The NCAA News - News and Features

July 7, 1997

Legislative assistance -- 1997 Column No. 27

ACT and SAT score cancellations

NCAA Divisions I and II institutions should note that pursuant to NCAA Council action taken August 7-9, 1995, a student-athlete who signs the Student-Athlete Statement now is required to notify his or her athletics department of the cancellation of a test score used for athletics eligibility purposes (i.e., ACT or SAT score). When an institution receives notification that a student-athlete's test score is canceled, it is the institution's responsibility to (a) notify the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse of the score cancellation; (b) investigate the matter to determine whether the student-athlete committed fraud or otherwise was responsible for the test-score cancellation and whether any institutional staff member or representative of the institution's athletics interest was involved in the arrangement of a fraudulent test score; and (c) report any violation that may have occurred through the student-athlete's receipt of aid or participation in practice or competition.

ACT and SAT review procedures

NCAA Divisions I and II institutions should note that the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse does not detect or review irregularities in the standardized test scores of prospective student-athletes as part of its normal certification process. As a condition and obligation of membership, a Division I or II institution is responsible for reviewing the validity of a test score pursuant to the institution's normal test-score review procedures when the institution possesses information that calls into question the validity of the score, regardless of whether the clearinghouse has certified the student-athlete. These review procedures may include providing the information to the appropriate testing agency or agencies for their review.

Correction -- Waiver of five-year/10-semester rule -- Bylaw 30.6.1.1-(f)

NCAA institutions should note that a printing error occurred in Bylaw 30.6.1.1 in each of the three 1997-98 division NCAA Manuals. In each of these Manuals, Bylaw 30.6.1.1-(f) states that "a student-athlete's lack of understanding regarding the specific starting date of his or her five-year/10-semester period of eligibility" is considered to be beyond the control of the student-athlete or the institution, and would not cause a participation opportunity to be used. To the contrary, the provisions of 30.6.1.1-(f) list a circumstance that is considered to be within the control of the student-athlete or the institution and should be listed under Bylaw 30.6.1.2. Accordingly, please delete Bylaw 30.6.1.1-(f) and insert that language as 30.6.1.2 -(f). Bylaw 30.6.1.2 now should read as follows:

30.6.1.2 Circumstances that are considered to be within the control of the student-athlete or the institution and cause a participation opportunity to be used include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) A student-athlete's decision to attend an institution that does not sponsor his/her sport, or decides not to participate at an institution that does sponsor his/her sport;

(b) An inability to participate due to failure to meet institutional/conference or NCAA academic requirements, or disciplinary reasons or incarceration culminating in or resulting from a conviction;

(c) Reliance by a student-athlete upon misinformation from a coaching staff member;

(d) Redshirt year; and

(e) An inability to participate as a result of a transfer year in residence or fulfilling a condition for restoration of eligibility.

(f) A student-athlete's lack of understanding regarding the specific starting date of his or her five-year/10-semester period of eligibility.

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 or Kristen L. Davis, membership services representatives, at the NCAA national office. This information is available on the Collegiate Sports Network.