NCAA Division III
PRESIDENTS QUARTERLY UPDATE MAY 2018




As the spring semester concludes, I hope this quarterly update finds you and your campus flourishing with excitement. It is hard to believe that the academic year is ending and with it, commencement celebrations are upon us. This quarterly update highlights the recent 2018 April Presidents Council meeting. I encourage you to review and discuss relevant issues on your campus and at your next conference meeting.



COMMISSION ON COLLEGE BASKETBALL


On April 25, the Commission on College Basketball, led by Dr. Condoleezza Rice, released recommendations that would greatly modify the college basketball landscape. These recommendations will ensure integrity in the game, strengthen accountability in college sports and demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of student-athletes. The NCAA Board of Governors will begin to implement Association-wide actions now, while the Division I Board of Directions will begin the task of applying the recommendations to Division I rules, policy and structure by the time the 2018-19 season begins. The summary report of the recommendations from the Commission can be found here.

PROPOSED LEGISLATION - STUDENT-ATHLETE GRAD RATE REPORTING


The Presidents Council agreed to sponsor a 2019 NCAA Convention legislative proposal, recommended by the Management Council and Division III Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, that would require each Division III member school to annually report student-athlete graduation rates. The resulting data would not be for public release but would allow schools to conduct thorough self-evaluations and benchmark against data from peer institutions via the NCAA Institutional Performance Program. Aggregate data would be used to develop best practices to assist institutions in increasing their student-athlete retention rates across all sports, and in particular for football and African American S-A's, where rates appear to lag those of other S-A's and campus-wide success.


MEMBERSHIP DUES INCREASE


The Presidents Council voted to fully implement the membership dues increase adopted by the membership at the 2016 NCAA Convention. Last year, Division III members were given a credit to offset the adopted dues increase.  Annual dues will increase from $900 to $2,000 for institutions, and $450 to $1,000 for conference offices. The change is effective for the dues owed by September 1, 2018. The additional revenue will go directly to Division III, and the Division III Strategic Planning and Finance Committee will recommend to the Councils how to allocate the new revenue. The funds will likely be allocated for non-championships initiatives, such as grant programs and opportunities for women and minorities within the division. 

PROPOSED LEGISLATION - 2019 FOOTBALL PRESEASON


The Presidents Council also sponsored 2019 NCAA Convention legislation that would allow the first permissible football practice date to occur 23 days prior to the institution's first regular-season contest and mandate one day off from physical activity every seven days after the initial five-day acclimatization period. There would be no more than 21 on-field preseason practice days. The Management Council is also seeking feedback from the membership to determine if there are any needed revisions to the proposal. A short survey was sent to athletics directors, athletics trainers and head football coaches.  


SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION FORM - ACTION REQUIRED


Please remember the NCAA Board of Governors Policy on Campus Sexual Violence Attestation Form is due Tuesday, May 15. The attestation form requires signatures from the school's president or chancellor, athletics director and Title IX coordinator. A school must submit the form via the NCAA Program Hub.


CSSG INVOLVEMENT AND RESOURCE


NCAA Constitution 3.3.4.6 requires that each Division III member conference office conduct a comprehensive self-study and evaluation at least once every five years, using the Conference Self-Study Guide (CSSG) developed by the Division III Membership Committee. The next CSSG due date is June 1, 2018. The staff has created a document (here) that details the importance of presidential involvement in completing the CSSG.
  


CONCLUSION


It is our intent that the quarterly update provides the necessary and critical information you need to assist you in the oversight of athletics on your campus.  You can find a full recap of the April Presidents Council meeting here in addition to the Summary of Actions that highlights all recent Council actions.  As always, I welcome any comments or questions. Have a great and safe summer! 


DIVISION III GOVERNANCE STAFF

Dan Dutcher

Vice President for Division III

Louise McCleary

Managing Director of Division III


Jay Jones

Associate Director of Division III


 Adam Skaggs

Assistant Director of Division III Governance Communications


Debbie Kresge

Executive Assistant for Division III


Debbie Brown

Administrative Assistant for Division III

ld-bot
National Collegiate Athletic Association, 700 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 US



Update your preferences | View in browser | View privacy policy