In addition to acting on the Native American mascot issue (see story, page 1), the Executive Committee updated the Association's alcohol policy, recommending that member colleges and universities review a number of suggested actions.

The suggestions include prohibiting the sale of alcohol during all college sports events (preseason, regular season, conference and postseason); encouraging fans who choose to drink to do so responsibly and legally outside stadiums or arenas; and prohibiting on-site alcohol advertising during all college sports events, taking into account contractual issues already in place with advertisers.

The revised policy also suggests prohibiting media advertising of alcohol that exceeds 6 percent of alcohol by volume; and limiting advertising of malt beverages, beer and wine products. Such ads should not take up more than 60 seconds per broadcast hour, two minutes during any game telecast and no more than 14 percent of a game program or publication, and they should include tag lines such as "Drink Responsibly" and "Be Legal."

Further, the alcohol policy calls for NCAA colleges and universities to provide programs and resources for education, prevention and treatment of alcohol abuse.

The NCAA for years has banned sales and advertising of all alcohol at its 88 championships. The Association also limits broadcast advertising during championships to not more than 60 seconds per broadcast hour and two minutes in any championship telecast or broadcast. Many of the alcohol ads contain language stressing the legal and responsible use of alcohol.

"Illegal use and abuse of alcohol is contrary to the mission of the NCAA and destroys such fundamental values as respect, fairness, civility, honesty and responsibility," the policy says.

SWA designation

Executive Committee members also agreed to sponsor legislation in all three divisions that amends the definition of a senior woman administrator as follows: "An institutional senior woman administrator is the highest-ranking female involved with the management of a member institution's intercollegiate athletics program. An institution with a female director of athletics may designate a different female administrator involved with the management of the institution's program as a fifth representative to the NCAA governance system."

Additionally, in Division I, language would be amended to: "A conference senior woman administrator is the highest-ranking female involved with administration and policy processes of a member conference's office."

The changes are in response to concerns that the senior woman administrator designation could be perceived as a job description (see The NCAA News Centerpiece).

The Executive Committee also acted on initiatives that would streamline future NCAA committee operations.

In January, the Executive Committee told staff to review the committee structure and devise a means to reduce expenditures. Options to be considered included modifying committee travel policies and practices, reducing the size of committees where appropriate and increasing the use of technology to disseminate information and conduct meetings.

After a six-month review, the Executive Committee supported the following guidelines:

• A reduction in the frequency of in-person committee meetings. For example, the number of annual in-person meetings for the Executive Committee, and the Divisions I, II and III presidential bodies and Management Councils would decrease from four to three; the number for the two Division I cabinets would go from three to two.

• An increase in the percentage of meetings held at the NCAA national office (from 50 percent to 60 percent over the next three to five years).

• An overall 25 percent reduction in the overall committee budget and the establishment of individualized committee budgets overseen and administered by the staff liaison.

An effective date for those recommendations to be implemented -- particularly the frequency of meetings -- would depend largely on how far out hotel contracts have been signed. The recommendations also would incorporate a review of the NCAA legislative cycle to ensure that whatever changes are made do not compromise efficiency. To be considered is the fact that Divisions II and III adopt legislative changes at the January Convention, while Division I completes its legislative cycle at the April Board of Directors meeting.