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.
Championships Committee, Nov. 18 Bench size. The committee agreed to implement a financial penalty for a student-athlete on the bench but not in the squad size who enters a contest that aligns with the existing failure-to-adhere and misconduct policies. However, the committee opted not to be prescriptive about the financial penalty; rather, each instance can be managed on a case-by-case basis and penalties applied as warranted.
Future bracket expansion. The committee reviewed projected bracket growth for 2026-27 based on sport sponsorship and the legislated access ratios as it prepares for FY27-FY28 budget discussions.
Nominating Committee, Dec. 5 Committee appointments. The committee will review the nominations for immediate vacancies and begin the review of nominations for the new National Collegiate Sport Committees for women’s acrobatics and tumbling and women’s stunt.
Convention Planning Subcommittee, Dec. 8 Convention sessions. The subcommittee will review the agenda for various Division III convention sessions, including the President and Chancellors Forum, Issues Forum, and Business Session.
FAR Advisory Group, Dec. 8 FARA positions on Division III convention legislation. The Advisory Group will review the positions the Division III Faculty Athletics Representatives Association (FARA) took on each of the 2026 Division III legislative proposals.
FAR Institute. The Advisory Group will debrief the experience of the participants attending the Division III FAR Institute.
Presidents Council Futures Subcommittee, Dec. 8 Joint meeting with Division II. The subcommittee will consider recommending to the full Presidents Council participation by the council and the Presidents Advisory Group in a joint meeting with Division II in October 2026. The joint meeting will examine higher education and its impact on college athletics.
FY27/28 budget planning. The subcommittee will discuss future strategic priorities and funding of one-time expenses (e.g., branding and marketing, institution support) to support these priorities with the FY27 and FY28 budgets.
Division III analysis. Building on the council’s recent approval of a narrow analysis of key Division III issues, the subcommittee will provide feedback on the convention session format and questions that will start this analysis (e.g., Presidents and Chancellors Forum on Wed., Jan. 14 and the Issues Forum on Thurs., Jan. 15).
Student-Athlete Reinstatement, Dec. 9 Guidelines and policy review. Due to the federation of Student-Athlete Reinstatement, the committee will review its guidelines, policies, and procedures to ensure they align with the Division III philosophy. As part of this review, the committee will also discuss cross-divisional issues.
Sports betting. The committee will continue its conversation regarding sports wagering violations.
Diversity programs. The subcommittee will discuss upcoming Division III 2026 programs (e.g., Student Immersion Program, LGBTQ Awards, and Institute for Administrative Advancement) and updates on the Division III Opportunity Grants.
Research. The subcommittee will receive an update on the use and current trends of the race and gender database.
Reminders
Sports Betting. After a procedural 30-day rescission period, two-thirds of the Division I membership rescinded Division I Proposal No. 2025-20, which would have allowed student-athletes and athletics department staff members to legally participate in sports betting on professional sports only. Because sports betting rules are common legislation, the ban on all forms of betting (e.g., professional and collegiate) for sports in which the NCAA sponsors a championship will remain in place for all three NCAA divisions.
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.
