Creation of a mechanism to enforce the Association's legislation, which all members pledge to observe, occurred in 1952 after careful consideration by the membership. This decision established an enforcement program designed to be a cooperative undertaking involving member institutions and conferences working together through the NCAA for an improved administration of intercollegiate athletics.
Allegations of rules violations are referred to the Association's investigative staff. A preliminary investigation is initiated to determine if an official inquiry is warranted and whether a secondary or major violation has occurred. The institution involved is notified promptly and may appear in its own behalf before the NCAA Committee on Infractions.
Findings of the Committee on Infractions and the resultant penalty in major cases are reported to the institution, which may appeal the findings or penalty to an appeals committee. After considering written reports and oral presentations by representatives of the Committee on Infractions and the institution, the committee acts on the appeal. Action may include accepting the infractions committee's findings and penalty, altering either, or making its own findings and imposing an appropriate penalty.