Division I
Governance reorganization received Board’s approval

The Division I Board of Directors officially reorganized the Division I governance structure at its November 1 meeting in Indianapolis, approving a leadership-based model under development for more than a year.

Board members hope the new configuration of governing bodies will provide more effective support for presidential leadership from the substructure. The Division I Management Council’s governance subcommittee devised the reorganization with feedback from a variety of constituencies, including bodies within the current structure.

The restructuring replaces the Management Council with two 31- member bodies (Legislative and Leadership Councils). A revised cabinet structure features five 21-member groups (academics, administration, amateurism, recruiting and student-athlete awards, benefits and financial aid) and one 31-member championships body. The restructuring will take effect in September 2008.

In another action, the Board awarded a unit of revenue distribution to the winner of the opening-round game in the Division I men’s basketball championship. The intent is to boost public perception of that game and to enhance the student-athlete experience. The opening-round game was created in 2001 when the bracket was expanded to 65 teams.

Division II
Surplus revenues produce supplemental distribution
The Division II Presidents Council has approved a one-time supplemental distribution of $4,000 per institution, drawing from surplus revenues from fiscal-year 2006-07.

Council members emphasized that institutions should use the funds to support initiatives that align with the Division II strategic-positioning platform.

The discussion came during a review of Division II budget initiatives. Council members chose the supplemental distribution after considering using the budget surplus to fund a limited-time $5 increase in per diem for championships participants or place the additional dollars in reserves.

The Division II Budget and Finance Committee reported that even a $5 increase in per diem per participant would cost more than $350,000 annually. Council members agreed with the budget committee that the benefits of the supplemental distribution address current needs.

Division III
Presidents take positions on Convention proposals

The Division III Presidents Council will oppose a conference-sponsored proposal that would permit the division’s schools to provide academic or other support services specifically for student-athletes, so long as they are comparable to services provided for nonathletes.

It is one of eight membership proposals for the 2008 Convention on which the Council adopted positions, and is one of 10 proposals on which roll-call votes will be recorded during the annual Division III business session in Nashville, Tennessee.

The presidents also will oppose a proposal to permit extending the regular season to “make up” a conference postseason contest suspended because of weather or other unforeseen circumstances for the purpose of determining a conference champion or NCAA automatic qualifier.

However, the presidents also granted broader authority to consider and grant waivers in such situations for “extraordinary” circumstances.