The Presidents Council recently completed its April meetings in a virtual format. This quarterly update highlights our recent April meetings. Since early March, our worlds have been significantly impacted and altered by COVID-19. I know that you are navigating these difficult times and working diligently to have your students, faculty and staff safely return to campus this fall. During our meeting, a Council member quoted Robert Frost, “ The best way out is always through.” Please know that the Division III Presidents Council is working tirelessly on your behalf.
COVID-19 IMPACT AND RESOURCES
The Council members discussed the impact of the coronavirus on their campuses and noted that the national office had created several resource pages to assist the membership. Key resource pages include the following:
While every Division III institution is impacted uniquely, there is a consistent need for clear and concise communications at all levels (i.e., campus, conference and national office).
BUDGET UPDATE
The Council received an update regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the 2019-20 budget. Staff estimates a 70 percent decrease in Association revenue due to the cancellation of the Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament, resulting in an anticipated overage of eight to nine million dollars in the 2019-20 Division III operating budget. The overage will be covered by the division’s mandated reserve policy. The Strategic Planning and Finance Committee will propose budget cuts for the FY21 budget and beyond to assist in replenishing the mandated reserve through the end of the current CBS/Turner contract (2023-24). The Council will
review the proposed budget cuts during its August meeting. Currently, the Council anticipates receiving the full revenue allocation for FY21 ($33 million) to fund the division’s championship and nonchampionship programs and initiatives.
NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS
In response to the April 2020 directives from the Board of Governors, including the endorsement of the Federal and State Legislation Working Group’s final report, the Council discussed potential changes to name, image and likeness (NIL) legislation proposed by the Interpretations and Legislation Committee and endorsed by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and Management Council. The concepts propose allowing the use of student-athlete status in the following settings:
The promotion of various academic and other endeavors involving student-athlete work product (e.g., research, book publishing, class projects, tutoring, personal business, creative endeavors, media activities, private lessons).
Participation in promotions and other endorsements (e.g., brand ambassador, commercials, appearances/autographs, modeling) provided payment is commensurate with the going rate, the institution is not involved in securing the promotion and these opportunities are not part of the recruiting process.
The Council reviewed a form that will be used to gather membership feedback before the August Council meeting. NCAA staff also will hold a series of webinars to continue to educate the membership on the concepts and gather feedback. The timetable will conclude with a membership vote on NIL legislation at the 2021 NCAA Convention. Dan Dutcher, vice president of Division III, also recently conducted an interview with Jack Ford on the topic of NIL. Click here to listen. Additional information can be found on the Division III section of the NIL webpage on ncaa.org.
ARRINGTON SETTLEMENT UPDATE
In accordance with the Arrington Concussion Settlement Agreement, to benefit from the release of certain legal claims, member institutions must certify in writing, on or before 11:59 P.M. CDT (Chicago time) on May 18
that they have put in place a concussion management plan. The Settlement Agreement does not provide for any opportunity for an extension or waiver of that deadline and the deadline should be considered permanent and immovable. A certification website and electronic certification process have been established and will be managed by third party settlement administrator. The Sport Science Institute also has developed a Frequently Asked Questionsdocument that contains answers to anticipated membership questions related to the certification process. Additional questions may be submitted to the Sport Science Institute at ssi@ncaa.org.
CONCLUSION
It is my intent that the quarterly update provides the necessary and critical information necessary to assist you in staying up to date regarding key NCAA issues. You can find a more detailed recap of the April 2020 Presidents Council meeting here, and the
Summary of Actions, which highlights all recent Council actions. As always, I welcome any questions or feedback.
Debbie Brown
Administrative Assistant for Division III
This email was sent to NCAA Division III chancellors and presidents, athletics direct reports and conference commissioners based on contact information in the NCAA Directory.
National Collegiate Athletic Association, 700 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 US
