LINKS –
Union Student Athlete Handbook
NCAA Division III Summary of Regulations
NCAA Division I Summary of Regulations
NCAA Compliance Web Page
INFORMATION -
Academic and Athletic Eligibility
Academic and Athletic Eligibility
All student-athletes:
- must be enrolled full time at all times during the academic term, which is a minimum of two courses per term
- must pass two – three credits per term
- must pass eight credits at the conclusion of each academic year
- at the beginning of the second year, must have 90 per cent of the minimum grade point average required for graduation
- at the beginning of the third year, must have 95 per cent of the minimum grade point average required for graduation
- at the beginning of the third year, must designate degree program
- at the beginning of the fourth year, must have 100 per cent of the minimum grade point average required for graduation
Guidelines For Participation In Intercollegiate Athletics
It is the responsibility of each student-athlete to communicate directly with his or her professor when academics and athletic schedules have a conflict. Athletic participation is a privilege, not a right, and permission to proceed with an athletic commitment must be granted by the professor. The Department of Athletics is sensitive to the academic demands, and does not a student athlete to miss any class time or as little class time as possible. The college has established specific guidelines for participating in intercollegiate athletics
The College recognizes the many benefits—for participants and the College community as a whole- of intercollegiate athletics. At the same time, the College affirms the priority of its academic mission. Consequently, the following guidelines must be followed:
- Student-athletes must recognize that the academic demands of the College take precedence in any situation in which conflicts arise between academic obligations and practice for and participation in athletics.
- Student-athletes must recognize that it is their responsibility, not that of the professor, to accommodate the demands of athletic participation to their academic responsibilities. While professors are often sympathetic to the conflicts that do arise, they are not obligated to make changes in schedules, assignments, or tests either for practices, intercollegiate contests or the travel they require.
- If conflicts arise, it is the obligation of the student to inform both the professors and the coaches and find a way to meet the academic obligation. Students are advised to discuss potential conflicts with their professors at the beginning of each term.
- The first obligation of all students is to attend classes as scheduled. Missing a class or a lab to attend practice is not acceptable.
- It is the responsibility of athletic coaches to design a weekly practice schedule that does not conflict with academic classes. Practice schedules that include meetings
- The College encourages faculty to make clear their policies on attendance and the dates of examination at the start of each term on their syllabi.
In addition, you are to be reminded of NCAA by-law 17.1.6. It reads:
“Missed Class Time-Practice. No class time shall be missed for practice activities except when a team is traveling to an away-from-home contest and the practice is in conjunction with the contest.”
Division 1
A student-athlete may not participate during the academic year as a member of any outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition.
Exception – A student-athlete may compete as a member of an outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition during any official vacation period per the college’s calendar.
Student-athletes may not receive any type of payment for play, prize money, or receive expenses for participation.
Division 3
A student-athlete may not participate as a member of any outside team in any non-collegiate, amateur competition during the institution’s intercollegiate season in the sport.
Exception – A student-athlete may participate as a member of an outside team during the period between separate fall and spring seasons.
Student-athletes may not receive any type of payment for play, prize money, or receive expenses for participation.
Playing and Practice Seasons
Division 1
The playing season (practice and competition) for a particular sport is the period of time between the date of an institution’s first officially recognized practice session and the date of the institution’s last practice session or date of competition, whichever occurs later. The playing season for a particular sport is the only time within which an institution is permitted to conduct countable athletically related activities.
A student-athlete’s participation in countable athletically related activities shall be limited to a maximum of four hours per day and twenty hours per week. Daily and weekly hour limitations do not apply to countable athletically related activities occurring during an institution’s official vacation period and during the academic year between terms when classes are not in session.
During the playing season, all countable athletically related activities are prohibited during one calendar day per week, except during post-season championship play.
Division 3
The playing season (practice and competition) for a particular sport is the period of time between the date of an institution’s first officially recognized practice session and the date of the institution’s last practice session or date of competition, whichever occurs later. An institution is only permitted to conduct officially recognized practice and competition during the playing season as regulated for each sport. The playing season for a particular sport is the only time within which an institution may conduct athletically related activities.
The segments of the playing season are defined as follows: traditional segment which is defined as that portion of the playing season that concludes with the NCAA Championship in the sport and non-traditional segment which is defined as the remaining portion of the playing season.
During the playing season, all athletically related activities are prohibited during one calendar per week, except during participation in NCAA Championships.
Limitations on athletically related activities occurring during the academic year do not apply in periods between academic terms when classes are not in session or during the institution’s pre-season practice that occurs prior to the first day of classes.
Student-athletes shall not knowlingly:
- provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition;
- solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team;
- accept a bet on any team representing the institution
- solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item that has tangible value;
- participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card, or any other method employed by organized gambling.
Consequences:
Student-athletes who engage in gambling activities may lose some or all of their remaining eligibility, depending on the severity of the infraction.
Transfer Regulations
Division 1
All student-athletes seeking a transfer need to be released via a written document provided by the Athletic Department. It is recommended that any student-athlete considering a transfer speak with our Compliance Coordinator to learn of rules and regulations concerning transfer status.
Division 3
All student-athletes seeking a transfer can issue a self-release in order to speak with a coach at any institution. The self release must be received prior to conversations taking place. It is recommended that any student-athlete considering a transfer speak with our Compliance Coordinator to learn of rules and regulations concerning transfer status.
Promotional Activities
Division 1
Student-athletes are not permitted to advertise or promote any commercial products or services of any kind regardless of whether compensation if offered. Charitable organizations often request assistance from student-athletes in fund-raising activities or educational activities. Permission to participate in such activities must be obtained from the Director of Athletics. Any approved charitable appearance must occur without missing any classes.
Division 3
Student-athletes are not permitted to advertise or promote any commercial products or services of any kind regardless of whether compensation if offered. Charitable organizations often request assistance from student-athletes in fund-raising activities or educational activities. Permission to participate in such activities must be obtained from the Director of Athletics. Any approved charitable appearance must occur without missing any classes.
Division 1
Student-athletes are permitted to work during the academic year with the following restrictions:
- paid for work actually performed
- paid at a rate commensurate with the going rate locally
- may not be paid for athletic reputation
- employment must be pre-approved by the compliance office
Fee for Lesson Instruction:
A student-athlete may receive compensation for teaching or coaching sport skills in his or her sport on a fee for lesson basis provided:
- institutional facilities are not used
- playing lessons are not permitted
- compensation is paid by the lesson recipient (or family) and not another entity
- fee for lesson instruction must be pre-approved by the compliance office
Division 3
Student-athletes are permitted to work during the academic year with the following restrictions:
- paid for work actually performed
- paid at a rate commensurate with the going rate locally
- may not be paid for athletic reputation
- employment must be pre-approved by the compliance office
Official and Unofficial Recruiting Visit Policy
For Student-Athlete Hosts
Acting as a student-athlete host is a crucial role in the recruiting process, and therefore appropriate conduct is not only important, but expected.
All Student-Athletes who assist in recruiting must abide by the following:
- Student-Athletes are responsible to review NCAA rules and Union College’s athletic recruiting policies prior to hosting a prospective student-athlete.
- Student-Athletes must sign an acknowledgement form that they have reviewed and understand the rules and policies for prospective visits.
- Student Host will discuss academic and recreational activities with head coach prior to recruiting visit.
- Student Host will be aware of prospect’s whereabouts throughout visit.
- Student Host will contact head coach (or designated assistant coach) immediately should any incident, question, or concern arise with prospect.
- Prospects are only allowed to attend sanctioned college events.
- New York’s drinking age is 21; it is against the law to serve alcohol to anyone who is not 21 years of age.
- Student host must ensure that a prospective student is not taken where there are illegal drugs or gambling/gaming activities.
- Student host will not entertain prospective student with any illegal activities that involve strippers, sex for hire, or gentlemen’s clubs.
- Entertainment of prospective student is limited to on campus activities, or within a 30 miles radius of campus. Use of campus vehicles is prohibited.
