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.
Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, July 9 2025-26 strategic plan implementation. The committee reviewed a proposed plan to implement the 2025-26 strategic plan that mirrors year two of the division’s biannual budget and has forwarded it to the councils for final approval.
2025-26 conference grant tier allocations. The committee approved the conference grant tier allocations for FY26.
National Collegiate championships stability policy. The committee adopted a new budget policy to manage the creation of divisional championships from existing national collegiate championships. The policy states that after divisional approval of a division-specific championship (i.e., adoption of legislation at the Convention), the new divisional championship effective date shall be after a minimum of two National Collegiate championships have taken place and with at least two years notice provided to the National Collegiate championship committee and sponsoring members in the sport. The two-year waiting period offers time to properly budget for the championship, coordinate the administration of the new championship (e.g., establish format and qualifications processes; host site selection, committee creation) and allows the membership time to schedule their regular-season contests and post-season tournaments accordingly.
Championships per diem. The committee is recommending the councils approve a request from the Championships Committee to increase per diem to $150 (traveling team) and $60 (hosts) effective for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years (FY26/FY27). The Management and Presidents Councils will consider during their summer meetings.
Regional Rules Seminar live streaming. The committee approved a request from the Membership Committee to live stream future Division III Regional Rules Seminar sessions.
Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions.
Championships Committee, July 15 Live streaming. The committee will review the final live streaming numbers from the 2024-25 championships.
Playing rules committee structure. The committee will discuss the next steps to implement a new playing rules structure with Division III anticipating changes within Division I for the upcoming academic year.
Membership Committee, July 17 Waivers. The committee will review several sport sponsorship waivers.
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, July 19-20 New members. The committee will welcome 20 new members, who will officially join following the approval of a proposal voted on at the January Convention. The proposal legislates that every multisport conference has a representative on national SAAC.
Agenda. Key agenda items include a review of the 2026 legislative proposals and continued efforts to elevate the student-athlete voice. The committee will also engage in discussions on various Division III and Association-wide hot topics. Additionally, members will receive updates from several guest speakers, finalize subcommittee assignments for the upcoming academic year, and explore best practices for SAAC communication with the broader membership.
Special Olympics. The meeting will conclude with a Special Olympics activity involving local Indiana Special Olympics athletes and members of the Management Council.
Management Council, July 21-22 Budget requests. The council will consider a request to increase championship per diem to $150 (traveling team) and $60 (hosts) effective for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years (FY26/FY27). It also will consider a request to provide funding to live stream the 2026 Regional Rules Seminar.
2025-26 strategic plan implementation. The council will consider a recommendation to implement the 2025-26 strategic plan.
Playing rules structure. The council will consider a request from the Championships Committee to approve a new playing rules committee structure for Division III. This new structure is needed if Division I adopts its new governance structure in August.
Convention proposals. The council will consider requests to sponsor 2026 Convention legislation to require the use of the Transfer Portal, deregulate areas within Bylaw 16 and create a National Collegiate Championship for Stunt and Acrobatics and Tumbling.
Hardship waivers. The council will consider a request to approve noncontroversial legislation to codify the current hardship waiver pilot based on mental health.
Chair and vice chair. The council will elect its chair and vice-chair for 2026.
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.
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