The momentum for legislative deregulation in Division II continues, but the process appears to be more deliberative than it was in last year's opening phase.

At its April 27 meeting in Indianapolis, the Division II Presidents Council agreed to continue an examination of the Bylaw 15 (financial aid) deregulation proposals developed by the Division II Legislation Committee and supported earlier in April by the Division II Management Council.

While the presidents continued to support the overall concept of legislative deregulation, they noted that they will be looking closely at the Bylaw 15 proposals at their August meeting.

Some presidents expressed concerned about whether the proposed changes would take away important safeguards and open the door to those who would abuse the rules. Those presidents seemed especially concerned about a proposed modification to Bylaw 15.5.7, which would permit an institution to count aid awarded to a multisport athlete in either sport in which the individual participates.

The Division II Legislation Committee has recommended the proposed legislation in the belief that the current regulation prevents some Division II multisport student-athletes from competing in certain sports (basketball, field hockey, football and women's volleyball). Since the committee considers multisport participation to be consistent with the Division II philosophy, it is troubled by the current policy, which requires multisport athletes in basketball, field hockey or women's volleyball to count for those sports if the athlete practices with those teams. A football student-athlete who participates in another sport and was not recruited and not awarded aid in football only counts against football if he practices and competes.

The committee believes that Division II institutions should have the discretion to count multisport athletes in either sport since no competitive advantage would be gained and Division II financial aid legislation would be easier to understand and apply.

The Division II Management Council has supported the Legislation Committee on this and other Bylaw 15 deregulation proposals. While the presidents have not opposed any of the 13 proposals in the financial aid deregulation package, at this time they plan to examine them in depth at their August meeting.

The presidents appeared less concerned about Bylaw 12 (amateurism) deregulation proposals, voting to put those concepts in legislative form for review at the summer meeting. However, the amateurism deregulation package was scrutinized in some detail by the Division II Management Council during its April 10-11 meeting.

In an addendum to the report of the Division II Amateurism Project Team, the Management Council noted that it "continues to express concern about permitting prospects to receive compensation before enrolling in college; however, the group agreed to recommend that the Presidents Council endorse the concepts so that legislation could be drafted for the Management Council and Presidents Council to review this summer for sponsorship at next year's Convention."

Perhaps it is that amateurism and financial aid are difficult topics, but a sharp contrast is emerging between the deregulation issues currently on the table and the ease with which Bylaws 11 (personnel) and 13 (recruiting) were deregulated at the 2000 Convention. In January, delegates approved 11 deregulation proposals with minimal debate.

"The debate we are experiencing now is part of a healthy process," said Gladys Styles Johnston, chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Kearney and Division II Presidents Council chair.

"Amateurism and financial aid issues are among the most important matters facing our division. As we consider change, we need to make certain that all concerns have been addressed and that the Management Council and Presidents Council strongly believe in the legislation that they will put before the membership for consideration at the Convention."

Championships

As expected, the Presidents Council approved an expansion of bracket and field sizes for 11 Division II championships. Effective with the 2000-01 academic year, the following changes will apply:

* Men's and women's cross country -- From 132 to 184 participants each.

* Field hockey -- From two to four teams.

* Men's lacrosse -- From two to four teams.

* Women's lacrosse -- Established at four teams.

* Men's and women's indoor track and field -- From 126 to 154 participants each.

* Men's and women's outdoor track and field -- From 236 to 310 participants each.

* Women's volleyball -- From 32 to 48 teams.

* Wrestling -- From 140 to 160 participants.

The Presidents Council agreed with the Management Council and Division II Championships Committee that the division should move forward with the changes, with the understanding that men's and women's Division II championship opportunities will be equal within three years. (The Committee on Women's Athletics earlier had recommended a moratorium on expanding or creating any men's championships until equity in participation was achieved.)

The changes approved for 2000-01 will improve female participation opportunities in Division II championships from 43 percent to 46 percent.

The presidents also approved several enhancements for championships, including:

* Providing awards to the top eight place-finishers in individual-team championships.

* Providing for two days of per diem at the start of all team championships.

* Increasing squad and travel party sizes in baseball, field hockey, men's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball and women's volleyball.

* Providing each member of the official travel party at all finals sites of Division II championships with a memento valued at $50.

Vice-chair

In another matter, the Presidents Council elected Bernard W. Franklin, president of Virginia Union University, as vice-chair to replace Arend D. Lubbers of Grand Valley State University. Lubbers' term as an officer will expire August 31.

Franklin has been a member of the Presidents Council since 1999.

Besides having to perform the chair's duties if the chair is absent or incapacitated, the Presidents Council vice-chair serves as chair of the Division II Budget/Finance Committee, as a member of the Division II Administrative Committee and a member of the NCAA Executive Committee.

Other highlights

Division II Presidents Council
April 27/Indianapolis

* Supported establishment of a two-year membership moratorium in Division II (see Executive Committee story, page 1) and supported the creation of a project team to examine membership-growth issues in Division II.

* Supported action to protest the flying of the Confederate battle flag over the South Carolina capitol (see Executive Committee story, page 1).

* Approved the following nominations for Division II committees: