As was the case for several NCAA committees that were scheduled to meet during the time of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the NCAA Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Committee was forced to cancel its September 16-19 meeting in Phoenix.

Since that time, however, the committee has been able to address championships and rules issues via a series of conference calls.

Among those issues were two major Division I championships policy revisions that center on qualification procedures. In the past, if a swimmer's submitted qualifying time was deemed invalid, the swimmer was unable to compete in the championship for that event. With the recent revisions, coaches have the ability to submit an alternate time for their swimmer if the first time submitted is rejected.

Also, the challenge period has been extended to allow for greater opportunity to find alternates to fill the spots of swimmers who have been disqualified or dropped out of the championships after selection. The new challenge period is a 72-hour time frame beginning at 5 p.m. Central time 13 days before the meet and ending 5 p.m. Central time 10 days before the meet.

Also in Division I, the committee will attempt to ensure that all conferences and officials understand the last-chance-meet formats and criteria by sending a detailed memorandum. The memo is an attempt to standardize the administration of last-chance meets.

In other matters in Division I, the committee plans to:

Study the addition of the 1,000-yard freestyle and survey the coaches regarding this matter.

Research the history and nature of conduct and administrative rules due to concern about meet formats being altered to create a competitive advantage and enhance qualification opportunities.

Discuss the possibility of a date change for the championships from March to April pending a decision from the Championships/Competition Cabinet.

Explore a procedure to gather recommendations for officials from conferences for the championships.

Divisions II and III

In Division II, the most significant change will take place starting with the 2002 season. The committee has adapted an online score-reporting procedure to facilitate the process for coaches. The new system replaces the use of proof-of-performance (POP) forms. A similar system currently is used in Division II track and field.

Division III is going "hi-tech," too. The committee recommended to the Division III Championships Committee that funding be provided for the online submission of results for the 2003 Division III Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships. The committee would like to explore the services of companies that can arrange for online score reporting.

Also, the committee recommended an increase in officials' fees for the 2003 championships. An additional $1,800 in funding has been requested.

Regarding championship formats and procedures, the committee:

Revised the scratch deadline Wednesday to close at 6 p.m. instead of 6:30 p.m. to accommodate individuals attending the championships banquet.

Recommended that the NCAA staff liaison submit letters to those institutions that have outstanding fines from the 2001 championships.

If those fines are not paid upon arrival at the championships meet, the institution will not be allowed to register and participate in the championships.

Discussed a procedure in which the last heat of the 1,650-yard freestyle be contested before the warm-up of the evening competition, with the event beginning after the competition but not earlier than 3:30 p.m.