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Division III Subcommittee for Legislative Relief Blanket Waivers

The NCAA Division III Management Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief (SLR, formerly ARS) may issue a blanket waiver in order to temporarily provide relief from NCAA legislation for specific extenuating circumstances that have a reasonably demonstrated widespread impact.  Please note that the following summary of waivers is for a specific division (Division III), a specific time period and for a specific set of circumstances.  If the waiver circumstances and the time period of the waiver apply, submission of a separate waiver application is not necessary.  If an institution, conference or committee's circumstances do not meet the requirements of, or are dissimilar to, the blanket waiver, a Legislative Relief waiver application will need to be filed with the NCAA staff.

NCAA Division III Management Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief Approves Blanket Waiver - Women's Rugby Playing and Practice Season - NCAA Bylaw 17.1.2.1. - Approved February 1, 2024. 

The NCAA Division III Management Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief approved a blanket waiver to allow Division III women's rugby programs to use a 19-week playing and practice season model without contest restrictions during the 2024 spring season.

In granting this request, the Subcommittee for Legislative Relief noted:

  1. The spring season may begin no earlier than February 1st with no restrictions on the dates of competition during the spring, but may not exceed 15 total dates of competition; 
  2. The legislation providing flexibility in dates of competition and playing season during the nontraditional segment unintentionally impacted women's rugby with the restructuring of Bylaw 17;
  3. Allowing the additional days and dates of competition during the spring nontraditional segment, which was permissible under the previous playing and practice season model, is a reasonable accommodation and provides for developing opportunities for an emerging sport; and
  4. This is a one-time waiver and the affected programs are encouraged to pursue a legislative change to secure similar permissions in the future as similar requests of relief may be denied. 

See RSRO Case No. 1209389 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Subcommittee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[References: NCAA Division III Bylaw 17.1.2.1 (Sports with a Fall NCAA Championship, except for Golf, Rowing and Tennis)]

NCAA Division III Management Council Approves Blanket Waiver – Criteria for Administration of Hardship Waiver – Bylaw 14.2.5.2 – Approved October 16, 2023.

The NCAA Division III Management Council approved a blanket waiver to permit the use of the following medical documentation standard for hardship waiver requests based on a student-athlete’s mental health condition:

  • Contemporaneous or noncontemporaneous medical documentation from a licensed practitioner qualified to provide mental health services (see Interassociation Consensus: Mental Health Best Practices) that demonstrates that the student-athlete’s mental health issue or condition occurred during the season in question, occurred before completion of the first half of the traditional playing season and prevented the student-athlete from competing in more than one-third of the traditional playing season in that sport for the season being waived.

Any mental health hardship waiver requests shall otherwise adhere to the criteria and processes established for all hardship waivers, as set forth in Bylaw 14.2.5. Further, the blanket waiver will be effective for seasons affected by a mental health condition during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years.  

In issuing the blanket waiver, the Management Council noted that mental health illnesses are not always documented the same way as physical injuries and that the council believes the criteria outlined in this blanket waiver appropriately address the challenges institutions and student-athletes face, specific to meeting the documentation standard when the assertion is a mental health condition.

Please note that the blanket relief does not address all situations and, therefore, it does not preclude institutions from seeking individual relief for its student-athletes that do not satisfy the criteria of the relief.  See Case No. 1205939 in Requests/Self-Reports Online (RSRO) via the search tab. 

[References: NCAA Division III Bylaws 14.2.5.2 (criteria for administration of hardship waiver]

NCAA Division III Management Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief Approves Blanket Waiver for NCAA Bylaw 17.02.1.1 (athletically related activities). Approved August 25, 2024.

The NCAA Division III Management Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief approved a blanket waiver to allow Division III swimming student-athletes who have achieved a 2024 United States (U.S.) Olympic Team Trials qualifying time (or for Paralympic or international student-athletes: the equivalent event) to continue to receive coaching instruction from their collegiate coaches through the U.S. Olympic Trials, beginning June 14, 2024.

For student-athletes who have not achieved an Olympic Trials qualifying time by March 24, 2024, the waiver permits Division III swimming coaches to continue providing coaching instruction for the period of time between the conclusion of the NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships and the GAC long-course meet (if held) through events ending June 2, 2024 (the final date to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Trials).

To qualify for this portion of the waiver, a student-athlete must achieve a time within one percent (of either the long course meters or short course yards time standards for the Olympic Trials) for events 200 meters/yards or longer and two percent for events 100 meters/yards and shorter. This portion also allows an institution to provide a qualifying SA with expenses to participate in a meet until June 2, 2024.For a student-athlete to continue to be coached by their collegiate coach beyond June 2, SA must achieve an Olympic Trials qualifying time standard on or prior to June 2.

In issuing this waiver, the subcommittee noted the elite and unique nature of the U.S. Olympic Trials. See Case No. 1198979 in Requests/Self-Reports Online (RSRO) via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Subcommittee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[References: NCAA Division III Bylaws 17.02.1.1 (athletically related activities) and 17.1.5 (out-of-season athletically related activities)]

NCAA Division III Management Council Approves Blanket Waiver – Eligibility Waiver – Full-Time Enrollment – Requirement for Practice or Competition – Bylaw 14.1.8.1 (Bylaw 14.1.7.1 as of August 1, 2023) – Approved April 17, 2023.

The NCAA Division III Management Council approved a blanket waiver to extend the relief of the full-time enrollment legislation from the 2021-22 and 2022-23 academic years to all student-athletes who earned season-of-participation relief, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, to permit a student-athlete who has not previously used any pandemic-related enrollment relief to participate while enrolled less than full time as follows:  

  1. If a student-athlete has graduated prior to the academic year beginning, they may be enrolled in a minimum of six (6) credit hours each term in a second baccalaureate, graduate program or classes approved by an academic authority outside of athletics that progresses the student-athlete toward a professional or career goal.  
  2. If a student-athlete will complete their undergraduate degree during the academic year, the student-athlete may do one of the following:
    1. Enroll in the classes necessary to complete their degree, per the final term exception in Bylaw 14.1.8.1.7.1 (Bylaw 14.1.7.1.7.1 beginning August 1), for the fall term and then enroll in a minimum of six (6) credit hours for the spring term in a second baccalaureate, graduate program or classes that progress the student-athlete toward a professional or career goal and are approved by an academic authority outside of athletics; or 
    2. Enroll in a minimum of six (6) hours of academic credit during the fall term and then enroll in the classes necessary to complete their degree, per the final term exception in Bylaw 14.1.8.1.7.1 (Bylaw 14.1.7.1.7.1), for the spring term.

[The above criteria would apply to quarter institutions on the same equivalent basis.]

Please note that only student-athletes who earned a season-of-participation under pandemic relief during the 2020 spring term and/or 2020-21 academic year and who have not previously used any pandemic-related enrollment relief may use the extended relief during the 2023-24 or 2024-25 academic year.

The council noted that the extension creates equity among all student-athletes who were affected by the pandemic while still maintaining a base level of enrollment, thereby, ensuring that Division III athletics constitutes students competing against students.  

Please see RSRO Case No. 1192484 for additional information regarding the specific relief. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Subcommittee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[References: NCAA Division III Bylaw 14.1.8.1 (Bylaw 14.1.7.1 beginning August 1, 2023) (requirement for practice or competition)]

NCAA Division III Management Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief Approves Blanket Waiver – Eligibility Waiver – Graduate Student/Postbaccalaureate Participation – Bylaw 14.1.9 (Bylaw 14.1.8 beginning August 1, 2023) – Approved March 24, 2023.

The NCAA Division III Management Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief approved a blanket waiver for student-athletes who graduated from a non-Division III institution and are enrolling at a Division III institution as a graduate or postbaccalaureate student during the 2023-24 academic year to participate, provided they meet the following criteria:

  1. The student-athlete graduated with an undergraduate degree within four academic years. Such documentation shall be in the form of the student-athlete's academic transcript and/or a written statement from an appropriate academic official from the previous institution (e.g., registrar);
  2. The student-athlete has seasons of participation remaining. A season of participation shall be determined based on Division III Bylaw 14.2.4.1 (minimum amount of participation), regardless of where (e.g., other NCAA division, NAIA) the participation occurs; and
  3. The student-athlete continued/maintained their education as a full-time student rather than having "breaks" (e.g., part time) in enrollment for no reason/circumstances beyond their control.

The subcommittee noted the administrative nature of the waiver, which is designed to alleviate the burden on institutions who have previously been required to submit requests of this type into RSRO. Additionally, the blanket relief does not address all situations and, therefore, does not preclude institutions from seeking individual relief through the normal waiver process for their student-athletes that do not satisfy the criteria for this waiver. Following the 2023-24 academic year, the subcommittee will consider whether additional relief is appropriate.

Please see RSRO Case No. 1190409 for additional information regarding the specific relief. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Subcommittee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[References: NCAA Division III Bylaw 14.1.9 (Bylaw 14.1.8 beginning August 1, 2023, Graduate Student/Postbaccalaureate Participation)].

NCAA Division III Subcommittee for Legislative Relief Approves Blanket Waiver: NCAA College Basketball Academy – Approved April 28, 2023.

The NCAA Division III Management Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief approved a blanket waiver to permit Division III women's basketball coaches to coach participants of the College Basketball Academy in July 2023.

In granting this request, the Subcommittee for Legislative Relief noted:

  1. The intent of the establishment of the NCAA Girls' College Basketball Academy is to provide an equitable opportunity for women's basketball prospective student-athletes, their chaperones and college coaches to participate in an elite college basketball related event in manner similar to the NCAA Boys' College Basketball Academy;
  2. The camp creates new resources and programming for youth basketball participants through an NCAA organized event;
  3. The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) will select coaches who will serve as camp directors;
  4. The camp will provide professional development opportunities for Division III women's basketball coaches; and
  5. Division III coaches may not engage in recruiting conversations with participants during the youth development camps.

See RSRO Case No. 1192183 in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Subcommittee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[References:  NCAA Division III Bylaw 13.11.3.2 (sports camps and clinics and other athletics events)]

NCAA Division III Management Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief Approves Blanket Waiver – Use of Standardized Dates for Delayed Enrollment Application – Bylaw 14.2.4.4 – Approved March 24, 2023.

The NCAA Division III Management Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief approved a blanket waiver to permit the use of standardized dates, October 1 or March 1, whichever date immediately follows one calendar year after the student’s high school graduation, to determine the end of a prospective student-athlete’s grace period under Division III Bylaw 14.2.4.4 (participation in organized competition before initial collegiate enrollment). The blanket waiver will be effective for those prospective student-athletes who initially enroll at a Division III institution during the 2023-24 academic year.

In granting this request, the Subcommittee for Legislative Relief noted:

  1. The standardized dates will allow for more consistency and flexibility for prospective student-athletes; and
  2. Approving this waiver simplifies educational messaging and permits proactive guidance regarding the grace period under the organized competition legislation.

See Case No. 1190313 in Requests/Self-Reports Online (RSRO) via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Subcommittee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[Reference: NCAA Division III Bylaw 14.2.4.4 (participation in organized competition before initial collegiate enrollment)]

NCAA Division II Presidents Council and Division III Management Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief Approve Blanket Waiver: NCAA College Basketball Academy – Approved October 2019

The NCAA Division II Presidents Council and Division III Management Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief approved a five-year blanket waiver (i.e., July 2020 – July 2024) permitting Divisions II and III men's basketball coaches employed at institutions, located in the surrounding area of an institution selected to host an NCAA College Basketball Academy (“academy”), to coach participants of the academy.

In granting this request, the Division II Presidents Council and the Division III Management Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief noted:

  1. The Commission on College Basketball recommended the NCAA establish youth development camps to disassociate its members from the objectionable aspects of nonscholastic basketball;
  2. The academy will increase the scholastic influence and minimize the involvement of outside third parties in the recruiting process;
  3. The academy will create new resources and programming for youth basketball participants; 
  4. The academy will provide professional development opportunities for Divisions II and III men's basketball coaches; and
  5. Divisions II and III coaches may not engage in recruiting conversations with participants or their families during the academy.

See Case Nos. 1081952 (Division II) and 1088259 (Division III) in Requests/Self-Reports Online via the search tab. Additional information regarding blanket waivers can be found on the Committee for Legislative Relief homepage.

[References:  NCAA Division II Bylaw 13.12.2.5.2 (other noninstitutional privately owned camps/clinics); NCAA Division III Bylaw 13.11.3.2 (sports camps and clinics and other athletics events]

Four Sites Selected for NCAA College Basketball Academy