SUNY Morrisville

Academics 
A student-athlete's first and primary commitment is to their education and pursuit of their degree. Student-athletes must consider their involvement in any intercollegiate program based on their ability to meet academic expectations.

SUNY Morrisville student-athletes will follow all academic procedures established by the college and team rules with regard to academic expectations. It is the primary purpose of all student-athletes to obtain their degree and to apply themselves in such a way as to reach their highest potential in the academic realm. The Athletic Department staff is committed to assisting all student-athletes in achieving their academic goals, but the primary responsibility for academic success is that of the student-athlete.
 

Class Attendance
Student-athletes are expected to attend all classes and to meet all requirements as stated on the course syllabi. As per guidelines established by the NCAA within Bylaw 10 (Ethical Conduct) it is the expectation of student-athletes to attend classes at their institution, regardless of conflict that may exist with scheduled practices.

It is an expectation of SUNY Morrisville student-athletes to work with their professor(s) to find a solution for any conflicts related to the missing of class time due to a competition.

At the beginning of the semester, student-athletes should carefully read the course syllabus provided by your professor.  It may be necessary and is recommended for student-athletes to make an appointment with professors to go over potential conflicts that may arise between missed class time and athletic travel or competition. 

Early communication with a professor is important and goes a long way toward reaching agreements on alternative plans acceptable to the student-athlete and the professor to meet course expectations and requirements.


Class Registration
During pre-registration for classes, student-athletes are requested to make every effort work their class schedules around practice times. It is understood that this is not always possible, however, a concerted effort to avoid conflicts is expected.

Academic Eligibility 
In order for a student-athlete at SUNY Morrisville to remain eligible for intercollegiate competition they MUST be perceived as making sufficient academic progress toward their degree by the Dean of the School in which they are enrolled.

In addition to this expectation, all student-athletes must remain in good academic standing as defined by the institution. At SUNY Morrisville, a student maintains good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

Any student with a cumulative grade point average less than 2.0 may be issued an academic warning, placed on academic probation or dismissed from the institution rendering the student not eligible for intercollegiate athletics at SUNY Morrisville.
 

NCAA Student-Athlete Policies 
The NCAA Rules & Regulations as provided by the governing body for participation in intercollegiate athletics will be reviewed with all student-athletes at the beginning of the season at the mandatory compliance meeting. Likewise, each year SUNY Morrisville student-athletes will be provided a copy of the Summary of NCAA Regulations regarding eligibility, as well as the NCAA Drug Testing Policy and Banned Substances  either in electronic or hard copy form.

1. Ethical Conduct – Bylaw 10
   1.  Student-athletes are responsible for knowing all NCAA, conference and institutional rules and regulations regarding their eligibility status. 
   2. Student-athletes must act with honesty and sportsmanship at all times so that they represent with honor and dignity in fair play. 
   3. If a student-athlete is part of an NCAA investigation regarding their eligibility, they must cooperate with the investigation and be honest. 
   4. Sports Gambling – is PROHIBITED by the NCAA! In other words, a student-athlete can’t bet on any sport that the NCAA has a championship in. If they do, they assume the risk of losing eligibility for betting, even if it’s a sport they don’t play.
2. Amateurism, Outside Competition & Eligibility – Bylaw 12
   1.  If a student-athlete has taken pay or been promised pay for competing in a sport; agreed to compete in professional athletics; competed on any professional team or used your athletics skill for pay in any form of that sport, they will remain not eligible for participation until cleared by the Compliance Office and NCAA for amateur status.  
   2. Student-athletes are not eligible if they were paid for work because of their athletics ability, that was not performed.  
   3. Student-athletes are not eligible if they receive any expenses above actual and necessary, while participating in athletics competition.
   4. ALL international student-athletes must register with the Eligibility Center as a certified account (August 2023) and meet the requirements of an amateurism check before being cleared to participate in their sport.
3. Eligibility – Bylaw 14
   1.  According to NCAA policies, to be eligible, a student-athlete must:
      1. Have been admitted according to the published entrance requirements of the school;
      2. Be in good academic standing;
      3. Be enrolled in a full-time program of studies leading to a baccalaureate degree or equivalent, not less than 12 credit hours, and maintain satisfactory progress towards that degree 
   2. A student-athlete is allowed to compete in four seasons of intercollegiate participation in any sport. Participation occurs when the student-athlete practices or competes during or after the first contest following initial participation.
      1. Eligibility must occur during a 10-semester period of full-time enrollment.
      2. A student-athlete is not eligible if during the year they were a member of an intercollegiate team and competed as a member of any outside team in an amateur competition during the team’s declared playing season.
   3. Transfers – Student-athletes that transfer into SUNY Morrisville for competition in intercollegiate athletics must first be cleared by the Compliance Office before participating in any practice/competition.
      1. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be eligible at the prior institution unless meeting the NCAA defined exceptions as reviewed by the Compliance Office with the transfer student-athlete.
      2. A student-athlete that is not eligible at the prior institution will be required to fulfill an academic year of residence prior to participating in intercollegiate athletics at SUNY Morrisville.

** Note: Underlined statements contain additional subject links.