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UCCS Athletics

Campus Policy 1000-002

Jared Verner - Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information

Chapter: 1000 (Athletics)
Subject: Missed Class Time for Athletics
Effective Date: June 16, 2008
Approved: by Pamela Shockley-Zalabak, Chancellor, on June 16, 2008
Vice Chancellor: Administration and Finance

I. POLICY
A. Campus Policy for Athletics Eligibility

II. AUTHORITY FOR CAMPUS POLICIES
Authority for the creation of campus administrative policies is found in The Laws of the Regents, 1990, Article 3 Section B.8, which states:

The chancellor of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs shall be the chief academic and administrative officer responsible to the president for the conduct of affairs of the Colorado Springs campus in accordance with the policies of the Board of Regents. The chancellor shall have such other responsibilities as may be required by these Laws, the Board, and as may be delegated by the president.

III. PURPOSE
  1. To provide a nurturing environment where students can succeed academically
  2. To maintain the academic integrity of the athletic program,
  3. To provide a framework that allows student athletes to take responsibility for maintaining their eligibility
  4. To allow a mechanism for exceptions when circumstances warrant.

IV. DEFINITIONS
“IAAC”- Intercollegiate Athletic Advisory committee; primary oversight group for all aspects of the University's intercollegiate athletics program and guided by the studentathlete.

“NCAA”- National Collegiate Athletic Association; governing body of which the University is an active member.

“GPA” - The cumulative grade point average on all courses taken at the University of Colorado by the student from the time of initial enrollment in the CU system.

“Eligibility” - Academic eligibility.

“NCAA eligibility” - To be NCAA eligible, the student/athlete must satisfy all the NCAA Academic and General Eligibility requirements defined in article 14 of the NCAA Bylaws. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • being enrolled as a full time student
  • maintaining satisfactory progress towards a degree
  • satisfying the institutional definition of good academic standing (eligible to enroll)
“First semester campus eligibility” - Students enrolled in their first semester at UCCS are required to meet the NCAA eligibility requirements plus any additional requirements imposed by their coaching staff. This provision also applies to students who transfer back to UCCS after at least a semester of full time enrollment at another institution.

“Continuing student campus eligibility” - Students in their second or later semester at UCCS are required to meet the NCAA eligibility requirements plus any additional requirements imposed by their coaching staff, and moreover must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. This GPA requirement will be examined every semester. The responsibility for tracking and reporting eligibility rests with the athletic department and (ultimately) with the student athlete.

V. PROCEDURES
  • Eligibility status change. The timing of eligibility status changes shall be as follows:
    • When a student athlete completes work that changes his/her eligibility status from ineligible to eligible, the student athlete shall become eligible (per NCAA bylaw) as soon as his/her eligibility is officially certified by the appropriate institutional authority.
    • When a student athlete completes work that changes his/her eligibility status from eligible to NCAA ineligible, the student athlete shall become ineligible as soon as his/her ineligibility is officially certified by the appropriate institutional authority.
    • When a student athlete completes work that changes his/her eligibility status from eligible to campus ineligible, that student remains eligible until the date the AD denies the possibility of a waiver request, the date a waiver request is denied by the IAAC, or the first day of classes for the following semester, whichever comes first.
  • Eligibility Policy Waivers - Student athletes who meet NCAA eligibility equirements plus any additional requirements imposed by their coaching staff, but who have not maintained a 2.0 or higher GPA may request a waiver of the locally imposed 2.0 GPA provision.
  • Waiver Procedures
    • The IAAC will be the body to hear and either grant waivers or recommend waivers be granted.
    • The IAAC will normally hear requests only at the first meeting of the semester. Upon the request of the Athletic Director (AD), the IAAC may agree to hold a special waiver request hearing.
    • The IAAC may grant waivers for spring semester eligibility.
    • The IAAC may recommend waivers for fall semester eligibility to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
    • The AD will decide, in conjunction with the coaches and students, which students should be allowed to request waivers.
    • The athletics staff shall be charged with monitoring, supporting, and guiding the appellant through the timely preparation and distribution of waiver requests. Each waiver request should:
      • Identify the problem(s) seen as contributing to the drop in campus GPA.
      • Identify possible solutions to remedy the situation for next semester.
      • Include an unofficial transcript of prior work and a list of the courses planned for the current semester
      • Describe the time demands from participation in athletics and describe other time commitments (e.g., work).
      • Explain how participation in athletics is likely to enhance improved academic performance.
  • General Eligibility Procedures
    • The AD and the athletic and academic advising staffs shall work with any academically ineligible student/athlete towards a goal of regaining eligibility in a timely manner and instilling academic skills to retain eligibility.
    • The AD is charged with overseeing a rigorous qualitative approach that insures timely academic progress of the student/athlete. This approach should:
      • track the academic progress of student/athletes in a qualitative manner; and
      • provide resources to benefit and promote the academic success of the student/athlete.
VI. RESPONSIBILITY
It is the responsibility of the IAAC Chair and the UCCS Athletic Director to ensure adherence to the provisions of this policy.

VII. HISTORY
Originally approved by VCAA: December 8, 2000. Revisions approved by VCAA: November 9. 2004

VIII. ATTACHMENTS
None