The Division II Implementation Committee this week made its first round of recommendations and determined items to continue reviewing as part of its charge to ensure that changes made to Division II rules and policies are consistent with the principles agreed upon in the new NCAA constitution.
The committee, which met for two days in Indianapolis, recommended the Division II Management Council and Presidents Council adopt several policy changes and noncontroversial legislative proposals at their April meetings.
One policy recommendation relates to the Conference Grant Program, and the noncontroversial proposals include changes to the division's infractions process. Other proposals would amend, merge or eliminate bylaws to better align with the new constitution while removing redundant, duplicative or conflicting legislation.
"The committee did an excellent job of actively discussing the many areas it's been charged with reviewing and developing consensus action items to move forward with, as well as identifying areas that need additional input," said Debbie Ford, co-chair of the Implementation Committee and chancellor at Wisconsin-Parkside. "These initial recommendations help streamline our governance process, ease the burden on our membership and build on existing work. We accomplished a lot, and we have much more to do."
The recommendations were formed by the Implementation Committee's six subcommittees: budget, championships, enforcement and infractions process, governance, legislative process and compliance, and membership. The subcommittees reviewed designated priority items that were approved by the Division II Presidents Council at the 2022 NCAA Convention in January.
The Implementation Committee referred many other recommendations, concepts and items for further review to specific committees in the governance structure or groups within the membership. Several feedback opportunities will be available from Feb. 14 to March 3, including a membership survey and meetings with conference commissioners, directors of athletics, coaches and student-athletes. The Implementation Committee, with one representative from all 23 Division II conferences and five current and former student-athletes, will continue to serve as a feedback mechanism, as well.
"This feedback period will be vitally important to our process that is going to bring about some great changes," said William LaForge, co-chair of the Implementation Committee and president at Delta State. "One of our goals is to seek input from as many Division II stakeholders as we can, which will position the committee well to enhance the division in ways that align with our membership."
The committee will meet virtually March 8 and March 29 to review feedback, refine any recommendations and concepts, and make additional recommendations. Another feedback opportunity with the membership will occur June 6-24 before the committee finalizes recommendations for the summer meetings of the Management Council and Presidents Council.
