LSDBi
Division I Proposal - 2015-48
ATHLETICS PERSONNEL AND RECRUITING -- ENDORSEMENTS AND PUBLICITY -- ACTIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS
Status: Adopted Final
Intent: To establish exceptions to the prohibitions on endorsements of events that primarily involve prospective student-athletes, or endorsements of a prospective student-athlete's team or coach, or an athletics facility that is primarily used by prospective student-athletes, and an exception to the restrictions on publicity before commitment that permits actions (e.g., "like," "favorite," republish, etc.) by an institutional staff member on social media platforms that indicate approval of content on social media platforms that was generated by users of the platforms other than institutional staff members or representatives of an institution's athletics interests.
A. Bylaws: Amend 11.3.2, as follows:
11.3.2 Income in Addition to Institutional Salary.
[11.3.2.1 through 11.3.2.6 unchanged.]
11.3.2.7 Consultant for or Endorsement of Noninstitutional Athletics Events Involving Prospective Student-Athletes. An athletics department staff member may not serve as a consultant for a noninstitutional athletics event that primarily involves prospective student-athletes and may not endorse or promote such an event.
11.3.2.7.1 Exception -- Actions That Indicate Approval of Content on Social Media Platforms. An athletics department staff member may take actions (e.g., "like," "favorite," republish, etc.) on social media platforms that indicate approval of content on social media platforms that was generated by users of the platforms other than institutional staff members or representatives of an institution's athletics interests.
11.3.2.8 Promotion or Endorsement of a Prospective Student-Athlete’s Team, Coach or Athletics Facility. An athletics department staff member shall not promote or endorse a prospective student-athlete’s team or coach, or an athletics facility that is primarily used by prospective student-athletes.
11.3.2.8.1 Exception -- Actions That Indicate Approval of Content on Social Media Platforms. An athletics department staff member may take actions (e.g., "like," "favorite," republish, etc.) on social media platforms that indicate approval of content on social media platforms that was generated by users of the platforms other than institutional staff members or representatives of an institution's athletics interests.
B. Bylaws: Amend 13.10.2, as follows:
13.10.2 Publicity Before Commitment.
[13.10.2.1 through 13.10.2.7 unchanged.]
13.10.2.8 Exception -- Actions That Indicate Approval of Content on Social Media Platforms. An athletics department staff member may take actions (e.g., "like," "favorite," republish, etc.) on social media platforms that indicate approval of content on social media platforms that was generated by users of the platforms other than institutional staff members or representatives of an institution's athletics interests.
Source: Mid-American Conference
Effective Date:August 1, 2016
Proposal Category: Amendment
Topical Area: Recruiting
Rationale: Under the current legislation, it is difficult to monitor all coaches and their social media activities (e.g., "likes," "favorites," republishing, etc.). This proposal would create exceptions to the restrictions related to endorsement activities and publicity related to recruiting on social media platforms and attempt to maintain pace with the frequent creation and/or enhancement of social media applications.
Estimated Budget Impact: None.
Impact on Student-Athlete's Time (Academic and/or Athletics): None.
History
| Aug 11, 2015: | Submit; Submitted for consideration. |
| Sep 25, 2015: | Comment Period; Start of Comment Period |
| Dec 1, 2015: | Comment Period; End of Comment Period (Official Comment Totals: Support = 3, Oppose = 0, Abstain = 1) |
| Apr 8, 2016: | Adopted, Pending Possible Board Review |
| Apr 28, 2016: | No Action Taken by the Board of Directors |
| Apr 29, 2016: | Adopted, Rescission Period; Start of Rescission Period |
| Jun 27, 2016: | Adopted, Rescission Period; End of Rescission Period |
| Jun 27, 2016: | Adopted; Adopted - Final |
Legislative References
| Division | Number | Title |
|---|---|---|
| I | 11.3.2 | Income in Addition to Institutional Salary. |
| I | 13.10.2 | Publicity Before Commitment. |