The NCAA News - News and Features

The NCAA News -- June 7, 1999

Management Council minutes

Following are the minutes of the April 12-13, 1999, meeting of the Division III Management Council at the Hyatt Newporter in Newport Beach, California. All actions taken by the Management Council are included. Highlights of the meeting were reported in the April 26, 1999, issue of The NCAA News.

1. Announcements. John S. Biddiscombe, chair, reviewed the schedule and welcomed the NCAA Fellows who were attending the meeting as observers.

2. Review of Roster, Committee Assignments and Future Meeting Schedule. The Management Council reviewed the roster, committee assignments and future meeting schedule. The Council noted the change in location of the 1999 Management Council meeting.

3. Previous Minutes. The Management Council reviewed the minutes of its January 8-9, 1999 meeting; the January 9, 1999, joint Management Council/Presidents Council meeting; the January 12, 1999, post-Convention Management Council meeting; the January 10, 1999, Presidents Council meeting; the January 12, 1999, Executive Committee meeting; the February 19, 24 and 25, 1999, Executive Committee teleconferences; and the February 1, 1999, Administrative Committee teleconference.

It was voted that the minutes of the Management Council's January 8-9 meeting, the January 9 joint Management Council/Presidents Council meeting as amended, the January 12 post-Convention meeting and the February 11 Administrative Committee minutes be approved as distributed.

4. Division III Strategic Plan. The Management Council:

a. Reviewed Section V -- Planning Priorities and Section IV -- Accomplishments.

b. Reviewed and updated the status of the Division III strategic planning scorecards.

5. Management Council Policies and Procedures Revision. The Management Council approved an additional section identifying the role and responsibility of Management Council representatives serving on committees.

6. Committee/Subcommittee Reports.

a. Association-wide committees.

(1) Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports. The Management Council:

(a) Approved support of antidrug messages by allocating appropriate time in the rotation of NCAA PSAs.

(b) Approved adoption of noncontroversial legislation to amend NCAA Bylaw 31.2.3.2 allowing for medical exceptions to category (f), Peptide Hormones and Analogues.

(c) Approved adoption of noncontroversial legislation to amend Bylaw 21.1.2.1 to add a committee position dedicated to drug education.

(d) Accepted the information regarding emergency medical coverage and noted that it was included as a new section of the Division III ISSG. Recommended the committee consider other educational initiatives.

(2) Honors Committee. The Management Council received an oral report of the work of the committee.

(3) Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee. The Management Council reviewed and recommended the following prioritization of budget requests be forwarded to the Presidents Council:

(a) Priority No. 1. YES clinics sponsored for women and ethnic minorities in nontraditional sports ($100,000).

The Management Council also recommended the following:

i. The development of an evaluation component for YES clinics on an Association-wide basis to determine the viability of such programs based on allocation of funds.

ii. The Championships Committee review sponsorship of more YES clinics at Division III championships in conjunction with an increase in predetermined sites.

(b) Priority No. 2. Enhance opportunities for ethnic minorities and women in athletics administration ($10,000).

(c) Priority No. 3. Video and workshop regarding minority enhancement in athletics ($20,000).

(3) NYSP. The Management Council received an oral report of the work of the committee.

(4) Olympic Sports Liaison Committee. The Management Council:

(a) Accepted the information regarding sanctioning of foreign tours by national governing bodies and recommended immediate publication regarding this issue in an NCAA News Legislative Assistance Column.

(b) Accepted the information regarding recognition of student-athletes' success in international competition and referred to the Division III Administrative Review Subcommittee the principle that relief be considered when an individual or team earns a medal in international competition and an established continuing commemorative program wishes to recognize these successes.

(5) Postgraduate Scholarship Committee. The Management Council received an oral report of the work of the committee.

(6) Research Committee. The Management Council:

(a) Referred back to the committee the results of the NCAA research study regarding alcohol use among Division III student-athletes for review and recommendation for its July meeting.

(b) Referred to the committee for review the following components of the Division III strategic plan: Priority No. 2 -- Membership, Priority No. 4 -- Diversity, and Priority No. 6 -- Student-Athlete Welfare for committee review and recommendation for the July Management Council meeting.

(4) Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Committee. The Management Council received an oral report of the work of the committee. The Council recommended that the Divisions I, II and III Student-Athlete Advisory Committees assist with the development of the criteria for the new Sportsmanship Award.

(5) Walter Byers Scholarship Committee. The Management Council received an oral report of the work of the committee.

(6) Committee on Women's Athletics. The Management Council:

(a) Accepted information that the committee deferred action on the SWA proposals.

(b) Accepted information that the committee approved of an amendment to the Association's principle of nondiscrimination for the 2000 NCAA Convention.

(c) Received a status report regarding the Division III process for review of the Gender Equity and Diversity Audit. It was noted that the Division III Administrative Committee reviewed the audit and referred relevant issues to the Division III committee structure. The Management Council endorsed and added the following additional recommendations to the referrals:

i. Requested a report on the status of all Division III committee representation, including whether the division is meeting and/or exceeding the legislated requirements related to women and minority representation. The report should include a recommendation to adjust requirements, if necessary. This report should be completed on an annual basis (e.g., April Management Council/Presidents Council meetings).

ii. Reviewed a status report on gender and ethnic diversity on Division III committees and recommended annual submission of the chart.

iii. Noted the need for an enhanced database and vita bank to identify ethnic minority individuals at NCAA institutions, particularly females, and referred the issue to MOIC and NCAA professional development staff.

iv. Recommended an agenda item for the July Management Council/Presidents Council meetings to discuss each area, including measures and/or available resources that the national office (and staff) can provide to assist institutions and conference offices in identification and recruitment of women and minorities for available positions. Requested consultation with staff liaisons to both the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee and the Committee for Women's Athletics in preparation for the July discussions.

v. Noted that the issue of ethnic and gender representation in the governance structure will be addressed as a topic at the 2000 Convention.

vi. Recommended that the Championships Committee address the issue of student-athlete participation rates in Division III with a goal to increase YES clinics at Division III championships.

vii. Recommended the development of an evaluative process to assess the success of the YES programs based on budget allocations.

viii. Requested that the research staff compile a summary of Division III student-athlete participants for inclusion in Section II of the audit report.

ix. Requested a summary of data identifying the specific number of Division III participants in emerging and national collegiate championships.

x. Recommended that the Championships Committee review the basis for championships access and consider whether enrollment, as opposed to sponsorship, is a more appropriate criteria for championships access.

xi. Noted that the initiative to standardize the championships experience is included in the preliminary 1999-00 Division III budget.

b. Management Council subcommittees.

(1) Academic Issues Subcommittee. The Management Council received an oral report of the work of the subcommittee.

(2) Administrative Review Subcommittee. The Management Council heard an appeal of Case No. 3006. It was voted that the appeal be denied.

(3) All-Star Contests Certification Subcommittee. The Management Council received an oral report of the work of the subcommittee. The Council recommended a spring notification to the Division III membership of key issues in The NCAA News, the Division III Newsletter and a possible session at the NACDA convention.

(4) Convention Planning Subcommittee. The Management Council recommended that the Presidents Council:

(a) Approve the recommendation to secure a prominent individual to provide the Association-wide keynote address during the NCAA Convention opening business session on Sunday afternoon.

(b) Endorse a proposed Division III Convention schedule.

(5) Governance Structure Evaluation Subcommittee. The Management Council recommended that the Presidents Council approve the timetable and areas for review, including Bylaws 21.8 -- Division III committees, 21.8.6 -- general committees, Constitution Article 4 -- organization and executive regulations, and Bylaw 31.7 -- general financial management.

The Management Council also recommended that all Division III and Association-wide committees review areas of the committee structure, update committee operations plans and report back to the subcommittee by June 29, 1999.

(6) Subcommittee to Review Nontraditional Seasons. The Management Council accepted the information regarding the timetable, pilot survey results and membership survey, noting that a report and possible legislative modifications will be presented at its July meeting.

c. Division III Committees.

(1) Budget Committee. The Management Council recommended that the Presidents Council:

(a) Approve the following prioritized order of the budget initiatives:

i. Team sport championship ($266,000)

Men's and women's swimming ($38,000)

Men's and women's tennis ($112,000)

Men's and women's cross country ($36,300)

ii. Increase officials' fees ($36,270)

iii. Membership, Financial Aid and Awards and Interpretations and Legislation Committees education videoconference ($15,000).

iv. Standardize championships experience ($241,000). The Management Council noted that if this initiative is not fully funded, a consistent, equitable funding level for all sports should be implemented.

The Management Council also:

(b) Recommended that the Budget Committee consider identifying funds to encumber beginning with the 2000-01 budget for membership educational initiatives and student-athlete welfare to be implemented by the Division III committee structure, consistent with the Division III strategic plan.

(c) Accepted the 1999-00 preliminary budget allocation for Division III ($9,280,000), including $744,570 for new initiatives for Division III committees.

(2) Championships Committee. The Management Council recommended that the Presidents Council:

(a) Approve an increase in the following individual-team sport field sizes:

Men's and women's cross country -- from 184 to 215 for both championships.

Men's tennis -- from 124 to 202 participants.

Women's tennis -- from 124 to 222 participants.

(b) Approve the recommendation to add 16 relay-only (four relay teams) swimmers to each championship.

(c) Approve the recommendation that in the rare occurrence of a tie for the last entry to the championships, both individuals tied for the last place be allowed to participate in the championships.

(d) Approve the recommendation that funding be allocated from the Division III championships budget to provide mementos, hospitality activities and officials/volunteer apparel for Division III championship finals.

(e) Approve cost increases in officiating fees for women's basketball, field hockey, football, softball, men's and women's indoor track and field, wrestling, and men's and women's tennis.

(f) Approve increases allocated to Pool C brackets for selected sports to facilitate the implementation of the new championships automatic-qualification legislation (1999 Proposal No. 38). The revised championships brackets would be as follows: baseball (40 to 42), women's basketball (45 to 50), field hockey (16 to 18), football (24 to 28), men's lacrosse (12 to 14), women's lacrosse (12 to 16) , men's soccer (40 to 44), women's soccer (40 to 45) and softball (40 to 43). It was noted that the revised bracket sizes would reflect a 1:7.5 access ratio in all team sports.

The Management Council also:

(g) Accepted information regarding the review of the updated automatic-qualifier guidelines that have been forwarded to sports committees for implementation on a sport-specific basis. The Management Council noted that any changes to the principles (e.g., fully funded championships) should first be recommended to the Championships Committee.

(3) Financial Aid and Awards Committee. The Management Council received an oral report on the work of the committee. The Council also:

(a) Encouraged the committee to establish ongoing educational initiatives, including communication efforts for financial aid directors and CEOs regarding financial aid issues and legislation.

(b) Commended the work of the Financial Aid and Awards Committee in the awards review process.

(4) Committee on Infractions and Student-Athlete Reinstatement. The Management Council received an oral report on the work of the committee.

(5) Interpretations and Legislation Committee. The Management Council recommended that the Presidents Council:

(a) Approve sponsorship of legislation to amend Bylaw 5.3.1.1.1 to permit noncontroversial legislative changes in Bylaws 13 and 14, provided continued oversight of two reviews by the committee (i.e., initial suggested changes, drafted legislative changes) and a separate review by the Management Council occurs.

The Management Council also:

(b) Approved the sponsorship of intent-based legislation to amend Bylaws 3.6.1.2.2 and 20.5.2.5 in Proposal No. 40 to indicate that the Division III Management Council, upon recommendation from the Division III Membership Committee, may approve a waiver of one year of the four-year provisional membership period if an institution reclassifies its provisional membership from Division II to Division III.

(c) Approved immediate effective dates for 1999 Proposal Nos. 44 and 45, consistent with the intent of the sponsors.

(d) Accepted the committee's request for two special in-person meetings (April and June) to complete the Division III Manual deregulation project.

(e) Requested a recommendation from the committee regarding alumni exemptions for the July Management Council meeting.

(6) Membership Committee. The Management Council recommended that the Presidents Council:

(a) Approve a four-year provisional member education schedule to ensure that the needs of provisional members are met, while making the most efficient use of resources at the Convention.

(b) Endorse the requirement that the faculty athletics representative and senior woman administrator attend the provisional-member orientation session.

(c) Approve and include in the 1999-00 budget the request to conduct an educational videoconference in the fall of 1999 to educate Division III active members on legislative issue in Division III (estimated cost -- $15,000).

The Management Council also:

(d) Approved the request to eliminate the NCAA random audit.

(e) Approved the recommendation to permit the Membership Committee to grant waivers of Bylaw 20.10.3.2 if an institution fails to complete the minimum number of contests because it chooses to forfeit or cancel games against teams whose bats do not conform to the August 1, 1999, (three-prong test) standard..

(f) Requested that the Championships Committee discuss the possible elimination of legislation mandating minimum number of contests in baseball in which institutions are required to participate in order to qualify for NCAA championships.

(7) Nominating Committee. The Management Council recommended that the Presidents Council:

(a) Approve the recommendations for appointments to several Division III and Association-wide committees.

The Management Council also:

(b) Accepted the status report on gender and ethnic minority diversity and referred to the Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee and the NCAA professional development staff the issue of the development of a vita bank to identify minority individuals within the membership.

(8) Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. The Management Council:

(a) Approved a summer SAAC meeting in Hilton Head, South Carolina, July 24-25, 1999, and endorsed the request for a joint reception with the Division III Management Council.

(b) Deferred action regarding the committee's request for a third in-person meeting for 1999-00 until its July meeting.

(c) Recommended sponsorship of noncontroversial legislation by all three divisions to amend Bylaws 21.1.2.1 -- Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sport; 21.1.5 -- Minority Opportunities Interests Committee; 21.1.10 -- Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Committee; and 21.1.12 -- Committee on Women's Athletics to add one student-athlete from each division (not necessarily a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee member) to serve on those Association-wide committees.

(d) Commended the SAAC for its efforts in promoting Division III student-athletes through the production and distribution of a Division III public-service announcement and for its involvement in volunteer activities on behalf of the Association.

7. NCAA Legislation.

a. Proposed legislation for the 2000 Convention. The Management Council:

(1) Recommended a broader representation of all equestrian communities, including both IHSA and ANRC, in the development of a consensus on proposed rules to implement equestrian as an emerging sport. Noted the need to achieve consensus by July 1999 in order for legislation to be considered at the 2000 Convention.

(2) Recommended NCAA staff attendance at the upcoming equestrian national championship events: (1) IHSA -- Syracuse, New York, April 23-25; and (2) ANRC -- Charlottesville, Virginia, date to be determined, to further dialogue regarding the development of equestrian as an NCAA emerging sport.

b. Review of noncontroversial legislation adopted by the Management Council per NCAA Constitution 5.3.1.1.1. The Management Council:

(1) Approved a noncontroversial legislative proposal to amend Bylaw 13.11.3.1 to allow athletics department staff members to serve as announcers or commentators during national team events, including the Olympic Games, regardless of whether there are prospective student-athletes involved in such competition.

(2) Approved a noncontroversial legislative proposal to amend Bylaw 20.10.3.2.9 to provide a waiver opportunity for institution's that fail to complete the minimum number of contests in the sport of baseball because the institution chooses to forfeit or cancel games against teams whose baseball bats do not conform to the August 1, 1999, (three-prong test) standard. The waiver would be applicable only to those institutions that have designated baseball as one of their four sports for males in order to meet the minimum sports sponsorship requirements.

(3) Approved a noncontroversial legislative proposal to amend Bylaw 31.2 to provide for the 1999 NCAA Division III baseball championship only, a waiver of the commitment to participate for an institution that is unable to participate because institutional policy precludes the institution from competing against teams that do not use the three-prong standard for baseball bats.

(4) Agreed to adopt noncontroversial legislation to amend Bylaw 30.7.6.1 (foreign tour and competition -- opponents) to permit an exception to allow women's rowing teams to compete in the Henley Regatta on a foreign tour, even if the event may include competition with other American teams.

c. Review of intent-based legislative modifications adopted by the Management Council per NCAA Constitution 5.4.1.1.1. The Management Council approved a legislative editorial revision to amend Bylaw 21.8.5 to clarify that the development of policies governing the length, sites and expenses related to Division III committee meetings are subject to ratification by the Presidents Council and Executive Committee.

8. Approval of proposed committee meeting schedules. The Management Council reviewed all Division III and Association-wide committee meeting requests for 1999-00 and recommended that the Presidents Council:

a. Adopt noncontroversial legislation to permit two in-person meetings per year for all Division III and Association-wide committees effective with 1999-00 meetings. The Management Council noted that the recommended change is an increase from the existing legislative limits, but a reduction in common practice.

b. Recommended an agenda item for its July meeting to discuss the development of accountability measures and a Division III process to evaluate the committee meeting requests and exceptions on an annual basis.

9. Other Association-wide Committee Budget Requests. The Management Council recommended that the Presidents Council approve and forward to the Executive Committee the prioritized budget initiatives from Association-wide committees.

a. Priority No. 1 -- MOIC budget requests ($130,000).

(1) Enhance ethnic minority and female participation in nontraditional sports -- YES clinics ($100,000).

(2) Enhance opportunities for ethnic minority women in athletics administration ($10,000).

(3) Video and workshop regarding minority enhancement in athletics ($20,000 -- combine two requests into one).

b. Priority No. 2 -- Gambling initiatives ($227,000).

(i) Sports wagering video for Divisions II and III ($25,000).

c. Priority No. 3 -- NYSP ($5,000).

d. Priority No. 4 -- Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct ($24,000).

10. Litigation Update. The Management Council received a litigation update from Elsa Kircher Cole, NCAA general counsel.

11. Other Business. The Management Council received a brief update regarding Project 2000 and the recently completed NCAA public relations plan by Harris and Landor. The Management Council recommended that the staff consider the inclusion of a "move related supplement" in The NCAA News.