Grumet-Morris said the change to the rest period will likely be well-received by coaches and athletes alike.

“The switch to a non-consecutive 49 day lay over will allow for more maneuverability, on the coaching staff’s side, for giving athletes days off,” he said.

But men’s heavyweight crew coach Harry Parker said the proposal may hinder his team’s ability to prepare. The seven week rule, was last year reduced to 33 days for crew, because there are not 49 days between the regular fall and spring seasons.

Parker said that after the presidents’ ruling, “we are back where we were last fall.”

“If the 49 day requirement holds for crew, we will be forced to take days off during either the regular fall season or the spring season or both,” he said. “That will interfere with our training.”

But some continued to argue that the Ivy League’s time-off requirement should be eliminated altogether.

“Limits have already been set by the NCAA, and these are the only limits that Ivy League sports should adhere to,” said Wes H. Kauble ’06, a student representative on the Faculty Standing Committee on Athletics.

“No activity other than athletics is being scrutinized in such a way by the Ivy League presidents, and their actions in continuing to require an additional 49 days off is an act of utter discrimination,” he said.

—Staff writer David B. Rochelson can be reached at rochels@fas.harvard.edu.