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.
Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement, May 21 Sports betting safe harbor/immunity conversation. The committee engaged in an initial discussion regarding the development of a safe harbor, limited immunities or reduced penalties for student-athletes who engage in prohibited sports betting but seek help for problem gambling. The committee will continue the discussion at future meetings.
Division III Mental Health Hardship Waiver pilot program. The committee recommended noncontroversial legislation to codify the Division III Mental Health Hardship waiver, given the pilot program expires at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year. The Management Council will act on this recommendation during its July meeting.
Review of NCAA Division III Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement guidelines. The committee reviewed and approved updated guidelines that address: (1) permanent ineligibility, (2) receipt of an impermissible benefit where the starting point is a dollar-value based on withholding condition in addition to the requirement for repayment, and (3) outside competition.
Transfer Portal. The committee supported the governance structure’s review of the transfer portal and the consideration to propose convention legislation to make it mandatory for Division III. ILC will discuss it during its June meeting and may forward a recommendation for the Management Council to act on during its July meeting.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
FAR Advisory Group, June 10. Update on Management and Presidents Council actions. The group will receive an update on the Pilot Eligibility Waiver Program and the council’s referral of accreditation legislation to the Division III Membership Committee.
Transfer portal. The group will discuss the utility of the Transfer Portal in reducing the administrative burden and potential next steps.
Presidents Advisory Group, June 10. Key discussions. The advisory group will receive an update on sports betting, strategic priorities, 2026 governance sponsored legislation, eligibility waiver pilot, transfer portal review and review of current accreditation requirements.
Interpretations and Legislation Committee, June 12 Bylaw 16 review. The committee will complete its review of bylaw 16 and make final recommended changes to Management Council for consideration during its summer meeting.
Transfer portal. The committee also will review whether mandatory use of the transfer portal could benefit campus compliance administrators and should be considered by the division as a 2026 legislative proposal.
Reminders.
Mental health webinar. During a webinar on Wed., May 21, participants were introduced to Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) — a skills-based training program that teaches you how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health or substance use challenges in your student-athletes. Click here to listen to the webinar recording and learn why investing in student-athlete mental wellbeing matters now more than ever, how MHFA is already making an impact across institutions, and what tools you’ll gain from getting certificated in MHFA. The session also highlighted opportunities to bring this fully funded MHFA training to your campus.
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 Presidents Council, Management Council, commissioners, directors of athletics and the NADIIIAA executive board based on contact information in the NCAA Directory.
