Academic Proposals Under Review by the NCAA Membership

(posted October 2005)

[NOTE: If approved, text below in italics would be removed and text in bold would be added.]

2005-49 ELIGIBILITY-- PROGRESS-TOWARD DEGREE - NONTRADITIONAL COURSES

Intent:  To permit the use of nontraditional courses (e.g., distance-learning and correspondence courses) completed at an institution other than a student-athlete's certifying institution to meet the 24/36 credit-hour and/or percentage-of-degree requirements, provided the courses satisfy the current legislation on distance-learning courses, receive prior approval by the appropriate academic officials from the certifying institution, and are accepted by the certifying institution for degree credit.

A.   Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.4.5, page 169, as follows:

"14.4.3.4.5 Correspondence and Extension Nontraditional Courses from Another Institution.  Correspondence, extension and credit-by-examination Nontraditional courses (e.g., distance-learning and correspondence courses) taken from an institution other than the one in which a student-athlete is enrolled as a full-time student shall not may only be used in determining a student's academic standing or progress toward degree by a student-athlete to fulfill the twenty-four semester/36-quarter hour requirement (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1-(a)) and the percentage of degree requirement (see Bylaw 14.4.3.2), provided the following conditions are met:

"(a) Evaluation of student's work is conducted by the appropriate academic authorities in accordance with the institution's established academic policies;

"(b) The course is available to any student at the certifying institution and is reflected on the certifying institution's transcript; and

"(c) Prior approval by the appropriate academic officials of the certifying institution and the courses are accepted for degree-credit by the certifying institution."

B.   Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.4.5, page 163 , as follows:

"14.4.3.4.5 Correspondence and Extension Nontraditional Courses from Another Institution. Correspondence, extension and credit-by-examination Nontraditional courses (e.g., distance-learning and correspondence courses ) taken from an institution other than the one in which a student-athlete is enrolled as a full-time student shall not may only be used in determining a student's academic standing or progress toward degree by a student-athlete to fulfill the applicable percentage of degree requirements (see Bylaw 14.4.3.2), provided the following conditions are met:

"(a) Evaluation of student's work is conducted by the appropriate academic authorities in accordance with the institution's established academic policies:

"(b) The course is available to any student at the certifying institution and is reflected on the certifying institution's transcript; and

"(c) Prior approval by the appropriate academic officials of the certifying institution and the courses are accepted for degree-credit by the certifying institution."

C.   Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.4.10, page 170, as follows:

"14.4.3.4.10 Distance-Learning Courses at Certifying Institution. Credit hours earned via distance learning may be used to meet all progress toward degree requirements provided:"

[Remainder of 14.4.3.4.10 unchanged.]

D.   Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.4.11 page 164, as follows:

"14.4.3.4.11 Distance-Learning Courses at Certifying Institution. Credit hours earned via distance learning may be used to meet all progress toward degree requirements provided:"

[Remainder of 14.4.3.4.11 unchanged.]

Source: NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet (Subcommittee on Continuing Eligibility).
Effective Date: August 1, 2006
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Eligibility
Rationale:  A student-athlete should be permitted to use nontraditional courses that are accepted by the institution and satisfy graduation requirements for all students. Further, this proposal will eliminate the need for institutions to determine whether these hours are earned during a particular term or during the regular academic year. Because the annual and term credit-hour requirements are intended to ensure that a student-athlete is earning academic credit during the regular academic year at the certifying institution, such courses cannot be used to satisfy the 18/27 and six credit-hour requirements. This proposal will not change the current legislation for nontraditional courses completed at the certifying institution.
Estimated Budget Impact:  None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time:  None.

2005-60 ELIGIBILITY - PROGRESS TOWARD DEGREE - HOURS EARNED OR ACCEPTED FOR DEGREE CREDIT

Status: Management Council Initial Formal consideration   Process Diagram
Intent:  To permit a student-athlete in his or her first two years of collegiate enrollment to use all credits acceptable toward any degree program at the certifying institution to satisfy credit-hour requirements regardless of his or her designated degree program.

Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.1.5, pages 161 and 166-167, as follows:

"14.4.3.1.5 Hours Earned or Accepted for Degree Credit. The provision that the calculation of credit hours under the progress toward degree regulation shall be based on hours earned or accepted for degree credit at the certifying institution in a student-athlete's specific baccalaureate degree program (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1.4) shall be met as follows:

"(a) During the first two years of enrollment, a student-athlete who has not yet designated a specific baccalaureate degree program may use credits acceptable toward any of the institution's degree programs;"

[14.4.3.1.5-(b) through 14.4.3.1.5-(d) unchanged.]

Source: NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet (Subcommittee on Continuing Eligibility).
Effective Date: August 1, 2006
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Eligibility
Rationale:  Currently, once a student-athlete declares a degree program, an institution may use only courses that count toward the declared degree program to certify progress-toward-degree requirements. This legislation has resulted in treating those student-athletes who choose to declare a degree during the first two years of college differently than those who wait until they are required to do so by NCAA legislation. In practice, the current legislation encourages a student-athlete to not declare a degree program in the first two years in order to avoid being "penalized" if he or she decides to take courses outside of that program. This occurrence is an unintended consequence and has led to problems with academic advisement and scheduling that can be eliminated with the proposed change.
Estimated Budget Impact:  None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time:  None.

2005-61 ELIGIBILITY - EXCEPTION - PRIOR APPROVAL OF SUMMER COURSES TAKEN AT OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Intent:  To eliminate the requirement that a student-athlete receive prior approval of summer courses completed at other institutions to use the credits to meet progress-toward-degree requirements.
Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.4.4, pages 163 and 169, as follows:

"14.4.3.4.4 Prior Approval -- Summer Courses at Other Institutions. Prior approval by appropriate academic officials of the certifying institution is required if courses taken during another institution's summer term are to be utilized in determining the student's academic status (i.e., good academic standing and progress toward degree). Under limited circumstances, the Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet may grant waivers for student-athletes who did not request or receive prior approval."

Source: NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet (Subcommittee on Continuing Eligibility).
Effective Date: Immediate
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Eligibility
Rationale:  The current legislation requiring prior approval of summer courses is unnecessary, as most institutions have internal policies and procedures requiring student-athletes to receive approval for any course to be completed at another institution for transferable credit. The original concerns that resulted in the current prior approval requirement are addressed by institutional requirements. Further, waiver requests reviewed by the staff for student-athletes who did not receive prior approval are consistently granted. The removal of the prior approval requirement will result in less paperwork for institutions and will eliminate a potential delay in the certification of a student-athlete's eligibility.
Estimated Budget Impact:  None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time:  None.

2005-107 ELIGIBILITY -- PROGRESS-TOWARD-DEGREE REQUIREMENTS -- FULFILLMENT OF PERCENTAGE-OF-DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Status: Management Council Initial Formal consideration   Process Diagram
Intent:  To establish the minimum percentage-of-degree requirements of 30/45/60 for student-athletes enrolled in a six-year degree program that requires at least 200 semester hours or 300 quarter hours to earn a degree.
Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.2, pages 161-169, as follows:

14.4.3.2 Fulfillment of Percentage of Degree Requirements. A student-athlete who is entering his or her third year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 25 percent of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program. A student-athlete who is entering his or her fourth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 50 percent of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program. A student-athlete who is entering his or her fifth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 75 percent of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program. The course requirements must be in the student's specific degree program (as opposed to the student's major).

[14.4.3.2.1 unchanged.]

"14.4.3.2.2  Six-Year Degree Program.   If the student-athlete's degree program is identified in the institution's official catalog as a six-year program and requires the completion of a minimum of 200-semester or 300-quarter hours, the student-athlete who is entering his or her third year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully 30 percent of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program. A student-athlete who is entering his or her fourth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully 45 percent of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program. A student-athlete who is entering his or her fifth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully 60 percent of the course requirements in the student's specific degree program."

[14.4.3.2.2 through 14.4.3.2.4 renumbered as 14.4.3.2.3 through 14.4.3.2.5, unchanged.]

Source: Horizon League.
Effective Date: August 1, 2006
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Eligibility
Rationale:  Current progress-toward-degree percentage legislation governs student-athletes who are enrolled in either four- or five-year degree programs, but do not address six-year degree programs that require 200 semester/300 quarter or more hours. Many institutions require a six-year requirement in majors such as pharmacy and architecture. Under current rules, a six-year student-athlete can use the 33/50/67 percentage. This percentage makes it nearly impossible to maintain eligibility without attending summer school. Using a 200 (semester) hour degree requirement as an example, a student-athlete entering his or her third year of enrollment would be required to take two semesters of a 17 hour load and two semesters of a 16 hour load to maintain eligibility without attending summer school. The full-time enrollment requirement is only 12 hours per semester. A student-athlete in a five year degree program would only be required to take two semesters of 12 hours and two semesters of 13 hours in order to maintain eligibility without attending summer school. This unfairly punishes those student-athletes who have chosen rigorous degree programs which require six-years to complete. If the percentages were amended to 30/45/60 for student-athletes in bona fide six-year programs, these student-athletes could maintain eligibility by successfully completing 15 or more hours each semester. Currently, continuing eligibility for these students is being addressed through the progress-toward-degree waiver process which is time consuming and cumbersome.
Estimated Budget Impact:  None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time:  Improve student-athlete well-being.
Position Statement(s)
 Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet: The cabinet unanimously opposes Proposal No. 2005-107. While the cabinet supported the basic concept, no data was provided to support applying the indicated percentage of degree benchmarks uniformly to all six-year programs. Based on the minimal number of six-year programs in existence, it is more appropriate for such situations to be addressed through the waiver process.

2005-53 ELIGIBILITY - FULL-TIME ENROLLMENT - GRADUATE PROGRAM

Status: Management Council Initial Formal consideration   Process Diagram
Intent:  To establish that a graduate student-athlete must be enrolled full time as determined by the institution for all graduate students in that program in order to represent an institution in intercollegiate competition.
Bylaws: Amend 14.1.8.2, pages 138-139, as follows:

"14.1.8.2 Requirement for Competition. To be eligible for competition, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program of studies leading to a baccalaureate or equivalent degree as defined by the institution, which shall not be less than 12 semester or quarter hours.

    "14.1.8.2.1 Exceptions

                    [14.1.8.2.1.1 through 14.1.8.2.1.3 unchanged.]

"14.1.8.2.1.4 Graduate Program. A student may compete while enrolled in a full-time graduate program as defined by the institution , but in any event not fewer than eight hours (see Bylaw 14.1.9)."

[Remainder of 14.1.8.2 unchanged.]

Source: NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance (Subcommittee on Continuing Eligibility).
Effective Date: August 1, 2006
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Eligibility
Rationale:  Currently, to participate in intercollegiate competition, a graduate student-athlete must be enrolled in a minimum of eight credit hours. However, some institutions define full-time enrollment in a graduate program as less than eight credit hours. As a result, some graduate student-athletes are forced to enroll in additional graduate courses for the sole purpose of meeting the NCAA eligibility legislation. This practice can negatively impact the student-athlete's academic progress within the graduate program. Further, information reviewed by the cabinet indicates that certain graduate programs can be more academically rigorous than undergraduate programs. As such, the appropriate balance of coursework hours should be determined by the academic parties at each institution who make such determinations for all students, not the NCAA.
Estimated Budget Impact:  None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time:  None.

2005-103 ELIGIBILITY -- FULL-TIME ENROLLMENT -- EXCEPTION -- SPECIAL ACADEMIC DEGREE PROGRAM

Intent:  To permit a student-athlete to participate in practice and competition while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student-athlete is required by his or her designated degree program to be enrolled in a part-time academic program consisting of both full-time employment and part-time coursework and the certifying institution determines the program to be equivalent to a full-time course load.
A.   Bylaws: Amend 14.1.8.1 by adding new 14.1.8.1.3, page 137 , as follows:

"14.1.8.1.3 Exception -- Special Academic Program.  A student-athlete with athletics eligibility remaining may participate in organized practice sessions while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student-athlete is required by his or her designated degree program to be enrolled in a part-time academic program consisting of both full-time employment and part-time coursework and the certifying institution determines the program to be equivalent to a full-time course load."

[14.1.8.1.3 through 14.1.8.1.7 renumbered as 14.1.8.1.4 through 14.1.8.1.8, unchanged.]

B.   Bylaws: Amend 14.1.8.2 by adding new 14.1.8.2.1.5, page 139 , as follows:

"14.1.8.2.1.5 Academic Program.  A student-athlete may represent the certifying institution in intercollegiate athletics competition while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student-athlete is required by his or her designated degree program to be enrolled in a part-time academic program consisting of both full-time employment and part-time coursework and the certifying institution determines the program to be equivalent to a full-time course load."

Source: Colonial Athletic Association.
Effective Date: August 1, 2006
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Eligibility
Rationale:  Currently, to participate in intercollegiate athletics, a student-athlete must be enrolled in a full-time program of studies as defined by the institution. Some member institutions offer academic majors (e.g., architecture) that require students to be employed full time and continue their studies on a part-time basis. The institution considers the full-time work and part-time academic load to be comparable to a full-time program of studies. For this reason, such student-athletes should be permitted to practice and compete in their sport. In October 2004, the NCAA Division I Administrative Review Subcommittee (ARS) granted a waiver permitting student-athletes enrolled in such a program to participate in practice and competition. The waiver was granted on the condition that the institution pursue the possibility of a legislative proposal to allow for future similar circumstances.
Estimated Budget Impact:  None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time:  None.
Position Statement(s)
 Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet:  The cabinet unanimously opposes Proposal No. 2005-103. Due to the small number of institutions with these types of academic programs and the recent transition of full-time enrollment waivers from the Management Council Administrative Review Subcommittee to the AEC Continuing Eligibility Subcommittee, it is appropriate to continue to review these circumstances through the waiver process.

2005-52 ELIGIBILITY - FIVE-YEAR PERIOD OF ELIGIBILITY - TRANSFER STATUS AND PROGRESS TOWARD DEGREE

Intent:  To specify that a student-athlete who is registered as a full-time student on the first day of classes starts the five-year period of eligibility, is subject to progress-toward-degree requirements and is considered a transfer student.
A.   Bylaws: Amend 14.2, page 141 , as follows:

"14.2 SEASONS OF COMPETITION: FIVE-YEAR RULE. A student-athlete shall not engage in more than four seasons of intercollegiate competition in any one sport (see Bylaws 14.02.6 and but also see 14.3.2). An institution shall not permit a student-athlete to represent it in intercollegiate competition unless the individual completes all of his or her seasons of participation in all sports within the time periods specified below:"     [14.2.1 unchanged.]

"14.2.1.1 Determining the Start of the Five-Year Period. For purposes of starting the count of time under the five-year rule, a student-athlete shall be considered registered at a collegiate institution (domestic or foreign; see Bylaw 14.02.3) when the student-athlete initially registers in a regular term (semester or quarter) of an academic year for a minimum full-time program of studies, as determined by the institution, and attends on the student's first day of classes for that term (see Bylaw 14.2.2)." [Remainder of 14.2 unchanged.]

B.   Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.1 by adding new 14.4.3.1.1, pages 159, 165 , as follows:

"14.4.3.1 Eligibility for Competition

"14.4.3.1.1 Determination of Full-Time Enrollment. A student-athlete shall be considered enrolled full time at a collegiate institution  when the student-athlete initially registers in a regular term (semester or quarter) of an academic year for a minimum full-time program of studies on the first day of classes for that term."

[14.4.3.1.1 through 14.4.3.1.5, renumbered as 14.4.3.1.2 through 14.4.3.1.6, unchanged.]

C.   Bylaws: Amend 14.5.2 , page 173 , as follows:

"14.5.2 Conditions Affecting Transfer Status. A transfer student is an individual who transfers from a collegiate institution after having met any one of the following conditions at that institution:

"(a) The student was officially registered and enrolled in a minimum, full-time program of studies in any quarter or semester on the first day of classes of an academic year, as certified by the registrar or admissions office, provided the student was present at the institution on the opening day of classes;" [Remainder of 14.5.2 unchanged.]

Source: NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance [Subcommittee on Continuing Eligibility (Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee)].
Effective Date: August 1, 2006
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Eligibility
Rationale:  Currently, there are different "triggers" for the start of a student-athlete's five-year "clock", responsibility for progress-toward-degree requirements and conditions affecting transfer status. This proposal creates a uniform standard for applying each of those eligibility rules. Registering for classes as a full-time student and remaining registered as of the first day of classes at an institution demonstrates an intent to be a student-athlete at that institution. As such, the student-athlete should become subject to the start of his or her five-year clock, progress-toward-degree requirements and transfer status at that time. Further, a student-athlete who is enrolled full time prior to the first day of classes should not be able to avoid these rule applications by simply departing campus on the first day of classes. Finally, a single standard will result in less confusion and promote consistency in the application of these rules.
Estimated Budget Impact:  None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time:  None.
Position Statement(s)
 Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee:  The committee supports this proposal and the desire to bring consistency to the application of NCAA legislation. However, this will result in an increase in waivers regarding the start of the five-year period of eligibility. These waivers are processed by the committee as extensions and based on the change to indicate that enrollment on the first day of classes is the trigger for the start of the clock, the committee noted that an increase in waivers will likely result. Specifically, waivers are processed now when a student-athlete registers and attends the first day of classes and for an unforeseen reason, must drop to part-time status. This change will likely result in more student-athletes being enrolled on the first day, but for an unforeseen circumstances needing to return home and not dropping to part-time status prior to the first day of classes. The committee will continue discussions regarding this issue at its December meeting and look to establish some guidelines for its review.

2005-54 ELIGIBILITY - GRADUATE STUDENT OR POSTBACCALAUREATE PARTICIPATION - TRANSFER ELIGIBILITY

Intent:  To permit a student-athlete who is enrolled in a graduate or professional school other than the institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree to participate in intercollegiate athletics regardless of any previous transfer.
Bylaws: Amend 14.1.9, page 140, as follows:

"14.1.9 Graduate Student/Postbaccalaureate Participation. A student-athlete who is enrolled in a graduate or professional school of the same institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree, a student-athlete who is enrolled and seeking a second baccalaureate or equivalent degree at the same institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree , or a student-athlete who has graduated and is continuing as a full-time student at the same institution while taking course work that would lead to the equivalent of another major or degree as defined and documented by the institution, may participate in intercollegiate athletics, provided the student has eligibility remaining and such participation occurs within the applicable five-year period set forth in Bylaw 14.2 (see also Bylaw 14.1.8.2.1.4).

"14.1.9.1 One-Time Transfer Exception. A graduate student who is enrolled in a graduate or professional school of an institution other than the institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree may participate in intercollegiate athletics if the student fulfills the conditions of the one-time transfer exception set forth in Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 and has eligibility remaining per Bylaw 14.2."

[14.1.9.2 renumbered as 14.1.9.1, unchanged.]

Source: NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet [Subcommittee on Continuing Eligibility (Ad Hoc Group to Study the One-Time Transfer Exception)].
Effective Date: Immediate
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Eligibility
Rationale:  This proposal would allow a student-athlete to enroll in a graduate program at an institution other than the one from which he or she earned a four-year degree and be immediately eligible for intercollegiate competition, provided the graduate student has remaining eligibility. A student-athlete who earned his or her undergraduate degree has achieved the primary goal of graduation and should be permitted to choose a graduate school that meets both his or her academic and athletics interests, regardless of his or her previous transfer history.
Estimated Budget Impact:  None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time:  None.
Position Statement(s)
 Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet:  The cabinet unanimously supports Proposal No. 2005-54. In the spirit of student-athlete well-being, student-athletes that complete their degrees and have eligibility remaining should be able to transfer and enroll in the graduate program of their choice without NCAA transfer restrictions.

2005-80 ELIGIBILITY -- GRADUATE STUDENT/POSTBACCALAUREATE PARTICIPATION EXCEPTION

Intent:  To permit a student-athlete who is enrolled in a graduate or professional school of an institution other than the institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree to participate in intercollegiate athletics regardless of any previous transfer.
Bylaws: Amend 14.1.9.1, page 133, as follows:

"14.1.9.1 One-Time Transfer Exception. A graduate student who is enrolled in a graduate or professional school of an institution other than the institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree may participate in intercollegiate athletics if the student fulfills the conditions of the one-time transfer exception set forth in Bylaw 14.5.5.2.10 and has eligibility remaining per Bylaw 14.2."

Source: NCAA Division I Management Council (Ad Hoc Group to Study the One-Time Transfer Exception.)
Effective Date: August 1, 2006
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Eligibility
Rationale:  The expansion of this exception to the transfer residence requirements addresses waiver requests relating to student-athletes who have transferred previously, graduated with their baccalaureate degrees, have time remaining on their five-year clocks, and want to transfer to a different four-year institution that offers their desired graduate program. Under current regulations, those student-athletes do not meet the one-time transfer exception, and therefore, may not participate while enrolled as a graduate student at the third four-year institution. A student-athlete who has completed his or her degree and who has been accepted, admitted and has enrolled in a full-time graduate program, should not be precluded from participating in intercollegiate athletics. This exception does not provide for unfair competitive advantage, is student-athlete friendly, and lessens the bureaucracy associated with waiver requests.
Estimated Budget Impact:  None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time:  None.

2005-111 ELIGIBILITY -- TRANSFER REGULATIONS -- FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE -- ONE-TIME TRANSFER EXCEPTION -- BASEBALL

Status: Management Council Initial Formal consideration   Process Diagram
Intent:  To specify that the one-time transfer exception is not available to a baseball student-athlete.
Bylaws: Amend 14.5.5.2.10, page 179, as follows:

"14.5.5.2.10 One-Time Transfer Exception. The student transfers to the certifying institution from another four-year collegiate institution, and all of the following conditions are met (for graduate students, see also Bylaw 14.1.9.1):

"(a) The student is a participant in a sport other than basketball, Division I-A football or men's ice hockey or baseball at the institution to which the student is transferring. A participant in Division I-AA football at the institution to which the student is transferring may utilize this exception only if the participant transferred to the certifying institution from an institution that sponsors Division I-A football or the participant transfers from a Division I-AA institution that offers athletically related financial aid in the sport of football to a Division I-AA institution that does not offer athletically related financial aid in football;"

[Remainder of 14.5.5.2.10 unchanged.]

Source: West Coast Conference.
Effective Date: August 1, 2006
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Eligibility
Rationale:  Baseball has one of the highest transfer rates and one of the lowest Academic Progress Rate and graduation rates of all Division I sports. The application of the one-time transfer exception currently allows baseball players to be immediately eligible to compete on transfer. Removing this exemption would reduce the incentive to transfer for purely athletics reasons.
Estimated Budget Impact:  None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time:  None.
Position Statement(s)
 Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet:  At this point, the cabinet unanimously opposes Proposal No. 2005-111. However, the cabinet would like to review relevant information, including specific data or objective documentation regarding the academic impact of this proposal, information regarding retention rates of baseball teams and comments from the NCAA Division I Baseball Issues Committee and the American Baseball Coaches Association in order to more adequately review this legislative proposal.

2005-50 ELIGIBILITY - PROGRESS TOWARD DEGREE - CERTIFICATION OF GRADE-POINT-AVERAGE REQUIREMENT - TRANSFER STUDENT-ATHLETES

Intent:  To require a transfer student-athlete to satisfy the applicable grade-point-average requirement at the end of his or her first full-time term in residence at the certifying institution.

Bylaws: Amend 14.4.3.3, page 168, as follows:

"14.4.3.3 Fulfillment of Minimum Grade-Point Average Requirements. A student-athlete shall meet the "satisfactory completion" provision of this requirement by maintaining a grade-point average that places the individual in good academic standing, as established by the institution for all students who are at an equivalent stage of progress toward a degree.

[14.4.3.3.1 unchanged.]

"14.4.3.3.1.1  Application of Rule to Transfer and Continuing Student.  The provisions of Bylaw 14.4.3.3.1 shall be applicable to the eligibility of a midyear transfer student from a two-year or four-year collegiate institution who has completed an academic term in residence, a student who has completed an academic year in residence, or a student who has utilized a season of eligibility in a sport at the certifying institution." [Remainder of 14.4.3.3 unchanged.]

Source: NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet (Subcommittee on Continuing Eligibility).
Effective Date: August 1, 2006
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Eligibility
Rationale:  Currently, an institution must certify that each continuing student-athlete who enrolled in collegiate institution satisfies the applicable grade-point-average requirement beginning with his or her second year of collegiate enrollment and each term thereafter. However, a transfer student-athlete who initially enrolled full-time on or after August 1, 2003, is not subject to the grade-point-average requirement unless he or she is a midyear transfer, has completed one academic year in residence or has used a season of competition a the certifying institution. The result of this application is that a transfer student-athlete is held to a lesser standard than a student-athlete who is a continuing at the certifying institution. Requiring a transfer student-athlete to achieve the applicable grade-point-average requirement after one term of residence at the certifying institution is consistent with the grade-point-average standard for continuing student-athletes. Further, as evidenced by research data, this requirement will place the student-athlete in a better position to reach graduation within the desired five-year period. This proposal does not change the grade-point-average requirements for transfer student-athletes who enrolled at a collegiate institution prior to August 1, 2003 .
Estimated Budget Impact:  None.

Impact on Student Athlete's Time:  None.

2005-51 ELIGIBILITY - TRANSFERS - 4-2-4 TRANSFERS - CREDIT-HOUR REQUIREMENTS

Intent:  To require a "4-2-4" transfer student-athlete to average 12 hours of transferable-degree credit per semester or quarter for each term of full-time attendance at the two-year college.
Bylaws: Amend 14.5.6, page 179, as follows:

"14.5.6 4-2-4 College Transfers. A student who transfers from a four-year college to a two-year college and then to the certifying institution shall complete one academic year of residence at the certifying institution prior to engaging in intercollegiate competition, unless the student has:

"(a) Ccompleted an average minimum of at least 24 12-semester or 36-quarter hours of transferable degree credit, with a cumulative minimum grade-point average of 2.000, acceptable toward any baccalaureate degree program at the certifying institution for each term of full-time attendance at the two-year college following transfer from the four-year college most recently attended;

"(b) Oone calendar year has elapsed since the student's departure from the previous four-year college (i.e., one year since the date that the student-athlete takes formal action with the appropriate institutional authorities required for all students to indicate that the student-athlete is leaving the previous four-year institution and no longer will be attending classes); and

"(c) Tthe student has graduated from the two-year college.  The 24-semester or 36-quarter hours must be transferable-degree credit to the certifying institution with a cumulative minimum grade-point average of 2.000 (see also Bylaws 14.5.4.6.1 and 14.5.4.6.3.2)."

Source: NCAA Division I Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet (Subcommittee on Continuing Eligibility).
Effective Date: August 1, 2006
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Eligibility
Rationale:  This proposal brings consistency to the "2-4" and " 4-2-4 " transfer requirements. Under the current " 4-2-4 " requirements, to be immediately eligible at the certifying institution a student-athlete must complete 24-semester hours or 36-quarter hours at the two-year college he or she attended following transfer from the four-year college. Often, a " 4-2-4 " transfer student-athlete only needs one term to earn an associates degree, but is forced to enroll in an additional term to complete hours to satisfy the 24/36 credit-hour transfer requirement. Requiring 12-semester or -quarter hours of transferable-degree credit for each term attended at the two-year college, better positions the student-athlete to meet the progress-toward-degree requirements and ultimately complete a degree within the desired time period. The proposal will eliminate the need for a " 4-2-4 " transfer to take classes at the two-year college that may not apply to a four-year degree. Further, the progress-toward-degree requirements will ensure that the student-athlete is succeeding academically and is on the same academic track as the students at the Division I institution. This proposal does not impact the calendar year requirement of the current legislation, which continues to apply to all " 4-2-4 " transfer student-athletes. Accordingly, no competitive advantage is gained.
Estimated Budget Impact:  None.
Impact on Student Athlete's Time:  None.