The Division I Management Council approved and sent to the Board of Directors legislation that could help protect the financial aid awards of student-athletes who sustain an injury, illness or medical condition, including pregnancy. The Council met Sunday at the Convention.

The financial aid protections, supported strongly by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at the Division I Legislative Forum on Saturday, would prohibit institutions from reducing or canceling aid during the scholarship term because of any injury, illness or medical condition, regardless of whether it affects the student-athlete's ability to participate with the team during the academic year.

Brittany Loisel, a student-athlete from Rutgers, said that student-athletes who are pregnant or who face other medically related concerns find it more difficult to seek help or other resources when their financial aid is at risk.

"Accountability needs to take place here and now by providing these student-athletes the necessary financial protection," Loisel said. "We need to know that our institutions are committed to us more than as students and athletes. We need to know that our institutions are committed to us as people."

In other action, the Council tabled three proposals to modify student-athlete-likeness rules. The pause was expected after NCAA President Myles Brand announced last month his desire to appoint a presidential review group to study the likeness matter further. The proposals were designed to accommodate changes in technology over the years that had outdated current rules, but Brand called timeout to address concerns at the presidential level about the proposals. The group will discuss the issue more broadly and provide recommendations within the next year. Additionally, the Council took up text messaging again after an override vote to eliminate the ban on it failed Saturday. Council members forwarded to the Board a new proposal that allows coaches and other officials to communicate by text message with prospective student-athletes who have signed a National Letter of Intent or otherwise formally committed with the institution. Division II will vote on the same proposal at today’s business session. Another proposal allowing instant messaging with prospects was withdrawn.

In other business, the Council sent the Board a proposal extending the window during which misconduct can occur at championships to begin when the championship field is announced. The also advanced another measure creating an early certification program for recruits meeting a specific academic profile.

The Board will consider final approval today on all proposals the Council forwarded.

Legislation regarding meals for student-athletes before and after competition was sent to the membership for comment, along with several other proposals, and will return to the Management Council in April.