University of Minnesota  Administrative Policy

Intercollegiate Athletic Events during Study Day and Finals Weeks: Twin Cities, Morris

Policy Statement

This policy applies only to intercollegiate athletic teams, not to any other teams (e.g., teams competing under the aegis of recreational sports or any other unit of the University). For all other teams and for other activities, see Administrative Policies: Makeup Work for Legitimate Absences: Twin Cities, Crookston, Morris, Rochester and Scheduling Examinations, Final Examinations, and Study Days: Twin Cities, Crookston, Morris, Rochester.

Student-athletes may not travel to or compete in intercollegiate athletic events during the period beginning with, and including, Study Days and ending with the last day of Final Examinations, unless allowed by an exception noted in this policy. Teams may schedule home events in the evening of the last day of Final Examinations if the examination schedule is concluded by 18:00.

If students do participate in an event that is allowed by an exception, instructors must provide an alternative and timely opportunity for students to complete course requirements they were unable to complete because of an absence permitted by this policy.

Exceptions

The Director of Athletics wishing to accept post-season or other athletic events that are invitational in nature (whether or not conducted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or another national sport governing body), rather than a normal progression to a championship, and which would take place during Study Days or Final Examinations, must request and receive the specific approval of the Faculty Academic Oversight for Intercollegiate Athletics Committee (FAOIAC) and Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP) before student-athletes may participate.

The Director of Athletics need not request or receive approval for post-season competitive events that occur during Study Days or Final Examinations, if they meet the following conditions:

  • the event is in normal progression in the sport, leading from in-season competition to conference or regional championships and then to national championship competition;
  • the academic counselor for the team ensures that satisfactory alternative academic arrangements have been made and reported to the Faculty Academic Oversight forIntercollegiate Athletics Committee (FAOIAC) for Twin Cities or to the Scholastic Committee and the Faculty Athletics Representative for Morris; and
  • the event is conducted under the aegis of the NCAA or the appropriate national sport governing body if it is not the NCAA.

The Director of Athletics need not request or receive approval for an athletic team to hold a practice or team meeting during Study Days as long as it is two hours or less in length.

Exception Reporting

For Twin Cities: The academic counseling office for intercollegiate athletics must provide annually to the chairs of the SCEP and FAOIAC, a letter listing any exceptions granted, and accommodations that were made for the students as a result so that they may complete course requirements. The Director of Athletics must provide annually, early in the fall semester, to the chairs of SCEP and FAOIAC a written letter listing  the number of student-athletes who missed any Study Days or any part of Final Examinations during the preceding year and the academic performance of those student-athletes.

For Morris: The Director of Athletics must provide annually, early in the fall semester, to the Scholastic Committee and the Faculty Athletics Representative a letter listing the number of student-athletes who missed any Study Days or any part of Final Examinations during the preceding year and the academic performance of those student-athletes.

Exclusions

This policy is not applicable to the Duluth, Crookston, and Rochester campuses.

Reason for Policy

Rules and guidelines are provided to ensure that student athletes and faculty have a common understanding of what is expected and permitted when student-athletes have scheduled events during Study Days and Final Examinations.

Procedures

Forms/Instructions

Appendices

Frequently Asked Questions

Contacts

Subject Contact Phone Fax/Email
Primary Contact(s) Stacey Tidball 612-624-1111 [email protected]
Twin Cities Campus Procedures Sarah J Kussow 612-626-7086 [email protected]
Morris Campus Procedures Marcus Muller 320-589-6011 [email protected]
Responsible Individuals
Responsible Officer Policy Owner Primary Contact
  • Executive Vice President and Provost
  • Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education
  • Stacey Tidball
    Associate Vice Provost - Academic Support Resources

Definitions

Intercollegiate athletics
Sports teams organized and funded by the institution through the athletics department. Intercollegiate does not refer to or include recreational sports, intramural sports, club sports, or other special interest sport clubs or organizations.

Responsibilities

Academic Counseling Office
Provide an annual report of any exceptions granted, and accommodations that were made for the students as a result so that they may complete course requirements.
Director of Athletics (TC and Morris)
Provide an annual report noting absences of student athletes related to intercollegiate athletic events and their academic performance.
Faculty Academic Oversight for Intercollegiate Athletics Committee (FAOIAC)
Make a decision on requests for exceptions to this policy.
Morris Scholastic Committee and Faculty Athletics Representative
Make a decision on requests for exceptions to this policy.
Senate Committee on Educational Policy
Make a decision on requests for exceptions to this policy.

History

Amended:
December 2021 - Comprehensive Review. 1. Added Morris to the scope of this policy, which also included edits to accurately reflect job and committee title on the campuses. 2. Removes the requirement for formal exception requests if an athletic team is holding a practice or team meeting on a Study Day as long as it is two hours or less in length.
Amended:
May 2016 - Comprehensive Review, Minor Revision. 1. Adds roles and responsibilities that were defined in the policy. 2. Changes made for clarification and grouped the exceptions under a subheading. 3. Specifies who requests exceptions to the policy.
Amended:
April 2009 - Clarified policy and put in standard format. Added contact information.
Effective:
April 2009
Supercedes:
Classes, Schedules, and Final Examinations for the Twin Cities Campus