At a time when national attention is focused on academic integrity in higher education, the Division I membership will now have the opportunity to change its academic misconduct rules. On Tuesday, the Division I Council sponsored a Committee on Academics-drafted proposal – the result of more than two years of deliberation – that would change the way the division regulates academic misconduct.

The NCAA will pay for travel expenses for families traveling to the semifinal and final rounds of the men’s and women’s basketball championships for an additional year, the Division I Council decided Wednesday.

In its first 100 days of existence, the Division I Council’s accomplishments are gathering attention from college sports leaders.

The Division I Council moved the creation of the governance structure almost to the finish line this week when it appointed the members of seven committees that report to it.

This spring, a new group will begin studying Division I transfer rules with the goal of recommending changes to be considered during the 2015-16 legislative cycle.

The Division I Council is seeking nominations from conference offices for people to serve on the seven committees the Council created to do the work of the division. Nominations are due to the NCAA national office by April 9.

The voice of the college athlete will be even stronger in Division I, based on the committee structure developed by the Division I Council.

Northwestern AD Jim Phillips elected chair of Division I Council

The Division I Board of Directors appointed the first members to serve on the new Council, including two student-athletes who, for the first time, will cast votes on NCAA rules.