The NCAA Division III staff has created this bi-weekly communication for the Division III membership to provide up-to-date communications on recent Division III governance meeting discussions and outcomes. Please share this communication with your campus and conference colleagues.
Recent Governance Meetings - Key Discussions and Outcomes.
Division III Analysis Working Group, May 21 Membership survey. The consultants provided a high-level overview of the membership survey feedback that included responses from 254 ADs (60% response rate) and 33 commissioners (78%). The consultants highlighted themes that emerged regarding each identified tension. A high-level summary of the survey results will be made available to the membership in June.
Tension options. The working group discussed the available options and ultimately placed those associated with lower-priority tensions and/or those that did not generate consensus support from the working group or the membership survey into a parking lot. These options may be revisited later but will not be a working group focus in the near term.
The working group also discussed the highest-priority tensions and worked through options that garnered initial support from the working group and membership. The consultants used live polls to gauge the working group’s feedback on whether the option meaningfully mitigates the tension, followed by a discussion of gaps, modifications, or missing ideas.
Membership Committee, May 21 Eligibility waiver pilot program update. The committee received a report on the conclusion of the first year of the eligibility waiver pilot program.
Regional Rules Seminar update. Staff noted that all institutions who needed to participate in the Regional Rules Seminar to fulfill the once in three year legislation met the requirement. The committee also learned that more than 200 participated via the provided live stream links.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
FAR Advisory Group, June 4 Division III FAR Institute. The working group will review the draft agenda for the 2026 Division III FAR Institute to be held November 8-10 in Indianapolis.
Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, June 9 Cross divisional issues. The committee will discuss ways to evaluate the eligibility of transfer student-athletes from non-Division III institutions.
Hardship waivers. The committee will review hardship waiver legislation holistically, including a review of the timing of waiver submissions and practice while waivers are pending.
Sports wagering. The committee will continue its conversation regarding sports wagering harm reduction strategies.
With every communication, we also anticipate additional questions. Please send all questions to DIIIGovernance@ncaa.org.
This email was sent to NCAA Division III Presidents Council, Management Council, commissioners, directors of athletics and the NADIIIAA executive board based on contact information in the NCAA Directory.
