Academics

Emergency legislation outlines review of academic credentials

The Division I Board of Directors and the Division II Presidents Council adopted emergency legislation at their April 27 meetings that establishes a more comprehensive process for reviewing high schools and individual student academic credentials for purposes of meeting initial-eligibility requirements.

The legislation, based on recommendations from the NCAA Working Group to Review Initial-Eligibility Trends, deepens the Association’s involvement in determining the academic integrity of preparatory schools and nontraditional high schools, and it amplifies the shared responsibility among institutions and the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse in verifying a prospective student-athlete’s eligibility.

The effect of the legislation is that prospective student-athletes who compile academic portfolios at schools the NCAA identifies as fraudulent will not be able to compete next year. The NCAA plans to circulate a list of such institutions this summer. The new policies also empower the Clearinghouse to more actively identify concerns with prospects.

The action comes just three months after the working group’s formation.

Division II

Presidents authorize effort to create two football brackets

The Division II Presidents Council authorized the Division II Football Task Force to develop legislation to create two national championship brackets — fulfilling a commitment made at the 2005 Convention to develop options that would enhance competitive equity in Division II football and hopefully heal a growing divide between large and small Division II programs — and also authorized the Football Task Force to draft additional legislation to address the broader membership concerns that the football rift has raised.

The Council requested that the task force examine the issue more broadly by putting all elements of the discussion — perhaps including new financial aid limits — on the table for discussion at the 2007 Convention.

The Football Task Force was scheduled to meet May 3-4 in Houston.

Division III

Pilot drug-testing program tabled for more information

The Division III Presidents Council tabled a recommendation to implement a drug-testing program throughout the academic year, giving itself more time to fully understand potential costs of testing and to comprehensively explore options for combating substance abuse and alcohol use through educational programs.

The proposal sought random testing of up to 2,000 student-athletes during each year of the two-year pilot at an annual cost of $400,000. However, Presidents Council members debated whether testing to collect data about use of performance-enhancing substances by student-athletes is the most appropriate application of resources, or whether Division III should place a higher priority on educational programming aimed at discouraging use of alcohol and street drugs.

The Council decided it needs more information to make that decision.