The NCAA News - News and Features

April 14, 1997

Presidents look ahead at March meetings -- Division I

CEOs discuss plans for second cycle of certification program

The Division I subcommittee of the NCAA Presidents Commission reviewed modifications of the Division I athletics certification program during its March 27-28 meeting in Indianapolis.

The Division I subcommittee focused on proposed changes in the athletics certification program as it moves toward its second cycle. In addition to recommending minor changes in amendments to the self-study instrument, including those sections concerning commitment to rules compliance and academic integrity, the subcommittee questioned whether enough emphasis will be placed on the interim report that will be required in the new 10-year certification cycle. The subcommittee also discussed whether certain circumstances, such as a major NCAA infractions finding, might warrant an in-person review in conjunction with the interim report.

In addition, the subcommittee suggested that chief executive officers be provided with an opportunity to evaluate athletics certification peer-review teams after a campus visit has been completed.

The Commission also expressed concern about 1997 Convention Proposal No. 62. The legislation, which was approved January 13 during Presidential Agenda Day, will permit Division I student-athletes the opportunity to earn up to their cost of attendance through out-of-season employment.

Since its passage, widespread concern has been expressed about the potential for abuse with the new legislation.

At their recent meeting, the presidents expressed questions about how to effectively monitor employment by student-athletes and whether the definition of cost of attendance should be clarified.

The presidents noted that Proposal No. 62 will be a primary discussion item at the April meeting of the Division I Steering Committee.

Board of Directors

The Division I Board of Directors also met in Indianapolis. It focused primarily on matters pertaining to implementation of the new Division I governance structure, but it also examined two other areas of interest.

The Board reviewed the initial-eligibility certification process, which has been troubled by problems ranging from determining what constitutes a core course to excessive demands on the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse. The Board noted that it did not support changes in the standards for initial eligibility.

After a discussion of the process of certification, the Board asked for an expeditious review of the initial-eligibility and clearinghouse system. The review will include whether certain NCAA rules affect the clearinghouse's ability to handle its duties efficiently. The Board also requested that the study include a broad range of possible solutions to the problems that have arisen in the initial-eligibility certification process.

The Board also continued its discussion of Division I-A postseason football. It will examine the issue in more detail at its June meeting.

At the 1997 Convention, the Division I subcommittee of the Commission referred an examination of I-A postseason football, based partly on a report from Executive Director Cedric W. Dempsey and partly on a request made by presidents from the Western Athletic Conference, to the Board for review. It requested that a report to the membership be made by January 1, 1998.

Since the Convention, a group of United States senators has asked the Federal Trade Commission to examine whether the current Division I-A football bowl alliance violates federal antitrust law.

Otherwise, the Board focused primarily on matters relating to the implementation of the new governance structure in Division I. In that regard, the Board: