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.01 Senate Statement

Pursuant to the Rules of the University Senate this Athletic Code contains the purposes and mission of the Department of Athletics and Recreation and the university athletics policies with respect to scheduling, eligibility rules, scholarship policies, and the academic and moral responsibility of the student‑athletes. It is expected that the Director of Athletics and Recreation, the coaching and administrative staff, all student‑athletes, as well any group operating under the auspices of the Department of Athletics and Recreation will adhere to the policies hereinafter stated. It is hoped that this code will provide closer liaison, better communication, and a firm understanding of the aims and purposes of athletics at American University among the members of the administration, the faculty and staff, the Department of Athletics and Recreation, and the student body.

 

.02 Mission Statement

American University is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence. All endeavors of the university are pursued with that mission in clear focus. The programs offered by the Department of Athletics and Recreation are an integral part of the American University campus life.

The Department of Athletics and Recreation pursues a unified six‑part objective:

A. To provide the university with local, regional, and national prominence through competitive excellence.

B. To provide, through intercollegiate competition, a focal point for university students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

C. To provide a diverse campus with appropriate physical recreation opportunities through intramural, club, and free recreation programs.

D. To seek competitive excellence at the NCAA Division I level with student‑athletes who achieve academic excellence. To recruit, retain, and graduate student‑athletes capable of achieving both. The department, in addition to seeking the goals of academic and competitive excellence, must also provide enriching life experiences to the student‑athletes in order to make them productive members of society.

E. To operate the Sports Center to maximize use by the various populations, i.e., intercollegiate (practice and games), academic (Department of Health Fitness classes), and the campus community (commencement, convocations, student concerts, intramurals, and recreation).

F. To accomplish these objectives while maintaining a strong commitment to the principles of diversity and equity and to the welfare of the student‑athletes.

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.03 Athletic Policies

A. Scheduling

Sports schedules are compiled by the coaching staff with the advice and consent of the Director of Athletics and Recreation. Every attempt will be made to schedule competitive events with institutions which have comparable principles, academic programs, and standards of competition. Only in exceptional circumstances will competitive events be scheduled off‑campus during final exam periods. All schedules must conform to the minimums and maximums as stated in NCAA Bylaw, Article 17.

B. Eligibility

In order to be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics at American University a student must meet the requirements and abide by the regulations of the university, the faculty, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Colonial Athletic Association, and any other appropriate conferences or organizations of which the university may choose to become a member. The most pertinent regulations are herein summarized:

1. A student must be enrolled at the university as a full‑time undergraduate student.

2. A graduate student may also compete provided he or she has met all of the NCAA requirements as stated in Bylaw, Article 14 for graduate student competition.

3. To be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics a full‑time undergraduate student must maintain normal progress toward graduation as defined by the school or college in which he or she is enrolled. It is expected that as of the fall semester of his or her sophomore year a student‑athlete will maintain a cumulative average of 2.0 for participation in college athletics with the understanding that a student may complete the season of any intercollegiate sport in which he or she is participating at the time he or she falls below a 2.0 cumulative average. A student‑athlete falling below 2.0 but making normal progress may be certified eligible by the Committee on Athletics.

4. It will be the responsibility of the Director of Athletics and Recreation to keep informed of the academic performance of students participating in intercollegiate athletics. The Associate Director of Athletics for Academics will certify the eligibility of all student‑athletes to the Committee on Athletics in writing at the beginning of each semester. This certification will include access to all appropriate NCAA eligibility forms.

5. Graduates from junior or community colleges shall be immediately eligible provided that they have met the requirements of the admissions office and all appropriate NCAA regulations regarding transfer. (Bylaw, Article 14)

C. Scholarships

Financial assistance or athletic grants‑in‑aid which are based on athletic skill are available. All financial assistance is awarded through Financial Aid. Financial assistance based on athletic ability will be recommended by the coach and Athletic Director to Financial Aid. Financial Aid awards financial aid in strict compliance with the regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (Bylaw, Article 15.) If Financial Aid terminates or gradates an athletic financial aid award upon the recommendation of the Director of Athletics and Recreation, the student whose award has been terminated or gradated has the right to appeal. The appeal process is described in its entirety in the Policy Manual of the Department of Athletics and Recreation and in the Student‑Athlete Handbook.

D. Academic Responsibilities of Participants in Intercollegiate Athletics

One of the primary responsibilities of all members of the coaching staff is to ensure the continuation of good scholarship on the part of all students in intercollegiate athletics. It is the coaches' responsibility to keep abreast of the academic progress of the student‑athletes. On some occasions students will be participating in an athletic contest at the same hour as they are scheduled for class. When student‑athletes must leave campus for several days, they are required to make prior arrangements when they will be absent from class, and faculty members are encouraged to provide the opportunity for athletes to make up assignments that are missed.

E. Moral Responsibility for Student‑Athletes

American University expects that all students, as mature members of an academic community, will adhere to the highest standards of personal integrity and good taste in their own conduct and relationships with others.

F. Club Sports

1. Club Sports shall be included as an area of responsibility in the Department of Athletics and Recreation, specifically the responsibility of the Intramural Director.

2. A Club Council composed of student members will be established to coordinate all club activities.

a. Each club recognized by the Athletics Department and the Office of Student Services shall have one representative on the Club Council.

b. The Intramural Director from the Department of Athletics and Recreation shall serve ex officio as chair of Club Council. The Chair's function will be to conduct monthly meetings of the club, assist the clubs in obtaining charters from the council, and accept annual club audits.

c. One member of the staff of the Vice President of Student Services shall be designated by that office to serve ex officio on the club council. One member designated by and from the Student Confederation shall serve ex officio on the club council.

d. One faculty member elected by the University Senate shall serve ex officio on the club council.

3. Each club shall be chartered by the council and the following information will be provided in the application to the council for charter:

a. The name and purpose of the club.

b. A list of the current officers who are responsible for the actions, conduct, and operations of the club.

c. A statement of the rules and regulations concerning eligibility for participation in the club's activities. (All sanctioned club members must be registered full‑ or part‑time students at American University.)

d. A statement of how the activity will be financed.

e. Proof of adequate insurance.

f. A provision for an annual published audit report to the council of the club's finances.

g. Completed Club Sport Individual Consent and Release Form for each club member.

h. Completed Club Sport Consent and Release Form signed by an officer.

4. The Department of Athletics and Recreation shall have direct jurisdiction over the use of the university facilities and equipment.

5. Each club shall be self‑governing in all respects. Clubs must be open to all without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, personal appearance, disability, marital status, family responsibilities, political affiliation or source of income, except as may be specifically exempted by Federal or District of Columbia laws and regulations.

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.04 Changes in Athletic Code

The Committee on Athletics has the right to propose changes in the policies of this document periodically as needed. From time to time it will be necessary to recommend certain changes to keep pace with the changing philosophy of American University.

 

Senate action and Provost approval, May 1994.

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