Division I committees deal with issues that apply only to Division I, perform duties necessary to the ongoing operation of Division I and are comprised only of Division I members, unless otherwise specified. The appointment process for Division I committees is coordinated through conference offices.

When the NCAA underwent a major restructuring in 1997, the one-school, one-vote principle for approving legislation was replaced in Division I with a system based on conference representation. Legislation is approved by an 18-member Board of Directors (rather than a vote of all Division I members at an annual convention).

In addition, the committee structure in Division I includes cabinets responsible for academic affairs, eligibility and compliance, and championships and competition. The cabinets have either 49 or 34 members. Several Division I committees, including rules and sports committees, report directly to a cabinet.

All cabinets report to the Division I Management Council, which reports to the Board. The Management Council contains athletics administrators and faculty athletics representatives empowered to make recommendations to the Board and to handle responsibilities delegated to it.

No legislation is created in Division I through a vote of the membership. Division-wide voting may be done only through an override vote process that requires a written request from at least 30 Division I institutions.

Presidential Task Force on the Future of Division I Intercollegiate Athletics

In January 2005 NCAA President Myles Brand called for a 50-member task force composed primarily of Division I college and university presidents and chancellors to shepherd college sports into its second century. more...