On Thursday (January 20), the NCAA membership are to vote on the constitution changes unanimously approved by the NCAA Board of Directors in December.

One of these changes is to clarify language that "to the greatest extent possible" any imposed penalties do punish programmes or athletes who are not involved or implicated in infractions.

This would be a modification to an investigative process that can leave issues unresolved until after an individual who has committed the violations has moved on.

An example of this would be athletes leaving their university or graduating, which could lead to punishment for the institution rather than the individual.

Another proposed change would require colleges to make its name, image and likeness policies publicly available.

"Pay-for-play" continues to be prohibited in the new draft constitution, but says athletes "may receive educational and other benefits in accordance with guidelines established by their NCAA Division".

Revenue allocations are to remain the same as they have been since 1996, with Division II receiving 4.37 per cent and Division III getting 3.18 per cent.

These sweeping changes are expected to take some power away from the NCAA and allow Divisions to self-govern more.

It has been kickstarted by a United States Supreme Court decision in June which unanimously backed athletes compensation rights.

Previously, athletes were unable to profit from their own likeness without sanctions from the NCAA, who stressed the need for athletes to be amateur.

NCAA's power of this rule was further diminished in July when several state laws made it illegal for universities and the NCAA to punish college athletes for making money from their name, image and likeness.

Three delegates from three Division schools, Georgia President Jere Morehead, Minot State President Steven Shirley and Hamline President Fayneese Miller, all serve on the NCAA Board of Governors and are focused on change.

"The constitution that was written in 1996 reflects a reality that is no longer the reality of today," said Miller.

"It does not include the voice of students, and it was time to recognise that students need to play a more prominent role in the NCAA.

"It's important that we lead the effort, not someone else."

The American Swimming Coaches Association also issued a statement calling for the NCAA "and all governing bodies" to review and update their rules on transgender student-athletes competing in women's sport, particularly swimming.

The NCAA Board of Governors had already confirmed transgender participation would be discussed at its meeting on Thursday and that a statement would be followed shortly after.

The NCAA Convention is set to run until Saturday (January 22).