Washington and Lee Student Athlete Handbook
Student-Athlete Rules
and Policies
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
Student Host Guidelines for Recruit
Visit
NCAA Banned Drugs
Dr. Kenneth P. Ruscio, President
Janine Hathorn, Athletic Director
Shana Levine, Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator
Professor Ellen Mayock, Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR)
Student-Athlete
Eligibility
Minimum Academic Requirements for NCAA Eligibility
A student must be full-time and making normal progress toward a
degree in order to be eligible for NCAA competition. No student
shall represent this University in any branch of intercollegiate
athletics who is not regularly matriculated, taking a minimum of 12
credits of class work during the fall and winter terms or 4 credits
during the spring term in the College or the Williams School, or
taking a minimum of 12 semester hours of class work in the School
of Law.
• Spring Option. Please note that students
exercising spring option are not permitted to participate in any
way in intercollegiate athletics as they are not enrolled students.
If you are a varsity athlete planning on exercising spring option,
please discuss your plans with your coach.
The Registrar’s office will be monitoring
student-athletes’ courseloads to ensure they do not fall
below these requirements or drop courses that will take them below
the requirements. Notification by the Registrar’s office will
be cause to check the total status and declare a student ineligible
if he or she does not meet the minimum requirements.
No student shall be a member of more than one intercollegiate
athletic organization in the same season except with the express
approval of the Director.
W&L
waivers for less than full-time athletic
participation
It is the faculty's policy that all degree-seeking students must
normally carry a full-time load. In some cases, when
student-athletes have already been granted an approved course load
of fewer than 12 credits in a fall or winter term, official NCAA
waivers may be granted to student-athletes to allow participation
in intercollegiate athletics. (Students enrolled in spring term
must be enrolled for a single, four-credit course; athletes must be
enrolled in order to compete in the spring term.) In order to
remain athletically eligible, student-athletes in this situation
must (1) complete the documents that the NCAA requires for this
type of waiver, and (2) present documentation to the Director of
Athletics, and, if necessary, to the Americans with Disabilities
Act representative in the Office of the Dean of the College.
Depending upon the nature of the waiver request, the Director of
Athletics or her designee may refer the student-athlete to the
Director of Student Health and Counseling. Approval and renewal of
waivers will be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Athletic
Director or designee. Upon approval of a waiver at W&L, the
student-athlete will work with Athletics staff to complete the NCAA
waiver process.
Approved by the Faculty EC on May 16, 2011
Class Absence Policy
and Procedure
Intercollegiate athletic competition provides young men and women
with opportunities for character development and learning that are
not necessarily available in the classroom context. This is
particularly true at the Division III level where athletics remain
unsullied by the pressures imposed by scholarships, high exposure,
and the need to promote revenue-generating events. As a
consequence, Washington and Lee University encourages students to
take maximum advantage of opportunities at the University to engage
in intercollegiate athletics. This is part of their
education. At the same time the University and the Department
of Physical Education and Athletics recognize that the primary goal
of a university education is intellectual development. As a
consequence, student-athletes are fully expected to devote
themselves to their courses and to their intellectual development
in no less a fashion than they would were they not engaged in
intercollegiate competition.
To accommodate these twin goals of intellectual development and
athletic participation, the Department of Physical Education and
Athletics makes every effort to schedule "the time, place, and
duration of team practices and contests" in a manner that avoids
conflicts with students' class schedules (Mission Statement of the
Department of Physical Education and Athletics). With respect
to practices and team meetings, the faculty and coaching staff
understand that class attendance takes precedence over
participation in athletics. Furthermore, full class
participation in courses that may cause students to miss occasional
practices will not, in itself, prejudice the coaches in the
selection of team participants.
On occasion, University-sanctioned athletic events may unavoidably
conflict with academic schedules. In those situations,
student-athletes are not automatically entitled to exemptions from
class attendance. However, given the Athletic Department's
commitment to the academic mission of the University, professors
are encouraged to accommodate those conflicts whenever doing so
will not damage the individual student-athlete's academic
performance. In this regard, students who
participate in intercollegiate athletics should review their
calendars to see which athletic contests, if any, conflict with
their academic schedules. Each student is responsible for
discussing any scheduling conflict with his or her professors at
the beginning of the term or as soon as possible after the student
learns of the conflict. The ultimate goal is a
reasonable accommodation of academic and athletic pursuits.
Faculty
Guidelines for Scheduling Evening Tests
With recent growth in the number of evening tests that are being
scheduled outside of class hours during the term in the College and
Williams School, concerns have been raised regarding the impact of
these tests on various aspects of academic and student life. At
issue is the fact that students set aside certain hours during the
day for classes, while also setting aside hours during the evenings
for a variety of curricular and co-curricular activities. To that
end, this document provides some guidelines that faculty are asked
to follow when they schedule evening tests at a specific time. This
does not apply to take-home tests that faculty assign for
completion at a time of the students choosing, but rather to tests
that are scheduled for all to complete at a particular evening
examination time block.
Include test dates and times in the syllabus and clearly announce
these at the beginning of the course to allow students as much time
as possible to reschedule other conflicting activities.
Schedule an alternate time period for students with previous
unavoidable commitments to co-curricular activities which conflict
with your test (e.g., required attendance at concerts, plays,
films, and speakers, varsity athletics, jobs) or who may have more
than one test scheduled on a given evening. It is hoped that
faculty will continue to show flexibility for those students who
have an unavoidable commitment and who notify you of that
commitment well in advance of the scheduled date.
To minimize interference with various scheduled activities such as
fine-arts rehearsals, work-study obligations, varsity athletics
games and practice times, and meal times in both the Marketplace
and Greek houses, evening tests should not begin earlier than 7:00
pm. This allows a student participating in most scheduled
activities to complete those activities and get dinner before the
test begins.
Team and
Student-Athlete Travel
As representatives of Washington and Lee University, all coaches,
players, managers, and trainers are expected to conduct themselves
in the best tradition of Washington and Lee University. The
highest degree of decorum under all circumstances will be
exhibited. Coaches must ensure that team conduct will reflect
favorably upon the University. The possession or consumption of
alcohol is not permitted on trips from the time of departure until
team returns to campus and is dismissed.
Social
Networking Websites
The Athletics Department understands the popularity and usefulness
of social networking sites and support their use.
Student-athletes should remember that they are representatives of
Washington and Lee and are in the public eye more that other
students on campus. Please keep the following in mind as you
participate on social networking websites:
• Before participating in any online
community, understand that anything posted online is available to
anyone in the world. Any text or photo placed online becomes the
property of the site and is completely out of your control the
moment it is placed online - even if you limit access to your
site.
• You should not post any information,
photos or other items online that could embarrass you, your family,
your team, the athletics department, or Washington and Lee. This
includes information that may be posted by others on your page.
• Student-athletes could face discipline
and even dismissal for violations of team, department, college
and/or NCAA policies.
Gambling
Activities
Participation in gambling or bribery, even in the most minor
fashion, will jeopardize your athletic career. Sports wagering
includes placing, accepting or soliciting a wager (on a staff
member's or student-athlete's own behalf or on the behalf of
others) of any type with any individual or organization on any
intercollegiate, amateur or professional team or contest.
Examples of sports wagering include, but are not limited to, the
use of a bookmaker or parlay card; Internet sports wagering;
auctions in which bids are placed on teams, individuals or
contests; and pools or fantasy leagues in which an entry fee is
required and there is an opportunity to win a prize. A wager is any
agreement in which an individual or entity agrees to give up an
item of value (e.g., cash, shirt, dinner) in exchange for the
possibility of gaining another item of value.
Washington and
Lee Conduct Policies
The Washington and Lee Department of Athletics is committed to
providing a positive participation experience to all
student-athletes. Washington and Lee University policies are
applicable to all students at the university, including
student-athletes. The Department of Athletics fully opposes
any type of hazing activity and fully supports and promotes the
university’s policies on alcohol, drugs and hazing.
Additionally, the Washington and Lee Department of Athletics takes
all hazing-related incidents very seriously and has the ability to
impose additional consequences related to participation in varsity
athletics.
The Washington and Lee Department of Athletics recognizes the autonomy of each team to set its own team-specific policies in addition to University policies. Team policies will be communicated to the student-athletes and each athletics team will have a written team policy on file in the athletic director’s office
Student Conduct Resources:
http://www.wlu.edu/x36832.xml
University Policy on Alcohol:
http://www.wlu.edu/x36849.xml
Student Handbook (which contains the W&L Hazing
policy):
http://www.wlu.edu/documents/student_affairs/studentconduct/studenthandbook.pdf
Washington and
Lee Hazing and Retaliation Policy
Hazing and Retaliation. Washington and Lee University
prohibits hazing by all students and campus organizations. Hazing
includes harassing and excessive tasks associated with initiation
or membership in an organization. It involves mistreatment of
prospective members by those who exercise control over them. Hazing
has been further defined by Virginia law at Va. Code §18.2-56
as follows: “‘Hazing’ means to recklessly or
intentionally endanger the health or safety of a student or
students or to inflict bodily injury on a student or students in
connection with or for the purpose of initiation, admission into or
affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in a
club, organization, association, 41 fraternity, sorority, or
student body regardless of whether the student or students so
endangered or injured participated voluntarily in the relevant
activity."
Because hazing is contrary to the institutional values and goals of Washington and Lee University and is a criminal offense in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the University will not tolerate hazing by students or student organizations. Furthermore, the University will hold individuals strictly accountable for their actions.
Likewise, no individuals or campus organizations may retaliate against any individual who brings forward allegations of hazing, is a witness involved with, or cooperates in the investigation or adjudication of hazing cases. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, physical, verbal, or written harassment, threats, or intimidation of any person(s) who brought the complaint of hazing to the University or of anyone who was a witness or involved in the University’s review of the case.
Examples of prohibited hazing include, but are not limited to, the following activities:
• Physical abuse such as paddling, striking, branding, electric shock or bodily contact with harmful substances
• Intimidation by threats of physical or other abuse
• Excessive exercise or other tasks intended to cause physical exhaustion
• Prolonged or repetitive tasks that result in sleep deprivation
• Prolonged or harmful exposure to the elements
• Compelled consumption of any amount of alcohol
• Compelled consumption of food, liquids or concoctions intended to cause nausea
• Any task that requires the participant to violate the law or University policies
This list does not and cannot encompass every circumstance that will cause the University to discipline a student or student organization for hazing. However, students must be aware that participation in the above listed activities, as well as retaliation associated with a hazing complaint, will result in disciplinary action, including suspension or dismissal from the University. Furthermore, students must understand, and Virginia law explicitly states, that consent or acquiescence of those who are hazed is not a defense for engaging in this practice.
Allegations of hazing or retaliation by individuals or non-Greek student organizations will be heard and adjudicated by the Student-Faculty Hearing Board. Allegations of hazing or retaliation by fraternities and sororities will be heard and adjudicated by the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Council, respectively.
What is the SAAC?
Washington and Lee University has a Student-Athlete Advisory
Committee (SAAC). The purpose of the W&L SAAC is to
enhance all aspects of the student-athlete collegiate experience by
serving as the voice of the student-athlete community to the
university administration, Lexington community, and the Old
Dominion Athletic Conference. For more infomation about the SAAC,
click here.
Operating along with SAAC is a group known as 23 – Many Sports, One Team. The goal of 23 is to develop and strengthen a sense of responsibility and wellness through risk reduction and bystander intervention. In an effort to create a safer social environment for our fellow student-athletes at Washington and Lee, 23 addresses a variety of issues including substance abuse, sexual misconduct, nutrition and stress management.
The student host and visiting recruit
will meet with the coaching staff to review guidelines and
expectations, either on the phone prior to arriving on campus or at
the start of each visit. The host and visiting recruit will
receive a copy of these guidelines as well as an itinerary.
• As a host, treat the prospective student
athletes in the matter that typifies your athletic program.
Give each recruit a taste of Washington and Lee’s unique
environment. Do your best to represent the athletic
department, your program, and W&L positively.
• Although you cannot be held directly
responsible for the behavior of the visiting recruit, you should
know that your actions do influence how the recruit behaves.
You are expected to use good judgment in all situations.
• The student host or any member of a
W&L team is not permitted to serve or supply alcohol to a
recruit during his or her visit.
• Washington and Lee strongly recommends
that student visitors to the University remain on campus or within
the Lexington city limits and that they refrain from traveling in
student-operated vehicles.
• The student host will not coerce, or
force any recruit to do anything against his or her own will.
• Under no circumstances, unless otherwise
approved by your coaching staff, should you be separated from the
recruit at any time. This includes evenings prior to W&L
athletic events or early practices. You are responsible for
the well being of your recruit while he or she is in your
care. The recruit is expected to follow your daily
schedule.
• You may need to be away from your guest
for a period of time. (i.e. class, practice, meeting with a
professor, study group or club). You are required to make the
coaching staff aware of these conflicts prior to visit so that
appropriate arrangements can be made. The host should escort
the recruit to any exchange, schedule appointment, or meeting that
he or she may have.
• It is expected that the student host will
provide a proper place to sleep and whenever possible, provide
appropriate bedding for the recruit. Please inform your coach
when you cannot do so.
• Each recruit will receive a
For-Emergency-Use card containing names and phone numbers of people
to assist in case of an emergency. This card will include the
recruit’s name, student host’s name, place of residence
and room number, and phone number, campus security number, the head
coach’s office and home numbers, and the athletic
director’s name and phone numbers.
• In the event of a serious accident, it is
your responsibility to contact security (x8498) and your head coach
as soon as possible.
WASHINGTON & LEE UNIVERSITY CONSENT FORM FOR VISITING PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS AND THEIR HOSTS
Download the visit form here!!
Before consuming any
nutritional/dietary supplement product, review the product and its
label with your athletics department staff. Dietary supplements are
not well regulated and may cause a positive drug test result.
Any product containing a dietary supplement ingredient is taken at
your own risk.
Information on drug testing, eligibility, along with the NCAA list
of banned drug classes can be found at the following link: http://ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/health+and+safety/drug+testing/resources/ncaa+banned+drugs+list
For authoritative information on NCAA banned substances,
medications and nutritional supplements, contact the Resource
Exchange Center (REC) at 877-202-0769 or www.drugfreesport.com/rec
(password ncaa3).
