Jan 16, 2010 3:20:16 PM

Division III took the following actions at its January 16 business session in Atlanta:

Proposal No. 1: To specify in the Division III philosophy statement the expectation for presidential leadership and authority over intercollegiate athletics at the campus, conference and national governance levels. Effective date: August 1, 2010. Adopted by roll-call vote (466-0-0).

Proposal No. 2: To specify that a transfer student who meets the requirements of the two-year nonparticipation exception shall be immediately eligible on transfer to the certifying institution, even if the student was disqualified or suspended from the previous institution for disciplinary reasons. Effective date: August 1, 2010. Adopted.

Proposal No. 3: To deregulate and reformat the tryout legislation to specify that a tryout in which prospective student-athletes demonstrate their athletics abilities at a coach's direction, tryout events and varsity competition against high school or preparatory school teams are impermissible; further, to specify that other physical related activities involving prospects that are not specifically prohibited shall be permissible. Effective date: Immediate. Adopted (motion to divide failed).

Proposal No. 4: To permit an institution's coaching staff member to observe recreational activities of prospective student-athletes and nonorganized sport-specific activities of currently enrolled student-athletes, provided the coach observes these activities while monitoring an institutional facility for purposes of safety and facility security as part of normal employment duties and the facility is not restricted to specific users at the time. Effective date: Immediate. Adopted.

Proposal No. 5: To specify that all practice and competition conducted in the nontraditional segment (fall or spring) shall be completed no later than five weekdays before the first day of the institution's final examination period. Effective date: August 1, 2010. Adopted (motion to divide failed).

Proposal No. 6: In football, to specify that an institution may conduct one one-hour walkthrough session per day during the preseason acclimatization period, provided protective equipment such as a helmet or shoulder pads is not worn, equipment related to football such as a football or blocking sled is not used, and conditioning activities do not occur. Further, to specify that student-athletes must be provided with at least three hours of continuous recovery time between the end of the on-field practice session and the start of the walk-through session. Effective date: August 1, 2010. Adopted.

Proposal No. 7: To specify that a student-athlete's eligibility for a hardship waiver should be determined by a percent calculation using the maximum permissible number of contests or dates of competition for the applicable sport, plus one contest or date of competition. Effective date: August 1, 2010. Adopted.

Proposal No. 8: To permit a student-athlete to participate in one date of competition and an alumni contest during the nontraditional segment without using a season of participation. Effective date: August 1, 2010. Adopted.

Proposal No. 9: To permit institutions to conduct the exempted alumni contest at any time during the playing season, including before the first permissible contest date. Effective date: August 1, 2010. Approved.