NCAA Compliance - Current Students - Virginia Union University Athletics

Current Student-Athletes Compliance Information

Social Media Guidelines:

As you begin participation in another athletic season, the Athletic Department of Virginia Union University wants to make sure you are aware of the revised social networking guidelines. Example University and the Athletic Department recognize and support the student-athletes’ rights to freedom of speech, expression, and association, including the use of social networks.

In this context, however, each student-athlete must remember that playing and competing for Example University is a privilege. As a student-athlete, you represent Virginia Union University and you are expected to portray yourself, your team, and the university in a positive manner at all times.

Below you will find our social networking guidelines which provide the following guidelines for social networking site usage:

Everything you post is public information – any text or photo placed online is completely out of your control the moment it is placed online – even if you limit Access to your site. Information (including pictures, videos, and comments) may be accessible even after you remove it. Once you post a photo or comment on a social networking site, that photo or comment becomes the property of the site and may be searchable even after you remove it.
What you post may affect your future. Many employers and college admissions officers review social networking sites as part of their overall evaluation of an applicant. Carefully consider how you want people to perceive you before you give them a chance to misinterpret your information (including pictures, videos, comments, and posters).
Similar to comments made in person, the Virginia Union University Department of Athletics will not tolerate disrespectful comments and behavior online, such as:
- Derogatory language or remarks that may harm my teammates or coaches; other Example University student athletes, teachers, or coaches; and student-athletes, coaches, or representatives of other schools, including comments that may disrespect my opponents.
- Incriminating photos or statements depicting violence; hazing; sexual harassment; full or partial nudity; inappropriate gestures; vandalism, stalking; underage drinking, selling, possessing, or using controlled substances; or any other inappropriate behaviors.
- Creating a serious danger to the safety of another person or making a credible threat of serious physical or emotional injury to another person.
- Indicating knowledge of an unreported school or team violation—regardless if the violation was unintentional or intentional.

The on-line social network sites are NOT a place where you can say and do whatever you want without repercussions. The information you post on a social networking site is considered public information.

Remaining Eligible for Practice and Competition:
Hour Requirements:
• You must be currently enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours per semester (be enrolled in a full-time graduate or professional degree program (as defined by the institution for all graduate students in that program) or be enrolled and seeking a second baccalaureate degree at your institution. [Bylaws 14.01.2, 14.1.8 and 14.1.9]
• You must have passed at least 6 hours in your last regular term of full-time attendance
• You must have successfully completed either an average of 12 hours per semester or 24 hours since the start of the previous Fall semester
• 75% (which is 18 hours) of the required 24 hours must be earned in the regular academic term. No more than 25% (which is 6 hours) of the required 24 hours can be earned in summer school

GPA Requirements
• the minimum standard for satisfactory academic progress is a cumulative GPA of 2.00. Academic probation is imposed when the cumulative GPA is less that a 2.00. The student on academic probation has two academic semesters to raise the GPA to 2.00. Academic probation is lifted when the cumulative GPA is 2.00 or above. Academic performance will be reviewed at the end of each academic year.

Degree Requirements:
• You must officially declare a degree program (major) by the beginning of your third year, fifth full-time semester (junior year)

General Compliance Information:
NCAA Bylaw 14.01.2 Academic Status - To be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competition, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program of studies, be in good academic standing and maintain progress toward a baccalaureate or equivalent degree.

NCAA Bylaw 14.1.8.1 Requirement for Practice or Competition - To be eligible for practice or competition, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program of studies leading to a baccalaureate or equivalent degree as defined by the institution, which for purposes of this bylaw and its subsections shall not be less than 12-semester hours regardless of the institutions definition of a minimum full-time program of studies.

Please remember the following:
1. a student-athlete shall not engage in more than four seasons of intercollegiate competition in any one sport.
2. A student-athlete shall complete his or her seasons of competition during the first 10 semesters in which the student is enrolled in a collegiate institution in at least a minimum full-time program of studies.
3. A student-athlete shall declare a major by the beginning of your 3rd year/5th semester
4. NCAA Bylaw 14.4.1 Progress-Toward-Degree Requirements- To be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competition, a student athlete shall maintain progress toward degree requirements.

What is Progress toward Degree?
1. 12/24 - Satisfactory completion of 24 semester hours of academic credit in an academic year. (This is referred to as the Actual method) or a student athlete can satisfactorily complete an average of 12 semester hours in which the student athlete has been enrolled in a term or terms. (This is referred to as the averaging method)

2. 75/25 - A student-athlete shall earn at least 75 percent of the minimum number of semester hours required (24) during the regular academic year (Fall or Spring) The student athlete shall earn no more than 25 percent of the minimum number of semester hours (24) required for progress toward degree during the summer. EXPLANATION: (No more than 6 semester hours can count in the summer sessions toward the 24 hours you must complete in an academic year!)

3. Six Hour Rule - Satisfactory completion of six-semester hours of academic credit during full time enrollment- EXPLANATION: (Whenever a student-athlete is enrolled in a full time semester, you must pass at least six hours to be eligible for the following semester and met all other Progress toward Degree requirements!) *Note that it will be 9 credit hours that must be completed beginning in fall 2016 and thereafter.

4. GPA Requirements – ALL Student Athletes at Virginia Union University must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA. This is school policy.

*Note that starting in the fall of 2016 you must have a 2.000 at the beginning of every fall term

August 2016 Changes for Continuing Eligibility

Completion of yr [including summer]	Good Academic Standing [institutional policy -annually or term-by-term]	Term-by-Term [cannot use summer hours to meet term-by-term requirement]	Regular Academic Year [Non-Summer Hours]	Annual Credit Hour Requirement [Includes Summer Hours]	Grade-Point Average Options [can be recertified midyear to regain eligibility]
Year One	Institutional Policy	Nine-semester/ eight-quarter	18-semester/ 27-quarter	24-semester/ 36-quarter	2.00
Year Two	Institutional Policy	Nine-semester/ eight-quarter	18-semester/ 27-quarter	24-semester/ 36-quarter OR 48-semester/ 72-quarter in Years 1 and 2 combined	2.00
Designation of Degree
Year Three	Institutional Policy	Nine-semester/ eight-quarter	18-semester/ 27-quarter	24-semester/ 36-quarter	2.00
Year Four	Institutional Policy	Nine-semester/ eight-quarter	18-semester/ 27-quarter	24-semester/ 36-quarter	2.00
Year Five	Institutional Policy	Nine-semester/ eight-quarter	18-semester/ 27-quarter	24-semester/ 36-quarter	2.00