Spartan Academic Support Services

It is the intent of ICA (Intercollegiate Athletics) to see that our student-athletes graduate with degrees in their chosen fields. The demands of integrating athletic competition, academic success and personal growth are challenging.

The Spartan Academic Support Services (SASS) bridges the gap between education, athletics and other university programs. The primary goal of the SASS is to help student-athletes make satisfactory progress toward graduation while providing the education and services (see below) they need to maintain a well-balanced lifestyle amid the demands of an NCAA Division I institution.

SASS focuses on the whole individual – academic, athletic and emotional – in the years during and after college. We firmly believe that there is a direct relationship between quality of effort (both academic and athletic) and performance. We consider the results achieved in the classroom to be a direct reflection on our athletic program.

Through SASS, students explore university programs, options and opportunities, although UNCG student-athletes are expected to take responsibility for their own actions and decisions. They are expected to represent themselves, their teams, ICA and UNCG in a manner that consistently promotes honesty, fairness, trust, respect and responsibility.

SASS services:

• Facilitate positive freshman experience through participation in SOAR & UNS
• Provide academic support helping student-athletes utilize campus support systems
• Monitor academic progress of student-athletes through 5- & 10-week reports
• Provide a monitored structured study area where student-athletes can work
• Facilitate student-athletes' exploration of academic interests, majors and career options to allow them to graduate with meaningful degrees
• Work with student-athletes to help them understand degree audit sheets, degree evaluations and the impact those have on working toward graduation

Student-Athletes are responsibe for:

• Completing Virtual Advising before SOAR
• Being familiar with different programs, majors and options available
• Choosing a major that blends their own interests and strengths
• Exploring academic options with academic advisor in their majors
• Monitoring their own academic progress with instructors and advisors
• Taking UNS 101 Fall semester
• Participating in structured study during the fall semester

Academic Excellence

SASS works to support the academic progress of student-athletes toward intellectual development and graduation. Student Academic Services, Learning Assistance Center, Counseling and Testing Center, Speaking Center and Writing Center help us provide information in the following areas:

• Structured study
• Academic agendas
• Goal setting
• Time management
• Study skills
• Tutoring
• Study groups
• Progress reports (for all student-athletes in all courses twice per semester)
• UNS 101: University Studies (required for all freshman student-athletes)

Academic Development

SASS encourages student-athletes to develop and pursue career goals and life goals. The School of Education’s Counseling and Educational Development Department, as well as Business and Career Services’ representatives, provide student-athletes with a variety of experiences, including:

• CED 210: Career and Life Planning
• Field experiences
• Career Day

SASS staff includes a director, an assistant academic coordinator, graduate interns, daytime and Sunday night structured study monitors and tutors. The ancillary staff includes professionals who provide various services such as academic advising, career counseling, individual and small group tutoring, classroom instruction and other support services. Our program gives more than lip service to the term student-athlete; we use tangible goal-oriented methods to help our student-athletes succeed in the classroom.

Academic Advising

Freshmen and sophomores without declared majors will be advised through the College of Arts and Sciences. All other student-athletes should follow the normal procedures for university academic advising concerning schedules, possible class choices, degree requirements, etc. SASS staff will monitor academic progress, advise and counsel student-athletes and serve as a liaison between ICA and the academic community. Progress letters are sent to faculty requesting input such as grades, attendance, etc. Students are assigned tutors in any problem areas. Coaches should go through SASS with any problems related to academics. Coaches are prohibited from making direct contact with professors. All contact with the academic community must go through the faculty athletics representative or AEP Director.

Class attendance is monitored through Student Academic Services as well as SASS. ICA will discipline if necessary. Daily class attendance is expected of all student-athletes. Student-athletes are never excused from a test, paper or homework due on the date of travel or participation. It is their responsibility to meet with their instructors prior to an absence and make plans to complete the assignments. At the beginning of all sports seasons, the competitive schedule (including all departure/return times) should be sent to all professors. This is accompanied by a letter signed by the faculty athletics representative and the chairman of FCIA.

Office of Academic Compliance

The Academic Compliance Office is charged with monitoring and evaluating issues related to the continuing eligibility of the student-athletes and completing NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) reporting forms regarding continuing eligibility and retention. Academic Compliance also works closely with student-athletes who are identified as needing extra attention while adjusting academically and socially. The goal of this office is to serve as a bridge for our student-athletes and assist in connecting them with the appropriate campus-based support service dependent upon their specific needs. The main goal of this office is to assist student-athletes in their pursuit of degrees and ensure compliance with university and NCAA guidelines.

The Academic Compliance office relies on a combination of professionals and offices across campus to be successful in delivering quality guidance and assistance to our student-athletes in a timely fashion. We provide a wide array of services and programs that are geared toward developing the fundamental skills needed to be successful in college both as a student and an athlete. The success of these services and programs are dependent upon how invested our student-athletes and coaches are in their academic endeavors to obtain degrees. Therefore, the student-athlete is ultimately held responsible for completing all of his/her academic requirements.

Together Everyone Accomplishes More (TEAM) -- this is the slogan of the academic compliance area. We cannot be successful without the assistance of a number of professionals and offices. We must continue to work together to develop services and programs aimed at meeting the needs of a diverse population of student-athletes. We must also strive to reach our ultimate goal of "being recognized in Division I as a national leader in the welfare of the student-athlete."

 

NCAA-ESTABLISHED ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS   

For student-athletes enrolled prior to Aug. 1, 2003:

• Following completion of the second year, the student-athlete must have a cumulative minimum 1.80 GPA and 25 percent of his/her specific degree requirements completed 
• Following completion of the third year, the student-athlete must have a cumulative minimum 1.90 GPA and 50 percent of his/her specific degree requirements completed 
• Following completion of the fourth year, the student-athlete must have a cumulative minimum 1.95 GPA and 75 percent of his/her specific degree requirements completed.  
• The student-athlete must successfully complete six semester hours in a semester to be eligible for the following semester.

For student-athletes enrolled on or after Aug. 1, 2003:

• The student-athlete must pass at least six hours in any semester (not including summer). The student-athlete must continually pass at least 18 hours during the academic year (fall and spring).  
• Entering the second year of collegiate enrollment, the student-athlete must have 24 semester hours, with at least 18 hours earned during the academic year (not including summer courses). The student-athlete must also have (and maintain) 90 percent of the GPA required for graduation (1.80).
• Entering the third year of collegiate enrollment, The student-athlete must declare a major and must have earned at least 40 percent of his/her specific degree requirements. The student must also have (and maintain) 95 percent of the GPA required for graduation (1.90).
• Entering the fourth year of collegiate enrollment, the student-athlete must have earned at least 60 percent of his/her specific degree requirements. The student-athlete must also have (and maintain) 100 percent of the GPA required for graduation (2.0).
• Entering the fifth year of collegiate enrollment, the student-athlete must have earned at least 80 percent of his/her specific degree requirements. The student-athlete must also have (and maintain) 100 percent of the GPA required for graduation (2.0).

Please note:

• Transfer student-athletes who initially enroll as full-time students (at any institution) on or after Aug. 1, 2003, are subject to the new academic requirements.
• The averaging method will not be used for student-athletes enrolled after Aug. 1, 2003.
• Summer credit hours may be used to satisfy the 24 credit hour requirement. Summer hours may also be used to meet the 40/60/80 percent of degree requirements.
• Summer credit to satisfy the percentage of GPA requirement can only be earned at UNCG.
• A student-athlete may use remedial or non-credit courses earned in the first year of enrollment for certification entering the second year of enrollment. No more than six semester hours can be used to satisfy the 24 semester hour requirements.
• Currently, UNCG does NOT provide summer scholarship assistance for student-athletes to meet the 24 hour or GPA requirements in order to be eligible for competition in the fall semester.
• According to university policy, a student-athlete's failure to successfully complete 75 percent of his/her academic credit in a given semester may result in loss of outside financial aid (i.e., BEOG, Pell Grants, SEOG, University Stores and other financial assistance).
• Successfully completing 12 hours per semester will not place a student-athlete on track to graduate in four years (12 hours x 8 semesters = 96 hours of degree credit). An average of 15.3 hours per semester is needed to graduate from UNCG in four years.