LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR CHANGE IN NSAA RULES AND REGULATIONS
Title:

Spring Semester Transfer Exception to May 1 Transfer List

Author:Rob Locken
School:Omaha Central
NSAA District:2
 
Proposal for:Constitution & Bylaws
 
Classes Affected:All
Activities Affected:All
This proposal:WILL NOT increase costs to the school
WILL NOT increase costs to the NSAA
WILL NOT increase travel for participating schools
WILL NOT decrease a student's or coach's instruction time
Implementation date:2027-07-01
Sections affected in Constitution & Bylaws:Page
33
33
33
33
Article
2.7.8
2.7.8.1
2.7.8.2
2.7.8.3
Section
School to School Transfers
May 1 Transfer Notification
90 School Day Ineligibility
One Time Transfer Provision
Summary:This proposal would create an exception to the May 1 transfer-list requirement for a student who transfers to another NSAA member school and begins full-time attendance on the first day of the second semester.

If the student remains continuously enrolled and in full attendance at the receiving school through the remainder of the school year, the student would be eligible for varsity competition the following fall without using the one-time May 1 transfer provision, provided all other NSAA eligibility requirements are met.

A student who transfers after the first day of the second semester would remain subject to the existing transfer rules.

The intent of this proposal is to establish a clear and consistent standard that can be applied uniformly by all NSAA member schools.

PROPOSED CHANGE
Add the following language to Bylaw 2.7.8:
A Nebraska transfer student who transfers to another NSAA member high school and begins full-time attendance on the first day of the second semester shall not be required to be placed on the May 1 transfer list for immediate varsity eligibility at the beginning of the following school year, provided the student remains continuously enrolled and in full attendance at the receiving school through the remainder of the school year.

For purposes of this provision, the student’s 90-school-day varsity ineligibility period shall be considered satisfied through the student’s continuous attendance at the receiving school during the second semester.

A student who does not begin attendance at the receiving school on the first day of the second semester shall remain subject to the existing transfer provisions.
Rationale:The purpose of this proposal is to recognize the unique circumstances of a student who transfers schools on the first day of the second semester and then completes the entire spring semester at the receiving school.

Under the proposed provision, the student would attend the receiving school for the entire second semester. By the beginning of the following fall season, the student would have completed an entire semester of enrollment and attendance at the receiving school.

The proposal would address possible placement on the May 1 transfer list by the receiving school, even though the student has completed the applicable 90-school-day ineligibility period through continuous attendance during the second semester.

This proposal would allow the May 1 transfer provision to remain available for future use rather than requiring a student who has already completed the 90-school-day period to use the one-time transfer provision solely because the transfer occurred at the beginning of the second semester.

The proposal also establishes a clear distinction between a student who transfers on the first day of the second semester and a student who transfers later in the spring. A student transferring on the first day of the second semester would complete the entire second semester at the receiving school, while a student transferring later would remain subject to the existing transfer provisions.

The proposal is intended to create a consistent standard that can be applied uniformly by all NSAA member schools while maintaining the existing transfer requirements for students who do not meet the specific conditions of the exception.
Pros:Recognizes a full semester of continuous attendance at the receiving school.
Recognizes that the student has completed the 90-school-day period before the following fall season. Preserves the student’s one-time May 1 transfer opportunity for potential future use.
Establishes a clear and consistent standard that can be applied by all NSAA member schools. Creates a clear distinction between a first-day-of-second-semester transfer and a transfer occurring later in the spring.
Reduces the need for a student to use the one-time May 1 provision when the student has already completed the applicable 90-school-day period. Maintains the existing transfer requirements for students who do not meet the proposed exception.
Cons:The proposal would create an additional exception to the existing NSAA transfer rules.
Schools and the NSAA would need to verify that the student began full-time attendance on the first day of the second semester.
Schools may need to provide documentation verifying continuous enrollment and attendance through the remainder of the school year. The NSAA may need to establish additional guidance regarding continuous enrollment and full attendance.
Some may believe the May 1 transfer-list requirement should apply consistently to all students regardless of when the transfer occurs. The exception could result in additional questions regarding unusual enrollment or attendance circumstances.