete who graduates from Division III institution A is permitted to participate in intercollegiate athletics at another Division III institution as a graduate or post baccalaureate student because institution A was a Division III institution.
If the student-athlete does not graduate from a Division III institution, the student-athlete is not eligible to participate as a graduate or post baccalaureate student at a Division III institution. Therefore, if the student-athlete graduated from a Division I or II NCAA institution, an institution in another intercollegiate athletics association (for example, NAIA), an institution that does not sponsor intercollegiate athletics or an international institution, the student-athlete would not satisfy Bylaw 14.1.9 and would not be eligible to participate as a graduate or post baccalaureate student athlete at a Division III institution.
A Division III institution may file a legislative relief waiver for any student seeking graduate participation eligibility (that does not satisfy Bylaw 14.1.9). For guidance on the documentation and criteria the committee considers for these requests please review the Subcommittee for Legislative Relief Information Standards, Guidelines and Directives.
Division III Amendment Procedures for the 2021 NCAA Convention
During its May 2020 meeting the NCAA Division III Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement approved an additional previously approved waiver request to the Division III Previously Approved List for Student-Athlete Reinstatement. Click here for the updated version of the Division III Previously Approved List for Student-Athlete Reinstatement. The previously approved request list allows institutions to approve waivers or reinstate student-athletes only if the circumstances of a particular case appear on the list and satisfy all established criteria. If the circumstances of a particular case do not appear on the previously approved request list or if the circumstances do not satisfy all established criteria, the institution must submit a waiver or student-athlete reinstatement request through RSRO. Further, when an institution approves a waiver based on the previously approved
request list, it must notify its conference office. When an institution reinstates a student-athlete’s eligibility based on a previously approved request list, the institution must report the violation to the enforcement staff through RSRO and indicate that the institution reinstated the student-athlete pursuant to the previously approved request list. Institutions are encouraged to call the student-athlete reinstatement staff at 317-917-6102 with any questions related to the administration of the student-athlete previously approved request list.
2020 NCAA Regional Rules Seminars
The 2020 Regional Rules Seminars will be conducted virtually during the month of June. A combination of presentations and live webinars will be used to deliver programming to the membership. Beginning June 1, institutions will be able to access recorded presentations in the NCAA Learning Portal (accessed through NCAA MyApps). There will be eight presentations total, two in each of the following areas: Bylaw 13 (Recruiting), Bylaw 14 (Eligibility), Bylaw 17 (Playing and Practice Seasons) and 2020 New Legislation. Each presentation will last approximately 15 minutes.
Live webinars also will be conducted to supplement the NCAA Learning Portal presentations. The webinars will be conducted according to the following schedule (all times are Eastern):
Bylaw 14, Eligibility — Noon to 1 p.m. June 9 and 4 to 5 p.m. June 22.
Bylaw 17, Playing and Practice Seasons — Noon to 1 p.m. June 10 and noon to 1 p.m. June 23.
New Legislation — 3 to 4 p.m. June 10 and 4 to 5 p.m. June 23.
Name, Image and Likeness — Noon to 1 p.m. June 19.
COVID-19 — 4 to 5 p.m. June 19.
To satisfy the Constitution 3.2.4.16 requirement than an institutional staff member attend once every three years, at least one institutional representative must successfully complete all eight NCAA Learning Portal presentations no later than June 30, 2020. For institutions required to fulfill Constitution 3.2.4.16 during 2020, the NCAA Learning Portal presentations automatically will be assigned to the director of athletics listed in the NCAA directory on June 1. The athletic director may complete the presentations or may assign them to one or more individuals on campus. Participation will be monitored by the system. There is no need to reach out to NCAA staff after completion. Other institutions may also access the presentations through the NCAA Learning Portal, although there will not be any automatic assignment. Participation will be monitored by the system, and any institution
that successfully completes all eight NCAA Learning Portal presentations by June 30, 2020 will satisfy Constitution 3.2.4.16. There is no need to reach out to NCAA staff following completion. Registering for the live webinars is encouraged, but not required, to satisfy Constitution 3.2.4.16. For topics with two webinars, the content will be the same on each date.
The NCAA Learning Portal presentations will remain accessible after June 30 and institutions may use the presentations as resources moving forward. To satisfy the attendance requirement, however, completion must take place no later than June 30. There is no cost for institutional access to the NCAA Learning Portal. If you do not currently have the application in your MyApps, please contact your campus Single-Source Sign-On administrator.
Questions
Any Division III membership questions should be directed to Corey Berg at cberg@ncaa.org.
Any NCAA Learning Portal questions should be directed to LMShelp@ncaa.org.
Nominations for the 2020 NCAA Woman of the Year program are now available via the Program Hub. Established in 1991 and directed by the Committee on Women’s Athletics, the program celebrates and honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service and campus leadership of graduating female college athletes from all three divisions. Each member school can nominate up to two graduating female student-athletes if at least one of the nominees is a student-athlete of color and/or international student-athlete.
All nominees will receive a certificate and letter of congratulations from the NCAA recognizing their selection as a candidate for Woman of the Year. On Sunday, Nov. 1, the 30 Woman of the Year honorees will be recognized, and the 2020 Woman of the Year will be announced. Visit the NCAA Woman of the Year Nomination and Award Process webpage and the Eligibility and Nomination Process FAQ for more information.
The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee will meet June 2-5 via video conference. This is a rules change year for ice hockey.
Women's Lacrosse
The NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Rules Committee will meet June 8-9 via video conference. This is not a rules change year for women’s lacrosse.
Softball
The NCAA Softball Rules Committee will meet June 15-17 via video conference. This is not a rules change year for softball.
Men's and Women's Track and Field/Cross Country
The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Rules Committee will meet June 17-19 via video conference. This is a rules change year for track and field/cross country.
Baseball
The Baseball Rules Committee will meet July 21-23 via video conference. This is a rules change year for baseball.
Several committees conducted virtual meetings in May.
Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, May 13-14 Membership Committee, May 14 Championships Committee, May 19 Interpretations and Legislation Committee, May 21 Playing and Practice Seasons Subcommittee, May 22 Membership Committee, May 27
Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport Committee
Virtual
June 22-23
Championships Committee
Virtual
June 24-25
Membership Committee
Virtual
July 18-19
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
Virtual
July 20-21
Management Council
Virtual
Aug. 3
Presidents Advisory Group
Virtual
Aug. 5
Presidents Council
Virtual
This email was sent to NCAA Division III chancellors and presidents serving on committees, directors of athletics, athletics direct reports, faculty athletics representatives, senior woman administrators, sports information directors, compliance directors, commissioners, associate and assistant commissioners, provisional, reclassifying and exploratory members, primary and associate members of National SAAC based on contact information in the NCAA Directory.
National Collegiate Athletic Association, 700 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 US