DIVISION III PRESIDENTS QUARTERLY UPDATE - NOVEMBER 2022
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR, CHANCELLOR JIM SCHMIDT
ThePresidents Council recently completed its October 25-26 meeting in Indianapolis, and this quarterly update highlights our discussions and actions. Please review and discuss the topics included in this update with your presidential colleagues, athletics direct reports and commissioners.
2023 LEGISLATIVE VOTING PROCESS
The council spent the majority of its meeting discussing the 2023 NCAA Convention, the voting process and proposals before the membership. After a recommendation from the Management Council, the Presidents Council will propose a special rule of order, via two resolutions, applicable only for the 2023 NCAA Convention. If the convention delegates approve the resolutions, the process will result in establishing the voting order of similar proposals (i.e., playing and practice seasons and council composition) without limitations on discussion imposed by the current rules of order. This process also will allow delegates to discuss the merits of the similar proposals followed by a vote to establish the preferred voting order.
The intent of the alternative voting method is to minimize procedural issues during the Business Session, allow for an open discussion of similar proposals and ensure the opportunity for delegates to vote on their preferred proposal voting order. The council emphasized the importance of providing clear education to delegates regarding the process, which will allow the membership to approve of the alternative method via resolution at the Convention.
2023 CONVENTION PROPOSALS
The council discussed the 11 legislative proposals and took positions on two membership proposals. It also approved the recommendation for an amendment to the governance-sponsored proposal that would change the composition of the Management and President Councils by establishing that the conference representation requirements would not be satisfied by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representatives. The council also agreed to divide the committee and council portions of the proposal into two distinct proposals.
The council supported a resolution that aims to establish a hardship waiver process for mental health to be distinguished from a physical injury, including its own waiver criteria, which recognizes the unique circumstances related to mental health conditions.
Click here for the 2023 convention resource webpage that includes agendas, registration and general information.
PHILOSPHY STATEMENT REVIEW
The council reviewed the Division III Philosophy Statement, the strategic positioning platform and the efforts of the Philosophy Statement Review Working Group to examine whether the current Division III philosophy statement still reflects today’s Division III higher education and athletics landscape. The initial groupings identified by the working group for review include:
Division III institutional responsibility and oversight.
Division III diversity, equity and inclusion.
The Division III student-athlete collegiate experience.
The Division III student-athlete athletics experience.
Division III student-athlete financial aid.
A survey will be sent to the membership in November to solicit feedback on the initial draft concepts. The survey findings will be presented, and additional feedback will be sought at the Division III Issues Forum at the NCAA Convention in January.
GRADUATE AND POSTGRADUATE STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
The council approved a request to eliminate the waiver criteria that a graduate or postbaccalaureate student-athlete must possess a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA to be eligible. The council discussed that the requirement to graduate with a minimum 3.0 GPA is not a proper measure of academic success or competence, as Division III institutions offer graduate and postbaccalaureate admission to students with various experiences and academic histories.
ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Division III Advisory Council is an advisory group to the Division III governance structure. Last January, the Presidents Council created the Advisory Council to help identify the implementation strategies for the requirements stemming from the adoption of the new NCAA Constitution and issues identified in the Feb. 2022 Division III membership survey. The Advisory Council delegated identified issues and strategies to enhance membership engagement to the standing governance committees and councils.
The council expressed gratitude for the work of the 29-member Advisory Council and agreed to sunset the group coinciding with the 2023 NCAA Convention. Most of the Advisory Council's remaining work is part of this year’s convention legislation, so members thought it was an appropriate time to conclude the group's work. The items listed on the current Division III Bylaws, Policies and Initiatives chart will continue to be a priority of the standing governance committees.
COUNCIL NOMINATIONS
The council approved two new Presidents Council appointments in Hiram Chodosh, president at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, and Laura Trombley, president at Southwestern (Texas). Both begin four-year terms effective immediately. The council also approved an additional three appointments that will be sent to all Division III presidents/chancellors for approval. These terms, if approved by the membership, will begin with the close of the 2023 Convention.
CONCLUSION
It is my intent that the quarterly update provides the necessary and critical information to assist you in the oversight of Division III athletics on your campus. Click here for a full recap of the October Presidents Council meeting, and the Summary of Actions, which highlights all recent council actions. As always, I welcome any comments or questions.
This email was sent to NCAA Division III presidents and chancellors;conference commissioners and athletics direct reports based on contact information in the NCAA Directory.
National Collegiate Athletic Association, 700 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 US
