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Legislative assistance

1996 Column No. 38
NCAA Council action
NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.2.2 --
percentage-of-degree requirements

At its October 7-9, 1996, meeting, the NCAA Council agreed to support a recommendation from the NCAA Academic Requirements Committee that if a Division I student-athlete's degree program is identified as a five-year program in the institution's official catalog or otherwise requires 150 semester or 225 quarter hours or more (which means that the "25/50/75" percent-degree requirement standard is modified to "20/40/60"), the institution shall certify the student's eligibility under the "20/40/60" standard without being required to submit a waiver to the Academic Requirements Committee. Please note that this change is effective immediately for any percentage-of-degree requirement calculations that would occur during the 1996-97 academic year and thereafter. In order for an institution to certify eligibility under the "20/40/60" standard, the student's degree program must meet precisely either of the two following examples: (1) the student's specific degree program is identified as a five-year program in the institution's official catalog, regardless of the number of degree credits a student must obtain in such a program or (2) the student is enrolled in a degree program that requires 150 semester or 225 quarter hours or more, regardless of whether such a program would be identified as a five-year program. Any percentage-of-degree requirement case that does not meet these strict guidelines may be appealed to the NCAA Academic Requirements Committee by completing an application form that may be obtained by contacting the NCAA legislative services staff.

NCAA Bylaw 13.16.1
Precollege expense/test score

NCAA Divisions I and II institutions should note that during its August 27, 1996, telephone conference, the NCAA Interpretations Committee determined that an institution may not incur any expenses (e.g., legal expenses, mailing costs) to assist a prospect in challenging an invalidation of his or her test score by the testing agency, even if the prospect signed a National Letter of Intent or has been officially accepted for enrollment at that institution.

NCAA Bylaw 14.3.2.1
Partial qualifier at home contest

NCAA Divisions I and II institutions should note that during its September 26, 1996, telephone conference, the Interpretations Committee determined that a partial qualifier may sit with the institution's team (e.g., on the bench, in the dugout, on the sidelines) during a home contest in which the member institution's team participates. The partial qualifier is not permitted to dress in uniform for the contest.

This material was provided by the legislative services staff as an aid to member institutions. If an institution has a question or comment regarding this column, such correspondence should be directed to Richard C. Perko, legislative assistant, at the NCAA national office. This information is available on the Collegiate Sports Network.