The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- March 29, 1999

Presidents Council minutes

Following are the minutes of the January 10, 1999, meeting of the Division II Presidents Council at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio. All actions taken by the Presidents Council are included. Highlights of the meeting were reported in the January 18, 1999, issue of The NCAA News.

1. Minutes. The Presidents Council reviewed the minutes of its October 27, 1998, meeting.

It was voted that the minutes be approved as distributed.

2. Report of the Executive Committee. The Presidents Council reviewed the issues discussed during the October 28, 1998, Executive Committee meeting without taking any formal action.

3. Report of the Management Council. The Presidents Council considered a number of recommendations from the Division II Management Council.

a. Consent Package.

It was voted that the Presidents Council approve the consent package of noncontroversial legislation and Bylaws 30, 31 and 32 amendments as recommended by the Management Council.

b. Division II Committee on Women's Athletics.

(1) The Presidents Council considered a committee recommendation to endorse the diversity audit prepared by the Ad Hoc Committee to Review Diversity Issues.

It was voted that the Presidents Council affirm its support for gender equity.

[Note: The Presidents Council agreed to delay a specific endorsement of the diversity audit until more specific information on the audit and findings have been forwarded to the Division II Management Council and Presidents Council.]

(2) The Presidents Council considered a committee recommendation that the term of office for its chair Cheryl Levick, Stanford University, be extended so that she may continue on the committee and continue to serve as chair for another two years. While the Presidents Council acknowledged Levick's valuable leadership to the committee and her service to the membership on gender issues, the Presidents Council agreed with the Management Council's concern that supporting such a request could set precedent for other committees.

It was voted that the Presidents Council recommend that the Executive Committee not approve the committee's recommendation to extend the term of office for Levick.

(3) The Presidents Council reviewed a committee recommendation regarding the appointment of a female to the top management level (i.e., president, senior vice-president) within the national office. The Presidents Council agreed with the Management Council that this is a decision that should be left to the president of the NCAA and, therefore, the Presidents Council agreed to take no action at this time. The Presidents Council did, however, agree to affirm support of gender and ethnic diversity principles as they relate to hiring decisions at the NCAA.

c. Olympic Sports Liaison Committee.

It was voted that the Presidents Council agree to sponsor the following legislative proposals at the 2000 NCAA Convention:

(1) An amendment to NCAA Bylaw 12.1.1.4.4 that would allow currently enrolled student-athletes as well as prospective student-athletes to receive funding to cover actual and necessary developmental training expenses that are approved by the U.S. Olympic Committee or an appropriate national governing body.

(2) An amendment to Bylaw 13.11.3.1 that would permit athletics department staff members to serve as announcers or commentators on radio or television broadcasts of contests of national teams in which prospective student-athletes may be participants, including the Olympic Games.

(3) An amendment to Bylaw 12.1.1.1.4.3 that would permit individuals to receive actual and necessary expenses for Olympic tours and exhibitions.

d. Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct.

(1) The Presidents Council reviewed a committee recommendation that Divisions II and III consider creating a videotape on gambling that is more specific to the sports-wagering problems that exist on Divisions II and III campuses than the current gambling videotape, which is more specific to Division I issues. The Presidents Council agreed with the Management Council that such a videotape is necessary.

It was voted that the Presidents Council recommend to the Executive Committee that the Executive Committee approve the creation of a gambling videotape for Divisions II and II, and that this project be treated as an Association-wide budget expense since the gambling issue is one that crosses divisional boundaries.

(2) The Presidents Council considered a committee recommendation that all three divisions endorse the creation of an annual NCAA sportsmanship award to honor student-athletes from each division. The Presidents Council agreed with the Management Council that sportsmanship issues exist in Division II; however, it agreed with the Management Council's concerns about creating awards to honor sportsmanship when this behavior is an expectation of every Division II student-athlete.

It was voted that the Presidents Council recommend that the Executive Committee consider whether there may be a more appropriate way to address the recognition of sportsmanship in all three divisions.

e. Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse Committee.

(1) The Presidents Council considered a committee recommendation regarding the approval of advanced English as a Second Language (ESL) courses for certain prospective student-athletes. The Presidents Council agreed with the Management Council that advanced ESL courses should be considered through the normal waiver process and that the clearinghouse should not be involved with this process. The Presidents Council also agreed that ESL course waivers should be accepted for prospective student-athletes approved through the Division I waiver process by the Division I Initial-Eligibility Waiver Committee.

(2) The Presidents Council reviewed a committee report outlining possible alternatives that would reduce the cost of operating the NCAA Clearinghouse. The Presidents Council accepted a Management Council recommendation that this issue be discussed in April following the collection of feedback from Division II conferences regarding the various cost-saving options.

f. Division II Academic Requirements Committee. The Presidents Council considered a committee recommendation regarding a New York state policy that permits a prospective student-athlete to receive credit for a failed regents examination course if the student passes a regents examination at the conclusion of the course. The Presidents Council agreed with the Management Council that a prospective student-athlete should be permitted to receive core-course credit for courses that the student originally fails but for which he or she subsequently receives a passing score as a result of the regents examination.

It was voted that the President Council ratify the Management Council's decision to accept such core-course credit.

[Note: The Presidents Council limited its approval for such courses to situations that involve specific state policies.]

g. Division II Championships Committee. The Presidents Council considered a committee recommendation that for purposes of a new distribution formula for the Division II enhancement fund (effective 2000-01) the portion of the enhancement fund distributed to Division II conferences for championships sponsored should be based on a requirement that a conference must have a minimum of six conference members sponsoring the sport and participating in a process to determine the conference championship.

It was voted that the Presidents Council ratify the Management Council's decision to approve the Championships Committee's recommendation as it relates to the new distribution formula for the Division II enhancement fund.

h. Division II Legislation Committee. The Presidents Council considered options presented by the Legislation Committee to revise a timetable and accelerate the deregulation project as requested by the Presidents Council during its October 1998 meeting. The Management Council recommended that the Presidents Council endorse Alternative No. 1, which would allow the committee to continue on its original five-year timetable for deregulation.

It was voted that the Presidents Council endorse Alternative No. 1.

i. Division II Nominating Committee.

It was voted that the Presidents Council ratify the selection of Michael Covone, director of athletics, Barry University, to fill the vacancy on the NCAA Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Committee, as recommended by the Management Council.

j. Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

It was voted that the Presidents Council ratify the selection of Dallas Curtis to represent the Lone Star Conference on the Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, as recommended by the Management Council.

k. Legislation.

(1) Legislation Sponsored by the Presidents Council for the 2000 Convention. The Presidents Council reviewed the legislative form of a proposal (de minimus violations) that it had agreed to sponsor for the 2000 Convention.

It was voted that the Presidents Council approve the legislative form as submitted by the Management Council.

(2) NCAA Constitution 2.6. The Presidents Council considered language that the Division I governance groups suggested as an amendment to Constitution 2.6 (principle of nondiscrimination). The Presidents Council noted concerns about the language added by Division I, and agreed to delay any further action until Division I reports its final decision on the suggested modification to Constitution 2.6. The Presidents Council did agree to affirm the modifications to Constitution 2.6 it approved during its October meeting.

[Note: During its January 12 meeting, the Executive Committee voted to sponsor this legislation for an Association-wide vote at the 2000 Convention based on support received during the Executive Committee meeting from Divisions I and III.]

l. Management Council Assignments. The Presidents Council considered a number of recommendations from the Management Council for Management Council representation on various committees and project teams.

It was voted that the Presidents Council ratify the following Management Council selections, effective January 1999:

Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse (Association-wide): Marjorie A. Trout, senior woman administrator, Millersville University of Pennsylvania.

National Youth Sports Program Committee (Association-wide): Gail Fults, faculty athletics representative, Humboldt State University.

Division II Committee on Infractions: Michael J. Marcil, commissioner, North Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Project Team to Review Issues Related to Diversity: Dianthia Ford, senior woman administrator, Shaw University.

Division II Legislation Committee: Lisa Colvin, senior woman administrator, Southern Arkansas University.

Division II Nominating Committee: Dianthia Ford, senior woman administrator, Shaw University.

Division II Strategic Planning Project Team: Ed Harris, athletics director, West Texas A&M University.

m. Management Council Vacancy. The Presidents Council ratified the selection of Kevin Hickey, faculty athletics representative, Assumption College, to represent the Northeast-10 Conference on the Management Council.

n. Baseball Bats.

(1) The Presidents Council considered a Management Council recommendation that it recommend that the Executive Committee permit Division II to approve a policy for the Division II Baseball Championship in 1999 whereby nonwood bats used during the Division II championship must meet the "three-prong" test, which includes velocity.

It was voted that the Presidents Council approve the nonwood bat policy for the Division II Baseball Championship as recommended by the Division II Management Council and recommend such a policy to the Executive Committee.

[Note: The Executive Committee did not support Division II's recommendation. During its January 12 meeting, the Executive Committee agreed that all three divisions will use nonwood bats that meet the "two-prong" test during the 1999 Baseball Championships.]

(2) The Presidents Council discussed whether to adopt noncontroversial legislation to permit waivers for institutions that might have to forfeit or cancel games during the 1999 baseball season if they opt to not compete against teams that will use nonwood bats that do not conform to the new August 1, 1999, (three-prong test, which includes velocity) performance standard. It was noted that this waiver would be applicable to those institutions that have designated baseball as one of its four sports for males in order to meet the minimum sports-sponsorship requirements for Division II membership. The Presidents Council agreed with the Management Council's recommendation that institutions should be provided with a waiver of this membership requirement if they fall below the minimum number of 24 games due to forfeitures or cancellations because of the nonwood baseball bat standard.

It was voted that the Presidents Council use its authority under Constitution 5.3.1.1.1 to adopt noncontroversial legislation to establish such a waiver for the 1999 baseball season.

4. 1999 Convention. The Presidents Council reviewed the schedule for Division II Convention activities as well as the various legislative proposals to be considered during the Division II business session.

It was voted that the Presidents Council make a motion during the Division II business session that the vote on 1999 Convention Proposal No. 4 (NCAA championships -- minimum sponsorship criteria) be divided and that the Presidents Council speak in opposition only to the protection of the Division II Men's Lacrosse Championship.

5. Government Affairs Report. Doris A. Dixon, NCAA director of federal relations, provided a report on the Association's governmental affairs. The Presidents Council took no formal action.

6. Budget and Finance Committee Report.

a. Geographic Proximity. Gladys Styles Johnston provided an overview of the Budget and Finance Committee's discussion regarding the elimination of geographic proximity as a criterion to determine the site for Division II regional championships. Styles Johnston summarized the committee's discussion as one where the committee agreed that the division can afford the elimination of the policy; however, the division may need to eliminate the funding of other proposed Division II programs or initiatives during the next few years. The Presidents Council considered a Management Council recommendation that the Presidents Council sponsor a resolution for consideration during the Division II business session that directs the Division II governance groups to continue to study the costs associated with the elimination of the Division II geographic proximity policy and to consider alternatives to the total elimination of the policy.

It was voted that the Presidents Council agree to sponsor the geographic proximity resolution for consideration during the Division II business session as recommended by the Division II Management Council.

b. Reconsideration of Action on Geographic Proximity. The Presidents Council reconsidered its action to sponsor the geographic proximity resolution and noted its constitutional authority to modify Bylaw 31 (administrative regulations) between Conventions.

It was voted that the Presidents Council modify Bylaw 31.1.1.3.2 as recommended by the Division II Championships Committee to eliminate the current geographic proximity policy for Division II regional championships, effective with the 1999-00 championships. (For 11, against 0, abstain 1.)

[Note: The Presidents Council noted that it will be important to monitor championship expenses during the next few years to determine the actual costs associated with the elimination of the Division II geographic proximity policy and to consider ways to modify championship travel policies to maintain the division's financial stability.]

7. Division II Consultant. The Presidents Council considered whether to employ a consultant to work with staff on the Division II strategic planning project.

It was voted that Asa Green be employed as a Division II Presidents Council consultant working on the Division II strategic planning project through August 1999.

8. Project Team to Review Issues Related to Diversity. The Presidents Council reviewed the report of the Project Team to Review Issues Related to Diversity and considered the creation of a Division II matching grant program to enhance diversity at Division II institutions and conferences as recommended by the project team.

It was voted that the Presidents Council approve the Division II matching grant program in concept and ask the Division II Budget and Finance Committee to consider the financial implications of implementing such a program during the 1999-00 fiscal year.