The Division II governance bodies will take on the question of whether to implement a Division II membership moratorium when they meet in April in Indianapolis.

The Division II Management Council will meet April 10-11, while the Presidents Council will assemble April 27.

A recommendation from the Division II Membership Committee supports noncontroversial legislation that would establish a membership moratorium on provisional membership and change of division membership for any institution that would begin the provisional membership process or change of division compliance period on September 1, 2000.

The committee recommends that the moratorium exist at least until the beginning of the 2002-03 academic year to provide adequate time to evaluate and plan for future membership growth.

The Membership Committee's rationale is grounded in several concerns about the effects of possible uncontrolled Division II expansion. Among them are the possible effect on the Division II Educational Assessment Program, the proper development of a meaningful education and compliance program, assurance that the entire Division II membership shares a common philosophy, and adherence to a Division II strategic plan that includes several initiatives based on current membership numbers.

Although the Division II governance bodies will make their own decisions on establishing a moratorium, the issue has Association-wide ramifications. Divisions I and III also are considering the question, and there is no assurance that each group will reach the same conclusion on the matter.

However, if any division supports a moratorium, the question likely will end up with the NCAA Executive Committee, which will analyze whether the action is reasonable and in the best interest of the Association.

Other business

The Management Council also will consider a report from the Division II Budget and Finance Committee.

At its recent meeting, the budget committee determined that enough funding was available to support a series of recommendations from the Division II Championships Committee, the most substantial of which relates to bracket and field-size expansion in men's and women's sports.

The Management and Presidents Councils now must decide whether to implement the Championships Committee recommendations.

The NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics recently took a position that men's brackets should not be expanded until championships participation is equal for both sexes. The Championships Committee recommendation would move men's and women's championship participation numbers toward 50/50, but it would not achieve complete parity. Therefore, because of the somewhat conflicting positions between committees, the Management Council will consider several options for bracket and field-size expansions.

In other business, the Management and Presidents Councils will:

* Consider sponsorship of legislation recommended by the Division II Amateurism Project Team relating to modifications in Division II amateurism legislation for pre-enrolled student-athletes.

* Consider sponsorship of proposals for deregulation of Bylaw 15 (financial aid). The Management and Presidents Councils reviewed 11 proposals on financial aid deregulation in January and had no concerns at the time. Financial aid is the second part of the continuing effort to deregulate the Division II Manual.

* Elect a new vice-chair to replace Barbara J. Schroeder of Regis University (Colorado), whose term as vice-chair is expiring. The Management Council also will issue a call for nominees to replace Clint Bryant of Augusta State University as chair. Bryant's term as chair will expire in January.

* Consider recommendations from the Division II Nominating Committee for individuals to serve on various committees.

* Review the Division II Strategic Alliance Matching Grant Enhancement Program. The councils will focus on developing a process to evaluate the program and determine what changes, if any, should be made. The program is designed to develop athletics administration opportunities for ethnic minorities and females.

* Consider a report from the Compliance Review Project Team relating to a redesign of compliance reviews for Division II institutions.