The NCAA Men's and Women's Gymnastics Committees both met recently -- the women's committee June 13-17 in Indianapolis and the men's committee June 13-16 in San Diego.

Among the changes made by the men's committee was an adjustment to the poll structure as the season progresses. The committee proposed a progressive change that will better reflect a team's true standing toward the end of the season. Through the February 14 poll, all scores will be averaged. From the polls released February 21 through March 7, only the three highest scores will be averaged. From March 14 to 21, standings will be determined by a four-score average that includes no more than two home meets. The highest of the four scores will be dropped and the remaining three will be averaged. The March 28 poll will then use the National Qualifying Average.

The committee also discussed potential changes to the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) code regarding scoring, and a possible timeline for any changes that could be made internationally. Members also conducted a conference call with coaches to discuss possible dramatic changes, though the FIG code will not be ratified until later this fall.

The committee and coaches decided to wait for the final proposal and how it might impact regular-season meets, particularly with regard to officiating and the length of meets, before recommending any action. The NCAA currently follows a modified version of the FIG code. The number of judges that work both NCAA and international competitions is minimal.

The committee also reviewed the format of the national championship, particularly the use of a bye rotation. Members decided to keep the bye, believing it is an important part of the championship.

Members also recommended that the men's championship move to the second full week in April. Currently, the championship is held during the first full week of April with the stipulation that it can be moved if it conflicts with the men's and women's basketball championships. Moving the championship a week later also will allow teams -- most of which do not begin competition until after January 1 -- an additional week to complete the 13 allowable dates of competition.

The committee also elected Mark Williams, head coach at the University of Oklahoma, as committee chair.

Both the men's and women's committees will forward budget requests to help offset the costs of shipping and storing the Olympic podium used at the championship award ceremonies. The request will be considered by the Championships/Competition Cabinet in September.

Women's committee actions

The women's committee implemented an unsportsmanlike conduct deduction for both coaches and student-athletes. If a student-athlete displays unsportsmanlike conduct, a first offense will draw a warning and a second offense will draw a one-tenth of a point deduction from the student-athlete's score. For unsportsmanlike conduct by a coach, the first offense will warrant a warning and a second offense will earn a one-tenth of a point deduction from the team's score.

The committee also decided to use the same vault table at the 2006 championship as was used in 2005. A new form of the table is coming out later this year, and if it is approved by the FIG, the committee decided the changes will be made with the 2007 championship. The table used in 2005 was also new at that time, instituting earlier changes the FIG made.

In addition to the podium request with the men's committee, the women's committee also made another budget request contingent on legislation that would increase the number of scholarships in women's gymnastics. That legislation currently is being re-evaluated through the NCAA override process. If the legislation is not overturned, the women's gymnastics committee will request an increase in the travel party size from 18 to 22 to accommodate a possible increase in student-athletes because of the increase in scholarships.

The committee confirmed that the National Assigner System, which was a pilot program in 2005, shall be mandated for all meets in 2006 in which a regional qualifying score is used for selections. Most institutions took part in the pilot. The mandate will require all meets to be judged by officials assigned by the 10 regional assigners. If a meet does not use the National Assigner System, the scores can not be used toward championship selection.

The women's committee also endorsed a video review process for regular-season competition with the following modifications:

• Coaches must use the tape from their own team camera.

• It must be completed within five minutes after the end of the meet.

• It must take place at a neutral site for the officials. (Do not take this step unless inquiry is completed.)

The process will be experimental for the 2005-06 regular season and will not be used during NCAA regional or championship competition. The video review rule will be evaluated after the 2005-06 season to determine future application. Details of the process are included in the 2006 NCAA Women's Gymnastics Rules document.