Daily Compliance Item- 2/28/12- 16.8.1.2.1.2

The Ocean State University women’s basketball team will be traveling to its conference tournament this weekend.  When confirming the flight arrangements for the trip, the institution’s travel coordinator noticed a significant cost difference if the team were to leave a day earlier.  The difference in price would save the institution $2000 per member of the official travel party.  If the head coach decides to leave a day earlier to take advantage of the cheaper fare, the student-athletes will be departing campus more than 48 hours prior to the first competition in the conference tournament.  Is it permissible for the team to depart campus earlier than 48 hours from the first competition?

Yes with a waiver granted by the Conference Office.  NCAA Bylaw 16.8.1.2.1.2 states that a conference may grant a waiver of the 48-hour departure restriction for extenuating circumstances associated with travel prior to competition in a conference championship event.  (Adopted:  4/24/08 effective 8/1/08)

Official Interpretation

Institution’s team departing for multicompetition event

Date Published: June 16, 1994
Item Ref: 3

Interpretation:

3. Institution’s team departing for multicompetition event. In a situation where the 48-hour departure limitation is applicable, an institution that is participating in a multicompetition event (e.g., conference tournament) may depart 48 hours prior to the event’s first round of competition (as opposed to 48 hours prior to the institution’s first scheduled competition). [References: 16.7.2 (departure/return restrictions) and 16.8.1.2.1 (departure/return expense restrictions)]

Daily Compliance Item- 2/24/12- Current Event

Arizona House Advances Bill To Require That College Students Pay More Toward Tuition

Arizona state lawmakers believe college students should have pay an extra $2,000 each year, unless they play football.

An Arizona House committee voted mostly along party lines Wednesday to advance a GOP-backed bill requiring all students to pay at least $2,000 toward their tuition. Only student athletes would be automatically exempt from the increase.

The Eagle Valley Tribune reports schools could offer scholarships covering the $2,000 to no more than 5 percent of students based on academic merit. Currently, military veterans would not be exempt from the new requirement to pay $2,000.

The original issue that sparked Republican ire took place last year, when Arizona State University President Michael Crow said that nearly half of ASU students were paying no tuition at all, due to scholarships, grants or other financial aid. Republicans contend the new legislation encourages students to have “skin in the game.”

Christine Thompson, lobbyist for the Arizona Board of Regents, said that figure was an anomaly. Thompson said last year that figure was 36 percent of students who paid no tuition, and preliminary reports to the Regents show this year it’s closer to 24 percent. The Regents are opposing the $2,000 increase.

State Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, said $2,000 wasn’t really that much and insisted students could graduate with $14,000 debt after four years, “less than the cost of a Chevy Sonic.”

“And I personally believe that degrees from our universities are worth far more than Chevy Sonics,” Kavanagh said.

House Minority Leader Chad Campbell, a Democrat, shot back in the hearing, “A new car is vastly different than a university education.”

Arizona does rank on the low end of average student debt, compared to the rest of the country. The average student graduated in 2010 with $18,454 of debt, according to the Project on Student Debt. A more recent, separate report put the average student debt at graduation at $21,158.

Arizona’s constitution requires higher education to be nearly as free as possible.

“I’m very concerned that we’re asking students to further mortgage their futures,” state Rep. Lela Alston, D-Phoenix, said.

When students testified that they have more to pay for than just tuition, state Rep. Michelle Ugenti, R-Scottsdale, told them, “Welcome to life.”

“I don’t understand why that should affect a modest $2,000 for your education,” Ugenti added. “We all are thrust into circumstances and unpredictable life experiences.”

Daily Compliance Item- 2/23/12- 16.1.4.3

The Ocean State University women’s basketball team won its conference tournament this year.  The Conference office will be providing each member of the team with a championship gift.  There are two student-athletes on the team that did not attend the tournament because they have been academically ineligible all year.

Can the Conference office provide a gift to these two student-athletes?

No.  NCAA Official Interpretation- 12/12/94- National or Conference Championship Awards to Ineligible Student-Athletes– states that it is not permissible for an institution or conference (or organization approved by either) to provide awards in recognition of conference or national championships to student-athletes who were not eligible to represent the institution in intercollegiate competition during the applicable sport season. [References: 16.1.4.3 (conference and national championships) and staff minute 12/07/88, item c]

Daily Compliance Item- 2/22/12- 16.5.2

Ocean State University will conduct its annual spring football game on Saturday, April 14^th.  The coaches would like to provide a meal for the student-athletes afterwards.  Is this permissible?

Yes.  NCAA Staff Interpretation- 4/19/95- Meals Incidental to Participation — Spring Football- states that it is permissible for an institution to provide a student-athlete with a pregame or postgame meal or snack during the institution’s annual spring football game, inasmuch as the meal or snack is incidental to participation. [Reference: NCAA Bylaw 16.5.1-(d)]

Daily Compliance Item- 2/21/12- 13.11.2.1

Which of the following is true regarding on campus evaluations (OCE) in the sport of men’s basketball?

1. The OCE is limited to two hours
2. All prospects must undergo a medical exam prior to participating
3. The OCE may only be conducted during an official or unofficial visit
4. All of the above

The answer is D.  With the adoption of NCAA Proposal 2012-2, on campus evaluations may be conducted in the sport of men’s basketball.  This piece of legislation has an immediate effective date.

NCAA Bylaw 13.11.2.1 states that in men’s basketball, an institution may conduct an evaluation of a prospective student-athlete on its campus or at a site at which it normally conducts practice or competition, under the following conditions: (Adopted: 1/14/12)

(a) For a high school or preparatory school senior, the evaluation may be conducted only after the conclusion of the prospective student-athlete’s season and after he has exhausted high school or preparatory school eligibility in basketball;

(b) For a two-year college prospective student-athlete, the evaluation may be conducted only after the conclusion of the prospective student-athlete’s season and he has exhausted his two-year college eligibility in basketball;

(c) For a four-year college prospective student-athlete, the evaluation may be conducted only after the conclusion of the prospective student-athlete’s season. (See Bylaw 13.1.1.3);

(d) The on-campus evaluation may be conducted only during the prospective student-athlete’s official or unofficial visit;

(e) The on-campus evaluation shall be conducted not later than the opening day of classes of the institution’s fall term;

(f) Not more than one on-campus evaluation per prospective student-athlete per institution shall be permitted (applied separately to the time period in which a prospective student-athlete completes high school or preparatory school eligibility and to the time period after the prospective student-athlete enrolls full time in a collegiate institution);

(g) Before participating in an on-campus evaluation, a prospective student-athlete is required to undergo a medical examination or evaluation administered or supervised by a physician (e.g., family physician, team physician). The examination or evaluation shall include a sickle cell solubility test unless documented results of a prior test are provided to the institution or the prospective student-athlete declines the test and signs a written release. The examination or evaluation must be administered either within six months before participation in the on-campus evaluation or within six months before the prospective student-athlete’s initial participation in practice, competition or out-of-season conditioning activities during his immediately completed season. In addition, the medical examination or evaluation may be conducted by an institution’s regular team physician or other designated physician as a part of the on-campus evaluation;

(h) The institution’s men’s basketball student-athletes may participate in an on-campus evaluation, provided such participation is counted toward the applicable hourly and weekly limitations on countable athletically related activities (e.g., four hours per day and 20 hours per week during the playing season, two hours of skill instruction and eight hours per week outside the playing season). [See Bylaws 17.1.6.2-(a) and 17.1.6.2.2];

(i) The duration of the on-campus evaluation activities (other than the medical examination or evaluation) shall be limited to two hours; and

(j) The institution may provide equipment and clothing to a prospective student-athlete on an issuance-and-retrieval basis.

RECRUITING — ON-CAMPUS EVALUATIONS — MEN’S BASKETBALL

Status: Adopted, 60-Day Override Period

Intent: In men’s basketball, an institution may conduct an evaluation of a high school or preparatory school senior or a two-year college prospective student-athlete who has exhausted eligibility or four-year college prospective student-athlete on its campus or at a site at which it normally conducts practice or competition, as specified.

A.    Bylaws: Amend 13.2, as follows:

13.2 Offers and Inducements.

[13.2.1 through 13.2.6 unchanged.]

13.2.7 Medical Expenses — Men’s Basketball.  In men’s basketball, an institution may finance medical expenses (including rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses) for a prospective student-athlete who sustains an injury while participating in an on-campus evaluation (see Bylaw 13.11.2.1) or while participating in voluntary summer workouts conducted by an institution’s strength and conditioning coach with department-wide duties (see Bylaw 13.11.3.8).

[13.2.7 renumbered as 13.2.8 unchanged.]

13.2.89 Medical Expenses — Sports Other Than Men’s Basketball and Football.  In sports other than men’s basketball and football, an institution may finance medical expenses (including rehabilitation and physical therapy expenses) for a prospective student-athlete who sustains an injury while participating in voluntary summer workouts conducted by an institution’s strength and conditioning coach with department-wide duties (see Bylaws 13.11.3.8, 13.11.3.9 and 13.11.3.10).

[13.2.9 through 13.9.10 renumbered as 13.2.10 through 13.2.11, unchanged.]

B.    Bylaws: Amend 13.11.2, as follows:

13.11.2 Permissible Activities.

13.11.2.1 On-Campus Evaluations — Men’s Basketball.  In men’s basketball, an institution may conduct an evaluation of a prospective student-athlete on its campus or at a site at which it normally conducts practice or competition, under the following conditions:

(a) For a high school or preparatory school senior, the evaluation may be conducted only after the conclusion of the prospective student-athlete’s season and after he has exhausted high school or preparatory school eligibility in basketball;

(b) For a two-year college prospective student-athlete, the evaluation may be conducted only after the conclusion of the prospective student-athlete’s season and he has exhausted his two-year college eligibility in basketball;

(c) For a four-year college prospective student-athlete, the evaluation may be conducted only after the conclusion of the prospective student-athlete’s season. (See Bylaw 13.1.1.3);

(d) The on-campus evaluation may be conducted only during the prospective student-athlete’s official or unofficial visit;

(e) The on-campus evaluation shall be conducted not later than the opening day of classes of the institution’s fall term;

(f) Not more than one on-campus evaluation per prospective student-athlete per institution shall be permitted (applied separately to the time period in which a prospective student-athlete completes high school or preparatory school eligibility and to the time period after the prospective student-athlete enrolls full time in a collegiate institution);

(g) Before participating in an on-campus evaluation, a prospective student-athlete is required to undergo a medical examination or evaluation administered or supervised by a physician (e.g., family physician, team physician).  The examination or evaluation shall include a sickle cell solubility test unless documented results of a prior test are provided to the institution or the prospective student-athlete declines the test and signs a written release.  The examination or evaluation must be administered either within six months before participation in the on-campus evaluation or within six months before the prospective student-athlete’s initial participation in practice, competition or out-of-season conditioning activities during his immediately completed season.  In addition, the medical examination or evaluation may be conducted by an institution’s regular team physician or other designated physician as a part of the on-campus evaluation;

(h) The institution’s men’s basketball student-athletes may participate in an on-campus evaluation, provided such participation is counted toward the applicable hourly and weekly limitations on countable athletically related activities (e.g., four hours per day and 20 hours per week during the playing season, two hours of skill instruction and eight hours per week outside the playing season). [See Bylaws 17.1.6.2-(a) and 17.1.6.2.2];

(i) The duration of the on-campus evaluation activities (other than the medical examination or evaluation) shall be limited to two hours; and

(j) The institution may provide equipment and clothing to a prospective student-athlete on an issuance-and-retrieval basis.

[13.11.2.1 through 13.11.2.5 renumbered as 13.11.2.2 through 13.11.2.6, unchanged.]

Source: NCAA Division I Board of Directors

Effective Date: Immediate

Proposal Category: Amendment

Topical Area: Eligibility

Rationale: This proposal was developed as part of a comprehensive review of the Division I men’s recruiting model and is designed to facilitate sound recruiting decisions by both institutions and prospective student-athletes through the establishment of an on-campus evaluation opportunity. Many prospective student-athletes do not receive financial aid offers they may initially expect. Such a prospective student-athlete must continue the recruiting process after exhausting high school or two-year college eligibility. Likewise, a four-year college transfer who is not satisfied with his original institution may need to re-open the recruiting process. An institution that was not considered initially by the prospective student-athlete may have minimal information regarding the prospective student-athlete’s ability and whether such an individual will be a good fit with the team. An on-campus evaluation, which might involve several prospective student-athletes, may provide valuable information for both the prospective student-athlete and the institution to make a better informed decision. Appropriate medical safeguards have been established to ensure the health, safety and well-being of the prospective student-athlete while participating in the evaluation.

Estimated Budget Impact: None.

Impact on Student-Athlete’s Time (Academic and/or Athletics): None.

Daily Compliance Item- 2/20/12- Current Event

Multiyear scholarship rule narrowly survives override vote

USAToday.com

Colleges are free to offer multiyear scholarships to athletes after a repeal effort within the NCAA narrowly fell short, by two votes, Friday.  Opponents needed 207 of 330 votes by schools and conferences – a five-eighths majority – to overturn the measure approved by the association’s Division I board of directors last October. They got 205.  Twenty-five institutions and leagues weren’t heard from as online balloting was conducted Monday through 5 p.m. ET Friday.

“I am pleased that student-athletes will continue to benefit from the ability of institutions to offer athletics aid for more than one year,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said, “but it’s clear that there are significant portions of the membership with legitimate concerns. As we continue to examine implementation of the rule, we want to work with the membership to address those concerns.”

The multiyear measure was sought by Emmert, the Division I board and others as an athlete-welfare enhancement.  But it drew formal objections from enough schools to force reconsideration. They argued, among other things, that coaches were using multiyear grants as a recruiting enticement. The measure merely gives schools the option of making multiyear rather than one-year offers, and they can choose to which athletes those scholarships are given.  The Division I board stood firm, throwing the matter to a division-wide vote.  The issue had drawn the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice, whose antitrust division informed the NCAA a little less than two years ago that it was looking into the single-year restriction and whether it restrained competition among schools for top players. NCAA officials said the agency was monitoring the multiyear referendum.

Justice Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona said in October that multiyear grants “should expand opportunities and choices for student athletes.” She declined further comment Friday.

Daily Compliance Item- 2/17/12- Current Event

Division I opens override voting on multiyear scholarships

NCAA .org

Voting is now open for the Division I override on Proposal No 2011-97.

The vote will determine whether schools can award multiyear scholarships to student-athletes and whether aid can be awarded to a former student-athlete for any term in which they are enrolled. The voting period ends at 5 p.m. Eastern time Friday, Feb. 17.

The multiyear scholarship legislation was one of several measures the Division I Board of Directors adopted as emergency legislation after NCAA President Mark Emmert called a presidential retreat in August to address concerns about the operation of Division I athletics.

The multiyear scholarship rule and the miscellaneous expense allowance were two recommendations aimed at prioritizing student-athlete well-being. Allowing schools to award scholarships for more than a single year addresses concerns some student-athletes have about losing their aid after an injury because their athletics performance did not live up to expectations or because of coaching staff changes. If aid was guaranteed for more than a single year, student-athletes would have greater assurance their education could continue.

Schools requesting an override cite several reasons for disagreeing with the legislation, including a desire to award athletics aid in the same way other aid throughout the university is awarded. Most academic and other scholarships must be renewed annually. Others believe the legislation could create a bidding war over certain recruits, and the additional monitoring required to make sure that teams don’t over-promise aid, especially in equivalency sports, could be burdensome.

The Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee acknowledged both sides of the argument after collecting feedback from its constituents nationally.

“While student-athletes providing comment recognized the security a multiyear athletics aid agreement would provide, a majority of those student-athletes expressed concerns with possible complacency amongst their teammates and believe that an annual renewal of athletics aid is warranted to ensure individuals are putting forth every effort to maintain their athletics aid while allowing others to earn athletics aid based on their athletics performance,” the SAAC wrote in the online comments. “Additionally, student-athletes support the concept of former student-athletes receiving athletics aid beyond the current six-year limit.”

The miscellaneous expense allowance legislation allows schools to provide some student-athletes with an additional $2,000 to cover the cost of attendance. This measure was suspended in January, and the Board will consider a new version of it in April, which will then be subject to a new 60-day override vote request period.

Regarding this week’s vote, members should note that a “Yes” vote favors the override and thus does not support multiyear grants or the awarding of athletics aid beyond the current five years within a six-year limit. A “No” vote opposes the override and means supporting the opportunity for institutions to award multiyear grants and athletics aid beyond the current six-year period.

Only active Division I member institutions and multisport conferences are permitted to vote. Institutions and conferences may modify their votes during the voting period when the polls are open; however, the most recent vote cast as of 5 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, Feb. 17, will be considered the final vote. The time of the last vote will be recorded, as well as the name and position of the person who cast the vote on behalf of the institution or conference.

For the override to be successful, a five-eighths majority of those voting must vote in favor of it. For example, if only 150 institutions and conferences cast votes, at least 94 (five-eighths of 150 is 94) must vote yes on the override for the rule to be rescinded. Abstentions are the equivalent of an institution or conference not casting a vote.

The LSDBi system will support the override voting process. LSDBi provides the opportunity to efficiently maintain all aspects of the process for historical purposes, such as the vote counts, roll-call record and any discussion. The system also provides the infrastructure to protect the integrity and privacy of the process. The “designation of delegate” form will no longer be required, but presidents and chancellors are expected to designate the person who will cast the official vote for their campus.

Individuals selected to cast an institution’s or conference’s vote should take steps to confirm their access to the proposal section of LSDBi. Individuals who do not have access to the “Proposal” tab in LSDBi should contact the single-source sign-on administrator on their campus for access and privileges. 

The results of the override vote will be communicated to the membership via LSDBi and an announcement on NCAA.org. The results will be reported immediately after the close of the voting period.