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.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, July 15-16
Working groups. SAAC solidified three working groups for the upcoming academic year, including Special Olympics, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice (DEIJ) and Mental and Physical Health. The Mental and Physical Heath group plans to create a one-page document on how to have difficult conversations with administrators early this fall.

Special Olympics. SAAC members discussed the division’s Special Olympics partnership and reviewed the reporting process for events. Lexxi O’Brien of Special Olympics North America spoke with the group to talk about planning events and how to get in contact with local chapters.

SAAC also hosted an event with Special Olympics Indiana. Twenty-five Special Olympics athletes joined SAAC and the Management Council for an afternoon of fun hosted at the NCAA Hall of Champions. Activities included all the interactive exhibits plus corn hole, giant Jenga and connect four.

Joint meeting with Management Council. SAAC hosted a round table discussion with Management Council during the joint meeting. Round table discussions focused on sportsmanship games experiences and how student-athletes can help with poor sportsmanship. The second roundtable was centered around difficult conversations and helping develop best practices for student-athletes.

Management Council, July 17-18, click here for meeting recap on ncaa.org
Philosophy Statement. The council forwarded a recommendation to the Presidents Council to sponsor legislation for the 2024 NCAA Convention to update the Division III Philosophy Statement.

2023-24 strategic plan. The council reviewed the division’s identified strategic priorities for FY24. The plan will be reviewed and finalized during the early August Presidents Council meeting.

Mental health waiver. The council endorsed the mental health hardship waiver recommendations created by the Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement. It also endorsed an implementation approach that includes a two-year blanket waiver versus legislation.  The council noted that this approach allows for an evaluation of the process and implementation of adjustments, as needed, before finalizing with possible proposed legislation no sooner than the 2026 NCAA Convention.  SAR will meet again in August and forward a final recommendation regarding the implementation details to the council to approve during its October meeting.

Association-wide committees. At the request of the NCAA Board of Governors, the council approved sunsetting the Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct and the Olympic Sports Liaison Committee. While the council noted that the work of the Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct Committee will be absorbed by NCAA staff, it emphasized the importance of this work and consequently, it recommended evaluating the value of reinstating the Division III Sportsmanship Working Group, receiving an annual report from Research regarding sportsmanship and ethical conduct trends and requesting PROP consider expanding its charge to include monitoring of sportsmanship and ethical conduct.

2024 legislative proposals. The council reviewed the governance and membership sponsored proposals. It will take a formal position on the membership sponsorship proposal during its October meeting after it receives feedback from assigned governance committees.

Athletic Trainer Working Group. The council received an update on the newly created working group and specifically its charge and timeline of proposed work.

Name, Image, and Likeness. The council discussed elements of concern with the current state of NIL to help inform future discussions regarding potential changes to policy and legislation.

Sport Science Institute updates. The council received an update regarding the Association’s cannabinoid policy and was asked for feedback on CSMAS’ signaling support to eliminate testing for cannabis at NCAA championships (a policy change which could be effective as early as Fall 2023 championships), and CSMAS’ interest in asking the divisions to adopt legislation to remove cannabinoids from the list of banned substances.  The council anticipates receiving a request to review possible legislative action during its October meeting. The council also heard that there likely will be changes to the NCAA Concussion Safety Protocol checklist based on new scientific research, effective in January 2024. CSMAS will consider the changes at its September meeting and release updated resources ASAP.  The council received an update on the athletic training stakeholders meeting held in June in Indianapolis.

The council also received an update on the division’s participation in the Injury Surveillance Program. While approximately 12% of the division is participating, SSI noted that an increase in participation would be beneficial since the data is used to update playing rules.  

Council leadership. The council elected Dr. Lawrence Ward, vice president for Learner Success and Dean of Campus Life, Babson College as chair and Jason Verdugo, director of athletics, Wisconsin Eau Claire as its vice-chair effective with the close of the 2024 NCAA Convention through the 2025 NCAA Convention.

Financial and Risk Management Working Group, July 19
Key agenda items. The working group reviewed its charge, evaluated the division’s current financial and organization standing (e.g., strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks) and discussed the benefits of a third-party vendor review.

Membership Committee, July 20
Sports sponsorship waivers. The committee reviewed sport sponsorship waivers.

Presidents Council, Aug. 2
Philosophy Statement. See Management Council updates.

2023-24 strategic plan. The council will review and act on the SPFC’s recommended 2023-24 strategic priorities.

Financial and Risk Management Working Group. The council will receive an update on the recent meeting of the working group.

Congressional engagement. The council will discuss the Association’s strategy to engage congress and next steps.

NCAA State of Business Review. President Baker will provide an update on the current business review being conducted by an outside consultant.

Council leadership. The council will elect its leadership effective with the close of the 2024 NCAA Convention through the 2025 NCAA Convention.
 

With every communication, we also anticipate additional questions. Please send all questions to DIIIGovernance@ncaa.org. Thank you for your continued collaboration and leadership.