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.
Interpretations and Legislation Committee, June 15 Legislative process. The committee continued its review of the Division III legislative process to increase membership participation and collaboration. Since it is still gathering feedback, at this time, it will not propose 2024 NCAA Convention legislation to change the process.
Championships Committee, June 20-21 Budget enhancement priorities survey. The committee reviewed the budget priorities survey results completed by conference commissioners and directors of athletics to gauge the membership’s championships budget priorities leading into the next budget cycle (FY25). Based on the survey results, it identified several priorities (i.e., travel party increases, equal access to Pool C, per diem increases and additional permissible flights) to further research and seek membership feedback. The committee will discuss again during its Sept. meeting and will make its final budget recommendations in Feb. 2024.
Selection criteria database. The committee continued its discussion regarding selection criteria (e.g., Pairwise) and the timeline to educate and seek feedback from sport committees and affiliate groups.
Sport committee reports. The committee discussed several sport committee reports including football (proposed bracket expansion), women’s ice hockey (seeking to establish predetermined host sites every other year; similar format to men’s ice hockey), and men’s and women’s soccer (championships date formula).
The committee indicated initial support for the Football Committee’s recommendation to increase Pool C (at-large) access. It noted the need to solicit membership feedback before finalizing any recommendations.
The committee is seeking additional membership feedback before acting on the Women’s Ice Hockey Committee’s request to establish predetermined sites and the Men’s and Women’s Soccer Committee’s request to adjust its championships date formula.
Gender equity. The committee noted that to ensure a gender equitable experience, the division will continue to broadcast the Division III women’s basketball championship.
Membership Committee, June 21-22 Provisional and reclassifying membership process. The committee reviewed the annual reports from the five institutions currently in the process. Those institutions will receive formal notification next week. The committee also began to discuss ways to assess the process and improve, if needed. The committee reviewed the membership rosters of the 42 multi-sport conferences noting impending further realignment.
Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, June 22 Philosophy Statement. The committee approved a revised Philosophy Statement, based on membership feedback, and forwarded it to the councils to review during their summer meetings. The councils may act to sponsor 2024 convention legislation to amend the philosophy statement.
Strategic plan. The committee reviewed the outcomes of this year’s strategic plan and forwarded a recommendation to the councils regarding the 2023-24 strategic priorities.
ADR Institute. The committee approved reinstating funding for Athletic Direct Report professional development at the 2024 NCAA Convention.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
Convention Planning Subcommittee, June 26 Educational sessions. The subcommittee will review results and feedback from a Division III Convention Education Session membership survey to help it determine the topics for the Division III educational sessions. Additionally, the subcommittee will continue its discussion of possible topics for the Issues Forum.
Division III Congressional Advocates, June 27 Congressional engagement. The committee will review the feedback received from the Division III membership regarding its engagement with Congress and discuss the Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee’s letter to Congress. It also will receive an update on potential sponsored federal legislation and next steps of engagement.
Presidents Council, June 27 Media rights update. The council will receive an update.
Congressional engagement. The council will receive the latest information regarding the Association’s engagement with Congress.
Presidents Council Nominations Subcommittee, June 29 Vacancies. The subcommittee will identify chancellors and presidents to fill an immediate vacancy in addition to identifying potential leadership (i.e., chair and vice-chair) for the council effective with the close of the 2024 NCAA Convention.
Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, June 29-30 Medical hardship waiver. Consistent with the mental health hardship waiver resolution adopted at the 2023 NCAA Convention, the committee will continue its work to establish a hardship waiver process for mental health, to be distinguished from a physical injury, including its own waiver criteria that recognize the unique circumstances related to mental health conditions. The committee is considering ways to modify documentation standards and appropriate sources of documentation.
With every communication, we also anticipate additional questions. Please send all questions to DIIIGovernance@ncaa.org. Thank you for your continued collaboration and leadership.
This email was sent to NCAA Division III commissioners, directors of athletics and the NADIIIAA executive board based on contact information in the NCAA Directory.
