Fordham University DEPARTMENT OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS 2015-2016 STUDENT-ATHLETE HANDBOOK Fordham University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics 441 E. Fordham Road Bronx, NY 11458 Phone 718.817.4300 • Fax 718.817.5588 Property of: ___________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________ Phone #:______________________ Email: ________________________ In case of emergency, please notify: Name: _______________________ Phone #:_______________________ 1 SECTION 1 DEPARTMENT’S MISSION, PHILOSOPHY, OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES MISSION STATEMENT The ultimate objective of Fordham University’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is to inte- grate academic and athletic experiences successfully in the Jesuit tradition. Student-athletes are expected to benefit from the educational, professional, and cultural advantages of a university lo- cated in New York City. Accordingly, we are committed to broad participation in intercollegiate athletics, with ample oppor- tunity provided for meaningful and successful contributions by men and women of diverse back- ground, culture and experiences. For all athletic pursuits, whether they are at the varsity, club, intramural, or recreational level, the Athletic Department strives to provide a rewarding experience for all its constituents. The Depart- ment conducts its activities in ways that promote sportsmanship, camaraderie, and a comprehensive commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and equitable opportunity for all students and staff. PHILOSOPHY Excellence in the fields of academics and athletics should be viewed as mutually beneficial. The concern of the Athletic Department for nurturing the well-being of its student-athletes, therefore, is in keeping with the University’s reputation for excellence and integrity. Since the Athletic De- partment directs its coaches to be aware that academics is primary, it encourages them to monitor student-athletes’ class attendance and to find effective means to assist them in their academic pur- suits. Successfully integrating academics with athletics is the Department’s ultimate objective. However, such an objective does not deter the Department from setting the highest athletic goals for itself. Such high standards enrich campus life and increase national visibility of academic pro- grams. Thus mutually supportive programs of excellence in both academics and athletics benefit the students, faculty, administrators, and alumni of Fordham University. OBJECTIVES • To promote the principle of student-athlete well-being by establishing and maintaining an envi- ronment that fosters: the student-athlete educational experience; relationship between student- athlete and coach; fairness; health and safety. • To develop and maintain mutually supportive programs of excellence in both academics and athletics in order to benefit the students, faculty, administrators, and alumni of Fordham Uni- versity. • To employ coaches and other administrative staff members who are capable of performing as professionals in an educational community where high standards of integrity and ethical behav- ior, as well as sportsmanship, are expected of its members. • To recruit student-athletes who are academically prepared for University work. • To strive for gender equity by providing equitable opportunities for both men and women by developing and sustaining programs, which help all student-athletes, achieve their maximum potential, both academically and athletically. • To promote and value diversity among our student-athletes and athletics department. • To offer an appropriate academic support program and tutoring services to all student-athletes. 2 • To attain retention rates which at a minimum reflect that of the Fordham University student body as a whole and with the ideal goal of 100% graduation rate within five years of matricula- tion for student-athletes completing four years of eligibility. • To operate it’s athletic programs at a high level of intercollegiate competition and to seek affili- ation with institutions demonstrating a similar commitment to academic excellence, institution- al integrity, and athletic competitiveness. • To promote character development in student-athletes, including cooperation, teamwork, lead- ership, and loyalty. • To train student-athletes in legitimate means of displaying good sportsmanship and the will to win, thereby contributing to the development of institutional morale, loyalty, and school spirit. • To develop short and long-range financial plans consistent with and supportive of the overall program objectives determined by the University. • To develop a sports medicine program with the necessary facilities and personnel to enhance the physical fitness and skill of the student-athletes, as well as to promote the recovery of those who are injured. STRATEGIES • Continue to promote to all constituencies the philosophy that the primary mission of the Athlet- ic Department centers on the student-athletes and their development academically, athletically, and socially. • Work closely with the Offices of Admissions and Academic Advising to review the academic credentials of prospective student-athletes to ensure the individual’s ability to be a successful member of the academic community. • Continue to closely monitor and evaluate all coaches and administrative staff to ensure that they are maintaining the integrity of the Department by complying with NCAA, Atlantic 10, Patriot League, and University guidelines. • Work towards improving the level of competitiveness of each intercollegiate program through educational, financial, and administrative support. • Monitor the findings of the NCAA Committee on Gender Equity and continue to improve in providing equal opportunities for all student-athletes. • Continue to improve equal opportunities while promoting affirmative action guidelines for employment throughout the Department; actively recruit minorities for open positions by com- municating with established organizations. • Encourage coaches and administrative staff members to participate in their respective profes- sional associations. • Continue to provide an excellent medical staff that closely monitors the physical progress of each student-athlete to prevent injuries and rehabilitate those that occur. • Work with the Offices of Admissions, Residential Life, Student Affairs, and Orientation in promoting Athletics as an integral aspect of Student Life. • To continue to provide a Life Skills Program to our student-athlete body that educates and pro- motes well-being, healthy lifestyles and community services activities which will enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience. 3 SECTION 2 FORDHAM STUDENT-ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT STANDARDS OF CONDUCT It is a privilege and not a right to be a student-athlete at Fordham. Every student- athlete is ex- pected to conduct him/herself in a manner that reflects positively on the team, the Department of Athletics and Fordham University. As a member of the student body at Fordham, each student- athlete must act in accordance with all University policies and procedures as published by the Uni- versity. In addition, student-athletes are required to obey the requirements and prohibitions set forth by: • Municipal ordinances and state and federal laws, both criminal and civil; • NCAA; • Atlantic 10/Patriot League; • Department of Athletics; • Coaching Staff (i.e. Team Rules); and • Fordham Student-Athlete Handbook ATHLETICS The student-athlete is subject to the rules pertaining to his/her particular sport as established by the coaches and the Department of Athletics. These rules include, without limitation, the following: • The student-athlete must participate in practice and games, except when he/she is declared unfit by the team athletic trainer or doctor or is in any other way unable to participate through no fault of his/her own; • The student-athlete must obey the decisions and directives of the coaches regarding manners and behavior and appropriate conduct during games and other team activities. ATTENDANCE PROTOCOL Attendance at all classes is expected and plays an important role in one’s academic development. Student-athletes are not permitted to miss class, or mandatory class activities to attend practice. Student-athletes must clear any absence from class due to a competition with the professor prior to the absence. It is up to the academic faculty member whether such an absence will result in the student-athlete being penalized for that absence. The following policy, excluding team travel, will be in place for student-athletes regarding missed class time for unexcused absences, should such behavior be brought to the attention of the coach or the athletics administration. # of Missed Classes per class Sanction 4 Additional 10 Hours of study hall 5 Suspension of 1 contest 6 Potential dismissal from team 4 CODE OF ETHICS FOR STUDENT-ATHLETE ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE Fordham University expects each student-athlete to adhere to a set of standards that positively rep- resents the Department of Athletics and the University. The Department of Athletics sets forth a code of ethics for alcohol and drug use to clearly define its position and expectation regarding these issues. A student-athlete is responsible for complying with all federal, state, University and De- partment guidelines pertaining to alcohol and drug use. This Code of Ethics is considered to be a minimum requirement, and each coach may set higher standards in a separate team