Student Athlete Missed Class

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has 12 Varsity sports that compete in the Horizon League, an NCAA Division I Conference. Our Varsity sports include baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s and women’s track and field, women’s tennis and volleyball.  Most noteworthy, UWM’s 300+ population of student-athletes has a record of academic success as evidenced by a cumulative grade point average of greater than 3.0 and a graduation rate between 70% and 80%. Members of the faculty and staff remain committed to the academic integrity and ongoing success of its student-athletes. Whereas attendance at all class sessions and associated activities is invaluable to the success of all students, the UW- Milwaukee Department of Athletics and the Athletic Board has established the following guidelines in regard to the scheduling conflicts of its student-athletes. 

Student-athletes must attend all class sessions and complete course requirements according to course syllabi.  When scheduling conflicts occur, the following requirements apply. 

1. Student-athletes cannot be excused from classes to attend practice sessions. 
2. Student-athletes must submit written information to their instructors including a list of anticipated absences with written verification letters from the Athletics Department during the first ten days of the semester. In addition, student-athletes must provide follow-up notification to each professor 48 hours before each contest that affects their class attendance. 
3. Student-athletes should not be penalized for an approved absence due to athletics participation. 
4. Student-athletes can request to be excused from class attendance no earlier than 5 hours before a regularly scheduled home competition or no more than 30 minutes before the team’s scheduled departure for away competitions. In order to request an excused absence, the student-athlete’s    Athletics academic advisor must verify the student’s absence in letter format to each instructor, including pertinent details about the competition and the time of departure. While home competitions do not require extensive travel, student-athletes are still involved with numerous pre-game activities such as: (a) treatments from athletic trainers and physical therapists, (b) all-team meetings and meals, (c) stretching and warm-up activities, and (d) travel from campus to site of competition.  
5. Student-athletes must follow the regular schedule for final exams, unless competing in NCAA Championship events.  Exceptions can be made if approved by the Faculty Athletic Representative.  The FAR’s role, as mandated by NCAA and appointed by administration, is to be involved in the assurance of the academic integrity of the athletics program and in the maintenance of the welfare of the student-athlete. In instances where an athletics competition conflicts with a final exam, the student-athlete will notify the instructor as soon as he/she is aware of this conflict and proceed to arrange for accommodations with the instructor.  
6. If a student-athlete is excused from course attendance, he or she is still responsible for submitting assignments on time or making alternate arrangements. 
7. It is recommended that professors document how alternative arrangements for missed work will be completed at the start of the semester and communicate that with the student-athletes who will miss class due to athletics. 
8. Upon immediate notification that a student-athlete absence that meets all requirements is unexcused by faculty or staff, the student-athlete must follow the guidelines for appeals, as written in the course syllabus and posted on the UWM website.  

May 4, 2016

Approved by the Athletic Board

September 15, 2016

3079 (original)

April 19, 2018

No. 3079R1