Following is a summary of Division II news from the week of April 27-May 1.

•         The Division II Presidents Council conducted two important meetings this week in Indianapolis, including a session Thursday at the national office to continue a “Life in the Balance” initiative to align playing and practice season policies with the division’s strategic-positioning platform. The Council also met with conference board officers Wednesday to discuss gender-equity initiatives and a potential “dashboard indicator” project that could be discussed further during the next Division II Chancellors and Presidents Summit, recently announced for June 2010 in Indianapolis.

•         The Division II Planning and Finance Committee, which now oversees the Division II strategic plan, talked about possible changes in the way Division II enhancement funds are distributed. The committee is considering a change to the prong in the distribution formula that relies on success in the men’s and women’s basketball championships since members agree that it doesn’t align with the division’s strategic position. The committee also agreed to funnel a scheduled increase in the distribution equally to Division II members in 2010.

•         Division II has begun a game-environment recognition program that offers institutions a chance to self-assess their policies and procedures, and then raise a banner proclaiming their success once the president and AD sign off on the review.

•         The University of Indianapolis will conduct a special graduation ceremony next week for spring-sport student-athletes who because of athletics travel are precluded from attending the school’s regular graduation this Saturday. Indianapolis President Beverley Pitts and Athletics Director Sue Willey have done this annually to give all student-athletes the proper graduation experience.

•         West Texas A&M President Pat O’Brien, a member of the Division II Presidents Council and the Planning and Finance Committee, spoke recently about the value of athletics participation – specifically in Division II. Read O’Brien’s comments in a special NCAA Champion magazine Q&A.

•         New Haven soccer goalie James Hilaire almost died from injuries suffered in a freak collision with Merrimack freshman Robbie Sabadoz last September. Watch a video about a special reunion Hilaire suggested to bring emotional closure to the incident for both young men. (Scroll over the video icon in the Champion magazine story to activate the video.)