Jan 22, 2010 9:37:14 AM

The Division III Management Council took no action following the NCAA Convention to change legislation that governs fund-raising by student-athletes, after hearing feedback from a variety of groups during meetings last week in Atlanta.

That feedback, gathered from groups ranging from the Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to conference commissioners, indicated no clear consensus on the question of whether legislation should permit student-athletes to be individually credited for raising funds through such team activities as working a concessions or ticket booth or serving as an usher at events.

The Council decided to follow advice offered by the Division III Presidents Council, which suggested that, without a consensus within the governance structure, it is better to defer to the membership to create alternative proposals.

The Management Council decided it will focus on helping member schools comply with the current legislation, but also agreed to monitor any continuing discussions about the rule by the membership during the coming year.

Member conferences that support a change in the rule could propose legislation for consideration at the 2011 Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

The Management Council considered a recommendation in Atlanta to allow institutions to "earmark" or designate specific funds "earned" by an individual student-athlete toward his or her fund-raising obligation for a spring trip or international tour.

Current legislation prohibits crediting fund-raising proceeds to individual student-athletes, except for donations from family members.

The Division III Interpretations and Legislation Committee recommended changing the legislation, in recognition that some student-athletes may devote more time to team fund-raising activities and should be credited for their effort.

However, the Management Council struggled with questions of whether it is appropriate to credit an individual student-athlete for raising funds for a team's benefit, as well as what types of fund-raising might be permitted under such a scenario.

The ILC supported crediting student-athletes for funds raised by "volunteering or working a fund-raising activity," listing examples such as working concessions or ticket booths or serving as an usher. It also specified activities for which it believed designation of specific funds should be prohibited, including selling goods, writing letters to solicit donations, or participating in events featuring athletic ability.