20.4.1 Multidivision Classification. A member of Division II or Division III may have a sport classified in Division I, provided the sport was so classified during the 2010-11 academic year.  Such a classification shall continue until the institution fails to conduct the sport in Division I in any following academic year. 

20.4.1.1 Reclassification of a Sport of the Opposite Gender. A member of Division II or Division III that had one sport classified in Division I during the 2010-11 academic year may petition to have one sport of the opposite gender, other than football or basketball, classified in Division I, provided the original sport remains classified in Division I.

20.4.1.1.1 Notification/Application Requirement. An institution's chancellor or president shall submit to the national office written notice of the institution's intention to reclassify and a completed application. The notice and application shall be received in the national office (by mail or electronic transmission) not later than June 1 two years prior to the August 1 of the year the institution intends to reclassify the applicable sport. Any form received after June 1 shall be postmarked not later than May 25. The notice and application shall be accompanied by a $10,000 fee and a strategic plan that addresses the Division I philosophy statement (see Bylaw 20.9) and the athletics certification program operating principles (see Bylaw 22.2). If the institution fails to meet the requirements of reclassification, the application fee shall be refunded, less any expenditure for educational costs related to the reclassification process.

20.4.1.1.2 Compliance with Criteria. If the institution meets all applicable division membership criteria of this article (other than scheduling requirements during the first year of reclassification) and complies for the two years preceding June 1 of the year the institution intends to reclassify the applicable sport with all other bylaw requirements as they pertain to the sport in question, the institution shall be eligible for participation in the division in that sport effective the August 1 of the year that the institution selects as its effective date.

20.4.1.1.3 Reclassification Requirements.

20.4.1.1.3.1 First Year. During the first year of reclassification, an institution shall satisfy the following requirements:

(a) Attend an orientation session conducted by the national office staff related to the application of Division I membership requirements. Institutional representatives required to attend the orientation session are the chancellor or president (or an individual appointed by the chancellor or president with executive status at the institution), the director of athletics representative and the senior compliance administrator;

(b) Submit an annual report and updated strategic plan by June 1 at the end of the first academic year based on feedback received from the previous year's report; and

 (c) Report all violations to the Administration Cabinet as part of the required annual report.

 20.4.1.1.3.2 Second Year. During the second year of reclassification, an institution shall satisfy the following requirements:

 (a) Full compliance with all Division I legislation and membership requirements; and

 (b) Submit an annual report and updated strategic plan confirming compliance with all Division I legislation and membership requirements; and

 (c) Report all violations to the Administration Cabinet as part of the required annual report.

 20.4.1.1.3.3 Compliance Review Requirement. The institution must engage in a compliance review (at the institution's expense) during the multidivision reclassification period. The review must be conducted by an authority outside the athletics department (e.g., multisport conference, outside consultant), subject to approval by the Administration Cabinet. A copy of the report of the compliance review must be kept on file at the institution and a copy must be submitted to the Administration Cabinet.