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.

Joint Legislative Steering Subcommittee, July 27
Responsibilities review. The subcommittee reviewed its purpose, scope of responsibilities and the guiding principles for evaluating legislative proposals for recommendation to the councils to place in either the presidential grouping or the general grouping.

2027 legislative proposals. The subcommittee had an initial review and discussion of the 2027 Convention proposals. After its October meeting, when it has an opportunity to review the fully sponsored membership proposals, the subcommittee will make its recommendations to the councils to discuss during their October meetings.

NIL Working Group, July 28
Exploring the landscape. The working group received updates from Division I and Division II to develop an understanding of what each division is discussing and potentially moving towards in the NIL space. The Office of Legal Affairs also provided insight into what the working group should be legally mindful of moving forward.

Soliciting feedback. The working group developed questions in order to survey student-athletes, coaches and administrators on the scope of NIL opportunities in Division III. The working group anticipates beginning the outreach in September.

Presidents Council, Aug. 3
FY27 and FY28 budget. The council approved the recommended FY27 and FY28 budget for the division. The new budget will become effective Sept. 1.

DIII Analysis. The council received an update from the consultants assisting with the DIII Analysis. It also approved the recommendation from the Division III Analysis Working Group regarding the referral of options to existing governance committees and the membership to address tensions identified by the Division III membership. The council also supported the working group continuing to build out case studies to help frame membership discussions regarding eligibility and NIL.

Strategic discussions. The council discussed key issues facing the division, some captured in the DIII Analysis as well as discussed by the council’s Futures Subcommittee and provided by President Baker and strategically outline potential future discussions and actions to move the division forward.

Campus senior leadership initiative. The council approved the creation of an initiative to engage and educate campus senior leaders (presidents/chancellors and athletics direct reports) through a series of webinars, videoconferences and in-person meetings. The initiative will begin with the start with the 2026-27 academic year.

Joint presidential session. The council received an update (e.g., proposed agenda, needed research/data, identified higher education trends, and potential roundtable questions) on the joint presidents meeting (i.e., Presidents Council and PAG) occurring in October with Division II presidential leadership. 

Election of officers. The council elected Suzanne Davis, Greenville, as chair and Alberto Cardelle, SUNY Oneonta, as vice chair for one-year terms effective with the close of the 2027 NCAA Convention.

DIII Analysis Working Group, August 5
Tension options. After receiving approval from the Presidents Council, the working group outlined how it will distribute identified options with select Division III governance committees and the membership to mitigate core tensions identified by the membership. During its Sept. meeting, it will continue to research and discuss several options that focus on creating financial resources (e.g., peer benchmarking), broad playing season structures, and governance strategic planning.

Case studies. The working group discussed a case study that examines the division’s current eligibility model versus an age- based model that has been submitted as a 2027 Convention proposal. It directed staff to collect additional data, and during its September videoconference, it will finalize the case study and share it with the membership in an effort to help frame the discussion regarding this topic. 

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Upcoming Meetings and Anticipated Discussions. 

Championships Committee, August 11. 
Alcohol sales. The committee will continue to discuss if Division III should change its policy and allow the sale of alcohol at Division III championships. It also will discuss a potential membership survey to gather feedback on changing the policy as well as assess to what extent member institutions and conferences currently permit alcohol sales during the regular season and conference championships.

NCAA Power Index (NPI). The committee will review recommended NPI dial changes by sport that will be effective for the 2027-28 championships. 

Joint DIIICA and NADIIIAA Executive Board meeting, August 19-20
Updates and discussion. The leadership from the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators and Division III Conference Commissioners will meet with NCAA staff at the national office to discuss various topics, including Division III championships, 2027 NCAA Convention, Division III Analysis, congressional engagement and eligibility.

Future priorities. The group also will discuss the respective priorities for NADIIIAA, DIIICA and the Division III governance structure to create opportunities to support each group’s priorities. 

Membership Committee, August 20
Waiver requests. The committee will consider sports sponsorship waiver requests from three institutions.

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Reminders. 

Legislation Manual. The 2026-27 Division III Manual is now available on LSDBi and has been posted to the Legislation and Policy page. To access the most up-to-date electronic versions of the standard manual, go to LSDBi accessed via MyApps on ncaa.org. You can also create additional custom reports by clicking the Reports tab at the top of the page.

Required Forms. Stay on track throughout the year with a list of required forms and key actions for institutions and conference offices. 

Show Me the Money. Looking for professional development and funding opportunities? Check out the chart outlining Division III grants and programs, along with application timelines and program benefits for 2026-27.

2027 NCAA Convention Legislation – Available for Comment! If you're interested in offering feedback on the proposals that are currently in the Division III legislative cycle, head into LSDBi by Sept. 1, 5 p.m. Eastern and do the following:

• Hover over the blue "Legislative Process" tab at the top of your screen.  Then click "Comment Periods."
• Review the proposals by clicking the hyperlink for each. Once you click, you'll be able to see the title, intent, and rationale for the proposal, as well as the initial sponsor (with contact info).
• To submit comments, click the blue "Add/Edit Comment" button.
• Each institution or conference may only submit ONE comment, but that comment can be edited/adjusted as much as you like between now and September 1.
• Hit the "View Comments" to see what others in the membership are saying.