STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR BALANCE BETWEEN ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC RESPONSIBILITIES

(By Faculty action, December 10, 1996)

Student-athletes are primarily responsible for balancing academics and athletics. However, recognizing the pressure that student-athletes face from competing time demands placed upon them by both professors and coaches, we establish the following statement of responsibility. The statement assumes that the student's primary responsibility is to academic coursework and that practice sessions are always subordinate to class attendance.

Students should work with advisers to schedule courses so that practices and contests are not in conflict with academic courses.

Student-athletes are expected to contact professors in advance in order to resolve conflicts between class attendance and participation in athletic contests. It is recommended that student-athletes miss not more than four sessions of any class in a semester for regular season athletic contests. Permission of a Faculty Athletic Representative is required before additional excused absences will be permitted.

Coaches will, as necessary, establish and maintain communications with the professors of team athletes regarding academic progress. Professors should feel free to contact coaches regarding the academic responsibilities of student-athletes.

Professors, coaches, athletic administrators and student athletes should feel free to bring concerns about athletic participation and academic responsibilities to the attention of the Faculty Athletic Representatives. The Faculty Athletic Representatives may serve as mediators involving the Committee on Athletic Policy and Recreation, as necessary.