13.5 Transportation.

[13.5.1 unchanged.]

13.5.2 Transportation on Official Paid Visit.

13.5.2.1 General Restrictions. An institution may pay a prospective student-athlete's actual transportation costs for an official visit to its campus from any location, provided the prospective student-athlete returns to the original point of departure or travels to the prospective student-athlete's home, educational institution or site of competition. Use of a limousine or helicopter for such transportation is prohibited. [R]

[13.5.2.2 unchanged.]

13.5.2.2.1 Use of Automobile. The institution or representatives of its athletics interests shall not provide an automobile for use during the official visit by the prospective student-athlete or by a student host. [R]

13.5.2.2.2 Coach Accompanying Prospective Student-Athlete and Family Members. Except as permitted in Bylaw 13.5.2.4, a coaching staff member shall not accompany a prospective student-athlete in the coach's sport to or from an official visit unless the prospective student-athlete travels only by automobile. If such transportation is used, the 48-hour period of the official visit shall begin when the coach begins transporting the prospective student-athlete and the prospective student-athlete’s family members to campus. A coach who makes an in-person, off-campus contact (any dialogue in excess of an exchange of a greeting) with the prospective student-athlete (or the prospective student-athlete’s family members) during a permissible contact period prior to transporting the prospective student-athlete and the prospective student-athlete’s family members to campus for an official visit is charged with a countable contact. On completion of the 48-hour period visit, the coach shall terminate contact with the prospective student-athlete and the prospective student-athlete’s family members immediately. [R]

[13.5.2.2.2.1 unchanged.]

13.5.2.2.3 On-Campus Local Transportation. An institution transporting a prospective student-athlete (and those accompanying the prospective student-athlete) around campus during the official visit may use institutional vehicles normally used to transport prospective students while visiting the campus, institutional vehicles normally used to transport the institution's athletics teams, or the personal vehicle of an institutional staff member or student host. [R]

13.5.2.3 Air Transportation. An institution providing air transportation to a prospective student-athlete and the prospective student-athlete's family members to and from an official campus visit must use commercial transportation at coach-class airfare. Coaching staff members shall not accompany a prospective student-athlete to or from an official visit when air travel is used, except as permitted in Bylaw 13.5.2.4. [R]

[13.5.2.3.1 unchanged.]

13.5.2.4 From Airport or Bus or Train Station. During the official visit, any member of an institution's athletics department staff may provide ground transportation for a prospective student-athlete and the prospective student-athlete's family members between the campus and any bus or train station or airport. If a prospective student-athlete is transported by a member of the institution's athletics department from an airport or bus or train station other than the major airport or bus or train station nearest the institution, the 48-hour official visit period begins with the initiation of the ground transportation by the member of the institution's athletics department staff.

13.5.2.5 Visiting Two or More Institutions. Two or more institutions to which a prospective student-athlete is making official visits on the same trip may provide travel expenses, provided there is no duplication of expenses, only actual and necessary expenses are provided, and the 48-hour visit two-night limitation is observed at each institution. [R]

13.5.2.6 Transportation of Prospective Student-Athlete's Family Members or Friends. An institution shall not permit its athletics department staff members or representatives of its athletics interests to pay, provide or arrange for the payment of transportation costs incurred by family members or friends of a prospective student-athlete to visit the campus or elsewhere; however, an institution may: may provide the actual round-trip cost for up to two family members to accompany a prospective student-athlete on an official visit. Additionally, the institution may: [R]

(a) Provide automobile-mileage reimbursement to a prospective student-athlete on an official visit, even if additional family members or friends accompany the prospective student-athlete;

(b) Permit the additional family members of a prospective student-athlete to ride in an automobile driven by a coaching staff member for the purpose of providing ground transportation to a prospective student-athlete as part of an official visit; and

(c) Provide transportation between its campus and any bus or train station or airport for the additional family members of a prospective student-athlete making an official visit.

[13.5.3 through 13.5.4 unchanged.]

13.6 Official (Paid) Visit.

[13.6.1 unchanged.]

13.6.2 Limitations on Official Visits.

13.6.2.1 First Opportunity to Visit.

[13.6.2.1.1 through 13.6.2.1.5 unchanged.]

13.6.2.21.46 Nonqualifier or Academic Redshirt in First Year. A prospective student-athlete who is not a qualifier and who is enrolled in the prospective student-athlete's first year of full-time enrollment (first two semester or three quarters) at a two-year college may not be provided an expense-paid visit to a member institution. Such a prospective student-athlete may be provided an expense-paid visit once the individual has completed an academic year (two semesters or three quarters) of full-time enrollment at a two-year college.

13.6.2.32 Number of Official Visits -- Institutional Limitations. An institution may finance one visit to its campus for a prospective student-athlete before October 15 following completion of high school and one visit beginning October 15 following completion of high school, including a visit related to a possible transfer. [D]

13.6.2.32.1 Exception -- Additional Visit After Departure of Head Coach. After a new head coach is hired, an institution may finance one additional visit for a prospective student-athlete who previously received an official visit to the institution. Visits provided pursuant to this exception shall also be excluded from the limitations on the number of official visits set forth in Bylaws 13.6.2.2, 13.6.2.3.2, 13.6.2.3.3, 13.6.2.3.4, 13.6.2.3.5 and 13.6.2.3.7. [D]

[13.6.2.3.2 renumbered as 13.6.2.2.2, unchanged.]

13.6.2.32.3 Men's Basketball. In men's basketball, an institution may finance one visit to its campus for a prospective student-athlete from August 1 through July 31 of the prospective student-athlete's junior year of high school, one visit from August 1 of the prospective student-athlete's senior year of high school through October 14 following completion of high school and one visit beginning October 15 following completion of high school, including a visit related to a possible transfer. An institution may provide up to 28 official visits in a rolling two-year period (each year measured August 1 through July 31). A national service academy may provide up to 34 official visits in a rolling two-year period; however, the institution shall not exceed 28 official visits prior to the initial date of the regular signing period of the National Letter of Intent of the first year in each rolling two-year period. The institution must maintain a written record of the visits provided. [D]

[13.6.2.3.4 through 13.6.2.3.7 renumbered as 13.6.2.2.4 through 13.6.2.2.7, unchanged.]

[13.6.2.4 renumbered as 13.6.2.3, unchanged.]

13.6.2.54 Visit While Competing in Open Event. A host institution may pay the expenses of a recruited prospective student-athlete to participate in an established "open" event, provided the expenses of all other competitors in that event are paid; the expenses are not paid from athletics department (nonmeet) funds; and the expenses of the prospective student-athlete are limited to actual transportation, room and board. This trip shall be considered the one paid visit to the institution's campus with the prospective student-athlete remaining not more than 48 hours two nights.

[13.6.2.6 renumbered as 13.6.2.5, unchanged.]

[13.6.3 unchanged.]

13.6.4 Length of Official Visit. An official visit to an institution shall not exceed 48 hours. An institution shall not provide more than two consecutive nights of lodging to a prospective student-athlete in conjunction with an official visit. A prospective student-athlete may remain in the locale in which the institution is located after the permissible 48-hour period visit for reasons unrelated to the official visit, provided that at the completion of the 48-hour visit, the individual departs the institution's campus, and the institution does not pay any expenses thereafter, including the cost of return transportation to the prospective student-athlete's home. Additionally, if the prospective student-athlete does not return home prior to attending the institution, the one-way transportation to the campus would be considered a violation of Bylaw 13.5.4, which prohibits transportation to enroll. [D]

13.6.4.1 48-Hour Period Defined Transportation. The 48-hour period of the official visit begins at the time the prospective student-athlete arrives on the institution's campus, rather than with the initiation of the prospective student-athlete's transportation by a coach or the time of the prospective student-athlete's arrival at the airport or elsewhere in the community (see Bylaws 13.5.2.4, 13.6.4.1.1 and 13.6.4.1.2). The prospective student-athlete's transportation to and from the campus must be without delay for personal reasons or entertainment purposes. The institution may not pay any expenses for entertainment (other than the actual and reasonable cost of meals) in conjunction with the prospective student-athlete's transportation. At the completion of the 48-hour visit, the prospective student-athlete must depart the institution's campus immediately; otherwise, the institution may not pay any expenses incurred by the prospective student-athlete upon departure from the institution's campus, including the cost of the prospective student-athlete's transportation home.

13.6.4.1.1 Coach Accompanying Prospective Student-Athlete. If a coach accompanies a prospective student-athlete on an official visit by automobile per Bylaw 13.5.2.2.2, the 48-hour period visit shall begin when the coach begins transporting the prospective student-athlete to campus. A coach who makes an in-person, off-campus contact (any dialogue in excess of an exchange of a greeting) with the prospective student-athlete or the prospective student-athlete's family members during a permissible contact period prior to transporting the prospective student-athlete to campus for an official visit is charged with a countable contact. Upon completion of the 48-hour period visit, the coach shall terminate contact with the prospective student-athlete and the prospective student-athlete's family members immediately.

13.6.4.1.2 Lodging in the Locale of the Institution Before Visit. A prospective student-athlete and up to four family members accompanying the prospective student-athlete may receive lodging in the locale of the institution without beginning the 48-hour period visit if the prospective student-athlete arrives in the locale too late to begin the official visit that day.

13.6.74.1.13 Meals and Lodging While in Transit. It is permissible for an institution to pay a prospective student-athlete's actual costs for reasonable expenses (e.g., meals, lodging) An institution may pay the actual costs for meals and lodging for a prospective student-athlete and up to two family members accompanying the prospective student-athlete incurred while traveling to and from campus on the official visit. In basketball, an institution may pay the actual costs for meals and lodging for up to two family members that are incurred while traveling to and from campus to accompany the prospective student-athlete on the official visit.

13.6.4.2 Exception to 48-Hour Period for Extenuating Circumstances. An institution may provide a prospective student-athlete with additional expenses in conjunction with an official visit may extend beyond 48 hours for reasons beyond the control of the prospective student-athlete and the institution (e.g., inclement weather conditions, natural disaster, flight delays or cancellations, airport security activity).

13.6.5 Transportation on Official Visit. For regulations relating to transportation on the official visit, see Bylaw 13.5.2.

13.6.6 Accommodations on Official Visit. A prospective student-athlete on an official visit and up to four family members accompanying the prospective student-athlete shall be provided lodging and meals as lodging and meals are normally provided to regular students. Local commercial facilities may be used but at a scale comparable to that of normal student life and only within a 30-mile radius of the institution's campus. Lodging may not include special accessories (e.g., Jacuzzis, luxury suite) that are not available generally to all guests residing at the establishment. (See Bylaw 13.6.7.7 for restrictions on meals provided to prospective student-athletes on official visits.) [R]

13.6.6.1 Lodging for Additional Persons. An institution may provide lodging for up to four family members accompanying the prospective student-athlete. Additional persons (e.g., additional family members, friends) may stay in the same room as the prospective student-athlete or other family members accompanying the prospective student-athlete, but the institution shall not pay the costs resulting from the additional occupants. The additional occupants shall not be prospective student-athletes being recruited by the institution. [R]

13.6.7 Entertainment/Tickets on Official Visit.

13.6.7.1 General Restrictions. An institution may provide entertainment, pursuant to Bylaw 13.6.7.5, on the official visit for a prospective student-athlete and up to four family members accompanying the prospective student-athlete within a 30-mile radius of the institution's main campus. Entertainment and contact by representatives of the institution's athletics interests during the official visit are prohibited. It is not permissible to entertain friends (including dates) of a prospective student-athlete at any time at any site. [R]

13.6.7.2 Complimentary Admissions. During the official visit, a maximum of five* complimentary admissions to a home athletics event at any facility within a 30-mile radius of the institution's main campus in which the institution's intercollegiate team practices or competes may be provided to a prospective student-athlete. Such complimentary admissions are for the exclusive use of the prospective student-athlete and those persons accompanying the prospective student-athlete on the visit and may be issued through digital ticketing or a pass list on an individual-game basis. Such admissions may provide seating only in the general seating area of the facility used for conducting the event. Providing seating during the conduct of the event (including intermission) for the prospective student-athlete or those persons accompanying the prospective student-athlete in the facility's press box, special seating box or bench area is specifically prohibited. [*A nonautonomy conference or institution that has not opted in to the more restrictive autonomy provision may provide six complimentary admissions.] [R]

[13.6.7.2.1 through 13.6.7.2.4 unchanged.]

[13.6.7.3 through 13.6.7.4 unchanged.]

13.6.7.5 Entertainment Expenses. An institution may cover the actual costs (up to $60 per person) of entertaining a prospective student-athlete and up to four family members accompanying the prospective student-athlete during an official visit, which excludes the cost of meals and admission to campus athletics events. Additional individuals accompanying the prospective student-athlete on the official visit may pay the actual cost of entertainment arranged by the institution. The entertainment allowance may not be used for the purchase of souvenirs, such as T-shirts or other institutional mementos.

13.6.7.56 Student Host. A student host must be either a current student-athlete or a student designated in a manner consistent with the institution's policy for providing campus visits or tours to prospective students in general. The institution may provide the following to a student host entertaining a prospective student-athlete: [R]

13.6.7.56.21 Nonqualifier and Academic Redshirt Prohibition. The student host must be enrolled in the institution being visited by a prospective student-athlete. A nonqualifier (see Bylaw 14.02.10.3) or an academic redshirt (see Bylaw 14.02.10.2) may not serve as a student host during the student-athlete's first academic year of residence. [D]

[13.6.7.5.3 renumbered as 13.6.7.6.2, unchanged.]

13.6.7.67 Student Support Group Assisting in Recruiting. An institution may not provide a free meal or entertainment to a member of an institutional student support group that assists in the recruitment of a prospective student-athlete during an official visit unless the student is designated as the one student host for that prospective student-athlete. Any additional arrangement between the institution and members of such a support group (e.g., compensation, providing a uniform) is left to the discretion of the institution.

13.6.7.78 Meals on Official Visit. The cost of actual meals, not to exceed three per day, on the official visit for a prospective student-athlete and up to four family members accompanying the prospective student-athlete need not be included in the $75-per-day entertainment expense. Meals must be comparable to those provided to student-athletes during the academic year.  An institution may provide, at its discretion, reasonable snacks (e.g., pizza, hamburger) to the prospective student-athlete and up to four family members in addition to the three meals. [R]

[13.6.7.7.1 renumbered as 13.6.7.8.1, unchanged.]

13.6.7.89 Normal Retail Cost. If a boat, snowmobile, recreational vehicle or similar recreational equipment (including those provided by an institutional staff member or a representative of the institution's athletics interests) is used to entertain a prospective student-athlete or the prospective student-athlete's family members, the normal retail cost of the use of such equipment shall be assessed against the $75-per-day $60 per person entertainment figure; further, if such normal retail costs exceeds the $75-per-day $60 per person entertainment allowance, such entertainment may not be provided. [R]

[13.6.7.9 through 13.6.7.10 renumbered as 13.6.7.10 through 13.6.7.11, unchanged.]

[13.6.8 through 13.6.9 unchanged.]