The N.C.A.A.’s Division I board of directors voted to authorize a new governance body for the so-called Big 5 conferences to make rules within 11 “areas of autonomy.” Some of the language in the proposal is vague — most likely on purpose, to maximize wiggle room. If an issue does not appear below — several important ones do not, including transfers and the number of scholarships per team — it would have to be made a new area of autonomy with the approval of not only the Big 5 but also the Division I board of directors.

(a) Athletics Personnel Definitions and limitations on athletics personnel and legislation to meet the support needs of student-athletes while properly managing the number of personnel directly or indirectly associated with a sport in a manner consistent with the need for competitive balance. Translation: This concerns noncoaching personnel, who in recent years have proliferated at bigger universities. Big 5 universities and other colleges want to set parameters on them, but they do not agree on a number.

(b) Insurance and Career Transition Legislation related to student-athletes securing loans to purchase career-related insurance products (e.g., disability, loss-of-value), institutions providing insurance-related expenses for student-athletes and the role of agents and advisers in assisting student-athletes with career planning and decision making. Translation: Currently, athletes can take out loans to buy insurance to protect against injuries. The Big 5 would be able to elect to expand this, potentially allowing universities to help pay for insurance. As for agents, athletes would still not be able to negotiate compensation from universities, but there may eventually be room for them to engage agents while competing.

(c) Career Pursuits Unrelated to Athletics Legislation related to nonathletically related careers and related promotional activities. Translation: Currently, student-athletes cannot make money through any pursuit — music, for example — by using their names. The Big 5 could choose to change that.

(d) Recruiting Restrictions Legislation designed to reduce the infringement on a prospective student-athlete’s academic preparation. Translation: This would enable the Big 5 conferences to set rules with the academic needs of high school students in mind. They may choose to limit recruiting trips, for example.

(e) Pre-Enrollment Expenses and Support Legislation related to expenses and support provided in the recruiting process and the transition to college enrollment, including assistance to families to visit campus, medical expenses and academic support during the summer prior to enrollment, and transportation to enroll. Translation: This would enable the Big 5 to authorize more resources to be spent on prospective athletes making visits. The Big 5 could pay for two parents to accompany an athlete, for instance. They could also pay for transportation to campus and other costs associated with summer classes before one’s first year.

(f) Financial Aid Legislation related to a student-athlete’s individual limit on athletically related financial aid and the eligibility of former student-athletes to receive undergraduate financial aid. Translation: This is the issue on which the most immediate action is expected. It would allow the Big 5 conferences raise their scholarship amounts by a few thousand dollars to cover the “full cost of attendance” and would also allow them to grant things like lifetime scholarships.

(g) Awards, Benefits and Expenses Legislation related to awards, benefits and expenses for enrolled student-athletes and their families and friends. Translation: This would allow the Big 5 conferences to vote to let themselves fund athletes’ families to travel to see them play in the postseason (like the Final Four) and to receive complimentary admission to games. It could also lead to covering miscellaneous expenses related to practice and competition — say, parking.

(h) Academic Support Legislation related to the academic support of student-athletes. Translation: Pretty self-explanatory: more resources for academics, particularly for “academically at-risk” athletes.

(i) Health and Wellness Legislation related to the health and wellness of student-athletes, including insurance and other items to permit appropriate and sufficient care. Translation: Also simple: better medical coverage and health insurance. Several of these areas are already permitted to be altered, but the Big 5 would like to be able to set rules uniformly.

(j) Meals and Nutrition Legislation related to meals and nutritional demands for student-athletes. Translation: Currently, universities may provide athletes unlimited meals as long as the meals are associated with an athletic activity. The Big 5 could choose to expand how much “fueling” they are permitted to offer.