The Division I Committee on Academic Performance has decided to extend its evaluation of adding more flexibility in the Academic Progress Rate for transfer student-athletes.

The CAP met April 22 in Indianapolis.

In January, the CAP approved an adjustment to the APR calculation that allows transfers to be counted as a “1-for-1” in the APR instead of a “1-for-2” (losing the retention point) as long as they:

•         Earn a 2.6 grade-point average and the eligibility point,

•         Attended an institution for an academic year, and

•         Enroll immediately at a four-year institution.

Recognizing that some student-athletes might not meet the 2.6 GPA for legitimate reasons, the committee decided to consider allowing more flexibility in that adjustment process. The group proposed implementing a GPA floor below which relief would not be considered and also tying in a minimum number of transferable credit-hours earned to apply for relief. CAP asked for further data along those lines upon which to base future decisions.

Additionally, the committee will further discuss methods to provide flexibility within the APR for student-athletes who have graduated but still have eligibility remaining. The CAP has believed that student-athletes should be engaged in their academic progress despite their status as graduate students. While members did not back off that stance, the group began to discuss ways for giving a “bonus” for student-athletes who graduate with eligibility remaining and choose to continue their academic studies.

Different models for providing flexibility will be discussed at the CAP meeting in July.

The committee also heard membership feedback on APR improvement plans that are required for all institutions that have teams with APR scores below 925. The process requires institutions to establish measurable APR goals, outline steps to achieve them, create accountability and give a timetable for completing specific steps.

Common strategies included in improvement plans are an increased academic review of incoming student-athletes, specific class-attendance policies and reviews of special-admissions practices.

Of those responding to a survey, 75 percent said APR improvement plans would likely help increase their APRs, and 85 percent said the process increased conversations on campus about the academic progress of student-athletes. About 75 percent of institutions submitting improvement plans responded to the survey.

Finally, the committee also heard a report on the Supplemental Support Fund designed to assist low-resource institutions. The national office received $2.4 million in requests from 34 different schools. The staff is currently reviewing the requests and will make funding decisions next month. The amount requested exceeds the amount available for distribution at this time.

The fund provides financial assistance to eligible, low-resource institutions as annual grants for academic initiatives designed to improve a team’s APR, and all applications must be submitted with specific plans for improving a team’s APR.