POLICY ON SCHEDULING
Policies having to do with the scheduling of events and practices are province of the Faculty Academic Oversight Committee (FAOCIA) as they directly relate to the academic performance of student athletes.
The following policies and procedures will pertain*:
I. Athletic Events
A. The schedule of athletic events would include no more than nine class days away from campus, including travel, per student, Monday–Friday during any semester. (See section IV.B)
B. During the first week of each semester student-athletes may not miss the first class meeting of any course for athletic events, including travel, unless the student-athletes verify to their coach that they have obtained prior approval for their intended absence from the faculty member or instructor. Because the first week of each semester is preceded by a vacation period, it is necessary for the student-athlete to submit to the faculty member or instructor, a written request to hold a place in that class if absence is anticipated.
The Statement of Policy Concerning Absence from Class by Students who Participate in University-Approved Non-Curricular Activities states: The University recognizes the desirability of student participation in various approved non-curricular activities that conflict at times with class attendance. It endorses a policy of reasonable accommodations as described in the policy on makeup examinations for legitimate absences Specific rules and responsibilities are available in the minutes of the November 11, 1949 Senate meeting and the policy on makeup examinations for legitimate absences passed at the April 19, 2001 Senate meeting.
C. Home athletic events may not be scheduled before noon on any class day during the regular academic year. (See attached Procedures for Approving Student-Athletes' Participation in Invitationals as Representatives of the University of Minnesota.)
D. Athletic events, including related travel, may not be scheduled from the beginning of Study Day to the end of Finals Week. Requests for exceptions to this policy must be presented to the FAOCIA before being submitted to the Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP) by the athletic director/designee [see attached SCEP policy]. Athletic events that are part of the logical progression [SEE E.1] to a Conference or NCAA championship are excluded from this prohibition.
E. In
those instances where post-season competitive events occur during Study Day or
Finals Week (either of Day School or of Extension Classes), the Senate Committee
on Educational Policy will consider them approved (that is, without requiring
explicit action on the part of the Committee) subject to the following
conditions:
1. The
event is in logical progression in the sport leading from in season competition
to conference or regional championships and then to national championship
competition; [Logical progression shall be defined as qualifying for an event
or a series of events based on successful prior competition. Participation in
Big Ten, NCAA or WCHA contests shall be deemed logical progression if all teams
in that league are eligible to participate in that contest. Class days missed
for such events will not be counted toward the regular season permitted
maximum]; and 2. The
coach or other staff member in the athletic program can demonstrate to the
Director of the McNamara Academic Center for Student Athletes that satisfactory
alternative academic arrangements have been made; and 3. The
event is conducted under the aegis of the NCAA or the appropriate national
sport governing body if it is not the NCAA.
F. Any other post-season competition, such as bowl games or invitational events requires the specific approval of the FAOCIA. However, when these events fall during Study Days or Finals Week, specific approval of SCEP is required before participation may occur.
G. All competition by varsity teams, or student-athletes on those teams, which is sanctioned or supported financially or otherwise materially by the University, must be approved in advance by FAOCIA in the same manner it approves regular schedules. Such approval includes those instances where competition involves teams or individuals not formally affiliated with the University, and it includes any competition that may occur at times other than during the normal academic year. On those occasions when the Committee will not meet before the proposed competition is to occur, the Chair of the FAOCIA or designee shall poll FAOCIA members [by telephone or e-mail], seeking authority to approve or disapprove University representation in the event.
H. University-sponsored athletic events (if not previously approved) held during Summer Session must have prior approval of FAOCIA.
I. All intra-squad events that take place outside of the Twin Cities metro area must be approved in advance by FAOCIA. ("Twin Cities campus" is interpreted to include the Humphrey Metrodome.)
J. By state law (Minnesota Statutes 1982, Sect. 202A.19), no event may be scheduled by the University that would take place after 6:00 p.m. on the day of a major political party precinct caucus, unless permission has been granted by the Board of Regents.
*Procedures for obtaining exceptions to policies are found in Section IV.
K. It
is the responsibility of the student-athlete and academic advisors to avoid
scheduling classes that regularly conflict with scheduled events. Evening
classes are discouraged, especially those that meet on evenings prior to or on
a scheduled event. It is the responsibility of the academic advisors to monitor
evening class time missed, due to approved travel.
1. Missed
class time for athletic events scheduled away from campus is counted as follows
for days on which classes are scheduled Monday through Friday: a. Scheduled
time of departure from campus Class
Days Missed Before
12:00 noon 1
day After
12:00 noon - 2:00 p.m. 1/4
day After
2:00 p.m. 0
days b. Scheduled
time of return to campus Before
8:00 A.M. 0 After
8:00 A.M. 3/4
day
2. Missed class time for home events is
counted as follows: 12:00
noon - 2:00 p.m. 1/4
day
II. Practice
A. First year and transfer student-athletes must be excused from practice to attend the academic components of University and college orientation programs.
B. A student-athlete must be excused from all scheduled practice to attend scheduled classes.
C. Regular or scheduled practice should not take place on study day. Student-athletes' examination schedules must be considered when scheduling practice during finals week.
III. Reporting
REFER TO SCEP POLICY
A. Proposed competition and travel schedules events and proposed schedule changes shall be submitted by the Athletics Director or designee to the chair of the FAOCIA. The committee will approve a schedule if it meets the policy provisions. If the schedule does not meet policy provisions, the schedule will be brought to the next meeting of FAOCIA, which will determine whether or not to make an exception. Schedules of athletic events will be considered approved following the next regularly scheduled FAOCIA meeting unless they violate the criteria herein stated.
B. An academic plan is required for any travel causing a student-athlete to be away from campus for more than nine missed class days per semester. Coaches in collaboration with the student-athlete and the academic counselor shall regularly make academic plans for their team members while on extended trips. An academic plan includes the travel itinerary and provisions for student-athlete study during travel, including appropriate hours for study, access to necessary resources and appropriate time and space for examinations. The academic plan shall be submitted in advance to the FAOCIA for approval. (See section I.A.)
C. If a team or individual team member misses more than nine class days during any semester without prior approval, the athletics director or designee must report back to the FAOCIA, with proposed consequences where deemed appropriate. The expectation is that the excess time will be subtracted from the permitted nine days during the corresponding semester of the next academic year. Additional consequences may also be imposed.
REVISED May 2001
REVISED FALL 2002
Approved by SCEP and Assembly Steering Committee, May 2003