Chapter VIII – Intra-Conference Transfer [Revised 10/11/2018]
 
8.01         To prescribe the following eligibility rules on student-athletes transferring between Mid-American Conference institutions as prescribed in the MAC Constitution, Article IV Membership.

 
8.02         Intra-Conference Transfers
The following student-athletes at Mid-American Conference institutions and affiliate member institutions shall be considered intra-conference transfers and thus subject to the following eligibility provisions.

1. Current student-athletes, who receive athletics related financial aid, at a MAC institution and transfer immediately to a second MAC institution.
2. Prospective student-athletes who attend summer session on athletics related financial aid prior to initial enrollment and transfer immediately to a second MAC institution.
    

8.03     Eligibility for Competition- Intra-conference transfers shall be required by the certifying institution to fulfill a residence requirement of one full academic year from the date of transfer and shall be charged with one year of eligibility. [Revised: 1/28/2016]

 
8.04         Waiver Process: MAC Intra-Conference Transfer Rule
Standard - A waiver of the MAC Intra-Conference Transfer Rule will be granted or partially granted under compelling, extenuating circumstances shown to impact the student-athlete subsequent to enrolling at his/her current MAC institution.  The compelling, extenuating circumstances must be beyond the control of the student-athlete (e.g., significant change in the student-athlete’s immediate family situation, a serious medical condition on the part of the student-athlete or an immediate family member, significant financial hardship imposed by the MAC Intra-Conference Policy beyond the loss of athletics scholarship support, Title IX harassment or discrimination). The transfer should alleviate the hardship from the compelling, extenuating circumstances. [Revised 5/30/2018]
 
Waiver Review Committee - The MAC Intra-Conference Transfer Appeal Committee will be comprised of three members, 2 FARs and 1 AD/SWA, each member representing a different MAC institution.  Committee members will be appointed by the Commissioner to serve a two-year renewable term.  The Committee will elect a Chair.  Committee members will be replaced in cases of conflict.  The Mid-American Conference Commissioner or designee shall serve as an ex officio member. 
 
8.05         Exception: Discontinued/Nonsponsored Sports
When a student transfers to a second Conference institution in order to continue participation in a sport because the student's original institution dropped the sport from its intercollegiate program (even though it may subsequently establish that sport on a club basis) the student-athlete will not be subject to the Intra-Conference Transfer Rule. [Revised 6/31/2017]
 
8.06         Waiver Application Submission
Initial MAC Institution Responsibilities - Upon written request by the student-athlete, the initial certifying MAC institution must provide a copy of the MAC Intra-Conference Transfer Policy and the waiver process form.
 
The initial MAC institution must submit a position in response to the waiver request to the Conference Office and/or provide a written explanation of the institution’s position.  The initial MAC institution may be required to participate in the Committee hearing via teleconference if requested by the student-athlete.
 
Transfer Student-Athlete Responsibilities – The requesting student-athlete must file a written request for an Intra-Conference Transfer Waiver to his/her initial institution and the Conference Office, addressed to the Commissioner, in electronic (i.e., Word document) format. 
 
The request shall include a written statement, not more than 5-pages, from the student-athlete which outlines the compelling, extenuating circumstances beyond his /her control which provides the basis of the waiver request.
 
The burden of proof is on the student-athlete to provide the clear and convincing evidence to support his/her written request (e.g., medical records, bankruptcy filing, tax records, etc.).  All documentation should be included in the waiver application.
 
Lastly, the Committee will be provided only the documentation submitted unless the student-athlete officially indicates a request for a conference call hearing.
 
Transfer Institution (desired MAC institution student-athlete is transferring to) Responsibilities - The transfer institution must respond provide a position in response to the waiver request, providing the Committee with verification of recruitment.

8.07         Waiver Review Process
Mutual Release Cases - Waiver requests that are mutually agreed upon releases of the transfer student-athlete from one MAC institution to another, will be automatically granted. 
 
Mutual release cases will be handled by the Conference Office, not the Waiver Review Committee.  The Conference Office will inform the Waiver Review Committee of the mutual release cases that are automatically granted, but no official review/hearing is necessary in such requests.
 
Document Review Cases - Upon receipt of the complete student-athlete’s request the Commissioner or Conference designee will convene the Waiver Review Committee within fourteen (14) calendar days by document review, which can be conducted via email or conference call by the Waiver Review Committee.  The Commissioner or designee will sit on the conference call, as non-participating member.
 
Within ten (10) days of the conclusion of the document review or conference call, the Committee’s decision will be forwarded by the Commissioner or designee to the student-athlete in written, electronic form.
 
Conference Call Hearing Cases - Upon written receipt of the student-athlete’s request for a full conference call hearing, the Commissioner or designee will convene the Waiver Review Committee, the student-athlete and the initial institution, if requested by the student-athlete, within thirty (30) days.
 
Both the student-athlete and initial institution will be afforded the opportunity to speak for a maximum ten (10) minutes.  Before the Committee deliberations, the Committee may ask the student-athlete for additional information and/or clarification of his/her written statement.
 
Within ten (10) days of the conclusion of the conference call, the Committee’s decision will be forwarded by the Commissioner or designee to the student-athlete and involved institutions in written, electronic form.
 
8.08         Relief
The Committee has authority to fully grant or partially grant the waiver request.  A partial approval may remove the one-year residency requirement and/or restore the lost year of eligibility from the second Conference institution. 
 
8.09         Decision and Appeal
The decision of the Waiver Review Committee will be based upon a vote of the majority of its members.  The Committee’s will review appeal requests when new and additional documentation is provided.  The decision of the Committee following an appeal is final.