Following is a compilation of editorial revisions as recommended through the Division II legislative process. The revisions are not substantive in nature and are intended to clarify or simplify existing legislation. The items marked with an asterisk have been approved by the Management Council and Presidents Council in concept, but have not yet been approved in legislative form. Other items have previously been approved in legislative form. The page number in the proposals refers to the 2002-03 NCAA Division II Manual.

Bold type indicates new wording; italicized type indicates wording removed.

*No. 1 Satisfactory-Progress Requirements --
Term Revision

Intent: To rename "continuing-eligibility" requirements to "progress-toward-degree" requirements and to replace the term "satisfactory progress" in all Division II legislation with the term "progress toward degree."

A. Constitution: Amend 3.2.4.9, page 10, as follows:

"3.2.4.9 Publication of Satisfactory-Progress-Toward-Degree Requirements. Active members are obligated to publish their satisfactory-progress-toward-degree requirements for student-athletes (see Bylaw 14.4.1)."

B. Bylaws: Amend 14.01.2, page 103, as follows:

"14.01.2 Academic Status. To be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competition, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program of studies, be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory progress toward a baccalaureate or equivalent degree. A waiver of the minimum full-time enrollment requirement may be granted for a student enrolled in the final term of the baccalaureate program (see Bylaw 14.1.6.2.1.3). Also, a student may represent the institution while enrolled as a graduate or professional student or while enrolled and seeking a second baccalaureate degree at the same institution (see Bylaw 14.1.7).

"14.01.2.1 Good Academic Standing. To be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competition, a student-athlete shall be in good academic standing as determined by the academic authorities who determine the meaning of such phrases for all students of the institution, subject to controlling legislation of the conference(s) or similar association of which the institution is a member. (Note: The restrictions, exceptions and waivers set forth in Bylaws 14.4.3.3.4, 14.4.3.3.5 and 14.4.3.6 also apply to the general requirement for good academic standing and satisfactory progress toward degree.)"

C. Bylaws: Amend 14.02.5, page 130, as follows:

"14.02.5 Good Academic Standing and Satisfactory Progress Toward Degree. The phrases "good academic standing" and "satisfactory progress toward degree" are to be interpreted at each member institution by the academic officials who determine the meaning and application of such phrases for all students, subject to the controlling regulations of the institution; the conference(s) (or similar associations), if any, of which the institution is a member, and applicable NCAA legislation (see Bylaw 14.4).

D. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.1, page 119, as follows:

"14.4.1 Satisfactory-Progress-Toward-Degree Requirements. To be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competition, a student-athlete shall maintain satisfactory progress toward a baccalaureate or equivalent degree at that institution as determined by the regulations of that institution. As a general requirement, "satisfactory progress toward degree" is to be interpreted at each member institution by the academic authorities who determine the meaning of such phrases for all students, subject to controlling legislation of the conference(s) or similar association of which the institution is a member. (See Constitution 3.2.4.9 regarding the obligations of members to publish their satisfactory progress toward degree requirements for student-athletes.) (Note: The restrictions, exceptions and waivers set forth in Bylaws 14.4.3.3.4, 14.4.3.3.5 and 14.4.3.6 also apply to the general requirements for good academic standing and satisfactory progress toward degree.)

"14.4.1.1 Exchange Student. A bona fide exchange student as defined in Bylaw 14.5.1.6.1 shall maintain satisfactory progress toward a baccalaureate or equivalent degree at the student's preceding educational institution."

[14.4.1.2 unchanged.]

E. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.1.1, page 120, as follows:

"14.4.3.1.1 Academic Year in Residence. The definition of "year in residence" for purposes of initiating the requirement for satisfactory-progress-toward-degree certification is based on full-time enrollment and attendance during any portion of a term in an academic year, except that when a student-athlete is granted a medical-absence waiver per Bylaw 14.4.3.5-(a) during the first year of academic residence, that term is not counted in determining whether the student-athlete has been in residence at the certifying institution for one academic year."

F. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.1.2, page 120, as follows:

"14.4.3.1.2 Hours Earned during Regular Academic Year. A student-athlete shall earn at least 75 percent of the minimum number of semester or quarter hours required for satisfactory progress toward degree during the regular academic year. The student-athlete shall earn no more than 25 percent of the minimum number of semester or quarter hours required for satisfactory progress toward degree during the summer or through correspondence courses taken during the 1993-94 academic year and thereafter.

[14.4.3.1.2.1 and 14.4.3.1.2.2 unchanged.]

"14.4.3.1.2.3 Waiver or Exception-Prorating Hours. A student-athlete who qualifies for an exception to or waiver of the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree rule set forth in Bylaws 14.4.3.4 and 14.4.3.5 may prorate the 75-percent requirement based on the number of hours the student-athlete must earn to meet satisfactory-progress-toward-degree requirements. For example, a student-athlete beginning his or her second year of enrollment at the certifying institution who qualifies for a missed term during the freshman year must earn nine (12 x .75 = 9) of those hours during the regular academic year."

G. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.1.3, page 120, as follows:

"14.4.3.1.3 Designation of Degree Program. A student-athlete shall designate a program of studies leading toward a specific baccalaureate degree at the certifying institution by the beginning of the third year of enrollment (fifth semester or seventh quarter) and thereafter shall make satisfactory progress toward that specific degree. This provision shall be applicable to the eligibility not only of a continuing student, but also of a transfer student from a four-year or two-year collegiate institution who is entering his or her third year of collegiate enrollment, even if the student has not yet completed an academic year in residence or utilized a season of eligibility in a sport at the certifying institution. Designation of a specific baccalaureate degree program may be accomplished by:

[14.4.3.1.3-(a) through 14.4.3.1.3-(b), unchanged.]

"14.4.3.1.3.1 Documentation of Degree Program Designation. If the designation is in accordance with (a) above, the official enrollment records of the institution shall constitute the documentation of the program against which satisfactory progress toward degree under this regulation shall be measured. If the designation is in accordance with (b), the record of the degree program designation, approved by the appropriate academic official, shall constitute that documentation. For purposes of certifying eligibility for competition, an appropriate academic official shall affirm in writing the number of credit hours applicable to the designated degree program that have been completed satisfactorily. The institution's records for all student-athlete degree program designations and satisfactory-progress-toward-degree evaluations shall be retained for inspection (upon request) by an authorized representative of the NCAA."

[14.4.3.1.3.2 unchanged.]

H. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.1.4, pages 120-121, as follows:

"14.4.3.1.4 Hours Earned or Accepted for Degree Credit. The provision that the calculation of credit hours under the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree regulation shall be based on hours earned or accepted for degree credit at the certifying institution in a student-athlete's specific baccalaureate degree program (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1.3) shall be met as follows:

[14.4.3.1.4-(a), unchanged.]

"(b) By the beginning of the third year of enrollment (fifth semester or seventh quarter), a student-athlete shall be required to have designated a program of studies leading toward a specific baccalaureate degree. From that point, the credits used to meet the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree requirements must be degree credit toward the student's designated degree program;

"(c) A student-athlete who changes his or her designated degree program may comply with the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree requirements if

[14.4.3.1.4-(c)-(1) through 14.4.3.1.4-(c)-(3), unchanged.]

"(d) A student-athlete who has designated a specific degree program with an identified major may not use a course to fulfill the credit-hour requirement for meeting satisfactory progress toward degree even if the course fulfills an elective component of the student-athlete's degree program, if the student ultimately must repeat the course to fulfill the requirements of the student's major."

I. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.2.2, page 121, as follows:

"14.4.3.2.2 Calculation of Grade-Point Average for Student-Athletes Entering a Collegiate Institution on or after August 1, 1991. For those satisfactory progress toward degree grade-point calculations that occur on or after August 1, 1996, the cumulative minimum grade-point average must be achieved based only on course work taken at the certifying institution."

J. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.3.2, page 122, as follows:

"14.4.3.3.2 Nontraditional Terms. An institution that determines registration other than on a traditional semester- or quarter-hour basis shall submit a statement describing the continuing-eligibility progress-toward-degree requirements applicable to its student-athletes for approval by the Academic Requirements Committee."

K. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.3.3, page 122, as follows:

"14.4.3.3.3 Advanced-Placement Tests/Credit by Examination. Credit received through advanced-placement tests or by examination or International Baccalaureate Program may be used by the student to meet the minimum satisfactory-progress-toward-degree requirement, provided the subject for which the examination is an alternative is offered by the institution as acceptable degree credit."

L. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.3.4, page 122, as follows:

"14.4.3.3.4 Prior Approval-Summer Courses at Other Institutions. Prior approval by appropriate academic officials of the certifying institution is required if courses taken during another institution's summer term are to be utilized in determining the student's academic status (i.e., good academic standing and satisfactory progress toward degree). Under limited circumstances, the Academic Requirements Committee may grant waivers for student-athletes who did not request or receive prior approval."

M. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.3.5, page 122, as follows:

"14.4.3.3.5 Correspondence and Extension Courses from Another Institution. Correspondence, extension and credit-by-examination courses taken from an institution other than the one in which a student-athlete is enrolled as a full-time student shall not be used in determining a student's academic standing or satisfactory progress toward degree.

[14.4.3.3.5.1 unchanged.]

"14.4.3.3.5.2 Centralized Correspondence-Course Exception. In a state that centralizes the offering of correspondence courses through one state institution, a student enrolled in another of the state's institutions may use a correspondence course from the institution authorized to offer such courses in determining the student's academic standing or satisfactory progress toward degree.

N. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.3.7, page 123, as follows:

"14.4.3.3.7 Incomplete Grades. A student who receives an incomplete grade in a course may utilize the course in question to fulfill the minimum satisfactory-progress-toward-degree requirements, subject to the following conditions:

[14.4.3.3.7-(a) unchanged.]

"(b) Such a course may be counted only once after a grade has been achieved that is acceptable to the institution for determining satisfactory progress toward degree; and

[14.4.3.3.7-(c) unchanged.]

O. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.3.9, page 123, as follows:

"14.4.3.3.9 "Banked" Credit Hours. All credit hours (including those "banked" or earned in excess of the average of 12 per term prior to the designation of a specific baccalaureate degree program, even if such hours are not applicable to the designated degree program) may continue to be used to maintain satisfactory progress toward degree."

P. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.3.10, page 123, as follows:

"14.4.3.3.10 Credit from Other Institutions. Credit hours earned at another institution prior to initial enrollment at the certifying institution may not be utilized to satisfy minimum academic progress requirements at that institution. However, a student-athlete's total academic record after initial full-time enrollment at the certifying institution, including the record at other institutions later attended, may be considered in evaluating eligibility under the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree legislation."

Q. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.4, pages 123-124, as follows:

"14.4.3.4 Exceptions to Satisfactory-Progress-Toward-Degree Rule

"(a) Missed term. One time during a student-athlete's entire period of collegiate enrollment, the provisions of Bylaw 14.4.3.1-(a) may be prorated at 12 hours per term of actual attendance if the student-athlete misses a complete term or consecutive terms during an academic year, subject to the following conditions:

[14.4.3.4-(a)-(1) through 14.4.3.4-(a)-(2) unchanged.]

"(3) At the time of certification, the student has fulfilled the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree requirements (per Bylaw 14.4.3.1) for the terms in which the student was in attendance. It is not permissible to utilize this one-time exception during the first academic year of residence at the certifying institution in order to maintain eligibility during the second year in residence. Hours earned while enrolled as a part-time student during the "missed term" may not be counted in meeting the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree requirement.

"(b) Midyear enrollment. For students entering the institution at the beginning of the second semester or the second or third quarter of an academic year, the credit hours required under the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree regulation of Bylaw 14.4.3.1-(a) may be prorated at 12 units per term of actual attendance during the initial regular academic year of attendance.

"(c) Nonrecruited, nonparticipant. A student-athlete may qualify for an exception to the application of the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree regulation for the initial season of eligibility if the student has been in residence at the certifying institution for at least one academic year; was not recruited; has not received athletically related financial assistance; has never practiced or participated in intercollegiate athletics, except that a student may have participated in limited preseason tryouts; and is otherwise eligible under all institutional, conference and NCAA rules. The student-athlete's eligibility in subsequent seasons would be governed by the provisions of the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree rule, which would be applied from the beginning of the first term the student began participation."

[14.4.3.4-(d) unchanged.]

R. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.5, page 124, as follows:

"14.4.3.5 Waivers of Satisfactory-Progress-Toward-Degree Rule. The Academic Requirements Committee shall establish appropriate criteria for waivers of this legislation. Such waivers shall be administered by the conference members of the Association or, in the case of an independent institution, by the Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee. Waivers of the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree rule may be granted under any of the following conditions:

"(a) Medical absence. The credit hours required under the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree regulation of Bylaw 14.4.3.1-(a) may be prorated at 12 units per term of actual attendance during an academic year in which a student misses a term or is unable to complete a term as a full-time student as a result of an injury or illness. Such an exception may be granted only when circumstances clearly supported by appropriate medical documentation establish that a student-athlete is unable to attend a collegiate institution as a full-time student as a result of an incapacitating physical injury or illness involving the student-athlete or a member of the student-athlete's immediate family. Credits earned by the student during the term to which the waiver applies may not be used in determining satisfactory progress toward degree.

"(b) International competition. The credit hours required under the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree regulation of Bylaw 14.4.3.1-(a) may be prorated at 12 hours per term of actual attendance during an academic year in which a student is not enrolled for a term or terms or is unable to complete a term as a result of participation in the Pan American, Olympic, World Championships, World Cup or World University Games (including final Olympic tryouts and the officially recognized training program that directly qualifies participants for those tryouts). This waiver provision may be applied to no more than two semesters or three quarters."

S. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.6, page 124, as follows:

"14.4.3.6 Waiver-Olympic Games. The Academic Requirements Committee may waive this general satisfactory-progress-toward-degree requirement for any participant in the Olympic Games who, because of such participation, may lose eligibility for practice and competition in any sport."

T. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.7, page 124, as follows:

"14.4.3.7 Waiver-Learning-Disabled and Handicapped Student-Athletes. The Academic Requirements Committee may waive the general satisfactory-progress toward degree requirements for a learning-disabled or handicapped student-athlete when objective evidence demonstrates that the institution has defined full-time enrollment for that student-athlete to be less than 12 hours to accommodate for the student's learning disability or handicap."

U. Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.8, page 124, as follows:

"14.4.3.8 Additional Satisfactory-Progress-Toward-Degree Waivers. The Academic Requirements Committee shall have the authority to waive all other satisfactory-progress-toward-degree requirements based on objective evidence that demonstrates circumstances that warrant the waiver of the normal application of those regulations. The committee shall establish the process for granting such waivers and shall report at least annually to the Management Council and to the membership the actions taken in summary aggregate form."

V. Bylaws: Amend 14.5.5.3.10, pages 130-131, as follows:

"14.5.5.3.10 One-Time Transfer Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution from another four-year collegiate institution, and all of the following conditions are met (for graduate students, see also Bylaw 14.1.7.1):

[14.5.5.3.10-(a) through 14.5.5.3.10-(b) unchanged.]

"(c) The student is in good academic standing and meets the satisfactory-progress-toward-degree requirements. The transferring student must be one who would have been academically eligible had he or she remained at the institution from which the student transferred, and he or she also must be eligible at the certifying institution as a regularly enrolled, full-time, degree-seeking student who was admitted in accordance with the regular, published entrance requirements of the institution.

[14.5.5.3.10-(d) through 14.5.5.3.10-(e) unchanged.]

Source: NCAA Division II Presidents Council [Management Council (Academic Requirements Committee)].

Effective date: August 1, 2003.

*No. 2 Awards and Benefits -- Permissible Academic and Other Support Services

Intent: To eliminate course supplies from the list of academic and support services that may not be financed by the institution, and to clarify that an institution may provide required course-related supplies pursuant to financial aid regulations.

A. Bylaws: Amend 16.3.1, page 162, as follows:

"16.3.1 Permissible. Academic and other support services that may be financed by an institution are:

[16.3.1-(a) through 16.3.1-(i) unchanged.]

"(j) Required course-related supplies, as specified in Bylaw 15.2.3."

B. Bylaws: Amend 16.3.2, page 162, as follows:

"16.3.2 Nonpermissible. Services that may not be financed by the institution include, but are not limited to, the following:

[16.3.2-(a) unchanged.]

"(b) Nonrequired Ccourse supplies (e.g., calculators, art supplies); and"

[16.3.2-(c) unchanged.]

Source: NCAA Division II Presidents Council [Management Council (Membership Committee)].

Effective date: Immediately.*