The Division I Committee on Academics is considering how and when to restart the portions of the Academic Performance Program that were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The committee met recently via videoconference.
In October 2020 and in response to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Division I Board of Directors suspended penalties and loss of postseason access associated with the Academic Progress Rate. The board also suspended the public release of each team's rate, though schools still are required to submit academic data.
Penalties, loss of postseason access and public announcements are set to resume in spring 2023, and the committee discussed potential changes to the program and the best way to restart applicable operations.
"Division I remains committed to supporting student-athlete academic success, and the committee will carefully consider the best way to leverage the Academic Performance Program going forward," said committee chair Dianne Harrison, president emerita at California State University, Northridge. "We will continue our discussions over the next several meetings."
Members discussed certain historical challenges related to the program but also noted that the program has been successful in prioritizing academics within athletics departments, including among coaches. Additionally, the committee recognized that the program is tied to academic revenue distribution and how that money is allocated to schools. The first distribution occurred in 2020.
The committee also discussed the future of higher education within the context of college athletics and how Division I academic rules should evolve moving forward. Topics included initial eligibility, continuing eligibility and the Academic Performance Program.
