Summer Daily Compliance Item- 6.8.15- 17.1.7.2.1.5.2- Football Summer Activities

Flanker and Tight End are football student-athletes at Ocean State University.  Flanker and Tight are participating in voluntary conditioning activities in the weight room this week.  If Flanker and Tight are working out at the same time as other student-athletes who are participating in required athletic activities, can the coaches be present?   No.  NCAA Educational Column- 6/27/14-  NCAA Division I Football Summer Athletic Activities (Editor’s Note:  This educational column was updated April 15, 2015 with the addition of Question Nos. 25 and 26 to provide additional clarification to the membership.  The original posting date was kept for ease of reference.) (I) – states that  the following questions and answers are intended to assist the membership in applying NCAA Division I legislation as it relates to summer athletic activities in football.   The following questions and answers are intended to assist the membership in applying NCAA Division I legislation as it relates to summer athletic activities in football. Question No. 1: Does the eight-week period for required summer athletics activities need to coincide with the designated eight weeks for the summer conditioning period? Answer: Yes. Except for this eight-week period, all remaining days from the conclusion of the academic year and the institution’s reporting date for preseason practice shall be considered student-athlete discretionary time. Question No. 2: When may an institution begin to conduct summer athletics activities with its football student-athletes? When must summer athletics activities end? Answer: Summer athletics activities may begin the day following the institution’s spring commencement exercises. Summer athletics activities must end by the start of the preseason. Note that unless a student-athlete meets the exception to the summer-school requirement, workouts are only permissible during the time period (term or terms) in which the student-athlete is enrolled, which includes only the time from the opening day of classes through the last day of final exams for each applicable term. Question No. 3: Is it permissible for football student-athletes to engage in both voluntary and required activities during this eight-week period? Answer: Yes. Question No. 4: Is it permissible to conduct required summer athletics activities the week before finals and during the final exam period of the summer term(s)? Answer: Yes, if those weeks fall within the eight-week period designated by the institution. Question No. 5: May coaches be present during and/or conduct weight training and conditioning activities that are part of the eight hours per week of required summer athletics activities? Answer: Yes, provided only football student-athletes participating in the eight hours per week of required summer athletics activities are present. Question No. 6: If a coach engages in film review with a student-athlete at the student-athlete’s request during the eight week period, must the time count toward the eight hours per week limitation and toward the week’s permissible two hours of film review? Answer: Yes. If a coach is present for film review, the activity is not considered voluntary. Therefore, only a football student-athlete participating in the eight hours per week of required summer athletics activities may participate and the activity must count toward the student-athlete’s eight hours per week limitation and toward the student-athlete’s permissible two hours of film review for the week. Question No. 7: If an institution has multiple summer sessions, do the eight weeks of required summer athletics activities have to be continuous? Answer: No. The eight weeks do not have to be consecutive or continuous. However, unless a student-athlete meets the exception to the summer-school requirement, workouts are only permissible during the time period (term or terms) in which the student-athlete is enrolled, which includes only the time from the opening day of classes through the last day of final exams for each applicable term. Question No. 8: Are there exceptions for the service academies for situations when their student-athletes are assigned to summer work at a location (e.g., military base) that is separate from the service academy? May the coaching staff conduct workouts with those student-athletes assigned to another area of the country? Answer: If a student-athlete is enrolled in a summer-school session, or meeting an exception to the enrollment requirement, it is permissible for the coaching staff to conduct workouts at the assigned location. Question No. 9: Must incoming student-athletes (freshmen and transfers) sign the drug-testing consent form before participating in required summer athletics activities? Answer: No. Summer drug testing is part of the previous academic year testing. Question No. 10: Must an incoming student-athlete be certified as eligible to practice in order to participate in required summer athletics activities? Answer: No. Question No. 11: Are institutions required to provide student-athletes any days off during the eight weeks in which they are participating in required summer athletics activities? Answer: No. There is no requirement to provide a day (or days) off during the eight weeks of required activities. However, student-athletes are limited to a maximum of eight hours per week, with not more than two hours per week spent on film review. Question No. 12: May an institution conduct required summer athletics activities on a vacation day during the summer? Answer: Yes. However, the activities must count toward the eight hours per week limitation and any film review must also count toward the week’s permissible two hours of film review. Question No. 13: May student-athletes participate in unlimited hours of countable activities with their coaches during an institutional vacation period (e.g., Memorial Day, Independence Day) while engaging in required summer athletics activities? Answer: No, a student-athlete engaging in required summer athletics activities is limited to a maximum of eight hours per week with not more than two hours per week spent on film review. Question No. 14: May a student-athlete who has been certified as a nonqualifier participate in required summer athletics activities during the summer prior to initial full time enrollment at the certifying institution? Answer: Yes, provided he is enrolled in summer school and the activities are conducted during the time period (term or terms) in which the student-athlete is enrolled, which includes only the time from the opening day of classes through the last day of final exams for each applicable term. Question No. 15: If a student-athlete was certified as a nonqualifier during the academic year, when may he begin to engage in required summer athletics activities after the year in residence? Answer: Such a student-athlete may begin to participate in required summer athletics activities the day following the institution’s spring commencement exercises, provided the student-athlete is enrolled in summer school or meets the exception to summer school enrollment. Question No. 16: Does a student-athlete’s temporary certification period begin when he starts participating in required summer athletics activities? Answer: No. Question No. 17: May a student-athlete who is enrolled in consecutive summer-school sessions during the same summer (e.g., the first and second summer-school sessions) engage in required summer athletics activities during the time in between sessions? Answer: Only student-athletes who met the exception to summer-school enrollment at the end of the preceding regular academic term (e.g., spring semester, spring quarter) may engage in required summer athletics activities between terms. Question No. 18: How does the required summer athletics activities legislation apply to an institution that offers only one summer session, and the session lasts less than eight weeks? Answer: Prospective student-athletes (freshmen or transfers) are only permitted to participate in required athletics activities during the time period (term) in which the student-athlete is enrolled, which includes only the time from the opening day of classes through the last day of final exams for the term. Continuing student-athletes would be subject to the same application as prospective student-athletes unless they meet the appropriate provisions of the exception to summer-school enrollment. A continuing student who meets the exception may continue to engage in any remaining portion of the eight weeks of required summer athletics activities until the day before the first day of classes for the fall term. Question No. 19: May coursework from an early summer-school session (e.g., first four-week session) from that same summer be considered when determining whether a student-athlete is meeting the exception to the summer-school requirement for the remaining weeks of the required summer athletics activities? Answer: No. In order to meet the exception to summer-school enrollment, the student-athlete must have successfully completed the applicable academic requirements by the end of the preceding regular academic term (e.g., spring semester, spring quarter). Question No. 20: May remedial, tutorial or noncredit courses be used to satisfy the requirements of the exception to summer-school enrollment? Answer: Yes, provided such courses meet the requirements of NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3.4.4. Question No. 21: Must a student-athlete who has just completed four semesters or six quarters have declared a degree program (and have completed 50 percent of the program) in order to meet the exception to summer-school enrollment? Answer: No. Pursuant to Bylaw 14.4.3.1.7, a student-athlete must designate a degree program prior to participation in competition that occurs during or immediately before the third year of enrollment. Further, pursuant to Bylaw 14.4.3.1.7, during the first two years of enrollment, a student-athlete may use credits acceptable toward any of the institution’s degree programs. Therefore, a student-athlete may fulfill the 50 percent requirement based on credits acceptable toward any of the institution’s degree programs. Question No. 22: Must a student-athlete who has just completed eight semesters or 12 quarters have completed all of the baccalaureate degree requirements for the student-athlete’s specific degree in order to meet the exception to the summer-school enrollment requirement? Answer: Yes. After completing eight semesters or 12 quarters, a student-athlete who has not completed all of the baccalaureate degree requirements for his specific degree must be enrolled in summer school in order to participate in summer athletics activities. Question No. 23: May an institution provide room and board to returning student-athletes to participate in required summer athletics activities if the individuals are not enrolled in summer school? Answer: No. It is not permissible to provide room and board to student-athletes who are not enrolled in summer school. Room and board may be provided, pursuant to Bylaw 15.2.8, to student-athletes who are enrolled in summer school. Question No. 24: May an institution provide training table meals to student-athletes who are participating in required summer athletics activities? Answer: No. Question No. 25: May an institution provide meals incidental to participation to student-athletes who are participating in required summer athletics activities? Answer: Yes.  However, institutions should note meals incidental to participation should not be used as a replacement for room and board for student-athletes who are not enrolled in summer school or otherwise not receiving room and board as part of their summer financial aid award and may only be provided during the period in which student-athletes are engaged in required summer athletics activities. Snacks may continue to be provided at any time. Question: 26:  May an institution use the Student Assistance Fund to provide meals and lodging to student-athletes who are participating in required summer athletics activities, but are not enrolled in summer school because they meet the academic requirements exception? Answer: Yes, provided institutional and conference policies related to the use of the Student Assistance Fund allow the fund to be used for such purposes.  Question No. 27: Is it permissible to provide entertainment to student-athletes who are participating in required summer athletics activities? Answer: No. Bylaw 16.7 does not apply to summer athletic activities. Question No. 28: Is it permissible for a student-athlete to engage, either concurrently or separately, in both required summer athletics activities in football and permissible practices for a foreign tour? Answer: Yes, provided the student-athlete is eligible to participate in both activities. However, if a student-athlete is only eligible for either the foreign tour or the required summer activities in football, he may only engage in the activity for which he is eligible. Question No. 29: Does participation in summer athletics activities trigger transfer status pursuant to Bylaw 14.5.2? Answer: No, participation in summer athletics activities does not trigger transfer status. [References: NCAA 12.7.3.1 (content and purpose), Bylaws 13.11.3.10 (required summer athletic activities — national service academies — incoming freshmen – bowl subdivision football), 14.02.11.1 (academic year of residence), 14.3.4 (residence requirement — nonqualifier), 14.3.5.1 (participation prior to certification), 14.4.3.1.7 (hours earned or accepted for degree credit), 14.4.3.5.4 (remedial, tutorial and noncredit courses), 15.2.8 (summer financial aid), 16.5.2 (permissible housing and meals), 16.7 (entertainment in conjunction with practice or competition), 16.8.1 (permissible expenses for practice and competition), 16.11.1.8 (student assistance fund), 17.1.7.2.1.5.2 (summer athletic activities — football), 17.1.7.2.1.5.3 (exception to summer school enrollment — academic requirements – basketball and football), 17.1.7.2.1.5.3.1 (application to transfer student-athletes), 17.1.7.2.2 (skill instruction — sports other than baseball and football), 17.1.7.3.3 (definition of week), 17.1.7.3.6 (vacation periods and between terms), 17.9.6 (out of season athletically related activities), 17.9.6.1 (conditioning activities – bowl subdivision), 17.9.6.2 (conditioning activities – championship subdivision), 17.9.6.5 (summer practice), 17.29.1.4 (foreign tour – eligibility of student-athletes), 17.29.1.4.1 (incoming-student participation) and 17.29.1.5 (practice limitation)]

Jennifer M. Condaras  Associate Commissioner BIG EAST Conference

Summer Daily Compliance Item- 6.3.15- UPDATED: NCAA 4-4 Transfer Directive

The NCAA has revised the Division I 4-4 Undergraduate Transfer Directive.  Student-Athletes that transferred during the 2014-15 academic year may seek immediate eligibility via the legislative relief process.  Those individuals transferring during the summer of 2015 will be reviewed under the new directive (e.g., no immediate eligibility–one year extension to the student-athlete’s eligibility clock. Application of the NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief 4-4 Transfer Directive On the recommendation of the NCAA Division I Leadership Council Transfer Issues Subcommittee, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors ratified an amendment to the NCAA Division I Committee for Legislative Relief policies to specify that immediate eligibility no longer be provided for 4-4 undergraduate student-athletes who are not eligible to use a transfer exception. Instead, a one-year extension of the five-year clock for mitigating circumstances may be provided and any mitigation will continue to be evaluated under the current Committee for Legislative Relief waiver policies and guidelines. This change is effective for all undergraduate transfers seeking immediate eligibility during the 2015-16 academic year and thereafter. The following questions and answers are designed to assist the NCAA Division I membership with the application of legislation related to the 4-4 transfer directive. Editor’s Note: This document was updated May 28, 2015. Questions that have been edited or added are shaded in gray. Question No. 1: Is immediate eligibility an option for any 4-4 undergraduate transfer student-athlete who is not eligible to use the one-time transfer exception or any other transfer exception? Answer: No. If an undergraduate student-athlete is not eligible to use a transfer exception (e.g., participates in a sport that is not eligible to use the one-time transfer, 4-4-4 transfer, etc.), an institution may seek a waiver to extend the student-athlete’s eligibility clock as immediate eligibility as a form of relief is not available. Question No. 2: Must an institution determine that the student-athlete needs an extension of his or her eligibility clock prior to seeking a waiver for an extension? Answer: No. Even though the student-athlete may not need an extension of his or her eligibility clock at the time of transfer, an institution may still proactively file an extension waiver request to determine whether the student-athlete will receive an extension of his or her clock to use in a later year, if necessary. Question No. 3: Must an institution file a legislative relief waiver seeking an extension of the student-athlete’s five-year eligibility clock at the time of the student-athlete’s transfer? Answer: No. An extension waiver may be filed at the time of transfer or in future academic years during the student-athlete’s enrollment. However, institutions should be mindful that contemporaneous documentation may be required to comply with Committee for Legislative Relief guidelines regardless of when the waiver is submitted. Question No. 4: The student-athlete transferred and enrolled at my institution prior to the 2015 fall term. Is immediate eligibility an option for the student-athlete? Answer: If the student-athlete enrolled during the 2014-15 academic year, the previous transfer directive is still applicable and immediate eligibility may be available via the legislative relief waiver process. Student-athletes enrolling during the 2015 summer term will be subject to the new transfer directive. However, an institution may file a legislative relief waiver to seek immediate eligibility for a student-athlete enrolling during the 2015 summer or fall term if the institution can demonstrate that it detrimentally relied on previous communications regarding the new transfer directive and ceased recruiting the student-athlete for enrollment during the 2015 spring term. Question No. 5: How do I know if I should file an NCAA Division I Committee on Student-Athlete Reinstatement extension request or a Committee for Legislative Relief waiver request? Answer: If the student-athlete has two or fewer denied participation opportunities and one of the denied participation opportunities will be, or is a result of a transfer year in residence, then the institution should file a Committee for Legislative Relief waiver.

Jennifer M. Condaras  Associate Commissioner BIG EAST Conference