Stephen F. Austin State University Student-Athlete Handbook

Transcription

1 Stephen F. Austin State University Student-Athlete Handbook Property of: Address: Phone: In case of emergency, please notify: Name: Phone: Athletic Director s Welcome... 2 Mission Statement... 3 Intercollegiate Athletics Council... 4 Student Welfare Code of Conduct Social Networking... 6 Amorous Relationships Drug Testing Hazing...11 Acquaintance Rape...11 Amateurism...11 Transfer Release Policy...11 Exit Interviews Grievance Procedures SLC Sportsmanship Policy SLC Penalty for Ejection Team Travel Occasional Meal Policy Concussion Policy Medical Policy Athletic Pregnancy Policy Financial Aid Financial Aid Programs Athletic Scholarships Scholarship Text Books Fifth Year/Injury Scholarships Summer School Grants Scholarship Renewal and Appeal Student Employment Tax-Related Issues Compliance Table of Contents Agents Student-Athletes in Recruiting Ticket Office Policies Complimentary Ticket Questions Intra-Conference Transfers Playing and Practice Seasons Gambling NCAA Disciplinary Action NCAA Rules FAQ Non-Permissible Benefits FAQ Academics Basic Eligibility Guidelines Additional Eligibility Information Dropping Classes Support Services Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Required Study Hours MySFA GradesFirst JackText Course Credit for Athletics Academic Calendar Academic Services Staff Head Coaches Athletic Staff Academic Playbook Student Academic Negotiation Plan Study Hall Hours Important Contacts SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 1

2 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS Welcome! On behalf of the Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Athletics, it gives me great pleasure to welcome all new and returning student-athletes for the academic year. We have designed this student-athlete handbook to help guide you through the busy year ahead. SFA is a member of the Southland Conference and National Collegiate Athletic Association, all of which shape the principles and policies governing our intercollegiate program. The Southland Conference adheres to standards that require its members to be committed to providing male and female student-athletes, coaches and administrators with opportunities that are both equitable and broad based. SFA provides student-athletes the opportunity to learn and prosper in their sport(s) under the guidance of some of the most knowledgeable and successful coaches in the country. While SFA s primary athletic goals are to be Southland Conference Champions, we also strive for success on the regional and national level. To this end we offer you the opportunity to complete at the regional and national levels in 17 intercollegiate sports programs. We promise to do our best to provide you with the programs and services that will assist you in earning your degree and developing your mind and body to complete on the college level while doing so in an atmosphere of sportsmanship and compliance. Intercollegiate competition demands a serious commitment and it also requires long hours of dedication and perseverance. Such commitment is recognized and appreciated by the entire SFA community because it is no secret the key to SFA s success in intercollegiate athletics is the student. We hope you will join the thousands of athletes who, through the years, have enjoyed and enhanced the rich traditions of SFA athletics. I wish you success and encourage you to take pride in all of your athletic and academic pursuits. GO JACKS! Robert Hill Director of Athletics SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

3 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT Stephen F. Austin State University is a comprehensive, state supported university committed to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. This commitment extends to maintaining a successful intercollegiate athletic program as a substantial contributor to a comprehensive collegiate environment. The goals of the University and the Intercollegiate Athletic Department include excellence in achievement through specialized multidisciplinary development, training and competition. The University and the Intercollegiate Athletic Department ensures that all student-athletes meet academic standards set by the University and NCAA. Each student-athlete is encouraged to complete chosen academic programs and become contributing citizens. Their health and safety receive the highest priority. The University and the Intercollegiate Athletic Department are committed to providing equal opportunities for all student-athletes and members of the athletics staff. (Revised February 1998) SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 3

4 INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS COMMITTEE The Intercollegiate Athletics Committee serves to maintain intercollegiate athletic programs that benefit both student athletes and other students and which are supportive of the purposes and goals of the University. To carry out its general purposes, the Committee advises the President of the University on the following subjects: 1. Policies relating to student athletes. Scholastic requirements for participation in intercollegiate athletics, standards for the awards of scholarships, approval of varsity lettermen, conferral of honors or awards for athletic accomplishments, and other matters relating to student athletes. 2. Federal or state regulations that apply to or affect intercollegiate athletics. Regulations or policies promulgated by agencies of the state or federal government and action necessary for the proper compliance of the University. 3. Policies that relate to the use of facilities normally under the supervision of the Athletic Director. The use of facilities (both by University and non-university groups), fees charged, ticket prices, and other matters related to the use of facilities. 4. Policies regarding the competitive level of intercollegiate athletics at Stephen F. Austin State University. Scheduling of athletic events (although not schedules), conference membership, participation in various sports at the intercollegiate level, and other matters that relate to the level of competition in intercollegiate athletics. In addition to making recommendations on policy in the categories described above, the Committee makes recommendations on intercollegiate athletic matters submitted by the President of the University, the Director of Athletics, and the Institutional Representative to the Southland Conference or the NCAA; and interviews and recommends applicants for the position of Athletic Director or head coach of a major sport and advises the institutional representatives on matters that will be considered by the Southland Conference or the NCAA. Dr. Dale Perritt Chairman Prof. of Agriculture Dr. Kevin Langford Director Pre-Health Professions Monique Cossich Executive Director Enrollment Management Dr. Ken Collier Assoc. Prof. of Political Science, Geography, Public Administration Organization The NCAA Constitution requires that a majority of the members of the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee be regular faculty members or administrators of the University. The members of the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee are appointed by the President of the University. The Council consists of nine (9) members, as follows: Eight (8) faculty, staff or members of the community The Director of Athletics serves as an ex-officio member of the Council. Dr. Kim Childs Associate Dean Mathematics & Statistics Mary Nelle Brunson Associate Provost Committee members serve staggered, three (3) year terms, which begin with the new academic year. Members may be reappointed to serve additional terms. The Chair of the Intercollegiate Athletics Council is a faculty representative appointed by the President of the University. The IAC meets monthly during the academic year with the Director of Athletics to review the operations of the Department, assist in the development of new policy and relate/consult on other matters as related to athletics. Gary Wurtz Professor School of Music SFA Student-Athlete Handbook Robert Hill Director of Athletics Ex-Officio Member

5 STUDENT WELFARE STUDENT-ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT Welcome to Stephen F. Austin State University. We are pleased that you have selected a university with established traditions of excellence in academics and athletics. The entire staff of the University is prepared to assist you in both your academic and athletic endeavors. Our desire is that your experience will be one of personal growth, academic achievement, and athletic success. You will have to set educational and ethical priorities consistent with the purposes of SFA in order to balance the demands of academic success with athletic participation. This will require discipline and diligence. We are here to support you but ultimately only you are responsible for the quality of your personal conduct, the attainment of your college degree, and the level of your athletic accomplishments. You are subject to the same University policies and regulations which apply to all students. As an athlete, however, you are subject to extra time commitments, physical demands, and public visibility which other students may not experience. Accordingly, not only your rewards, but also your obligations, sometimes exceed those expected of other students. The following Student-Athlete Code of Conduct is intended to clarify areas of particular importance to student-athletes. More specifically, it is intended to clarify your obligations and guide your conduct. If you are uncertain about any aspect of the Code of Conduct or other related University policies, consult with your coach or the Student Services staff. CODE OF CONDUCT I. Your obligation as a student is to make satisfactory progress toward a degree and graduate from SFA. Consistent with this goal, your primary aim as a student should be to use your talents to obtain an education and earn a degree. While time commitments are demanding during your athletic season, you should never lose sight of the goal of completing requirements for a degree. When you graduate from SFA, we want you to be proud of those academic achievements which will allow you to pursue a satisfying career and hopefully improve the quality of your life. In order to carry out your general obligation as a student, you must adhere to the following requirements: 1. Be academically eligible. You must meet all NCAA and SLC requirements for initial eligibility, remain in good academic standing, and make satisfactory progress toward a degree in order to participate in athletics. 2. Attend class. There is a direct correlation between classroom attendance and academic success. Accordingly, class attendance is mandatory for all student-athletes enrolled at SFA who participate in NCAA regulated sports. 3. Inform professors of expected absences due to official athletic events, as well as any other personal, medical, or unforeseen circumstances. Professors are usually more than willing to assist you in resolving a conflict when advance notice is given. 4. Maintain Scholastic Honesty. All forms of scholastic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, are strictly prohibited and cover all academic work done at the University. 5. Make maximum use of the services provided through the Academic Monitoring and Support Program of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Assistant Athletic Director for Student Services is responsible for the Academic Monitoring and support program which maintains and directs study hall and tutorial sessions. All freshmen and other athletes with less than the required minimum grade point average, SAT/ACT score, or coach identified, are required to participate in study hall and/or tutorial sessions. II. Your obligation as an athlete is to represent responsibly and with integrity the people, values, and traditions associated with SFA. The athletic program is a highly visible component of SFA. As a student-athlete, your attitudes, actions, and statements are constantly in the public eye and reflect directly on the University. Because of the public visibility of the athletics program, you have a special responsibility in representing the University. As an athlete, you are responsible for obeying the rules and regulations of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, which include those of the NCAA and SLC. In order to carry out your general obligation as an athlete, you must: 1. Display good sportsmanship. You are expected to conform to established guidelines of sportsmanlike conduct in intercollegiate athletic competition, both on and off the playing field. Sportsmanlike conduct includes showing respect toward all who are in attendance at an athletic event: officials, coaches, athletes, opponents, spectators, and the media. Unsportsmanlike conduct includes inappropriate behavior in language, gesture, or action which demeans, physically intimidates, or endangers others, not just during athletic competition but also during all activities that encompass travel to and from contest site. 2. Know and follow NCAA/SLC guidelines and regulations. These rules include knowing what constitutes permissible awards, benefits and expenses, as well as rules regarding complimentary tickets, hosting a prospective student-athlete, maintaining amateur athletic status, gambling, bribery, and dealing with sports agents, alumni, or other supporters of the University s athletic programs. 3. Protect your health. In addition to fulfilling the stringent training requirements of your sport, you must exercise care to avoid the use of non-therapeutic drugs as well as the excessive consumption of intoxicating beverages. The Athletic Department upholds and enforces NCAA and University regulations regarding substance abuse. Do not take drugs that have not been prescribed by a physician. If your SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 5

6 SOCIAL NETWORKING Playing and competing for Stephen F. Austin State University is a privilege not a right. Student-athletes at SFA are held in high regard and are seen as role models in the community. As leaders we have the responsibility to portray our team, our University and ourselves in a positive manner at all times. Sometimes this means doing things that are a personal inconvenience, but benefit the whole team. In recent years, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites have increased in popularity and are used by the majority of studentathletes at SFA. Student-athletes may not be aware that third parties including the media, faculty, future employers and NCAA officials can easily access their profiles and view all personal information. This includes all pictures, videos, comments and posters. Inappropriate material found by third parties affects the perception of the student, the athletic department and the University. This can be detrimental to a studentathlete s future employment options Before participating in any online community, student-athletes should understand that anything posted online is available to anyone in the world. Any text or photo placed online is completely out of the student-athlete s control the moment it is placed online. Student-athletes should not post information, photos, or other items online that could embarrass them, their family, their team, the athletic department, or Stephen F. Austin State University. This includes information about teammates and team activities. doctor prescribes a drug that appears on the NCAA prohibited list, you should notify your athletic trainer. 4. Obey team rules and policies. Your coaches have established rules and policies for guiding your success as a member of an athletic team. You are expected to follow their requirements and develop the ability to work well with others on your team. 5. Wear SFA uniforms only during Athletic Department scheduled events. It is an honor to have been selected to a SFA team. Your actions while wearing these uniforms are viewed by observers as representative of SFA and its values. Therefore, team uniforms are never to be worn and team gear is never to be used outside of an official Athletic Department sanctioned event. 6. Your obligation as a community member is to respect and obey the policies, rules and laws of that community. Your obligations extend beyond the classroom and the athletic field. Like other students at SFA, you are member of several communities. You are a member of the SFA general student community, the University residential community, and the local, state, and federal communities. Each of these communities expects its members to exhibit respectful and lawful behavior. As a member of these communities, you have no special rights or privileges that exempt you from penalty if you violate their policies, rules, and laws. You are subject to all mitigated penalties imposed by any of these regulatory bodies for failure to uphold their rules. In order to carry out your general obligation as a member of these communities, you must: 1. Know and follow the Student Conduct Code. These rules of conduct apply to all SFA students and are distributed to all students upon enrollment. 2. Obey residence halls policies and regulations. As a member of the University s residential community, you are expected to comply with the policies and regulations governing students who live in the residence halls. 3. Obey all federal, state and city laws. Any SFA student who violates the law may incur penalties imposed by civil authorities. Student-athletes cannot post any information that is proprietary to the Athletic Department which is not public information such as tentative or future schedules, or information that is sensitive or personal in nature, such as travel plans and itineraries. Student-athletes are personally liable for any copyright violations committed, such as posting photographs, audio, or video that is not the student-athlete s personal property. This includes the use of the logos and marks of Stephen F. Austin State University. Student-athletes are personally liable for any violations of other students or student-athletes privacy rights, especially those that fall under federal privacy laws (FERPA or HIPPA) or that violate Stephen F. Austin State University student codes of conduct or codes of computing practices. Student-athletes should not post their home address, local address, social security number, phone numbers (s), birth date, or other personal information such as their whereabouts or their plans. This could be opening up themselves to predators. The malicious use of online social networks such as derogatory language about any member of the Stephen F. Austin State University community, demeaning statements about or threats to any third party, and incriminating photos or statements involving racial slurs, hazing, sexual harassment, vandalism, stalking, underage drinking, illegal drug use or other inappropriate behavior will be subject to disciplinary action by the head coach and/or Director of Athletics if they gain knowledge of such violations. Sanctions may include written notification requiring the unacceptable content be removed, temporary suspension from the team, dismissal from the team and loss of athletic aid, if applicable. AMOROUS RELATIONSHIPS The purposes of this policy are: (1) to provide a safe and healthy environment for student-athletes so that they may reach their full potential as students and as athletes; and (2) to ensure that all coaches and other athletic department staff adhere to ethical practices and do not develop inappropriate relationships with student-athletes, regardless of their age or consent. Additional reference to university policy E-46, Discrimination Complaints/Sexual Harassment SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

7 Definitions Coach: Any person serving as a head coach, assistant coach, graduate assistant coach, student coach or volunteer coach in the athletics department. Staff: Any employee or student serving in the athletics department in an administrative, management, or support capacity, or in any capacity in which they supervise student-athletes or have responsibility for the provision of services or other benefits to student-athletes. Supervisory control or authority: this includes any responsibility with the potential to affect the student-athlete s participation in the athletics program, and includes the provision of direct services and benefits to the student-athlete, such as: training, health services, academic and student life program support, tutoring, counseling, eligibility determinations, program compliance, and control over the student-athlete s team. Student-Athlete: Any student of the university who is a member of a varsity athletics team as defined by university and NCAA regulations. Amorous Relationship: Any sexual, romantic, or dating relationship. Scope and Requirements Coaches & Staff: This policy strictly prohibits amorous relationships between any coach or staff member and any student-athlete. Every coach and staff member has an ethical obligation to maintain a professional relationship with student-athletes and to place the well-being of student-athletes ahead of the coach or staff member s personal interests. This responsibility includes the duty to provide a safe and healthy environment for the student-athletes to flourish, and to serve as a role model within the confines of a professional relationship. As a result, no amorous relationship between a coach or staff member and a student-athlete, regardless of the perception of consent by one or both participants, can exist without jeopardizing the professionalism of the coach-athlete relationship and creating a significant conflict of interest. The respect and trust the student-athlete places in a coach or staff member, and the vulnerability of the student-athlete in that relationship, make consent unreliable in this setting. Conflicts of interest are endemic to such amorous relationships, and the costs to the athlete, the team, the athletics program, and the university, necessitate a strict prohibition on amorous relationships between coaches or staff members and student-athletes. Investigation: Upon receiving such a report or information, the Director of Athletics shall immediately notify the Director of Human Resources. The investigative procedure detailed in university policy E-46, Discrimination Complaints/Sexual Harassment shall be followed. The investigation shall include interviews with any coaches, staff, and student-athletes with relevant information, and shall provide any coach or staff member accused of violating the policy with an opportunity to respond to the allegations. In investigating a possible violation of the policy, the standard of proof to be used is whether it is more likely than not that the policy was violated (a preponderance of the evidence standard, not the higher standard of proof used in criminal proceedings, beyond a reasonable doubt ). Using this standard, the investigation will result in a determination of whether the policy was violated. Disciplinary Action: If an investigation determines that a coach or staff member has violated the policy, that coach or staff member shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. The Director of Athletics shall determine the disciplinary action to be imposed. Any disciplinary action shall be taken in accordance with applicable university policy. Confidentiality: Complaints, reports and information relating to possible violations of this policy shall be handled as confidentially as possible without jeopardizing the enforcement of the policy, and the ability to conduct a fair investigation, or the safety of student-athletes and other persons connected with the athletics program. Information received in connection with a suspected violation of the policy shall be disseminated only on a need to know basis; that is, only when necessary to ensure compliance with the policy and/or to ensure the safety of student-athletes or other who come in contact with the athletics program. Retaliation: Any retaliation for reporting a violation of this policy, or for participating in good faith in any investigation of a violation of this policy, is strictly prohibited. Any persons taking retaliatory action in violation of this policy shall themselves be subject to discipline, up to and including dismissal. Even when the coach or staff member has no direct professional responsibility for that student-athlete, other student-athletes may perceive that the student-athlete who has a sexual relationship with a coach or staff member may receive preferential treatment. Such relationships are incompatible with the ethical obligations of the coach or staff member and the integrity of the athletics program. Accordingly, this prohibition applies to such relationships between all coaches or staff members and all student-athletes in the intercollegiate athletics program. Enforcement Reporting a violation: Any person may allege a violation of this policy by contacting the Director of Athletics or any other Assistant Director or Senior Woman Administrator, or, if the person does not feel comfortable making the report to a person within the athletics department, to the Director of Human Resources. Any person receiving such a report must immediately notify the Director of Athletics. Any coach or staff member with information suggesting a possible violation of the policy must promptly report it to the Director of Athletics, and the failure to do so will be considered a violation of the athletics department policy. (If the report or information implicates the Director of Athletics in a violation of the policy, it should be directed to the Director of Human Resources instead. Additionally, any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to any form of sexual harassment may report the incident to any university official, administrator, or supervisor. Any person receiving such a report must notify the Title IX Coordinator and appropriate deputy coordinator(s). Reference policy E-46, Discrimination Complaints/Sexual Harassment SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 7

8 DRUG TESTING Stephen F. Austin State University is concerned with the health, safety and welfare of the student-athletes who participate in its intercollegiate athletic programs. The use of illegal drugs, misuse of legal drugs and over-the-counter dietary supplements, use of performance-enhancing substances, use of alcohol and inappropriate use of tobacco are completely inconsistent with the standards expected of student-athletes. Substance use and abuse in sport can pose risks to the student-athlete s health and negatively affect his or her academic and athletic performance. It can also compromise the integrity of athletic competition and the ideals of SFA. Purpose The Athletic Department believes that random drug testing and testing based on reasonable suspicion are appropriate to ensure the health, safety and welfare of our student-athletes, to promote fair competition in intercollegiate athletics, to affirm compliance with applicable rules and regulations on drug and alcohol abuse, to identify student-athletes who are improperly using drugs or alcohol and to assist them before they harm themselves or others. Furthermore, the Athletic Department recognizes its responsibility to provide educational programming that will support a positive decision-making process. The intent of these policies is to prevent substance use and abuse by student-athletes through education, testing, and professional guidance. Education providing student-athletes and athletics staff with accurate information about the problems associated with substance use in sport, promoting health and safety in sport; Testing analyzing biological specimens to detect prohibited substances student-athletes may introduce to their bodies and punitive consequences resulting from use; and Professional Referral facilitating appropriate treatment and rehabilitation of student-athletes. Implementation of Program At the beginning of the academic year, a presentation will be made to all intercollegiate athletic teams to outline and review the department s year round and summer drug testing drug policy. A copy of this policy will be provided to each student-athlete. Each student-athlete will thereafter be asked to (1) sign a form acknowledging receipt of a copy of this policy; (2) execute voluntary consent to the urinalysis testing required by the program; and (3) sign a statement authorizing the release of test results to a limited group of individuals. Studentathletes and their parents/legal guardians are encouraged to ask questions or make suggestions at any time regarding this program. The SFA Athletics Department is committed to the success of this program and expects student-athletes to be equally committed. Frequency of Testing To ensure fairness and efficiency of the testing program, testing notification will come from the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine. Tests will be administered on a random or reasonable suspicion basis and may, or may not, be announced in advance. Tests may be administered at any time throughout the year. The number, timing and other procedures for testing shall be determined by the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine. Under the random testing program, individual student-athletes will be randomly chosen for screening by the contracted testing lab from a roster provided by the Sports Medicine staff. Failure to report for testing following notification will result in a positive test. Testing Method The drug testing shall consist of collecting a urine sample from the student-athlete under the supervision of a laboratory technician from an accredited lab under contract with SFA. Each urine sample shall be analyzed using such tests as the Athletics Department may deem appropriate for the presence of screened drugs. The testing agency shall report all test results to the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine. For purposes of this program, a positive result shall mean a test result which indicates, in the opinion of the outside agency performing such testing, the presence of one or more of the drugs on the NCAA s banned list. Appropriate precautions will be taken to assure and maintain the accuracy and confidentiality of the test results including the maintenance of a documented chain of specimen custody to insure the proper identification and integrity of the sample throughout the collection and testing process. NCAA Banned Drug Classes The Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports has the authority to identify specific banned drugs and exceptions within each class. SFA student-athletes shall be held accountable for all drugs within the banned-drug classes regardless of whether they have been specifically identified. The current list of specific banned drugs and exceptions is located on the NCAA Web site (ncaa.org) or may be obtained from the NCAA national office. The following is the list of banned-drug classes as of the date of this policy: Stimulants Anabolic agents Diuretics and other masking agents Street drugs Peptide hormones and analogues Anti-estrogens Beta-2 agonists Many nutritional/dietary supplements contain NCAA banned substances. In addition, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not strictly regulate the supplement industry; therefore purity and safety of nutritional/dietary supplements cannot be guaranteed. Impure supplements may lead to a positive NCAA drug test. The use of supplements is at the student-athlete s risk. Student athletes are urged to check first with the Sports Medicine staff before taking any supplements to insure that there are no banned substances in the ingredients. Medical Exception Policy SFA recognizes that some banned substances are used for legitimate medical purposes. Accordingly, SFA allows exceptions to be made for those student-athletes with a documented medical history SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

9 demonstrating a need for regular use of such a substance. Exceptions may be granted for substances included in the following classes of banned drugs: stimulants, beta-blockers, diuretics and peptide hormones. The student-athlete is required to inform the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine of all medications he or she is taking. The sports medicine staff will maintain in the student-athlete s medical records a letter from the prescribing physician that documents the student-athlete s medical history demonstrating the need for regular use of such a drug. The letter should contain information as to the diagnosis (including appropriate verification), medical history and dosage information. In the event a student-athlete tests positive, the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine in consultation with the Team Physician will review the student-athlete s medical record to determine whether a medical exception should be granted. Reasonable Suspicion Screening A student-athlete may be subject to testing at any time when the Director of Athletics or his/her designee determines there is individualized reasonable suspicion to believe the participant is using a banned substance. Such reasonable suspicion may be based on observed behavior or objective information as determined by the Director of Athletics or by an Associate/Assistant Athletic Director, Head Coach, Assistant Coach, Assistant Athletic Trainer, or Team Physician, and deemed reliable by the Director of Athletics or his/her designee. Reasonable suspicion may be found, but not limited to 1) observed possession or use of substances appearing to be prohibited drugs, 2) arrest or conviction for a criminal offense related to the possession or transfer of prohibited drugs or substances, or 3) observed abnormal appearance, conduct or behavior. There are four possible levels in which a student-athlete may be placed in the Department s drug testing program: Level 0, 1, 2, 3. All student-athletes enter the program in category 0 (i.e., assumed to be drug-free and/or never have had a positive test). A positive test will result in entry into one of the other three levels as defined below: Level O: No history of a positive test. Level 1: (Qualifications) 1. At least one positive test; and 2. Clinical assessment shows only occasional use without evidence for physical or psychological dependence. Resulting Actions: 1. Student-athlete may be subject to mandatory counseling. 2. Student-athlete will be subject to increased frequency of testing. 3. Student-athlete may be subject to coach/team sanctions and will be warned of the consequences of future positive tests or failure to comply with either future drug testing procedures or professional counseling procedures. 4. Test results confined to Head Athletic Trainer and Head Coach. 5. Parents/guardians may be notified. Level 2: (Qualifications) 1. At least one positive test and determination by a professional substance abuse counselor to be a regular user with physical or psychological dependence; or 2. Two or more positive tests within a nine-month period. Resulting Actions: 1. Student-athlete will enter professional counseling, the frequency of which will be determined by a professional substance abuse counselor. 2. Student-athlete will be subject to increased frequency of testing. 3. Student-athlete will be subject to coach/team sanctions and will be warned of the consequences of future positive tests or failure to comply with either future drug testing procedures or professional counseling procedures. At a minimum competition suspensions will be equivalent in all sports and will be equal to one competition or 10% of the scheduled contests for that sport, whichever figure is greater. 4. Parents/guardians will be notified. The student-athlete may revert to Level 1 by repeated negative tests over a nine-month period and if the student-athlete successfully completes counseling or shows satisfactory progress as per the counselor. The Director of Athletics will be notified of all student-athletes who enter Level 2. Level 3: (Qualifications) 1. Student-athlete will have tested positive after having been placed in Level 2; or 2. Student-athlete does not fulfill the professional counseling requirements. Resulting Actions: 1. Student-athlete will enter professional counseling, the frequency of which will be determined by a professional substance abuse counselor. 2. Student-athlete will be subject to increased frequency of testing. 3. Student-athlete will be subject to increased coach/team sanctions. Furthermore, the individual will be given a final warning of the consequences of a positive test while in Level Student-athlete may be suspended indefinitely from participation in practice and contests until effective treatment is instituted and clinical improvement can be established. The Head Coach and Director of Athletics will initiate any suspension actions. The Head Athletic Trainer will initiate treatment and assessment. 5. Parents/guardians will be notified. 6. Student-athlete who tests positive after being placed in Level 3 will not have his/her athletic financial aid renewed and will be dismissed from the team. Student-athlete may revert to Level 2 by repeated negative tests over a 12-month period and if the student-athlete successfully completes counseling or shows satisfactory progress as per the counselor. The Director of Athletics will be notified of all student-athletes who enter Level 3. Apart from drug testing, the Head Coach of each sport will have training rules and requirements which include prohibitions concerning the use of drugs. Individual team rules and sanctions may be more comprehensive and/or restrictive than those listed in the departmental policy. Each Head Coach will have the necessary authority to enforce these rules. A student-athlete whose system contains drug residues may not be capable of performing sports activities and may SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 9

10 Test Results Security It has been agreed by the President of the University and the Director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities that they will not be entitled to request information as to result of drug tests of any student-athlete, nor to use any information of evidence as to such test results, for any disciplinary purposes whatsoever. The Department of Athletics will make every effort to keep all such test results confidential, except to the limited extent otherwise provided above, and will oppose the disclosure thereof to any other person within or outside the University. NCAA Drug Testing All student-athletes may be tested by the NCAA at any time during the year and especially during championship competition. detract from team performance and/or be a hazard to himself/herself and others. Accordingly, Head Coaches may properly take positive drug test results into consideration along with any other indications of drug use, as a factor in determining whether, and to what extent, a particular student-athlete should be permitted to practice, workout, or compete. The Head Coach will confer with the Head Athletic Trainer and Director of Athletics in such cases. Individual Team Drug Screen There may be times that an entire team is tested. This may include but is not limited to the following reasons: Prior to post season competition. Suspected widespread use of/or association with banned substances by team members. Appeals Student-athletes who test positive will be entitled to a hearing with the Director of Athletics or his/her designee prior to the imposition of any sanction. Requests for such a hearing must be made within forty-eight (48) hours of notification of a positive test result. If the forty-eight hours would end on a weekend, the request must be made by noon on the next business day. Request must be in writing and received by the Director of Athletics. The student-athlete may have an advocate or other representative present if the student so desires. However, the student-athlete must present his or her own case and the advocate or other representative may only advise the student-athlete. If the student-athlete chooses to bring an attorney as his/her advocate or representative, the Director of Athletics may request the university general counsel to be present. The meeting should take place no more than seventy-two (72) business hours after the written request is received. The student-athlete or the other parties involved may request an extension of time to the Director of Athletics, who will consider whether to grant the extension upon a showing of good cause. These proceedings shall include an opportunity for the student-athlete to present evidence, as well as to review the results of the drug test. The proceedings shall be confidential. The decision by the Director of Athletics or his/her designee regarding the sanction to be imposed shall be final, other appeal processes of the University notwithstanding. A student-athlete who as a result of a drug test administered by the NCAA is found to have used a substance on the list of banned drug classes, shall be declared ineligible for further participation in postseason and regular-season competition during the time period ending one calendar year after the collection of the student-athlete s positive drug-test specimen. The student-athlete will also be charged with the loss of a minimum of the equivalent of one full season of competition in all sports. (see in the NCAA Manual) The student-athlete will remain ineligible until he/she tests negative and their eligibility is restored by the NCAA following the year long ban. Street Drugs. A student-athlete who, as a result of a drug test administered by the NCAA, is found to have used a substance in the banned drug class street drugs (in accordance with the testing methods authorized by the Executive Committee) shall be charged with the loss of competition during a minimum of 50 percent of a season in all sports (at least the first 50 percent of regular season contests or dates of competition in the season following the positive test) Alcohol Policy The SFA Athletic Department does not condone the illegal or otherwise irresponsible use of alcohol. It is the responsibility of every member of the university community to know the risks associated with alcohol use and abuse. This responsibility obligates studentathletes to know relevant university policies and federal, state and local laws and to conduct themselves in accordance with these laws and policies. This policy extends to the recruitment of prospective SFA student-athletes. Prospective student-athletes visiting campus and socializing with current students are expected to participate in all activities without the influence of alcohol. It should be understood that possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by individuals under the age of 21 is a violation of Texas state liquor laws. Likewise, it is illegal for anyone to supply alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21. The Athletic Department will issue a positive drug test result to any student-athlete upon conviction or plea of guilty to the following, or its equivalent: 1. Driving under the influence (DUI/DWI) or other motor vehicle violations involving alcohol or drugs 2. Public intoxication 3. Drunk and disorderly Other violations of law or university policy involving alcohol or drugs, including possession, will be reviewed by the Director of Athletics and may be grounds for a positive test result or suspension. Use of Tobacco The use of tobacco products is prohibited for all Athletic Department personnel (e.g. coaches, student-athletes, athletic trainers, managers) in all sports during practice, competition, travel and in any other capacity while officially representing SFA. NCAA bylaw prohibits the use of all tobacco products during competition. This includes any celebratory activity occurring at the end of a competition. The Director of Athletics or his/her designee will sanction those who violate this tobacco policy on a case-by-case basis. 7/ SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

11 NCAA DRUG TESTING Any student-athlete may be tested by the NCAA at any time during the year. If the NCAA test confirms that the student-athlete has used a banned drug (see in the NCAA Manual for a complete list of banned substances and practices), the NCAA declares the student-athlete ineligible for further participation in postseason and regular-season competition for one (1) calendar year following the positive test and until the student-athlete re-tests negative. Further, NCAA legislation specifies that student-athletes who test positive will lose at least one (1) season of competition or the equivalent of one (1) season during their period of ineligibility.. Street Drugs. A student-athlete who, as a result of a drug test administered by the NCAA, is found to have used a substance in the banned drug class street drugs (in accordance with the testing methods authorized by the Executive Committee) shall be charged with the loss of competition during a minimum of 50 percent of a season in all sports (at least the first 50 percent of regular season contests or dates of competition in the season following the positive test) HAZING As stated in the General Bulletin, Stephen F. Austin State University is unequivocally opposed to any activities, on or off campus, by individuals or organizations which endanger the mental or physical health or safety of a currently enrolled or prospective student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with or maintaining membership in any organization. Hazing, which is prohibited in any form at SFA, includes (but is not limited to) situations which would require any of the following: 1. Whipping, beating, striking, branding, or electronic shock; 2. Any activity that subjects the student to extreme mental or physical stress, such as sleep deprivation, confinement in a small space, extended isolation from social contact, or exposure to the elements; 3. Any activity involving the consumption of food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, drug or substance which would adversely affect the health of well-being of the individual; 4. Any activity that harasses, intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism, shame or humiliation; and or/ 5. Any activity that induces, cause or requires the student to violate the Penal Code. Organizations found to be encouraging or authorizing hazing will be subjected to both University and disciplinary sanctions and criminal prosecution. ACQUAINTANCE RAPE Because acquaintance rape, commonly called date rape is an increasingly serious concern nationwide, the Department publicly addresses such behavior with its student-athletes. All student-athletes are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which avoids any association with such a charge. Student-athletes should be advised to: 1. Understand the definition of rape; rape -noun a. the unlawful compelling of a person through physical force or duress to have sexual intercourse. b. any act of sexual intercourse that is forced upon a person. raped, rap ing -verb a. to force to have sexual intercourse. 2. Be conscious of the signals they transmit to others; 3. Be careful not to place themselves in situations that could be misunderstood or misread. 4. Respect and accept a negative response to their overtures (e.g., NO does not mean YES ); and 5. Avoid drinking or taking drugs at all times, but especially when on a date. AMATEURISM Only an amateur student-athlete is eligible for intercollegiate athletics in a particular sport. Member institutions athletics programs (like SFA) are designed to be an integral part of the educational program and the student-athlete is considered an integral part of the student body thus maintaining a clear line of demarcation between college athletics and professional sports. Definition of Student-Athlete - A student-athlete is a student whose enrollment was solicited by a member of the athletics staff or other representative of athletics interests with a view toward the student s ultimate participation in the intercollegiate athletics program. Any other student becomes a student-athlete only when the student reports for an intercollegiate squad that is under jurisdiction of the athletics department. A student is not deemed a student-athlete solely on the basis of prior high-school athletics participation. Amateur Status - An individual loses amateur status and thus shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition in a particular sport if the individual: a) Uses his/her athletics skill (directly or indirectly) for pay in any form in that sport; b) Accepts a promise of pay even if such pay is to be received following completion of intercollegiate athletics participation; c) Signs a contract or commitment of any kind to play professional athletics, regardless of its legal enforceability or any consideration received; d) Received, directly or indirectly, a salary, reimbursement of expenses or any other form of financial assistance from a professional sports organization based upon athletics skill or participation, except as permitted by NCAA rules and regulations; e) Competes on any professional athletics team and knows (or had reason to know) that the team is a professional athletics team, even if no pay or remuneration for expenses was received; or f) Enters into a professional draft agreement with an agent. DEPARTMENT TRANSFER RELEASE POLICY A student-athlete who wishes to transfer to another NCAA institution should follow these steps. First, notify your head coach that you desire to transfer and are requesting your release. If approved by the head coach, your Permission to Contact Letter will be prepared by the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Services upon notification by the head coach. If the head coach decides to deny your request for release, you may appeal his/her decision immediately to the Director of Athletics. If your request is still not granted, the Athletic Department will notify you in writing, that upon your request, a hearing opportunity will be arranged with Intercollegiate Athletic Council to render a final decision. This hearing will be conducted within 10 days of the request. In the event that the student-athlete is also seeking a One-Time Transfer Release Exception, the student-athlete at the time of transfer must have earned the NCAA Academic Progress Rate E-Point and have a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater. If the University denies his/her request, then the same appeals process as outlined above will be provided. You may appeal this decision immediately to the Director of Athletics. If your request is still not granted, the Athletic Department will notify you in writing, that upon your request, a hearing opportunity will be arranged with Intercollegiate Athletic Council to render a final decision. This hearing will be conducted within 10 days of the request. EXIT INTERVIEWS NCAA legislation requires, the institution s director of athletics, senior woman administrator or designated representative (excluding coaching staff members) shall conduct exit interviews in each sport with a sample of student-athletes (as determined by the institution) whose eligibility has expired. Interviews shall include questions regarding the value of the SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 11

12 students athletic experiences, the extent of the athletics time demands encountered by the student-athletes, proposed changes to intercollegiate athletics and concerns related to the administration of the student-athletes specific sports. Each year, student-athletes who have completed their eligibility, will be given the opportunity to respond to an Exit Interview questionnaire. Responses to the questionnaire are reviewed by the Chairman of the Intercollegiate Athletics Council before they are sent to the Director of Athletics. Students may request or may be requested for an individual meeting with the Chairman before they are sent to the Director of Athletics. Students may request or may be requested for an individual meeting with the Chairman of the Intercollegiate Athletics Council to discuss their responses. Completed questionnaires are kept confidential and not shared with any member of the coaching staff. STUDENT-ATHLETE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES The department of Athletics of Stephen F Austin State University is committed to resolving all complaints or grievances brought to its attention in the most equitable fashion possible for all persons concerned. It is the expectation of the Department that attempts be made to resolve any complaints or grievances via the informal procedures outlined below. However, if a satisfactory resolution of the problem proves impossible through the informal mechanism, formal grievance procedures may be employed. NOTE: If you have a complaint about a decision regarding your athletic grant-in-aid, the process for grieving that decision is set forth in the Scholarship Renewal/Non Renewal Process. INFORMAL PROCEDURES Any student-athlete with a complaint or grievance involving an athletic team, coach, department official, or policy should discuss and attempt to resolve the complaint or grievance with the person(s) involved. All persons involved in the process should make every attempt to resolve the problems as promptly as possible. In the event that a satisfactory resolution cannot be reached by the parties involved, the following actions may be taken by the grievant. 1. The grievant may consult informally and confidentially with a third party whom she/he feels comfortable. Among those who might serve as resources are coaches, faculty athletic representative, academic counselors, members of the Athletic Department administration, members of the Intercollegiate Athletic Council or other staff members. With the aid of that person, the grievant may attempt to identify other approaches to resolving the problem. After consultation, the grievant should make an additional attempt to resolve the problem with the person(s) involved. 2. If no satisfactory resolution of the complaint or grievance can be achieved, the grievant may request that the resource person call together the persons involved in an attempt to facilitate an informal resolution. 3. At the discretion of the Director of Athletics, the Director or his designee may schedule a meeting with the grievant in a final attempt to resolve the problem informally. The Director, or his designee, may also wish to contact the person(s) about whom the complaint is being lodged. 4. If a meeting among those involved is not feasible or if the parties are unable to resolve the complaint or grievance to their satisfaction, the grievant may use the formal grievance procedure. NOTE: The grievant is required to employ the informal procedure prior to taking formal action. FORMAL PROCEDURE Should the grievant wish to employ formal means to resolve a complaint or grievance, the following actions should be taken: 1. The grievant should notify the Director of Athletics of his/her grievance in writing, outlining the complaints, the persons involved and any other pertinent information. 2. The Director of Athletics or his designee should conduct a preliminary interview with the grievant. The Director, or his designee, may also wish to contact the person(s) about whom the complaint is being lodged. 3. The Director, or his designee, shall conduct a formal meeting involving the grievant, the person(s) about whom the complaint is made and any other relevant parties. Each party may also be accompanied by an advisor. 4. Within a reasonable time period after the formal meeting, the Athletic Director, or his designee, shall notify the grievant, in writing, of the decision. FORMAL APPEAL Should the grievant be unsatisfied with the decision of the Athletic Director, or his designee, and only if substantial new facts have been discovered that were unavailable at the time of the initial formal meeting, he or she may take the following steps: 1. Within 14 days after receipt of a written decision, the grievant should notify the Chairman of the Intercollegiate Athletic Council, in writing that he or she wishes to appeal the decision and notify the Chairman of substantial new facts which were unavailable at the time of the meeting. 2. After receiving the request for appeal, the Chairman or the Chairman s designee shall conduct a formal meeting to hear the appeal. Within a reasonable time period after the meeting, the Chairman shall notify the grievant, in writing, of the decision. The decision of the Chairman shall be final. SLC REGULATIONS ON UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT 7.04 Unsportsmanlike Conduct. Unsportsmanlike conduct shall subject the individual to disciplinary action. The member institution with which the offending individual is associated may also be subject to disciplinary action if it is found that the institution s policies, actions, or failure to act substantially contributed to the individual s misconduct Unsportsmanlike Conduct Defined. Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct shall include, but not be limited to the following: (a) any game participant who strikes or physically abuses(or attempts to strike or physically abuse) an official, coach, student-athlete, staff member or spectator: (b) any game participant who intentionally incites participants. or spectators to abusive or violent action: (c) any game participant who uses obscene gestures or profane,demean SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

13 ing, or unduly provocative language or actions towards game officials, teams, institutions, staff members or spectators; (d) any game participant who is publicly is critical of game officiating or any game official, the Conference or its personnel, another institution of its personnel; (e) any representative of a Conference Athletic program who engages in negative recruiting by making derogatory statements to a prospective student-athlete, parent, high school coach or other person interested in the prospective student-athlete, which are derogatory of another academic institution. The offending institution or its personnel, shall be subject to public reprimand for the first offense, and to a suspension of the privilege of recruiting for on season for additional offense; or (f) Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct not specifically prescribed. SLC PENALTY FOR EJECTION Minimum Penalty for Ejection: In Sports other than Football, Cross Country/Track &Field, and Women s Soccer. The minimum penalty for any coach, student-athlete or athletics staff member ejected from a Conference contest by an official shall be: First Offense: Written private reprimand from the Commissioner or his designee, unless aggravating circumstances require a more stringent penalty as determined by the Commissioner in consultation with institutional administration Second Offense: Suspension for at least the next Conference contest and public announcement through standard Conference channels. The penalty shall extend in to the next season of competition if necessary Subsequent Offense: Suspension for at least the next two Conference contests and public announcement through standard Conference channels. The penalty shall extend into the next season of competition if necessary Restriction from Playing Facility: An individual serving a suspension may not be in the playing facility for the time period beginning thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of the contest and ending thirty (30) minutes after the contest has concluded Statute of Limitations: An individual penalized for ejections from a Conference contest shall have his/her record expunged one calendar year from the date of the last offense provided that individual has no further offenses during that time period Minimum Penalty for Ejection from a Football Contest: Any coach, athlete, Athletic staff member ejected from a Conference contest in the sport of football shall be assessed a minimum penalty in accordance with NCAA Football rules. Additional penalties related to an ejection may be imposed by the commissioner in accordance with Bylaw Minimum Penalty for Ejection from a Conference Cross Country or Track and Field Competition: Cross Country and/or track and field athletes disqualified from Conference competition due to unsportsmanlike conduct shall be suspended from the next regular season non-ncaa Championship competition Minimum Penalty for Ejection from Conference Women s Soccer Competition: The NCAA Soccer Playing rules ejection policy which automatically suspends the ejected individual, coach or student-athlete, for the next competition will be in effect for Southland Conference competition. Each Conference head soccer coach shall receive a copy of correspondence, sent by the Conference office, related to the ejection of soccer student-athletes and/or coaches. TEAM TRAVEL The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to following all State of Texas, University, Southland Conference, and NCAA regulations related to transporting student-athletes to and from practice and competition sites. Since the team travel represents a major expense to the Department, individuals involved in making such arrangements must strive to negotiate terms which are in the best interest of the University and the Department. Moreover, when warranted by the size and costs of the traveling party, transportation and lodging arrangements are to be let out for bid according to University and State guidelines. All team travel arrangements for away contests are itemized, trip by trip, by the respective Head Coach during the budget formulation process. Coaches are then expected to remain within established budget limitations. Each sport s Head Coach or designated Assistant Coach, Athletic Trainer or Director of Operations coordinates team travel arrangements for all sports teams. In general, travel arrangements include: 1. Developing the team itinerary; 2. Completing travel authorization paperwork 3. Arranging for transportation, lodging and team meals; 4. Reporting all expenses and reconciling travel documents with appropriate documentation upon completion of travel. Each team s Head Coach is responsible for setting conduct standards (e.g., dress, conduct, curfews, free time activities, etc.) during trips. Each team should be accompanied by a member of the coaching staff. When this is impossible, an adult representative of the Department must be present. TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS FOR TEAM MEMBERS In general, all team members must travel to and from an away event with their teammates and must stay with them at assigned lodgings. However, exceptions may be made for separate travel arrangements for a studentathlete to return from an athletic event at the discretion of the Head Coach, with the approval of the Director of Athletics. SEPARATE STUDENT-ATHLETE TRAVEL For any student to travel separate from the team, he or she must submit a completed SFA Department of Athletics Request for Student-Athlete Travel Form. This form includes: event, date of travel, sport, name, names of traveling companions and the relationship to the student-athlete, signature of the student-athlete and signature of the Head Coach. Additionally, the form includes a liability waiver. The original is maintained on file with the department. The Head Coach retains a copy of the waiver and the original accompanies the student-athlete. This form releases the department and the university from any liability or risk involved in the alternate travel plans. The completed request must be submitted to and approved by the Head Coach no later than forty eight hours prior to the athletic contest listed on the form. Circumstances calling for separate travel are typically one of the following: A student-athlete traveling at a different time because of academic commitments or competitive uniqueness, or A student-athlete wishing to spend time with parents/guardians SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 13

14 TRAVEL ITINERARIES Travel Itineraries are developed by the Head Athletic Trainer for football, by Assistant Athletic Trainers for men s and women s basketball and by the Head Coach for all other sports. All itineraries are made in compliance with NCAA rules and regulations. Each itinerary must include the following information: 1. Official travel party list; 2. Departure date and time; 3. Mode of transportation and name of carrier (e.g., airline, bus, charter company, etc.); 4. Lodging accommodations; 5. Telephone contact number at destination; and 6. Anticipated time of return to campus. Copies of the itinerary are distributed to the Director of Athletics, Assistant Athletic Director for Business Affairs and the Sports Information Office, who in turn may distribute the itinerary to other appropriate staff members. TRAVEL ACCOMMODATIONS All expenses incurred by a sports team when traveling must be within budgetary constraints and Departmental, State, Southland Conference, and NCAA guidelines. Student-athletes, with prior approval to travel separately, may be reimbursed for expenses that are within NCAA rules and regulations. The department may provide transportation expenses for a student-athlete to travel from campus to the site of a regular season contest and back to campus during the vacation period, even if the student-athlete does not travel with the team, provided the student athlete pays the difference in cost associated with traveling to another site. Regardless of route, the student-athlete must leave the event site within 48 hours of the conclusion of the event. Additional information on this policy and other permissible student athlete travel expenses is detailed in NCAA bylaw 16, permissible awards, benefits and expenses for enrolled student-athletes, in the NCAA manual. Note: Student-athletes cannot accept free or discounted air fare for personal use (per NCAA regulations). This rule includes the offer of a free ticket when an overbooking occurs and a student-athlete volunteers to miss a scheduled flight. OFFICIAL TRAVEL PARTY Prior to the travel date, an official travel party list must be approved by the Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Affairs or Director of Athletics. Only persons with their names on the list may travel with the team. Only student-athletes who are eligible and have been officially certified by the University to compete as per Southland Conference and NCAA regulations may be allowed to travel. In addition, while injured, an eligible student-athlete whose development might be enhanced through team travel may be allowed to travel on occasions approved by the Director of Athletics. However, injured team members may not be included in the travel party if travel requires an overnight stay or missed class time. Factors taken into consideration are NCAA regulations, budget duties and role performed by student-athlete during injury. For all away games, schedules must be provided to the Athletic Business Office. Further, a listing by name and category must be submitted for each individual for whom travel expenses are provided. For charter flights, the department must provide a flight manifest identifying by name and category each passenger on the charter. The NCAA allows the University to provide travel expenses to the spouse of a student-athlete to accompany the player to a certified post season football game, provided the student-athlete is certified eligible to participate. The use of Departmental funds for a student-athletes spouse is subject to the prior approval of the Director of Athletics. TRANSPORTATION The mode of transportation for team travel is selected by the Head Coach. When choosing transportation, the following factors are considered: 1. Safety; 2. Expense; 3. Availability; 4. Distance; and 5. Number of travel days. University Motor Pool vehicles (i.e., autos, vans, etc) are used whenever feasible. Otherwise, charter busses are used when distance and time allow. Commercial and/or charter airline transportation is primarily reserved for traveling long distances or for minimizing the number of class and study days missed. MEALS AND LODGING Student-athletes are required to sign for the receipt of per diem funds if these amounts are provided to the student-athlete in lieu of meals. Cash allowances are not to exceed $36 per day ($ 6.00 for breakfast, $12.00 for lunch, $18.00 for dinner). Athletic Trainers or Head Coaches may arrange for sit down meals for the team (e.g., pre game meals) in lieu of giving a meal allowance. The maximum allowable for meals and lodging for the team traveling unit is not to exceed: In State Travel: $115 per person per day. Out of State Travel: Not to exceed the locality based allowance for that location as established in the Federal Travel Regulations Guide. Localities not listed in the Federal Guide will have allowable based on the lowest flat rate established in that state. Student-athletes will be assigned rooms where each has his or her own bed, but could exceed double-occupancy because of the room setup. Student-athletes should be advised that all unapproved, in-room charges (i.e., pay per view movies, long distance phone calls, laundry, etc.) are to be their personal responsibility. Any approved miscellaneous expenses for student-athletes are to be substantiated with a valid receipt or detailed explanation and submitted to the Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Affairs. MISSED CLASS DAYS No more than nine (9) Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday and six (6) Tuesday/ Thursday class days may be missed by any student-athlete during regular season competition in any one semester. Missed class days can be the result of competition or the travel related to such competition. If a team departs campus before 11:00 am, then that is to be considered a Missed Class Day. Head Coaches are requested to carefully consider missed class days when scheduling travel departures and returns in order to minimize missed class days. Coaches must submit a Missed Class Day Declaration form each semester to the Director of Athletics for approval SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

15 TRANSPORTATION TO LOCAL PRACTICE FIELDS AND FACILITIES Departmental and University Motor Pool vehicles may be used to transport sports teams to SFA practice fields and facilities which are not within walking distance of the locker rooms. Only authorized individuals whose drivers licenses have been cleared by the SFA Transportation Department may drive Departmental or University Motor Pool Vehicles to and from the practice site for these purposes. OCCASIONAL MEAL POLICY A student-athlete or the entire team in a sport may receive an occasional meal in the locale of the institution on infrequent and special occasions from an institutional staff member. An institutional staff member may provide reasonable local transportation to studentathletes to attend such meals. A student-athlete may receive an occasional family home meal from a representative of athletics interests on infrequent and special occasions under the following conditions: (a) The meal must be provided in an individual s home (as opposed to a restaurant) and may be catered; and (b) A representative of the institution s athletics interests may provide reasonable local transportation to student-athletes to attend the meal function only if the meal function is at the home of that representative. For purposes of this legislation, SFA Athletic Department Policy defines infrequent and special occasions as twice each month during the period of September through April and once each month the period of May through August. Staff members can be reimbursed for the costs associated with meals for student-athletes, athletic training students and managers that attend these meals. Staff members and their families are not reimbursable. Staff members are required to submit a completed Occasional Meal Report to the Assistant Athletic Director to Internal Affairs in those instances when a representative of athletics interests is providing a meal, or when they are requesting reimbursement from that sports discretionary account. Departmental operating accounts cannot be used for reimbursement. FOUR-YEAR LETTERWINNER RING/ SENIOR PLAQUE Student-Athletes who complete four-years of competition and meet the lettering requirements in their sport each of those seasons will receive a Four-Year Letterwinner s Ring after their final season of competition. Each senior, following the completion of their final season of competition will receive a senior plaque as a memento of their athletic career at SFA Stephen F. Austin State University Non-discrimination Statement Stephen F. Austin State University strives to provide an educational and work environment that affirms the rights and dignity of each individual. It is the policy of the university, in accordance with federal and state law, to prohibit unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship, and veteran status. Unlawful discrimination based on sex includes discrimination defined as sexual harassment. The university s Discrimination Complaints/Sexual Harassment policy (E-46) outlines SFA s commitment and details the procedures used to investigate complaints. Discrimination complaints and/or questions concerning university discrimination complaint procedures may be directed to any of the following designated officials: Senior Woman Administrator, SFA Athletics...(936) Dean of Student Affairs...(936) Director of Human Resources...(936) Concussion Assessment, Management, and Return-to-Play Guidelines Policy and procedures on neurocognitive baseline testing and subsequent assessment and management of concussions as well as return to play guidelines has been developed in accordance with the Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Sports Medicine s Mission Statement utilizing NCAA s framework guidelines to provide quality healthcare services and assure the well-being of each student-athlete. The Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Sports Medicine recognizes that sport induced concussions pose a significant health risk. Baseline neurocognitive testing pre and post injury will provide significant data for return to competition decisions. This baseline data along with physical examination, and/or further diagnostic testing will be used in conjunction in determining when it is safe for a student-athlete to return to competition. Concussion Definition A concussion is a brain injury that is caused by a traumatic force to the head or another part of the body. This injury can occur in any sport (or other activity ie; car accident or fall) and presents itself uniquely in each individual. A concussion can occur even if a person does not lose consciousness. Signs and Symptoms of Concussion Certified athletic trainers, athletic training students, and coaches should be aware of the signs and symptoms of concussion to properly recognize and intervene. Recognition of any of the following signs/symptoms should be reported immediately. CONCUSSION SIGNS WHAT THE MEDICAL PERSONNEL CAN OBSERVE Appears dazed Confused about play Moves clumsily Answers question slowly Personality change Forgets plays prior to hit Retrograde amnesia Forgets plays after hit Anterograde amnesia Loses Consciousness CONCUSSION SYMPTOMS WHAT THE STUDENT-ATHLETE DESCRIBES Headache Nausea Dizziness Balance problems Visual changes Photosensitivity Feeling sluggish Feeling foggy Cognitive changes If an athlete has sustained a concussion, those involved in his/ her care must be aware of the warning signs and symptoms of postconcussion syndrome as listed below. Immediate medical care is required if symptoms progress rapidly. Loss of intellectual capacity Lack of concentration Sleep disturbances Poor recent memory Poor attention Depressed mood Personality changes Fatigue/irritability Anxiety Headaches Phono/photophobia Twitching/seizures Dizziness Nausea/vomiting Balance issues Fluid/blood from nose/ears Loss of consciousness Weak/numb extremities Concussion Management and Return to Play Guidelines In any circumstance where a concussion is suspected in an SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 15

16 athlete, the first priority is to remove the athlete from further competition until a thorough sideline assessment can be made. Furthermore, if there is a question about the state of mental clearing it is best to err in the direction of conservative assessment and withhold the athlete from further competition until a physician assessment can be arranged. The following are general guidelines based on the recommendations of the NCAA and National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) to be followed by all certified athletic trainers (ATC) and team physicians when treating student-athletes with concussion like symptoms. Pre-Season Education Student-athletes will be provided educational material regarding concussions and will be required to sign an Assumption of Risk form in which the student-athlete accepts the responsibility for reporting their injuries and illnesses to the institutional medical staff, including signs and symptoms of concussion. All educational materials will also be disseminated to coaches, parents, team physicians, athletic trainers, and the Athletic Director. Pre participation Assessments Stephen F. Austin State University sports medicine staff will record the following baselines: Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT)(Pre and post injury assessment that evaluates symptom status and cognitive function) and X2 Biosystems ICE (mental status & neurological function, BESS balance, Symptom checklist which is SCAT 3 compliant) on each student-athlete prior the first practice. The same assessment tools will be used post-injury at appropriate time intervals. A measure of cognitive function will be performed within hours withstanding elevated symptoms where testing would be postponed. Recognition and Diagnosis of Concussion. - ImPACT and X2 Biosystems ICE will be used post-injury at appropriate time intervals. A measure of cognitive function will be performed within hours withstanding elevated symptoms where testing would be postponed. - At the time of injury or once the injury has been reported, the medical staff will document all information pertinent to the concussive event including: 1) mechanism of injury, 2) initial signs and symptoms, 3) state of consciousness. - Reporting of concussion-like symptoms can be done in a variety of ways; injured player to medical staff, injured player to coach, injured player to peer, etc. It is the opinion of Stephen F. Austin State University that coaches, student-athletes, and medical staff all have a responsibility in reporting injuries and assisting in maintaining the health and safety for all who participate in intercollegiate athletics. - At the time of injury, the medical staff will monitor vital signs and level of consciousness after the concussion until the athlete s condition improves or further medical treatment is necessary. - A student-athlete will be disqualified from competition activity on the day of injury if he/she is evaluated and diagnosed with concussionlike symptoms. - A student-athlete with a concussion will be referred to a physician or emergency room on the day of injury if he/she: 1) loses consciousness for an extended period of time, 2) experiences increased symptoms, 3) experiences persistent decreased sensory or motor function. Post-Concussion Management - A student-athlete with a concussion who has increased number of post-concussion symptoms, symptoms worsen over time or symptoms interfere with the athlete s daily activities will be referred to a team physician or specialist with concussion management experience. - Once removed from participation and sent to his/her local residence, the medical staff will give the student-athlete a Home Care Instruction sheet. This sheet outlines care of a concussion and requires the signatures of the student-athlete, observer (person designated to stay with the student-athlete), and medical staff. - A student-athlete s parent or guardian will be notified by a member of the medical staff after a concussive episode has occurred. A student-athlete with a history of concussions will be treated more conservatively; the severity of the concussion may require the athlete to be referred to a team physician or specialist with concussion management experience. Return to Learn. - Student athletes may be returned to classroom activities after a reasonable reduction of symptoms at the discretion of the medical staff. - If necessary, academic accommodations may be requested by the medical staff. Student-athletes should not return to classes while grossly symptomatic. Proper documentation will accompany the injured student-athlete to present to his/her instructors. - A student-athlete should not attend practice or team meetings if they are not actively engaged in academic activity and classroom attendance nor should they be allowed to attend games or travel with their team to away contests. - A student athletes level of symptoms will be assessed by the medical staff to determined observation of practice or attend team meetings. Return to Play - A 5 step graduated protocol has been established by the medical staff for return to play (RTP) in athletes who sustain concussion. There should be at least one day (24 hrs) between each RTP progression / phase. If there is any return of symptoms during the RTP progression process the student athlete will return to the previous stage a. RTP 0- NO GO. Student-athlete continues to report concussion like symptoms. All athletes in the level should focus on rest and having minimal cognitive stimulus. No class or athletic participation. b. RTP-1- Light Exertional Activities. The student-athlete will begin an exertional progression program starting with light aerobic exercises.. They may also return to meetings. c. RTP 2- Moderate Exertional Activities. The student athlete will advance to moderate exertional activities and weight training. d. RTP 3- Heavy Exertion and Non-Contact Practice. The studentathlete may participate in non-contact practice. e. RTP-4 -Contact Practice. The student-athlete may participate in contact practice. f. RTP 5- Full Go- Released to full participation. Full return to play will only be possible if the student-athlete remains symptom free and has a return to pre injury baseline scores on ImPACT and X2 Biosystems ICE testing.. Final determination will be made by a team physician following direct consultation and evaluation. - Proper documentation will be kept on file regarding concussive episodes, testing, physician notes, and return to play criteria. - As with all injuries, but especially with concussed athletes, all decisions about diagnosis, management, and return to play will be at the discretion of the treating physician SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

17 Student-Athletes: Medical Policy The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics maintains a comprehensive sports medicine and athletic training program to ensure quality health care for its student-athletes. More specifically, the Athletic Training staff is responsible for the prevention, clinical evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and reconditioning of injuries or illnesses sustained as a result of participation in scheduled practices, competitions, or during travel to and from these events. Maintaining adequate health care is a shared responsibility between the Athletic Training staff, the Head Coaches and student-athletes. The Team Physician has absolute authority in determining the physical fitness of each student-athlete, to include deciding whether an ill or injured student-athlete may participate in practice or competition. Coaches must abide by and/or implement the instructions given by the Athletic Training staff and abide by medical disqualifications and restrictions. Student-athletes must immediately report any injury incurred during a scheduled practice or athletic event to a member of the Athletic Training staff. Athletic Training Staff The SFA Athletic Training staff consists of the Team Physician, the Head Athletic Trainer, Assistant Athletic Trainers, Graduate Assistants and Athletic Training Students in consultation with orthopedic consultants and other medical specialists, as required. The Head Athletic Trainer in consultation with the Team Physician, is responsible for ensuring that student-athletes receive proper treatment for athletically-related illnesses or injuries. All members of the Department involved in training, conditioning, coaching or supervision of students participating in University-sponsored intercollegiate athletic events are fully responsible to the Head Athletic Trainer with respect to matters pertaining to health and/or injuries. All members of the Athletic Training staff will abide by all the rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA), the Southland Conference (SLC), and State of Texas laws. Operation and Use of Athletic Training Room Facilities Athletic Training Room hours of operations begin no later than 8:00 a.m. and remain open until the last in-season sport is finished for the day on a Monday through Friday basis. Hours of operation are extended when additional coverage is necessary for scheduled events or practices especially on Saturdays, Sundays, or holiday breaks. Coverage for usual practice sessions or events must be scheduled by the Head Coach at least one week prior to the event. The Head Athletic Trainer coordinates this coverage. The Head Athletic Trainer is responsible for the operation and supervision of the Athletic Training Room. Student-athletes are not allowed in the Athletic Training Room without supervision. All therapeutic modalities are administered by a member of the Athletic Training staff because of the potential danger involved. When the Athletic Training Room is not in use, it is to be locked at all times. Student-athletes receiving therapy are supervised at all times; under no circumstances is a patient receiving treatment left unattended. The Athletic Training Room is strictly for the use of those individuals involved in the intercollegiate athletics program; however, the facility is available to visiting teams on an as-needed courtesy basis. Care Providers and Referrals Only medical expenses related to athletic injuries that occur as a direct result of participation in the student-athlete s designated intercollegiate sport are covered. Participation includes voluntary physical activities that prepare the student-athlete for participation, as well as supervised pre-season conditioning, organized practice attended by a member of the coaching staff, or a Department sponsored game, meet or match. (The Department is not responsible for medical expenses incurred when a student-athlete is injured in a non-athletic event, such as playing a recreational sport with friends.) The Head Athletic Trainer or designate, evaluates all athletic injuries and refers student-athletes to specialists, when appropriate. All referrals for off-campus medical care must be authorized in advance by the Head Athletic Trainer. A Department of Athletics Injury Referral Form (see Appendix 506A-1) must be completed by the Head Athletic Trainer, Assistant Athletic Trainer, or the Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer prior to consultation and accompany the athlete receiving treatment from an outside physician or specialist. For all illness (night or day), the student-athlete should immediately report to the Head Athletic Trainer, Assistant Athletic Trainer, or Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer. Once seen, the Athletic Trainer decides if further medical attention is appropriate and arranges for an appointment with an appropriate physician as soon as possible. The student-athlete is responsible for reporting to the Head Athletic Trainer the physician s diagnosis, all drugs or special instructions required, and the advisability of returning to practice or competition. Medical Examinations All student-athletes participating in an intercollegiate sports program are required to undergo a comprehensive physical examination prior to any participation in practice or competition. All new student-athletes are required to complete the Medical History form and are given a complete physical examination under the supervision of the Head Athletic Trainer. Thereafter, student-athletes are required to complete an annual health history update, with physical examination or specialty consultation performed only on those areas of the body where a change has occurred from the time of the initial examination. (See Appendix 506A-8 for Annual Health Information and Re-Examination forms.) Head Coaches are responsible for submitting completed team rosters to the Head Athletic Trainer each spring with updates and additions provided a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the first day of the fall semester. The Assistant Athletic Trainer(s) or a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer is responsible for setting up physical exam appointments and returning the team roster with appointment times and place indicated. Physical exam priorities are established according to official practice starting dates, and are set by the Team Physician and Head Athletic Trainer. Physicals are completed at the University Health Center. A member of the Athletic Training staff is on hand during the course of all physical examinations to observe the procedures and policies of the attending physician and to assist the physician at his/her discretion. It is the responsibility of the Athletic Training staff to ensure that each student-athlete has completed his/her physical examination before providing written notification for the issuance of athletic equipment. Each physical examination focuses on the following areas of concern: 1. Evaluation of Sports Health History Evaluation Form (first year student-athletes); 2. Evaluation of existing medical records; 3. Orthopedic Checks; 4. Sight; 5. Blood analysis to include sickle cell solubility test (no drug screening); and 6. Personal and mental evaluation (at physician s discretion). 7. Baseline neurocognitve tests. Walk-on Student-Athletes Physical Examinations Walk-on athletes trying-out for a team are required to show proof of medical insurance and to sign a waiver of responsibility as part of Appendix 506A-8. If selected for participation in a sport, the student-athlete must complete the required Medical History form, and participate in a complete physical examination. It is the responsibility of the Head Coach, or designate, of each sport to ensure that the physical exam has been completed prior to tryouts, practice or participation SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 17

18 All first-time, walk-on student-athletes are responsible for securing their own athletic physicals and are responsible for any costs incurred. Most physicals can be administered by the student health center on campus. Appropriate forms for the examination are to be obtained from the Head Athletic Trainer. Walk-on student-athletes who have appeared on a team roster for one complete season, are considered as team members for the purpose of physical exams only and may receive subsequent physical exams and post-eligibility exams at no cost. Sickle Cell Testing NCAA legislation effective August 1, 2010, requires institutions, as part of the required medical examination, to include a sickle cell solubility test. All SFA student-athletes who are beginning their initial year of eligibility and student-athletes trying out for a team, including transfers will be tested. All student who have a positive screening will have further testing completed to determine exact sickle cell diagnosis. Costs associated for this test will be provided, if needed, for scholarship athletes. Students wishing to walk-on or tryout for a team will be required to pay all costs associated with this test. SFA athletics will accept official documentation from previous testing for this requirement. This could be from previous institutions, labs, or other medical records that provide sickle cell results. Test results are required for all students before they are permitted to practice or compete. Post Eligibility Examinations All student-athletes are given an exit physical examination upon the completion of their eligibility. The examination is designed to ascertain the physical health and well-being of each student-athlete and to release the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics from any responsibility for injuries sustained by the athlete in competitions other than intercollegiate sports sanctioned by the Department. Medical Records A medical record file is created at the time a student-athlete joins the intercollegiate athletics program and completes the initial physical examination. Complete medical records for all student-athletes participating in the intercollegiate athletics program are accurately maintained and up-dated during the time a student-athlete is competing for SFA. All records are kept on-file for a period of seven (7) years following competition. The medical file contains the appropriate insurance information, medical histories, authorizations, understandings and agreements between the University and the student-athlete and his/her parents or legal guardians, as well as history of athletically related injuries and illnesses, and any treatments rendered. Additionally, the Athletic Training staff maintains complete records of all encounters, medical referrals, medication records, exams, injuries, and other information pertinent to the student-athlete s medical history. A Daily Treatment Report is maintained in the Athletic Training Room by the Athletic Training staff which reflects all treatments provided on a given day, treatment appointments and medication. The reports are furnished on a daily basis to the appropriate Head Coach. Coverage for Scheduled Practices and Events The Athletic Training staff is initially responsible for treating any injury or illness sustained as a result of athletic participation in scheduled practices and games, or during travel to and from those events. For low risk sports, such coverage may be provided by the Athletic Training staff member who is on call or on duty in the Training Room. For high-risk sports, coverage is provided at the site of the practice or competition. Physician coverage is provided as needed. All Head Coaches and their assistants are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the Department s medical policies. Coaches should be equipped to handle emergency situations in the absence of a member of the Athletic Training staff. Per NCAA legislation all coaches and strength and conditioning staff members will maintain proper first aid, CPR, and AED certifications. Such knowledge is not only vital to the welfare of the student-athlete, but is important in preventing charges of neglect or misconduct from being filed against the coach in charge. Athletic Training coverage for weight room activity is not mandatory. Preventative Care The Athletic Training staff is responsible for not only providing medical care to injured student-athletes, but also preventing injury by identifying risk factors associated with athletic participation, and educating coaches and student-athletes on preventive safety techniques. Additionally, all coaches should be able to recognize the onset of fatigue, dehydration and heat exhaustion and notify a member of the Athletic Training staff when such an event occurs. It is the responsibility of the coaches, as well as the Head Athletic Trainer and Equipment Manager to make sure that all athletic equipment is in good working order and inspected on a regular basis. Coaches must ensure that each student-athlete is wearing appropriate, properly fitted athletic equipment. When there are adverse climate conditions, extreme care is used to maintain the proper balance of electrolytes. The Athletic Training staff works with the Director of Wellness Center to provide dietary counseling to student-athletes. More specifically, every effort is made to provide an adequate number of calories and proper nutrition to student-athletes who are actively participating. Student-athletes needing help with weight control may be referred by the Athletic Training staff to a physician or nutritionist/dietician for evaluation and nutritional consulting. Treatment of Illness or Injury All injuries, including dental injuries, and illnesses are to be reported immediately to a member of the Athletic Training staff for emergency first aid and evaluation. If necessary, the student-athlete is referred to the Team Physician for medical diagnosis and prescribed treatment. The Head Athletic Trainer may refer the athlete to orthopedic consultants or other specialists. The Athletic Training staff provides prophylactic taping, bracing and padding for injured parts, as well as stretching and strengthening exercises for specific injuries. In addition, rehabilitative therapy (strengthening and range of motion exercises and/or treatment with appropriate modalities) is provided by the Athletic Training staff under the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine or Team Physician s supervision. It is the student-athlete s responsibility to follow recommended Athletic Training Room procedures related to the care of any athletic injury. Failure to do so may result in an unnecessary, lengthy rehabilitation and a prolonged absence from participation in the sport. The Athletic Training staff monitors the progress of all studentathletes during treatment in the Athletic Training Room and keeps complete and accurate records on the progress of student-athletes during the treatment period. Required diagnostic tests for injured student-athletes and transportation to medical testing facilities is also coordinated by the Head Athletic Trainer when required. When surgery or hospitalization of a student-athlete who is a minor is recommended, the Head Athletic Trainer contacts the studentathlete s parents or guardians to inform them of their son s/daughter s diagnosis, prognosis and current health status. Contact must be made with parents or guardians prior to the scheduling of surgery. The student-athletes and his/her parents should be informed of the right to a second opinion when surgery is recommended SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

19 Athletes injured on an away trip should be returned to SFA, if possible. If a member of the Athletic Training staff is not traveling with the team, the coach is responsible for obtaining the assistance of the host school s team physician or certified athletic trainer. Every effort should be made to contact the parents or guardian of a dependent student-athlete prior to hospitalization or surgery, to inform them of the injury. In emergency situations, immediate medical care should be obtained. If a member of the Athletic Training staff is not present on the trip, the Athletic Training staff must be notified concerning the injury. Dental Care Mouthpieces can be fitted for those student-athletes participating in contact sports. If the mouthpiece is not worn or has been lost, the Department is not responsible for dental charges. The Department assumes financial responsibility for dental care which is a direct result of an athletic injury sustained in formal practice or competition in the student-athlete s designated sport. Student-athletes are to immediately (i.e., within 24 hours) report all dental injuries to a member of the Athletic Training staff. The Department will not pay for general dental treatment (e.g., cleaning of teeth or treatment of cavities). Eye Care Eye exams are performed as part of the annual physical exam. If eye problems are discovered, the student-athlete is referred by the Head Athletic Trainer to an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The Department assumes financial responsibility only for eye injuries sustained in training, scheduled practices and competitions in the student-athlete s designated sport. Eligibility for Medical Hardship A Head Coach may initiate the request for medical hardship waiver for a player who is ill or was injured during the first half of the sport s traditional playing season and can no longer participate in his/her sport s program for the season in which the injury or illness occured. Additionally, the student-athlete may not have participated in more than 30% of scheduled competition in his/her sport. The Head Athletic Trainer and/or Team Physician, under the direction of the Director of Athletics, reviews the student-athlete s medical records to determine if the medical hardship waiver option applies. If the Head Athletic Trainer or appropriate consultant agrees that the student-athlete should be granted a medical hardship waiver, a Southland Conference Hardship Waiver Petition (see Appendix 506A- 9) must be completed. This petition must also include the following: The date of the injury or illness; An anatomical diagnosis of the injury or illness; The treatment prescribed; and The medical reasons from the treating physician why the student-athlete could not play. Additionally, a published schedule of events, participated in by the student-athlete should be included. The petition must be signed by the Head Athletic Trainer, Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and the Director of Athletics before being forwarded to the Southland Conference Office for the approval of the Commissioner. Medical Expense and Insurance Coverage Medical expenses incurred as a direct result of participation in organized practice or competition at SFA is considered the responsibility of the Department. All student-athletes are required to complete and return the Medical Coverage for Athletes Policy (see Appendix 506A- 10) to the Athletic Training Room prior to the issuance of equipment for practice. Student-athletes who are on athletic scholarship and not covered by family or individual policies are encouraged to purchase insurance. All non-scholarship student-athletes are required to present valid proof of health insurance prior to participation. The student-athlete s own insurance policy is used in all instances to cover expenses related to any athletically related injury. If the insurance does not cover an athletically related injury or does not fully cover the charges, the Department, as secondary insurer, is responsible for the balance. Parents are notified by the Head Athletic Trainer or designate. Unauthorized, outside medical expenses are considered to be the responsibility of the student-athlete. In an effort to expedite medical care, student-athletes are encouraged to designate a primary care physician (PCP) located in the Nacogdoches area. This will assist with the referral process that most insurance companies require. All HMO, Medicaid, and other out of network insurance must have prior approval before participation. Primary Health Insurance Medical Billing To help offset the increasing costs of providing quality health care coverage for student-athletes, the Athletic Department will bill student-athlete s primary health insurance for treatments and rehabilitation services provided by certified Athletic Training staff for all lost time injuries. All treatments and rehabs provided to studentathletes will follow the injury treatment protocols ordered by and overseen by the team physicians. At no time will student-athletes, parents or guardians be billed for any medical services provided by the Athletic Training staff. Billing will only go to their primary health insurer. The primary health insurance company will be contacted for precertification before any billing will take place. When charges are submitted for treatments and rehabs, student-athletes or parents will receive an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) form from their insurance company detailing any charges, discounts, and payments made. The EOB is not a bill only a statement of activity on the primary health insurance policy. At no time will the policy holder be responsible for any remaining balance owed for treatments or rehab provided by the Athletic Training staff. Post-Eligibility Insurance Coverage The University realizes that certain injuries which are the direct result of intercollegiate athletics participation may require additional medical attention after a student-athlete has exhausted his or her eligibility. Therefore, secondary insurance coverage is provided for up to two (2) years from the date of injury. This coverage is dependent upon documentation of injury, reasonable adherence to medical advice during rehabilitation and no further evidence of post-competition re-injury. Each case is individually reviewed for strict adherence to these guidelines. Arrangements for the continuing care of a student-athlete with an athletically related injury are to be made before he/she leaves the University, either as a result of withdrawal or graduation. If prior arrangements for short or long-term care are not made, the University is released from all responsibility. NCAA Catastrophic Injury Policy The Department, through its NCAA membership, provides coverage for all student-athletes, student coaches, student managers, student trainers, and student cheerleaders against catastrophic injury while representing Stephen F. Austin State University during qualifying intercollegiate athletics play or practice, or during travel related to these activities. Special catastrophic injury medical insurance provides payment for serious injuries up to $20 million in lifetime benefits. The Department assumes no legal liability or moral responsibility for injury to a student-athlete that was not caused by the negligent acts or omissions of an officer, employee, or agent of the Department. Claims by third parties for damages as a result of injury to a student-athlete are investigated in the same manner as any other liability claim against the University. Distribution of Drugs and Medication The Department recognizes its responsibility related to controlling the purchase, storage and dispensing of prescription drugs, both narcotic and non-narcotic, as well as the keeping of records related to these activities. All of these activities must be in keeping with state and SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 19

20 federal laws, as well as Athletic Training Room procedures, and they must be carried out in such a manner as to provide proper security. All prescription medications stocked in the Athletic Training Room are labeled and pre-dispensed. The medications are distributed by written prescription from the Team Physician or referral physicians or dentists. Medications unavailable in the Athletic Training Room are referred by written prescription to a designated pharmacy in the community. Non-prescription medications are distributed by the Athletic Training staff following established Athletic Training Room protocol. No other Department personnel are allowed to distribute medications to student-athletes. The Department pays only for medications prescribed by the Team Physician and referral physicians and dentists. Lightning Policy SFA Athletics will follow NCAA guidelines regarding lightning safety. SFA athletic trainers and athletic administration will coordinate decisions regarding removal of student-athletes from practice or competition. SFA athletics utilizes a weather tracking software that tracks storms lightning. In the event lightning occurs within a six mile radius all participation will cease. A 30 minute removal from participation is required after the most recent lightning strike within the six mile radius. Each new lightning strike resets the 30 minute clock. During lightning stoppage all student-athletes, coaches, staff-members, and spectators are encouraged to relocate to the nearest safe area. Medical Personnel The SFA Sports Medicine network is composed of the following personnel: Certified Athletic Trainers Medical Director / Team Physician (Orthopedic Surgeon) Neurosurgeon General Practitioner Physicians (SFA Student Health) Family Physicians Dentistry Chiropractor Nutritionist Neuropsychologist Cardiologist Athletic Training Students Athletic Pregnancy Policy The enclosed is for your protection and for the protection of your unborn child, should pregnancy occur. SFA Athletics cannot force you to inform the medical staff or your coaches that you have become pregnant; but, hopefully you will do what is in the best interest of you and your unborn child and inform the medical staff and coaching staff to help protect the health of both of you. The sports medicine department will honor the student athletes request for confidentially, until such time it is medically necessary to withhold the student athlete from participation. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Guidelines for Exercise During Pregnancy NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook Guideline 2Q If a Pregnancy is suspected: Once the athlete suspects that she is pregnant and she should contact her athletic trainer, coach or athletic department personnel because diagnostic testing must be done to confirm or rule out a pregnancy. If the athlete believes that she is pregnant or the athletic trainer believes that the athlete is pregnant due to signs and symptoms, the athlete needs to complete a pregnancy test at a medical facility. This testing can be performed at the SFA Student Health Center or an OBGYN physician s office of her choosing. The athlete will need to consent to a release of information from the Student Health Center so that results can be given to the athletic trainer and team physician. Pregnant student-athletes will never be forced to terminate a pregnancy because of financial or psychological pressure, or for fear of losing their institutional grant-in-aid. NCAA Bylaw specifies that institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability may not be reduced or cancelled during the period of its award because of injury, illness, or physical or mental medical condition. All medical costs due to pregnancy incurred by the student-athlete will be the financial responsibility of the student-athlete and NOT the Athletic Department. A confirmed pregnancy will need to complete the following steps: A gynecological exam and determination must be made as to the stage of the pregnancy. This information must be given to the Team Physician so that a determination can be made of the athlete s ability to continue participation in their sport. Documentation of this exam will be submitted to Head Athletic Trainer and the assigned sport s Athletic Trainer. An athlete with a confirmed pregnancy will be encouraged to inform her coach. If the athlete declines to allow information to be released to her coach, any withholding from practice will be explained as an undisclosed medical condition. The team physician will direct the future course of action in relation to the athlete s participation in sports activity. Pregnancy is not an automatic disqualifier for participation but proper medical documentation is required before any participation in athletics can continue.. In the event of spontaneous miscarriage their OBGYN physician and team physician will review the case and make a return to activity decision. Athletes participating in athletics during pregnancy can be medically disqualified by their OBGYN physician and team physician due to the risk that sport participation may cause to both the unborn child and the athlete. If an Athlete with a confirmed pregnancy is granted permission to continue sports participation from their OBGYN physician and team physician, she will be asked to sign the Participation by Pregnant Student-Athlete Wavier, which outlines the risks, limitations, and the allowable activities associated with continued sports activity. Athletes with pregnancies that do not reach full-term will be evaluated and must be medically cleared by their OBGYN physician and the Team Physician before returning to any activity. Athletes may return to full activity post-delivery, but must receive medical clearance by their OBGYN physician and the Team Physician. Any student-athlete that suspects that she may be pregnant can speak confidentially with the team physician and/ or a member of the athletic training staff. If a member of the athletic training staff suspects that a student-athlete is pregnant due to observable signs and symptoms, the staff member should meet with the student athlete to discuss the matter. If a pregnancy is suspected by the student-athlete or athletic trainer, the student-athlete will be referred to the SFA Student Health Center for pregnancy test. If a pregnancy is confirmed, the following steps will be followed: 1. The student-athlete will be referred for a gynecological exam to determine the stage of pregnancy and to allow the student-athlete to receive counseling on the risks of participation during pregnancy. The OB/GYN will complete the attached form with guidelines regarding the student-athlete s participation. 2. Following the OB/GYN appointment, the student-athlete will meet with the team physician and the team athletic trainer. The studentathlete MUST be cleared by both the OB/GYN and the team physician before she may participate in any physical activity. The team physician will complete the remainder of the form with guidelines regarding the student s participation or medical disqualification. 3. Student-athletes may be medically disqualified by the OB/GYN or the team physician due to the risk of sport participation for the student-athlete and the integrity of the pregnancy. a. The American College of Sports Medicine discourages heavy weight lifting or similar activities that require straining or valsalva SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

21 b. Exercise in the supine position after the first trimester may cause venous obstruction and conditioning or training exercises in this position should be avoided. c. Sports with increased incidences of bodily contact (basketball, soccer, softball) or falling are generally considered higher risk after the first trimester because of the potential risk of abdominal trauma. d. The student-athlete s ability to compete may also be compromised due to changes in physiologic capacity and musculoskeletal issues unique to pregnancy. 4. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology states that competitive athletes can remain active during pregnancy but need to modify their activity as medically indicated and require close supervision. A student-athlete wo chooses to compete while pregnant should: a. Be made aware of the potential risks of her particular sport and exercise in general while pregnant. b. Be encouraged to discontinue exercise when feeling overexerted or when any warning signs (#5 below) are present. c. Follow the recommendation of her obstetrical provider in coordination with the team physician. d. Take care to remain well-hydrated and to avoid over-heating. 5. The warning signs to terminate exercise while pregnant: a. Vaginal bleeding b. Shortness of breath before exercise c. Dizziness d. Headache e. Chest pain f. Calf pain or swelling g. Pre-term labor h. Decreased fetal movement i. Amniotic fluid leakage j. Muscle weakness 6. The student-athlete will be encouraged to inform her coach, but NOT REQUIRED to do so. If the student-athlete declines to release information regarding the pregnancy to her coach, any withholding from practice will be explained as undisclosed medical condition. 7. After delivery or pregnancy termination, medical clearance by the team physician is required to ensure the student-athlete s safe return to athletics SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 21

22 FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS The Department of Athletics awards athletic grants-in-aid to over 300 student-athletes. The athletics grant-in-aid is a program to assist worthy student-athletes in attaining their educational and athletic goals. The program is controlled by Stephen F. Austin State University, and is regulated by the Southland Conference and the NCAA. INDIVIDUAL LIMIT ON ATHLETIC FINANCIAL AID Per NCAA Bylaw 15.1, a student-athlete shall not be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics if he or she receives financial aid that exceeds the value of a full grant-in-aid (tuition/fees, room, board, books and educational expenses up to the value of the cost of attendance). Financial assistance from parents or guardians is not subject to this full grant-in-aid limit. Some institutional financial aid and scholarships from outside sources may count in a student s full grant-in-aid limit. All studentathletes must report all scholarships and awards from their high schools, booster clubs, communities or other outside sources to the Office of Financial Aid and their coach before they enroll at the University or before each school year begins. Certain governmental grants such as Pell grant are exempt from the full grant-in-aid limit as well. SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS (SAP) POLICY Federal regulations mandate minimum standards of satisfactory progress for students receiving financial assistance. These requirements apply to the student s entire academic history, whether financial aid was received or not, and to all types of aid: grants, loans, and work-study. The standards for determining progress at the university are composed of three separate measurements: grade point average (GPA), pace of completion, and maximum hours allowed for a degree level. All students must be enrolled in a degree or certificate program. Newly enrolled undergraduate students must be admitted in good standing. Students who are admitted to Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) as non-degree, provisional (except graduate students who will be given one semester to remove provisional status), transient, career interest or self-improvement, audit courses, and concurrent enrollment shall NOT be eligible to receive financial aid. When the student is admitted to a degree program or special student status has changed, a student may then be considered for financial assistance. Students on academic suspension who are allowed by their academic department to attend may receive aid if they meet the financial aid satisfactory academic requirements. GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) The grade point average is the qualitative measurement used for academic work at the university. For financial aid purposes, a student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 1.6 or better as a freshman, 1.8 or better as a sophomore, 2.0 or better as a junior or senior, and 3.0 or better as a graduate student. Grade point averages shall be checked at the end of each semester PACE OF COMPLETION Pace of completion is the quantitative measurement of the number of hours completed each semester at SFA. Pace of completion is measured at the end of each semester. In order to continue to receive financial assistance, students must complete 67% of the cumulative hours attempted at SFA and in any accepted transferred hours to SFA. Credit hours shall be considered satisfactorily completed if one of the following grades is earned: A, B, C, D, or P. Grades of F, W, WH, WF, WP, or QF are not satisfactory. Repeated courses will be counted in pace of completion. Financial aid may be awarded to students enrolled for remedial courses. These courses are considered attempted hours and are also counted as earned hours FINANCIAL AID SFA Student-Athlete Handbook for determining satisfactory progress for financial aid purposes. If graduate students receive a WH (incomplete) for thesis/ dissertation research or thesis/dissertation writing, the hours shall not be counted as hours attempted due to the length of time needed to complete this degree requirement. Time limits on the research and writing of a thesis/dissertation are determined by the academic department. MAXIMUM HOURS ALLOWED FOR DEGREE OR CERTIFICATE The maximum allowable hours at each level of study apply to all students regardless of the number of changes in major or concentration. A student s entire academic record at SFA (including prerequisite courses) is used in calculating hours toward the maximum requirement. Course work transferred to SFA shall count toward the maximum number of allowable credit hours. Maximum hours allowed shall be checked after the end of each semester to determine if the maximum hours allowed have been met. If the student has exceeded the allowable number of hours, they will be denied further financial aid for that degree level. For all degree programs and allowable certificate programs, the maximum number of hours allowed will be set at one-and-a-half times the minimum program length. WARNINGS AND APPEALS Students not in compliance with this policy s required GPA, or whose pace of completion falls below the necessary standard, will be given a warning semester. At the end of the warning semester, a student not in compliance is not eligible for financial aid unless an appeal has been approved by the financial aid appeals committee. Students who are not making satisfactory academic progress and have had a warning semester may file a written appeal to the financial aid office within thirty (30) days after the first class day of the semester. Written appeals should state why the student failed to meet satisfactory academic progress and what has changed that would allow the student to re-achieve the requirements at the end of the next evaluation period. Appeals should include documentation that supports the circumstances concerning the failure to maintain the expected level of satisfactory progress. If an appeal is granted, the student should meet satisfactory academic progress requirements by the end of the next evaluation period. Students are allowed a maximum of two appeals. All decisions on appeals are final. Students shall be notified of the disposition of their appeal in writing and/or . Repeated Coursework The Department of Education has recently published new regulations which impact students who repeat courses. These regulations are part of a series called Program Integrity Rules and are effective July 1, Students may only receive federal financial aid funding for one repetition of a previously passed course. Examples of repeated coursework that may, or may not, count for financial aid eligibility: 1. Allowable: Repeated coursework may be included if the student received an unsatisfactory or failing grade. There is no limit on the number of attempts allowable if the student does not receive a passing grade. 2. Allowable: Student is enrolled in 15 credit hours which includes 3 credits repeating a previously passed course. Because the student is enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits which are not repeats, the student s financial aid eligibility is not impacted by the repeat. 3. Not permissible: Student receives a D in a course and decides to repeat the course to improve his/her GPA. The student may repeat this passed course one time, but if the student wants to repeat it a second time, the second repeat would not count for financial aid eligibility. In this example, the student is enrolled in 12 credits, including the

23 3 credit second repeat, so only 9 credits will count for financial aid eligibility. All repeated courses do affect financial aid satisfactory academic progress calculations. A repeated course along with the original attempt must be counted as attempted credits. Request for Financial Aid Appeal Students who are not making Satisfactory Academic Progress may file a written appeal to the Financial Aid Office. Appeals will then go before a committee for review. All students will be notified of the committee s decision in writing. Appeals should include all documentation which supports any mitigating circumstances concerning the failure to maintain the expected level of satisfactory progress. Please indicate what has changed that would allow you to regain compliance to SFA Satisfactory Progress standards and include a plan of action to bring up your GPA or course completion rate. Students seeking appeals due to the maximum allowed hours for a degree program should include documentation from their academic advisor that includes the total number of hours required for their degree program and the number of hours remaining to satisfy the degree requirements. Students who have their appeal approved are expected to actively use university tutorial programs to assist in improving their academic performance. ALL decisions made by the committee are FINAL. Students have thirty (30) days after notification of denial of financial aid to file an appeal with the Financial Aid Office. A maximum of two appeals are allowed for each academic level (Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral). ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS Athletic scholarships are awarded in each of the 17 sports sponsored at Stephen F. Austin State University. The head coach of each sport is responsible for recommending the recipient and the amount of each award to the Director of Financial Aid. The recommendation is typically in the form of a Southland Conference Grant-in-Aid Offer. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS 1. The student-athlete must be enrolled full-time, as an undergraduate with athletic eligibility remaining. 2. The student-athlete cannot receive an athletic scholarship for more than 5-years. 3. The student-athlete must be eligible to enroll at SFA and meet all NCAA and SLC academic requirements for participation in the sport. 4. An athletic scholarship cannot have a condition that the athlete report in satisfactory physical condition for participation in the sport. 5. If an athlete sustains an injury that prevents their participation in intercollegiate athletics it must be understood that SFA is not required to renew or continue the athletic scholarship beyond the current period of the award. 6. Summer school is not part of your regular athletic scholarship. Summer school is a separate award and the financial amount can be less than the award you receive during the regular academic year. 7. Athletic scholarships cover the cost of undergraduate coursework applicable to obtaining an undergraduate degree at SFA. Graduate level coursework is not covered by the athletic scholarship unless the student-athlete has remaining eligibility and has already completed an undergraduate degree. REDUCTION & CANCELLATION DURING THE PERIOD OF THE AWARD Your athletic scholarship may be reduced or cancelled during the period of its award if you: 1. Render yourself ineligible for intercollegiate competition. 2. Fraudulently misrepresent any information on your application, letter of intent, financial agreement or other documents used for admissions or eligibility determination. 3. Engage in serious misconduct warranting substantial disciplinary penalty. Do not comply with published team rules or Department expectations for Personal Conduct by Student-Athletes. 4. Voluntarily withdraws from the team for personal reasons. Your athletic scholarship cannot be reduced or cancelled during the period of its award: 1. Based on your athletic performance or contribution to the team s success. 2. Because of injury that prevents you from participation, or 3. For any other athletic reason. Renewals - It is the responsibility of the institution to notify in writing each student-athlete that received an athletic scholarship in the previous year regarding the renewal of the award. This written notification must be on or before July 1, prior to the upcoming academic year. Appeals - If the institution decides to not renew or reduce your athletic scholarship, you have the opportunity to appeal this action. The first step would be to contact the Director of Athletics in writing within 10 days of your notice of reduction or non renewal. If the Director of Athletics does not approve your appeal, you would then file a written appeal with the Financial Aid Appeals Board. All decisions of the Financial Aid Appeals Board are final. SCHOLARSHIP TEXT BOOKS Textbooks are rented for those student-athletes who receive them as an element of their scholarship agreement. The Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Services will provide a list of these student-athletes to each Head Coach and to Barnes & Noble s Bookstore prior to each semester. The Bookstore will provide either traditional text books or ebooks, depending on the students preference. Books will be pre-selected based on class schedules of student-athletes that have pre-enrolled, which may be picked up by presenting a current photo ID at the start of each semester. Textbooks are only provided for courses that the student-athlete is currently enrolled in. Course supplies will not be provided. Intentional misuse of the scholarship textbook program by any athlete can result in NCAA violations, loss of scholarship, removal from team and dismissal from school. All traditional textbooks must be returned to the Bookstore at the end of each semester before you return home. Textbooks that are not properly returned at the end of the term will be billed to the students account. Textbooks will be issued each semester until the 20th class day. After which, books that have not been properly received will not be covered by athletic scholarship. Questions concerning scholarship textbooks should be directed to the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance & Student Services. FIFTH YEAR/INJURED STUDENT-ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIPS Fifth Year/ Injured Student-Athlete Scholarships are available, but student-athletes must qualify. These scholarships will provide the same amount received by the student-athlete during their previous semester on athletic aid, not to exceed the cost of tuition and fees. These awards are available during the fall and spring semesters and periodically during summer terms. To qualify for one of these awards, the recipient must: 1. Return to school the year following their completion of athletic eligibility or receiving an incapacitating injury or illness, meeting all academic requirements of the NCAA for financial aid and competition, just as though the recipient intended to compete, and; 2. The recipient must enroll in a full-time load of academic classes (12 hrs. or more) unless they are in their final degree plan, and; 3. To receive athletic aid for the following semester, the recipient must pass at least 9 new hours towards their degree plan with a G.P.A. of 2.00 or higher. 4. Once a student fails to meet these requirements, they cannot regain eligibility status the following semester. 5. Athletic financial aid will only be provided for a maximum of five calendar years, beginning with the date of the student s first fulltime enrollment at any institution, and only to complete course work needed for completion of undergraduate degree. Fifth year SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 23

24 awards will not cover the cost of graduate level coursework. Overlap programs (e.g. MPA - Masters of Professional Accountancy) or other graduate programs requiring graduate level coursework will not be covered by fifth-year awards. All coursework necessary to complete an undergraduate degree must be completed and the student must graduate with an undergraduate degree before pursuing a Master s degree at SFA. 6. Athletes accepting this award will be required to work approximately 10 hours each week for the Athletic Department. Assignments could include game operations, statistical tabulation or general office help. Please report to the Director of Athletic Operations each semester for your assignment. 7. The scholarship is awarded in three separate payments. 50% of the award is applied at registration, the final two payments will be applied at 30 and 60 days into the semester, contingent that the athlete has been assigned work assignments as described in #6 above. Students may wish to set their Billing Statements up on Installments should they chose not to completely pay their bills at beginning of semester. POLICY AND PROCEDURE FOR SUMMER SCHOOL GRANTS Objective: The objective of summer school is to provide the student-athlete with the opportunity to get ahead academically, to gain eligibility for the fall term. and/or take courses which are academically challenging or conflict with practice during the academic year. Availability: Summer school grant in aid is not guaranteed by SFA Department of Athletics. NCAA Bylaws permit Summer School grant-in-aid to be awarded in proportion to what the student-athlete received in the previous academic year. Responsibility of Student-Athletes Approved Summer School Grant-in-Aid: Each student-athlete who is approved for receipt of Summer School grant-in-aid must sign a Summer Financial Aid Agreement no later than the first day of classes for the earliest term in which the student-athlete is taking classes. Student-athletes who receive summer school aid must repay for any classes they drop or receive a final grade of F. SCHOLARSHIP RENEWAL AND APPEAL Grant-in-aid allocations are awarded on a yearly basis. The following procedures govern the renewal process as well as grant-inaid grievance procedures: 1. All student-athletes are notified of their renewal status by July The student-athlete s responsibilities in the classroom and as a member of the athletic program must be met to ensure renewal of grant-in-aid. 3. A student-athlete appealing a reduction or cancellation of their athletic grant-in-aid shall follow the following procedure. (a) Appeal in writing to the Director of Athletics within 10 days of your notice. (c) The student-athlete will be notified of the Director of Athletics decision in a timely manner. (d) Should the student-athlete wish to appeal the Director of Athletics decision, a final appeal should be requested in writing to the Director of Student Financial Aid. All decisions by the Office of Financial Aid s Appeals Committee will be final. STUDENT EMPLOYMENT ACADEMIC YEAR EMPLOYMENT All student-athletes, including freshmen and transfers who are in their initial year of residence are permitted to be employed on- or offcampus during the academic year, provided the employment meets the following requirements and does not violate any other NCAA Bylaws: a. you are paid for work actually performed; b. you are paid at the going rate for the locality; c. you are not compensated in any manner for any value or utility that you may have for an employer because of any publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that you have obtained because of your athletics ability. CAMP/CLINIC EMPLOYMENT You are permitted to work at camps/clinics, regardless of whether they are institutional or operated by outside organizations, provided the following requirements are met: a. you perform duties of a general supervisory character; b. any coaching or officiating responsibilities represent not more than one-half of your work time; c. your pay is commensurate with the going rate for camp/clinic counselors of like teaching ability and experience, not on the bases of the value you may have for the employer because of the athletics reputation or fame you have achieved or on your level of athletics skill; d. your responsibilities at the camp/clinic are more than lecturing or demonstrating. SALES POSITIONS EMPLOYMENT Provided that your name, picture or athletics reputation is not used to advertise or promote a product, job or employer, you are permitted to be employed in a legitimate sales position, provided you are paid at an hourly rate or set salary in the same manner as any nonathlete salesperson. COMMISSION-BASED EMPLOYMENT An employer may employ you on a commission basis only if: a. The cost of any preliminary training program for such employees must be borne by you (i.e., such costs may not be paid by a member institution or a representative of its athletics interests); b. The personnel employed by the company must consist of both student-athletes and nonathletes; c. Your employment does not result in the company s use of your athletic reputation to promote the sale of the company s products; and d. The company is able to document that employees who are nonathletes receive earnings from sales commissions at a rate generally equivalent to the commission rate realized by the studentathletes employed by the company SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

25 FEE-FOR-LESSON EMPLOYMENT During the academic year or the summer, a student-athlete may receive compensation for teaching or coaching sports skills or techniques in his or her sport on a fee-for-lesson basis, provided: a. INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES ARE NOT USED; b. Playing lessons shall not be permitted; c. The compensation is paid by the lesson recipient (or recipient s family) and not another individual or entity. ARRANGED EMPLOYMENT It is permissible for institutional staff members to arrange employment for student-athletes. Arranged employment is subject to the same requirements as all other types of employment. EMPLOYMENT IN THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT It is permissible for student-athletes to be employed in the athletic department. Employment in the athletic department is subject to the same requirements as all other types of employment. IMPERMISSIBLE EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITIES A. You may not be compensated for the value or utility that you may have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame, or person following that he or she has obtained because of athletics ability. This regulation prohibits you from being compensated for public appearances or for signing autographs. B. You may not receive remuneration for endorsing a commercial product or service. C. You may not begin modeling activities after becoming a studentathlete until you have exhausted your competition eligibility. Continuing modeling activities that you started before becoming a student-athlete is permissible only in specific situations. D. You are not permitted to own your own company or conduct your own camp or clinic. Participating in any impermissible employment activities will cause you to become ineligible for participation in AGENTS NCAA RULES PERTAINING TO SPORTS AGENTS- According to Texas Law all agents must register with the State of Texas. 1. FORBID a student-athlete to agree, either orally or in writing, to be represented by an agent or organization in the marketing of his or her athletic abilities or reputation until after the completion of their last intercollegiate contest, including post season games. this NCAA prohibition includes any agreement that is not effective until after the last game. 2. FORBID a student-athlete or his/her representative to negotiate or sign a playing contract in any sport in which the student-athlete intends to compete, or to market the name or image of the studentathlete. 3. FORBID a student-athlete (except basketball student-athletes) to ask to be placed on a professional league s draft list, whether or not the student-athlete withdraws his or her name before the draft, whether or not the student-athlete is actually drafted and whether or not the student-athlete signs a professional contract. 4. FORBID a student-athlete and his or her relatives or friends to accept expenses or gifts of any kind (including meals and transportation) from an agent (or anyone else) who wishes to provide services to the student-athlete. Such payment is not allowed because it would be compensation based on athletic skills and a preferential benefit not available to other students. 5. FORBID a student-athlete to receive preferential benefits or treatment (for example, loans with deferred pay-back basis) because of the student-athlete s reputation, skill, or potential as a professional athlete. 6. FORBID a student athlete to retain professional services for personal reasons at less than the normal charge from a representative of his/her school s athletics interest. COMPLIANCE intercollegiate athletics. TAX-RELATED ISSUES DOMESTIC/U.S. STUDENT-ATHLETES All domestic student-athletes who receive an athletic grant-in-aid should be aware that certain portions of the grant are considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service. The room and board portions of your athletic grant-in-aid, as well as any cash awards that you may have received must be reported as income when completing your U.S tax return. You are not required to report the athletic scholarship amounts that you receive for tuition and books. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT-ATHLETES If your award is taxed, those charges are calculated by the SFA Controller s Office. Tax is calculated and paid during each long semester (Fall/Spring). The University will be pay the calculated US Federal Tax to the government, but then will place that amount paid as a charge on your billing statement, which you will owe. FAILURE TO PROMPTLY PAY this charge will create a HOLD on your account that will prevent registration and class attendance in the next semester. All international student-athletes who receive an athletic grant-inaid for any part of calendar year 2014 will receive IRS form 1042-S that reports the amount of athletic grant-in-aid that was received and the amount of federal tax that will be owed International studentathletes should file a U.S. Nonresident Alien Tax Return- Form 1040NR by the IRS deadline of April 15. All international student-athletes should apply for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS using form W-& (available in the Controllers Office). The tax identification number is similar to a U.S Social Security Number, and it should be applied for by all international student-athletes as soon as possible. This tax identification number will become your new ID number. Specific questions related to this income tax can be directed to the Controllers Office, ext: STUDENT-ATHLETE ROLE IN THE RECRUITING PROCESS HOSTING PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETES As a current student-athlete, you are an information resource about our campus and athletic experience. Therefore, you have an important role in recruiting. To ensure fairness, the NCAA carefully defines the conditions under which prospective student-athletes may be recruited by member institutions. If you are asked by your coach or any member of the athletic department staff to host a prospective student-athlete, it is essential that you carefully adhere to the rules. The following is a guide of selected basic NCAA rules for you to use when you are asked to be a student host or to participate in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes. DEFINING THE PROSPECTIVE STUDENT-ATHLETE A prospect is a student in the 9th grade or above, including students in junior colleges and individuals who have officially withdrawn from four-year schools. A student becomes a prospective student-athlete when any of the following occurs: 1. She/he is provided transportation to visit our campus; 2. A coach or staff member initiates a telephone contact with the prospect or family member on more than one occasion for the purpose of recruitment; or 3. A coach visits the prospect or the prospect s parents off-campus for the purpose of recruitment. OFFICIAL VISITS BY PROSPECTS Rules An official visit by a prospect to the campus is a visit financed by the university. Please note the following: 1. An institution may finance only one visit per prospect to its campus SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 25

26 2. A prospect may take a maximum of five expense-paid visits, regardless of the number of sports in which the prospect participates. 3. An expense-paid visit may not be earlier than the opening day of a prospect s senior year in high school. 4. A person who is not a qualifier and who is enrolled during the first year of a two year college may not be provided an expense-paid visit. 5. An official visit shall not exceed 48 hours beginning at the time a prospect arrives on campus and ending when the prospect leaves campus. 6. A prospect may be provided lodging and meals just like regular season students. Local hotels and restaurants may be used but at a scale comparable to that of a normal student life and only within a 30 mile radius of campus. 7. Entertainment for the prospect and his or her parents (or legal guardians) or spouse may be provided if it is not excessive and within a 30 mile radius of campus. It is not permissible to entertain other relatives or friends of the prospect at any time. 8. Complimentary admissions to a campus athletic event may be provided to the prospect and his or her parents (or legal guardian) or spouse through a pass list. These admissions must be located in the general seating area. 9. It is not permissible for the institution to provide cash to the prospect for entertainment purposes. OFFICIAL VISIT ACTIVITIES All recruiting visit activities will be in full compliance with NCAA, Conference and institutional legislation and with all laws and ordinances of the institutions locale. All staff members and student-athletes involved in the recruiting of prospective student athletes during an official visit must adhere to the following guidelines. Meals: Prospects (or prospect s parents, legal guardian or spouse) dining off-campus must be limited to one entrée per meal while dining on an official visit at the expense of the Athletic Department. Prospects dining on-campus may be provided meals comparable to those provided to student-athletes dining on-campus and are not specifically limited to a single entrée per meal as with off campus dining. Prospects should eat at least one meal in a regular campus dining facility as part of the over-all decision making process for the right fit. Lodging: Any hotel in Nacogdoches may be utilized. However, the rooms must be standard rooms containing no special amenities (e.g Jacuzzis, suites) and no special decorations. (i. e., banners, streamers) that are not available generally and provided by the hotel to all guests residing at the establishment Prospects may be housed in on-campus lodging or off-campus dorms or apartments utilized by the normal student body provided they contain no special amenities and no special decorations for recruiting purposes. Transportation: Transportation must be provided by institutional staff members and student hosts. These individuals may utilize only personal vehicles to transport a prospect (and those accompanying the prospect) around campus during an official visit. The university provided vehicle normally used by the staff member or a standard rental vehicle with no special amenities may be utilized in lieu of a coach s personal vehicle. Additionally, it is permissible to use institutional vehicles normally used to transport prospective students while visiting the campus (e.g., visitor center bus tour). ENTERTAINMENT RESTRICTIONS Alcohol Staff members and student-athletes should not consume alcoholic beverages while entertaining a prospective student-athlete. Prospective student-athletes may not be provided any alcoholic beverages and underage prospective student-athletes may not consume alcoholic beverages during their campus visit. Dance Clubs and Bars It is permissible for prospective student-athletes to be entertained at local establishments where alcoholic beverages are served provided the prospect and student-athlete(s) are of age to enter the establishment. Adult Entertainment Staff members, student-athletes and prospective student-athletes may not visit any gentlemen/adult entertainment establishments utilizing exotic dancers. Additionally, staff members, student-athletes and prospective student-athletes shall immediately leave any establishment or private premises in which there is reasonable belief/ knowledge that sexual acts are taking place or exotic dancers are performing. Staff members and student athletes may not arrange dates, set-ups or use sexual entertainment as a recruiting device at any time. Drugs Staff members, student-athletes and prospective student-athletes shall not use any illegal drugs and such drugs shall not be used as a recruiting device. Additionally, staff members, student-athletes and prospective student-athletes shall immediately leave any establishment or private premises in which there is reasonable belief/ knowledge or illegal drugs being used by others in attendance. Illegal Activities Staff members, student-athletes and prospective student-athletes may not participate in illegal gambling, activities or any other activity that violates criminal law. Student Groups Student groups may not be assigned any hosting functions (e.g. entertaining, visiting, escorting, guiding, joint seating) with a prospective student-athlete or a prospective student-athlete s friends or family members who are on an official or unofficial visit. Therefore, members or any student support groups will be limited to providing administrative assistance related to recruiting activities (e.g., operation of pass-list, handling payments for meals, daily office assistance) Staff members and student-athletes shall not organize any on or off campus activities between a prospective student-athlete and a member of any athletic department student support group. Violations of these entertainment provisions will result in immediate and appropriate disciplinary action, which could include loss of eligibility for the host and prospect. STUDENT HOST INSTRUCTIONS 1. A student host may be provided a maximum of $40 for each day of a prospect s official visit to cover the actual costs of entertaining the prospect. The entertainment money shall not be used to purchase souvenirs (i.e., T-shirts, hats, etc.) 2. A student host may be provided with an additional $20 per day for each additional prospect she/he entertains. 3. A student host may be provided a complimentary admission to accompany a prospect to a campus athletic event. 4. Several students may host a prospect, but the institution may only provide one student entertainment money. The other student hosts shall pay for their own entertainment and meals. 5. ONLY STUDENT-ATHLETES AT SFA MAY SERVE AS HOSTS, or a member of the SFA Admissions staff that regularly provides this service for that office. 6. The institution, coach, or any booster may not provide a car for use by a prospect or a student host. 7. One meal may be held for a prospect on an official visit at the home of an institutional staff member. 8. Entertainment on an official visit is limited to the prospect, the prospect s parents (or legal guardians), or the prospect s spouse. Entertainment A prospect, the prospect s parents and his or her spouse may be entertained at a scale comparable to that of a normal student life only on campus or within a 30-mile radius of campus on an official visit. it is not permissible to entertain other relatives or friends of the prospect at any site. Publicity 1. A member institution shall not publicize a prospect s visit to campus. 2. Visiting prospects may not be introduced at a game, banquet SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

27 or function that is open to the public or attended by media representatives. UNOFFICIAL VISITS An unofficial visit to a member institution s campus is made at the prospect s expense. The provision of any expense beyond complimentary admissions to a campus athletic event would require the visit to become an official visit. ENROLLED STUDENT-ATHLETES AS RECRUITERS 1. Off-campus, in person contacts between enrolled studentathletes and a prospect are permissible as long as such contacts are incidental and do not occur at the direction of a coaching staff member for recruiting purposes. 2. An institution may not provide an enrolled student-athlete with transportation or expense to recruit a prospect except for those permitted when the student-athlete serves at the student host. 3. A current student-athlete may write letters or send s to prospects after September 1 of the prospect s junior year provided that it is not done at the direction or expense of the member institution. Student-athletes cannot make telephone calls to prospects if the calls are made at the direction of a coaching staff member or financed by the institution or its boosters. TICKET OFFICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES There is no charge for admission to most of the department s intercollegiate events. There is a fee charged for admission to the following events: Football, Men s Basketball, Women s Basketball, Softball & Baseball Student-athletes who participate in one of the above sports may receive complimentary tickets. 1. Eligible student-athletes are provided the opportunity of receiving complimentary tickets. These tickets must be used within the guidelines of the NCAA rules. Any breach of those guidelines is subject to disciplinary action (i.e., loss of ticket privileges and eligibility). 2. Complimentary Admission Policy - Complimentary admissions shall be provided only through a pass list for individuals designated by the student-athlete. Hard-tickets shall not be issued. Stephen F. Austin State University shall be responsible for this administrative procedure, and the student-athlete s eligibility shall be affected by involvement in any action contrary to the provisions of NCAA Bylaws and (i.e., receipt of more than the permissible four complimentary admissions or the sale or exchange of complimentary admission for any item of value). 3. Administrative Control - The individual utilizing the complimentary admission must present identification to the person supervising the use of the pass list at the admission gate. The individual then shall be provided a ticket stub, at the time they enter the stadium/arena. NON-QUALIFIER A non-qualifier may receive admission to all of the institution s regular-season home intercollegiate athletic contests in the first academic year of residence. (NCAA Bylaw ) NUMBER OF TICKETS ALLOWED PER GAME Scholarship Athlete 4 Walk-On 4 4. Complimentary Admissions are provided using ARMS Software, through each student-athletes account. The SA may select up to 4 individuals to receive admissions, which must be approved by the Associate Director of Athletics. 5. All complimentary admission requests must be made 48 hours prior to start of competition. Ticket request lists will be printed by the SFA Ticket Office for all Home Events, and by each sports designated individual for Away Contests to be provided to that schools ticket officials. 6. Stephen F Austin State University has guidelines for institutional purposes on who may receive complimentary admissions from a student-athlete. The following types of people are NOT ACCEPTABLE AND MAY NOT RECEIVE COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSIONS from a studentathlete: Agents, Representatives of Athletic Interests, Prospects, individuals requested by Stephen F. Austin State University coaches, Media, Public Officials and Athletic Department Staff. 7. What is a Representative of Athletic Interest? A. Donors B. Summer Jobs Employers C. Boosters or Sport Specific Support Groups D. Athletic Committee Members E. Professors 8. All guests must present proper identification at the Pass Gate. They must present a driver s license, social security card, or picture ID. If acceptable ID is not presented, admission will be denied. 9. A potential guest appearing at the Pass Gate, but not on the list, will be denied admission. COMPLIMENTARY TICKET QUESTIONS GENERAL RULE - NCAA Bylaw An institution may provide four complimentary admissions per home game or award contest to a student-athlete in the sport in which the individual is eligible to participate (either practices or competes), regardless of whether the student-athlete competes in the contests. Q. Who can I not put on my complimentary admission list? A. Agents or agent runner; Representatives of Athletics Interests; Prospects/Recruits; individuals requested by SFA coaches; media, public officials; Athletics Department staff members. Q. Can I sell my complimentary tickets? A. No. A student-athlete may not receive payment from any source for his or her complimentary admissions and may not exchange or assign them for any item of value. NCAA Bylaw SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 27

28 Q. Can a student-athlete purchase extra tickets and sell them for a profit? A. No. A student-athlete may not purchase tickets for an athletics contest from the institution and then sell the tickets at a price greater than their face value. NCAA Bylaw Q. What happens if the student-athlete gives his or her complimentary tickets to a third party who sells the tickets? A. This is a violation of NCAA Bylaw Individuals designated by the student-athlete to receive complimentary admissions are not permitted to receive any type of payment for these admissions or to exchange or assign them for any item of value. Sale of complimentary tickets by such designated individuals is prohibited and considered an extra benefit not available to the general student body. which would render the student-athlete ineligible for participation in intercollegiate athletics. INTRA-CONFERENCE TRANSFERS All applicable NCAA regulations shall apply to a student-athlete who transfers from one Southland Conference member institution to another. Effective for student-athletes entering on or after January 1, 2003, transferring student-athletes in all sports shall: 1) be ineligible for competition at the institution to which they transfer during the first year in residence; 2) forfeit one of his/her four seasons of competition in his/her sport; and 3) be ineligible to receive athletically related financial aid during the first year in residence. The Intra- Conference transfer bylaw shall only apply to student-athletes who are receiving or have received athletics aid from a Southland Conference institution. This policy does not apply to Graduate Students. PLAYING AND PRACTICE SEASONS Each sport has a defined Playing and Practice season outlined by the NCAA legislation. This legislation clearly defines those periods that a sport is in-season or out-of-playing season. In-season playing and practice periods are typically that period of the year when you play your intercollegiate competitions. Out-Of- Season obviously is that part of the year when you are not competing against outside competition. The length of the in-season segments is legislated for each sport by the NCAA. Team Sports: Volleyball, Baseball, Softball and Soccer must conduct their in-season activities in 132 days. This may consist of 2 segments, each consisting of consecutive days and may only exclude required days off and official vacation, holiday and final exam periods during which no practice or competition shall occur. Unique to Baseball & Softball: Championship Segment must consist of consecutive days and may exclude only required days off and official vacation, holiday and final exam periods during which no practice or competition shall occur. Nonchampionship Segment shall be conducted within a period of 45 consecutive calendar days during the months of September, October and November under the following conditions: (a) Days used for practice or competition must be counted towards the 132-day season, but are not required to be consectutive; (b) Days during which countable athletically related activities are limited solely to required conditioning and /or in skill-related instruction are not required to count toward the 132-day season; (c) Any week in which practice or competition does not occur shall be considered outside the playing season. Practice: NonChampionship Segment shall not begin prior to September 7 or the institution s first day of classes, whichever is earlier. First Contest Date: NonChampionship Segment - September 7 or the institution s first day of classes, whichever is earlier. Baseball Championship Segment - The Friday in February that is 14 weeks before the Friday immediately preceding Memorial Day. Softball Championship Segment - Thursday that is 14 weeks before the Thursday immediately preceding Division I softball championships. Individual Sports: Tennis, Golf, Cross Country and Bowling must conduct their in-season activities in 144 days. This may consist of 2 segments, each consisting of consecutive days and may only exclude required days off and official vacation, holiday and final exam periods during which no practice or competition shall occur. Indoor and Outdoor Track has 156 days to conduct their inseason activities. This may consist of 2 segments, each consisting of consecutive days and may only exclude required days off and official vacation, holiday and final exam periods during which no practice or competition shall occur. Football and Basketball have legislated starting and ending dates for their in-season activities. Football may start no earlier than 40 units that will provide a maximum of 29 practice opportunities before their first scheduled contest and must end after the last regular season contest. Football is allowed 15 practice days in the spring. Men s Basketball is permitted to begin on-court practice 42 days before the first regular season game, but may not engage in more than 30 days of CARA (Countable Athletically Related Activities), and Women s Basketball is permitted to begin on-court practice 40 days before the first regular season game, but may not engage in more than 30 days of CARA. The following restrictions apply to all in-season activities once classes have started during each semester. 1. Maximum of 4-hours per day of Athletically Related Activities. 2. Maximum of 20-hours per week of Athletically Related Activities. 3. Required 1-day off during every 7-day period, during which no Athletically Related Activities may occur. The following are considered Athletically Related Activities and must be counted in the daily and weekly time limitations: Countable athletically related activities include any required activity with an athletics purpose involving student-athletes and at the direction of, or supervised by one or more of an institutions coaching staff (including strength and conditioning coaches) and must be counted within the weekly and daily limitations. Out-Of-Playing-Season activities are confined to those periods of the academic year when classes are in session and the team is not involved in in-season activities. Out-Of-Playing Season activities are confined to a maximum of 8 hours per week and can only be utilized in the following manner; 1. No Out of Season activities one week prior to final exams. 2. First Class day until September 15 and April 15th until the end of spring semester- no more than 4 student athletes involved in skill instruction. All other periods, there is no limit on the number of student-athletes that may be in skill instruction. 3. Skill instruction- Maximum of 2 hours per week. 4. Required weight-training and conditioning activities held at the direction of or supervised by an institutional staff member. 5. In Division I-A and I-AA football, to permit student-athletes to view a maximum of two hours of game film per week as part of the permissible eight hours of required weight training and conditioning activities that may occur during the academic year outside of the playing season. Voluntary Athletic Activities are permissible if all of the following are met: 1. The student-athlete must not be required to report back to a coach or other athletics department staff member any information related to the activity. In addition, no athletics department staff member who observes the activity (e.g., strength coach, athletic trainer, and manager) may report back to the student-athlete s coach any information related to the activity. 2. The activity must be initiated and requested solely by the studentathlete. Neither the institution nor any athletics department staff member may require the student-athlete to participate in the activity at any time. It is permissible for the Athletics Department to provide information related to available opportunities for participating in voluntary activities. (e.g., time when the strength and conditioning coach will be on duty). 3. The student-athlete s attendance and participation in the activity (or lack thereof) may not be recorded for purpose of reporting such SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

29 information to coaching staff members or other student-athletes; and 4. The student-athlete may not be subject to penalty if he or she elects not to participate in the activity. in addition, neither the institution nor any athletics department staff member may provide recognition or incentives (e.g., awards) to any student-athlete on his or her performance in the activity. DEFINITIONS Day: A day shall be defined as a calendar day (12:01 a.m. to midnight). Competition Day- All competition and any associated athletically related activities on the day of competition shall count as 3-hours regardless of the actual duration of these activities. Practice Prohibition- Practice may not be conducted at any time (including vacation periods) following competition, except between contests, rounds or events during a multiday or multievent competition. (e.g., doubleheader in softball or baseball, rounds of golf in multiday tournament). Week- A week shall be defined as any 7 consecutive days to be determined at the institution s discretion. Once the institution determines the 7-day period that shall constitute its week, it shall not change that designation for the remainder of the segment. Hour-Limitation Record- Countable hours must be recorded on a daily basis for each student athlete regardless of whether the student-athlete is participating in an individual or team sport. Any countable individual or group athletically related activity must count against the time limitation for each student-athlete who participates in the activity but does not count against time limitations for other team members who do not participate in the activity. Preseason Practice- Daily and weekly hour limitations do not apply to countable athletically related activities during preseason practice prior to the first day of classes or the first scheduled contest whichever is earlier. Vacation Periods and Between Terms- Daily and weekly hour limitations do not apply to countable athletically related activities occurring during an institution s official vacation period, as listed in the institution s official calendar, and during the academic year between terms when classes are not in session. If such vacation periods occur during any part of a week in which classes are in session, the institution is subject to the daily and weekly hour limitations during the portion of the week when classes are in session and must provide the student-athletes with a day off which my be a vacation day. Required Day Off- Playing Season- During the playing season, all countable athletically related activities shall be prohibited during one calendar day per week, except during participation in one conference and postseason championship and any post season certified bowl games or NIT and during the participation in NCAA championships. Required Days Off- Outside of the Playing Season- outside the playing season during the academic year, all countable athletically related activities are prohibited during two calendar days per week. Basketball Exception: If a team participates in three contests in a given week, an institution is not subject to the one-day off requirement, provided the student-athletes do not engage in any countable athletically related activities for two days during either the preceding or the following week. Travel Day- A travel day related to athletics participation may be considered as a day off, provided no countable athletic related activities occur during that day. Canceled Competition- When an institution s competition is cancelled prior to the start of competition or canceled prior to the competition being considered a completed event in accordance with the playing rules of that sport, an institution may utilize that day as its required day off provided that institution does not engage in any further countable athletically related activities during that day. Preaseason Practice-Day Off- An institution is not required to provide the student-athlete with one day off per week during the preseason practice that occurs prior to the first day of classes or the first scheduled contest, whichever is earlier. No Class Time Missed For Practice Activities- 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. GAMBLING The NCAA established strict guidelines and sanctions concerning involvement in gambling for a student-athlete. Student-athletes shall not knowingly participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics through a bookmaker, parlay card, or any other method employed by organized gambling. Gambling is a serious problem and can have tragic consequences for the student-athlete who may be tempted to engage in such activities. Gambling poses a significant threat to integrity or intercollegiate athletics. NCAA Bylaw 10.3, states that studentathletes and staff members of the athletic department shall not knowingly: 1. Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition; 2. Solicit a bet on any team representing the institution; 3. Accept a bet on any team representing the institution; 4. Solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item that has tangible value (e.g., cash, shirt, dinner); or 5. 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. STUDENT-ATHLETES ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING: 1. Reporting any offers or gifts, money, or favors in exchange for supplying team information or for attempting to alter the outcome of any contest to the coach or Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Services. 2. Maintaining a clear understanding of what constitute gambling and bribery activities and reporting any suspected infractions; 3. Contacting the coach or other department personnel (i.e., Sports Information office staff) when questions concerning appropriate release of team information occur; and 4. Recognizing the participation in gambling or bribery activities will result in disciplinary action by the NCAA as well as local, state, and/ or federal prosecution of the involved individual(s). PENALTIES FOR INVOLVEMENT IN GAMBLING ACTIVITIES: NCAA 1. Student-athletes involvement in activities designed to influence outcomes or win/loss margins shall result in permanent loss of all SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 29

30 eligibility. 2. Student-athletes involvement in accepting or soliciting bets on their own institution shall result in permanent loss of all eligibility. 3. Student-athletes involvement in any other type of sport wagering through organized gambling shall result in at least one year loss of all eligibility. NCAA DISCIPLINARY ACTION Enrolled student-athletes found in violation of NCAA rules or unethical conduct will be ineligible for further intercollegiate competition, subject to an appeal to the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Staff for restoration of eligibility. Unethical conduct may include, but is not limited to, the following: Unethical conduct by a prospective or enrolled student-athlete or a current or former institutional staff member (e.g., coach, professor, tutor, teaching assistant, student manager, student trainer) may include, but is not limited to, the following: (Revised 1/10/90, 1/9/96, 2/22/01) (a) Refusal to furnish information relevant to an investigation of a possible violation of an NCAA regulation when requested to do so by the NCAA or the individual s institution; (b) Knowing involvement in arranging for fraudulent academic credit or false transcripts for a prospective or an enrolled student athlete; (c) Knowing involvement in offering or providing a prospective or enrolled student-athlete an improper inducement or extra benefit or improper financial aid; (Revised 1/9/96) (d) Knowingly furnishing the NCAA or the individual s institution false or misleading information concerning the individual s involvement in or knowledge of matters relevant to a possible violation of an NCAA regulation; (e) Receipt of benefits by an institutional staff member for facilitating or arranging a meeting between a student athlete and an agent, financial advisor or a representative of an agent or advisor (e.g., runner ); (Adopted 1/9/96, Revised: 8/4/05) (f) Knowing involvement in providing a band substance or impermissible supplement to student-athletes, or knowingly providing medications to student-athletes contrary to medical licensure, commonly accepted standards of care in sports medicine practice, or state and federal law; (Adopted: 8/4/05) (g) Failure to provide complete and accurate information to the NCAA or institution s admissions office regarding an individual s academic record (e.g., schools attended, completion of coursework, grades and test scores); (Adopted 4/27/06) (h) Fraudulence or misconduct in connection with entrance or placement examinations; or (Adopted: 4/27/06) (i) Engaging in any athletics competition under an assumed name or with intent to otherwise deceive. (Adopted: 4/27/06) OFTEN ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NCAA RULES Q. Can a student-athlete receive an extra benefit as a result of their athletic ability? A. No. The General Rule- NCAA Bylaw The studentathlete shall not receive any extra benefit. The term extra benefit refers to any special arrangement by an institutional employee or representative of the institution s athletics interests to provide the student-athlete or his or her relatives or friends with a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation. Q. Who or what is an athletics representative? A. NCAA rules define an athletics representative as a person who: (a) Is or ever has been a member of a SFA athletic booster organization; (b) Has made financial contributions to the athletics department or a booster group; (c) Is or ever has been involved with the recruitment of a prospect; (d) Has provided benefits to an enrolled student-athlete or their relatives or friends; (e) Has otherwise been involved in promoting the SFA athletic program (e.g., alumni, friends); (f) Provides or has helped to arrange employment for studentathletes; (g) Is the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of an enrolled student-athlete; (h) Is or ever has been a season ticket holder. NOTE: The term representative of Athletics Interests is interchangeable with the term athletics representative, booster, alumni, friend or the University ; or a fan. Q. May a student-athlete receive a special discount, payment arrangement, or credit on a purchase or a service from an athletics representative? A. No. Discounts and Credits. A student-athlete may not receive a special discount, payment arrangement, or credit on a purchase)e.g., airline ticket, clothing) or a service (e.g., laundry, dry cleaning from an institutional employee or a representative of its athletics interests. Q. May an athletics representative provide a student-athlete with professional services (i.e., legal services) at a reduced or no cost? A. No. Free or Reduced-Cost Services. An athletics representative may not provide a student-athlete with professional services (for which a fee normally would be charged or at a reduced cost exempt as a permitted elsewhere in this bylaw. Professional services provided at less than the normal rate or at no expense to a studentathlete are considered an extra benefit unless they are available on the same basis to the general student body. NCAA Bylaw Q. Can an athletics representative allow a student-athlete to use a telephone or credit card for personal reasons without charge or at a reduced cost? A. No. Telephone and Credit Cards. It is not permissible to allow a student-athlete, their relatives or friends to use a telephone or credit card for personal reasons without charge or at a reduced cost. NCAA Bylaw Q. Is it permissible for an athletics representative to provide services (e.g., movie tickets, dinners, use of a car) from commercial agencies (e.g., movie theaters, restaurants, car dealers) without a charge or at reduced rates? A. No, unless these services are available to the student body in general. Entertainment Services. A student-athlete may not receive services (e.g., movie tickets, dinners, use of car) from commercial agencies(e.g., movie theaters, restaurants, car dealers) without charge or at reduced rates, or free or reduced -cost admission to professional athletics contests from professional sports organizations, unless such services also are available to the student body in general. NCAA Bylaw Q. Can a student-athlete receive free or reduced priced tickets to a professional athletic event from a professional sports organization or athletics representative? A. No. Unless these tickets are available to the student body in general. NCAA Bylaw Other Prohibited Benefits- An institutional employee or representative of the institution s athletic interest may not provide a student-athlete with extra benefits or services including but not limited to: (a) A loan of money; (b) A guarantee of bond; (c) The use of an automobile; (d) Signing or cosigning a note with an outside agency to arrange a loan; (e) Providing rent free or reduced rent housing; or (f) Providing a benefit connected with on or off-campus housing (i.e., individual television sets or stereo equipment, specialized recreational facilities). Preferential Treatment- A student-athlete may not receive preferential treatment, benefits, or services for his or her athletics reputation or skill or pay-back potentials a future professional athlete. NCAA Bylaw Camp Concession- It is not permissible for a member institution or a SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

31 member of its athletic department staff conducting a sports camp to permit a student-athlete (enrolled in the institution) to operate, at the student-athlete s own expense, a concession selling items related to or associated wit h the camp to campers or others in attendance. NCAA Bylaw Q. May a student-athlete accept athletic equipment, supplies, or clothing (e.g., tennis, racquets, golf clubs, hockey sticks, balls, shirts) from a manufacturer, commercial enterprise, or athletics representative? A. No. These items may only be provided to the institution for the proper distribution to the student-athletes. Athletic Equipment- A student-athlete may not accept athletic equipment, supplies or clothing (e.g., tennis racquets, golf clubs, hockey sticks, balls, shirts) from a manufacturer or commercial enterprise. Such items may be provided to the student-athlete s institution, to be utilized by the institution s teams in accordance with accepted practices for issuance and retrieval of athletics equipment. NCAA Bylaw Q. Can an athletics representative serve as a sponsor or a family for a student-athlete? A. No. unless such sponsorship program exists to provide the same benefits and support services to all students at the institution. Sponsor Families. A member institution shall not permit individuals outside the institution to serve as sponsors or families for studentathletes who are enrolled in the institution unless such a sponsorship program exists to provide the same benefits and support services to all students at the institution. NCAA Bylaw Civic-Group Gifts- A member institution shall not permit a civic group to provide a student-athlete a trip to a post-season football game to pay summer-camp expenses for a student-athlete. NCAA Bylaw Assistance in Payment of Bills- A member institution is not permitted to administer a fund for a student-athlete (even if funds are provided by the student-athlete) in order to assist the student-athlete in making payments for various personal expenses (e.g., utility bills, rent, fees, and entertainment expenses) unless the institution provides such a service to all students and formal accounting procedures are utilized. NCAA Bylaw Q. Can an athletics representative provide an occasional family home meal to enrolled student-athletes? A. Yes. A student-athlete or the entire teams in a sport may receive an occasional meal from an athletics representative under the following conditions: (a) The meal was provided in an individual s home (as opposed to a restaurant) and may be catered; (b) Meals must be restricted to infrequent and special occasions, and (c) Institutional staff members may provide transportation to studentathletes to attend such meals. A representative of the institution s athletics interests may not provide transportation to student-athletes to attend the meal function unless the meal furnished is at the home of that representative. NCAA Bylaw Q. May an athletics representative provide payment of expenses (e.g., room, board, transportation) for friends or relatives of a student-athlete to visit the student-athlete at SFA? A. No NCAA Bylaw Q. May a student-athlete use the athletic department s telephones (local or long distance calls), fax machines, or copy machines? A. No. NCAA Bylaw QUESTIONS CONCERNING NON-PERMISSIBLE BENEFITS Q. What are some examples of NON-Permissible awards by athletics representatives? A. The NCAA has set forth the following list of NON-Permissible awards (which is not exhaustive) to the student-athlete: Cash or Equivalent- An individual may not receive a cash award for athletics participation. An individual may not receive a cashequivalent award (i.e., an item that is not negotiable for cash or trade or other services, benefits, or merchandise) for athletics participation. Merchandise- Gift certificates and merchandise items that cannot be property personalized shall be prohibited. Country Club or Sports Club Memberships- An award of a country club or sports-club membership is strictly prohibited, even if the cost of the membership is below the maximum award value permitted by NCAA legislation. Transfer of Non-permissible Award- Cash or any other award that an individual could not receive under NCAA legislation may not be forwarded in the individual s name to a different individual or agency. (e.g., collegiate institution). NCAA Bylaw Q. Can athletes representatives provide an award to a studentathlete for his or her athletic performance? A. No. All awards must conform to NCAA awards legislation and must be approved by the institution. NCAA Bylaw Q. Can a booster club or any other organization finance an intercollegiate team s transportation expenses to a recognition banquet that occurs prior to or during the season? A. Yes, as long as all expenses are paid through the institution s athletics department, the event is not more than 100 miles from the campus, and not tangible award is provided to members of the team. NCAA Bylaw Q. Can an athletics representative provide actual necessary expenses for the student-athlete free admission or meals in conjunction with the institution s or booster club s recognition banquet? A. Yes. NCAA Bylaw Q. How do the NCAA rules treat Home-Town Awards? A. A member institution, its booster club or any other organization may not pay the expenses of any student-athlete returning home to receive an award for athletics accomplishments or for other personal purposes. The student-athlete may return home at his or her expense to attend a recognition event and receive an award from any home-town group that is not related to the institution and is not the institution s local athletics booster group. NCAA Bylaw Q. Can a representative of the institution s athletics interests provide expenses for that institution s academic awards banquet? A. Yes, as long as the funding is made through the institution. NCAA Bylaw Q. May a student-athlete accept actual and necessary transportation expenses from a magazine or other media enterprise (e.g., newspaper, radio station, television, network) for travel to a particular location (outside a 30-mile radius of the community in which the student-athlete s institutions is located) in order to have a photograph or file taken or a story written about him or her? A. Yes but only if the photograph, film, or store is in conjunction with the receipts of an established award at that location SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 31

32 Initial Eligibility Fall Semester BASIC ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES Certified by NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse Spring Semester Pass Minimum of Six Credit Hours/Term previous FT Term FOOTBALL - Min. 9 Credit Hours/Term previous FT Term Entering Second Year Pass 24 hours Minimum of 18 hours during the preceeding Fall and Spring terms only Pass Min. of 6 credit hours during previous FT Term Max. of 6 hours during summer count towards 24 hour rule 90% of GPA for graduation (1.800) Good standing with SFA- 2.0 Overall GPA Spring Semester Pass Minimum Six credit Hours/Term previous FT Term FOOTBALL - Min. 9 Credit Hours/Term previous FT Term 90% of GPA for graduation (1.800) Entering Third Year Pass 18 hours Minimum of 18 hours during the preceeding Fall and Spring terms only Minimum of six (6) credit hours during previous FT Term Complete 40% of 4-yr.degree requirements (minimum 48 degree plan hrs.) File official Degree Plan with Dean s Office by Beginning of Fifth Semester All course work must be on degree plan on file in order to be counted toward eligibility 95% of GPA for graduation (1.900) Good standing with SFA-2.0 Overall GPA Spring Semester Pass Minimum of six (6) credit hours during previous FT Term FOOTBALL - Min. 9 Credit Hours/Term previous FT Term 95% if GPA for graduation (1.900) Entering Fourth Year Pass 18 hours Minimum of 18 hours during the preceeding Fall and Spring terms only Minimum of six (6) credit hours during previous FT Term Complete 60% of 4 yr.degree requirements (minimum 72 degree plan hrs) All course work must be on degree plan on file in order to be counted toward eligibility 100% of GPA for graduation (2.000) Good Standing with SFA-2.0 Overall GPA Spring Semester Pass Minimum of six (6) credit hours during previous FT Term FOOTBALL - Minimum of NINE Credit Hours/Term previous FT Term 100% of GPA for graduation (2.00) Entering Fifth Year Pass 18 hours Minimum of 18 hours during the preceeding Fall and Spring terms only Minimum of six (6) credit hours during previous FT Term Complete 80% of 4 yr.degree requirements (minimum 96 degree plan hrs) All course work must be on degree plan on file in order to be counted toward eligibility 100% of GPA for graduation (2.000) Good standing with SFA-2.0 Overall GPA Spring Semester Pass Minimum of six (6) credit hours during previous FT Term FOOTBALL - Minimum of NINE Credit Hours/Term previous FT Term 100% of GPA for graduation (2.000) ACADEMICS ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION FULL-TIME ENROLLMENT As a student-athlete you must maintain full-time enrollment in order to be eligible for practice and competition. Full-time enrollment is 12 hours (Nine hours for graduate school enrollment). If at any point you drop below full time enrollment, you will be ineligible to play and practice. PROBATION AND SUSPENSION To avoid probation and suspension you must maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average. (GPA). If you are placed on probation and your overall GPA does not increase to a 2.0, you will be placed on suspension. At this time, you must contact your Dean immediately. Your Dean will have absolute authority in your reinstatement for the following semester. Multiple academic suspensions will result in expulsion from the University for one full academic term or longer. TEXAS SUCCESS INITIATIVE (TSI) TSI test is required and governed by state law and is monitored and administered through the office of the Dean of Liberal Arts. Failure of any or all parts of the TSI will result in enrollment for developmental coursework. This course must be completed with a grade of C or better. If you earn a grade below C you will be required to repeat the course again until the proper grade is earned. Developmental courses are counted toward full time enrollment. Students in their first year of college enrollment may use six developmental course hours for eligibility. A student may test out of the developmental requirements through the University Testing Center located in the Rusk Building. Degree Plans Degree Plans must be filed by the beginning of the fifth full-time semester of school. To begin your degree plan, contact your Dean. Be prepared to provide a copy of your transcript and information regarding your chosen major and minor. From this point, you must follow the directions of your Dean to complete the degree plan. Once SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

33 the plan is signed by the appropriate officials and filed with your Dean, you must bring a copy to the athletic academic office to be filed for eligibility. Student-athletes who wish to make changes to their degree plans must receive prior approval by the Assistant Athletics Director for Student Services. Changes to degree plan must be properly documented and filed in a timely manner. GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA) CALCULATION Grade Description Grade Points (Quality Points) A Excellent 4.0 B Good 3.0 C Average 2.0 D Passing 1.0 F Failure 0.0 WH Withheld N/A WP Withdrawn Passing N/A WF Withdrawn Failing N/A Grade point averages can be figured by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the total of hours attempted. Example: Quality Grade Quality Course Grade Hours Points Points ENG 132 C PHY 101 A PHY 101L A MAT 099 RB CSC 101 F KIN 230 B KIN 100 B Divide the Quality Pts. (31) by the Quality Hrs. (13). 31/13= gpa REPEATING COURSES A student, who desires to repeat courses in order to improve his/her GPA at SFA, must repeat those courses at SFA. When a course is repeated, the student is given the benefit of the higher grade. Although, the course when first taken remains a part of the student s academic record, the effect of the grade is removed from the student s GPA. If a student repeats a course more than twice, all grades will be averaged together. Student-athletes should keep in mind that repeating a course can affect eligibility. Repeating an F can be counted as new hours as well as improve your grade point average. D repeats cannot be counted as new hours because credit has already been received for the course. A D repeat can improve your GPA. It is suggested that you discuss any and all repeat courses with the Assistant Athletic Director for Student Services. COURSES NOT TAKEN AT SFA Students may attempt courses at institutions other than SFA during Christmas and summer breaks as long as prior approval has been granted in writing by the Assistant Athletic Director for Student Services and the Office of Admissions. Any coursework taken without prior written approval may not be counted towards eligibility and may not apply to the student s degree program. Students should not repeat coursework already taken at SFA. Please note that any coursework completed at an institution other than SFA will be applied as credit only and grades will not transfer. Therefore, coursework from another institution will not help or hurt your GPA for eligibility. DROPPING CLASSES Student-athletes who want to drop a class(es) are required to receive a signed approval form from the Assistant Athletic Director for Student Services. Once approved, this form must be taken to the Registrar s Office to complete drop/add process. No schedule changes may be made after the deadline specified in the academic calendar without the approval from the course instructor and the departmental dean. Fall 2015 Last Day to Drop a Course Oct. 28, 2015 Spring 2016 Last Day to Drop a Course March 23, 2016 ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Available to All Student-Athletes Individualized Academic Monitoring and Counseling, Including Course Selection, Scheduling, Degree Programs, and Eligibility Tutors, Study Hall, Student-Athlete Programs including Study Skills, Drug Education, Time Management etc. NCAA Scholarship Information Health and Wellness NCAA Champs LifeSkills program SFA 101 University Support Services Available to all University Students including All Student-Athletes Academic Advising Disability Services Counseling and Career Services, Summer Freshmen & Transfer Orientation, Counseling Alcohol Awareness/Counseling Services, Testing Services, Career Services, Student Employment AARC (Academic Assistance and Resource Center) Tutoring, Study Skills, Test Taking Skills, Time management, TSI tutoring Student Health Services Legal Services, Student Affairs, SFA 101 LINC (Library Information Network Center) Health and Wellness Center SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 33

34 STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE The SFA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a representative body of student-athletes sponsored by the athletic department and overseen by the Assistant Athletic Director for Student Services. The committee is comprised of two representatives from each sport, including an upper-classmen and one lowerclassmen. The committee meets twice each month and discusses pertinent student-athlete welfare issues as well as department policies. The committee also participates in fund raising and community service activities and votes annually on the Jene Carter Award. Student-athletes should contact their team representatives with issues or concerns that should be addressed by the committee. ACADEMIC CENTER REQUIRED STUDY HOURS Study hall is located in the Academic Center. Required study hall hours are determined separately by each head coach and are at the discretion of the coaches to change whenever they determine it is appropriate. Study hall hours may be accumulated in the study hall during the times of 8am-6pm Monday through Thursday, 8am-5pm Friday and 6pm-10pm on Sunday. Study hall will remain open until 10pm on weekdays to accommodate tutoring appointments, but study hall time will not be collected. Below is a list of recommended study hall time for incoming student-athletes. ALL FRESHMEN: 1st year 8 hours per week (in Academic Center/AARC/SI) SOPHOMORES: GPA 2.0 & BELOW = 8 hours per week (in Academic Center/AARC/ SI) GPA = 4 hours per week (in Academic Center/AARC/SI) GPA = Coaches discretion (in Wyatt Room of Library, Academic Center/AARC/SI) GPA 2.5 & HIGHER = 0 hours required JUNIORS (6TH SEM.), SENIORS, 5TH YEAR: GPA 2.0 & BELOW = 8 hours per week (in Academic Center/AARC/ SI) GPA = 4 hours per week (in Wyatt Room of Library, Academic Center/AARC/SI) GPA 2.2 & In good academic standing will not have required study hours, unless prescribed by coach TRANSFER STUDENTS: 1ST SEMESTER = 4 hours per week (In Wyatt Room of Library, Academic Center/AARC/SI) 2nd SEMESTER = Required study hall hours determined by 1st semester GPA at SFA. *Each sport may identify its own additional criteria for study hall. JACKTEXT SFA JackText Messaging is a notification system used to inform students, faculty, and staff of current Information regarding their business and extracurricular activities with Stephen F. Austin State University. You may sign up for this program through the link on your mysfa page. From time to time, members of the athletic department staff will use this program to deliver information. Intercollegiate Athletics Kinesiology & Kinesiology Students who are members in good standing of any intercollegiate team are eligible to enroll in either the two-hour or one-hour activity/ participation course up to a maximum of six times. Hours earned in this course can only apply as electives if permitted by each individual academic degree plan. This is a pass-fail course with students receiving either an A or F. In order to earn an A in the course, enrolled students must begin and end the semester as a team member in good standing. Failure to do so will result in a grade of F. If prior to the last day to drop during the semester, a student voluntarily quits or is cut/dismissed by the coach from the team, the student should drop this course to avoid receiving a grade of F. Students who voluntarily quit or are cut/dismissed from the team after the last day to drop will receive a grade of F. All students enrolled in this course can receive a syllabus detailing the requirements expected from the Kinesiology & Health Science Office-HPE204. The Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Services is responsible for the athletic administration of this course. MYSFA Student-athletes are responsible for logging Into MySFA several times each week to check their , university announcements, and course Information. Your Ebill and campus announcements will also be available through MySFA. GRADESFIRST GradesFirst software will be utilized a minimum of three times each Fall and Spring semester for electronic grade checks, to track weekly study time, and to schedule tutor appointments. Student-athletes will be given a username and password to access their GradesFirst account. In this account, the student-athlete will be able to view their professor s response to the electronic grade checks, view their weekly accumulated study time, view their calendar, including tutor appointments, view their academic schedule, and professors SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

35 ACADEMIC CALENDAR Fall Friday, August 28, 2015 Residence Halls Open Orientation for all new freshmen & transfer students who did not attend summer orientation Faculty available for advising Monday, August 31, 2015 Classes Begin Thursday, September 3, 2015 Last day to change schedules other than to drop courses Last day to register (both full-time and part-time students) Monday, September 7, 2015 Labor Day Holiday Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Twelfth Class Day Monday, September 28, 2015 Twentieth Class Day Wednesday, October 21, 2015 Mid-semester Wednesday, October 28, 2015 Last day to drop courses and last day to withdraw from the University without WP or WF Monday, November 16, 2015 Last day to apply for degrees to be completed in May 2016 Wednesday, November 25, 2015 Beginning of Thanksgiving Holiday for students and faculty Monday, November 30, 2015 Last day to withdraw from the University Classes Resume Friday, December 4, 2015 SFA Ring Big Dip Ceremony Monday, December 14, 2015 Final examinations - ending Friday, December 18, 2015 Saturday, December 19, 2015 Commencement - William R. Johnson Coliseum Monday, December 21, 2015 Grade entry completed for fall by noon Spring Monday, January 4, 2016 First day to apply for degrees to be completed in August 2016 Friday, January 15, 2016 Residence Halls Open Faculty available for advising Orientation for all new freshmen and transfer students Faculty meetings by Department Monday, January 18, 2016 Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday for students and faculty Tuesday, January 19, 2016 Classes begin Friday, January 22, 2016 Last day to register (both full-time and part-time students) Last day to change schedules other thanto drop courses Wednesday, February 3, 2016 Twelfth class day Wednesday, February 4, 2016 Twelfth class day Monday, February 15, 2016 Twentieth class day Wednesday, March 2, 2016 Last day to apply for degrees to be completed in August 2016 Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Mid-semester Saturday, March 12, 2016 Beginning of spring holidays Monday, March 21, 2016 Classes resume Wednesday, March 23, 2016 Last day to drop courses and last day to withdraw from the University without WP or WF Thursday, March 24, 2016 Beginning of Easter Holiday for students and faculty Monday, March 28, 2016 Classes resume Tuesday, April 26, 2016 Last day to withdraw from the University Friday, May 6, 2016 SFA Ring Big Dip Ceremony Monday, May 9, 2016 Final examinations - ending Friday, May 13, 2015 Saturday, May 14, 2016 Commencement - William R. Johnson Collesium Monday, May 16, 2016 May Mester begins Last day to change schedules other than to drop courses Last day to register (both full-time and part-time students) Monday, May 23, 2016 Mid-term Tuesday, May 31, 2016 Last day to withdraw from the University without WP or WF Last class day and last day to drop courses Wednesday, June 1, 2016 Final Examinations Summer Thursday, June 2, 2016 Orientation for all new freshmen and transfer students Sunday, June 5, 2016 Residence Halls Open Monday, June 6, 2016 Classes Begin (Summer I) Tuesday, June 21, 2016 Mid-term Wednesday, June 29, 2016 Last day to drop courses Last day to withdraw from the University without WP or WF Thursday, July 7, 2016 Last class day and last day to withdraw from the University Friday, July 8, 2016 Final examinations (Summer I) Monday, July 11, 2016 Orientation for all new freshmen and transfer students Tuesday, July 12, 2016 Class Begin (Summer II) Wednesday, July 13, 2016 Last day to change schedule other than to drop courses Last day to register (both full-time and part-time students) Wednesday, July 27, 2016 Mid-term Thursday, August 4, 2016 Last day to withdraw from the University without WP or WF Last day to drop courses Thursday, August 11, 2016 Last class day and last day to withdraw from the University Friday, August 12, 2016 Final Examinations (Summer II) Saturday, August 13, 2016 Commencement - William R. Johnson Colesium ACADEMIC SERVICES STAFF Rob McDermand Asst. AD - Student-Athlete Academic Services Kristina Alexander Academic Services Assistant SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 35

36 HEAD COACHES Roberto Aspillaga Tennis (936) Johnny Cardenas Baseball (936) Cody Clark Cross Country (936) Clint Conque Football (936) Wally Crittenden Soccer (936) Debbie Humphreys Volleyball (936) Mark Kellogg Women s Basketball (936) kelloggmb@sfasu.edu Amber Lemke Bowling (936) lemkeal@sfasu.edu Gay McNutt Softball (936) mcnuttrg@sfasu.edu Phil Olson Track and Field (936) polson@sfasu.edu Trey Schroeder Golf (936) tdschroeder@sfasu.edu Brad Underwood Men s Basketball (936) underwoob@sfasu.edu SFA Student-Athlete Handbook

37 ATHLETIC STAFF Robert Hill Director of Athletics Matt Fenley Assoc. AD/Compliance John Branch Assoc. AD/External Affairs Rob Meyers Asst. AD/Business Rob McDermand Asst. AD/Academic Services Loree McCary SWA / Asst. Athletic Trainer Jeff Smith Head Athletic Trainer Rand Champion Director of Media Relations Greg Payne Equipment/Facilities Josh Lammert Asst. Athletic Trainer Steve Condon Asst. Athletic Trainer Kristina Alexander Academic Services Asst. Zach Reynolds Asst. Director of Media Relations Korbin Pate Video Productions Brian Newton Asst. Director of Media Relations Ted Smith Director of Athletic Development Travis Turner Marketing Coordinator Brent Gallagher Marketing Coordinator Nathan Schneider Director of Corporate Sales Tori Smith Admin. Assistant/ Insurance SFA Student-Athlete Handbook 37