POL - 60.00.3 Policy Statement on Intercollegiate Athletics
1. Introduction
The University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors has delegated responsibility for the establishment and supervision of intercollegiate athletics to the Chancellor of each constituent institution. The delegation is subject to the requirements and mandates of this policy.
2. Scope
The following are policies to guide the Department of Athletics of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) in the governance of its intercollegiate athletic programs.
3. Mission and Athletic Policy
3.1 Intercollegiate athletics play an important role in fulfilling the University’s purposes, both by contributing to the education of student-athletes and by enriching the University environment.
3.2 Success in NCCU Athletics shall be evaluated within the context of the educational mission and institution and measured by the personal development of student-athletes and the program’s contribution to the University.
3.3 The philosophy of the Department of Athletics is to support the development of student- athletes as whole individuals and to develop; and reinforce their goals and achievements in every facet of life. The social aspects of athletic competition, including leadership and cooperative experience, contribute to students' moral development and high standards.
4. Athletic Policies and Regulations
4.1 The Chancellor’s responsibility for the University’s Intercollegiate Athletic programs, as delegated by the UNC Board of Governors, includes overseeing the personnel and financial affairs associated with intercollegiate athletics and for upholding University policies. The Chancellor has the responsibility and authority for defining the responsibilities of the Director of Athletics, to approve the annual operating budget(s) for the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, and to ensure that the institution conforms with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) standards.
4.2 The Director of Athletics reports to the Chancellor and manages the department within the guidelines outlined by, University administrative procedures, NCCU Board of Trustees collaboration, and all NCAA and conference legislation. An Athletics Council will be charged by the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR), and is composed of faculty. The group will collaborate with NCCU athletics administrative personnel to monitor all components of the department, including compliance with national and conference athletic regulations, and provide liaison among the parties it represents.
4.3 Together the Chancellor, Director of Athletics, and the Athletics Council shall ensure compliance with the standards and legislation of the UNC Board of Governors, NCCU Board of Trustees, and the NCAA.
5. Admission, Eligibility and Academic Progress of Athletes
5.1 All student-athletes shall be admitted to NCCU using the same standards and requirements established for other students. In cases of applicants with marginal academic credentials, the Chancellor and Provost shall make the final admissions decisions after reviewing the applications and all supporting credentials in accordance to the university Chancellor’s Exception process.
5.2 Prospective student-athletes who are admitted to the University but are ineligible for intercollegiate competition during their freshman year, will participate in University sponsored programs. These program(s) have been designed to help all academically marginal students achieve success during their freshman year.
5.3 Continuing enrollment at the University requires students to make measured progress toward their degrees. Student athletes are subject to both University and NCAA regulations regarding academic progress. Continuing eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competitions shall be determined by the Student-Athlete Support Services division, Athletic Compliance officers, and the Registrar’s Office, in a manner consistent with the University academic standards and NCAA regulations.
6. Grants-in-Aid
6.1 The Department of Athletics currently provides grant-in-aid to selected student-athletes who have demonstrated exceptional skills in particular sports. These awards may pay full or partial educational expenses and are administered by the department under NCAA guidelines. Under these guidelines, grant-in-aids are awarded only one year at a time. However, students accepting scholarships shall be informed that University policy encourages provision of aid through the completion of an undergraduate degree within the time limits prescribed by the NCAA.
6.2 The number of grants-in-aids that will be awarded in each sport shall conform to the number permitted by NCAA regulations. Coaches will recommend grant-in-aid recipients to the Director of Athletics who has the authority to recommend approval of each award. Any alterations or cancelation of an award for continuing student athletes is recommended by the Office of Athletic Compliance to the Financial Aid officer, who reviews the recommendations and shall take action in accordance with guidelines set forth by the university office of Scholarship and Student Aid.
7. Drug Education
7.1 The Department of Athletics shall conduct a comprehensive drug education and chemical dependency prevention program to assist student-athletes to understand the problems and effects associated with drugs.
7.2 The overall objective of the NCCU program shall be first to deter involvement, and second to recommend counseling and treatment for student-athletes involved with drugs.
8. Relation with Non-Athletic Department Personnel
8.1 The Chancellor shall ensure that all foundations, clubs, and associations established primarily to raise money on behalf of a constituent institution are audited annually and that those audits are reviewed by the institutional Division of Institutional Advancement, NCCU Board of Trustees and are forwarded to the President of the University of North Carolina system.
8.2 The Director of Athletics shall notify these fundraising organizations in writing specified by NCAA legislation governing contact with student-athletes or prospective student-athletes.
8.3 No guest benefits may be extended by the Department of Athletics on a recurring basis to members of the NCCU faculty, staff, and volunteers except for Athletics Council members who may receive complimentary tickets to attend athletic events.
9. A Firm Commitment
9.1 NCCU is committed to a competitive, broad-based intercollegiate athletics program for men and women in both revenue and non-revenue-producing sports.
9.2 It is the mission of the Department of Athletics to operate an athletics program that is open, respectful of University purposes, committed to the development of athletes intellectually, morally, and physically; and is consistent with the policies and regulations of the University, its athletic conference, and the NCAA.