After reviewing a survey of a broad section of the Division II membership, the Division II Academic Requirements Committee has recommended a pair of significant modifications for the division's one-time exception for student-athletes transferring from four-year institutions.

The survey revealed little support for eliminating the exception, with only 16 percent of those responding supporting such an action. However, the survey also indicated that the membership supports requiring Division II institutions to certify that transfer student-athletes present a specific number of transferable degree credits per term of full-time attendance before enrollment at the certifying institution (63 percent of the respondents favored such an action).

Based on that information, the committee, which met June 6-8 in New York City, recommended that legislation be sponsored to change the transfer rule for student-athletes from four-year institutions so that student-athletes with only one season of competition remaining in a sport will be eligible to use the one-time transfer exception, provided the student-athlete has 12 transferable credits toward a specific designated degree at the Division II institution for each full term of attendance (with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.000).

In addition, the committee recommended legislation that would require an average of 12 transferable credits per term of full-time attendance with a cumulative grade-point average of 2.000 for transferring student-athletes (remedial course would not be permitted). Such legislation would mirror the current Division II requirement for transfers from two-year institutions.

Some members of the committee noted that while the proposal is merited, it may not be adequate to deal with problems that have been exhibited in Division II men's basketball. In that sport, the nebulous nature of the current rule (Bylaw 14.5.5.3.10) has permitted athletically gifted student-athletes with limited remaining eligibility and serious academic deficiencies to transfer from Division I institutions.

In fact, one conference has considered sponsoring a proposal for the 2005 NCAA Convention that would require transfer student-athletes in that sport to serve a year in residence if they are transferring with fewer than two years of remaining eligibility remaining.

The committee considered sport-specific remedies, but it concluded that it should limit its recommendations to academic issues rather than taking on matters that may involve competitive equity. Such questions, it noted, should be left to the Division II Management Council.

If adopted, the new transfer requirement would work alongside the new six-hour requirement that was approved at the 2004 Convention. That legislation, which will apply beginning with hours earned in the 2005 fall term, will require that student-athlete shall have earned six credit hours during the preceding term to be eligible for competition (transferable credit for transferring student-athletes). Thus, if the ARC proposal were to be approved, student-athletes transferring to Division II institutions would be required to have achieved a 2.000 grade-point average and an average of 12 transferable credits per term of full-time attendance, with at least six of the credits being posted in the most recent term.

In a related matter, the committee also reviewed possible unintended consequences involving the new six-hour rule. However, it recommended no action at this time.

One-Time Transfer Exception Survey

Would you favor eliminating the one-time transfer exception for students transferring to a Division II institution?

To certify the one-time transfer exception, should a student present a specific number of transferable degree credits per term of full-time attendance before enrollment at the certifying Division II institution?

For those who answered "yes" to the previous question, how many transferable degree credits per term of full-time attendance should be earned?

Six credits per term: 7%.

Nine credits per term: 15%

Twelve credits per term: 78%

Estimated institutional response rate: 63% (177/282)

Other highlights

Division II Academic Requirements Committee
June 6-8/New York City

Reviewed material from the third year of the Division II Academic Performance Census. The committee noted that a shift to a blanket 2.000 progress-toward-degree requirement would adversely affect a number of black males who would persist toward graduation under current legislation.

Recommended that Bylaw 14.3.5.2.-(a) be amended to permit students presenting General Education Development certificates to be immediately eligible for competition, assuming the GED does not precede their normal projected graduation date. Division I is sponsoring similar legislation.

Reviewed proposed legislation to modify the two-year nonparticipation exception as it applies to progress-toward-degree requirements. The committee expressed concern at its February meeting that current legislation permits transfer students to take advantage of the provision but not enrolled students. At its April meeting, the Management Council reluctantly agreed to recommend legislation that would make the rule the same for transfers and enrolled students, although several members expressed concern about the academic ramifications of the action. While the ARC took no action at its June meeting, some members expressed apprehension similar to what was expressed at the April Management Council meeting.

Recommended Bylaw 14.4.3.2 be modified so that the grade-point average for continuing eligibility is based on years or terms of enrollment rather than credit hours completed. Representatives from some institutions have claimed that an "F" does not constitute completed course work and thus should not be counted among "completed hours." The proposed change will be considered at the Division II Legislation Committee's deregulation summit July 15 in Baltimore.