At its meeting Tuesday in Indianapolis, the Division III Strategic Planning and Finance Committee reviewed the membership survey feedback related to budget and strategic priorities.
The committee specifically reviewed survey feedback supportive of funding increases for Division III championships and discussed ways for the division to fully fund championships. It also indicated support of the Division III Championships Committee's initial identified championships enhancements (i.e., funding for local ground transportation, no conference opponents in the first round of the NCAA championships, a day of rest between semifinal and final championship games, bracket increases due to an increase in sports sponsorship, and funding to address gender inequities). Â
The committee also discussed the funding of current nonchampionships initiatives and noted the value in renaming the nonchampionships initiatives to better brand these strategic priorities and reflect the division's philosophy of supporting student-athletes. It initially identified the following key focus areas: student-athlete well-being (for example, professional development, mental health); diversity, equity and inclusion; branding and marketing (for example, the Division III 50th anniversary, Title IX 50th anniversary, promotion of academic success); career professional development; and officiating.Â
Additionally, the committee received an update on the Championships Committee's review of the Phase II gender equity recommendations. At its June meeting, the Strategic Planning and Finance Committee will continue its review of two key recommendations:
- Develop clear criteria for making decisions about resource allocation among championships to integrate gender equity principles and transparency into the process.
- Create a transparent process for reviewing proposals to increase the size of a championship's bracket/field, squad, bench or travel party size that takes gender equity into account.
The committee also reviewed the Division III bylaws, policies and initiatives action chart that details requirements based on the adoption of the new NCAA constitution, as well as membership recommendations received from the 2022 Division III Membership Survey. The Division III Presidents Council charged the Advisory Council with managing the implementation strategies and review of issues identified by the Division III membership. The oversight includes the delegation of identified issues to standing governance committees and the development of strategies for further membership engagement. The committee discussed the budget issues identified in the chart.
Future meetings
The Division III Strategic Planning and Finance Committee will meet next in June via videoconference. The date has yet to be finalized.
