Administrative Control
The Intercollegiate Athletic Program is conducted according to the rules and policies formulated by several governing bodies. Included within this manual are rules that are most frequently relevant to student-athletes. If a student-athlete wishes to pursue a topic in greater detail, this can be done using the manuals that are available in the athletic office. Saint Joseph's University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I (NCAA I). Most of the policies and rules that must be met in the athletic program have been adopted from the NCAA and the Atlantic 10 Conference. However, specific rules of SJU must be followed. The rules of various conferences to which SJU is a member pertain mostly to the scheduling and conduct of championship events. The National Collegiate Athletic Association: The NCAA constitution, by-laws, and executive regulations cover almost all facets of intercollegiate athletics. Admissions, financial aid, eligibility, and recruiting are extensively regulated. In several sections of this manual, there are synopses of NCAA rules. Conference Affiliations: The major conference affiliation of SJU is the Atlantic 10. Championship events are conducted in most of the sports that SJU sponsors. The University is also a member of the Big Five, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of America (IC4A), and the Philadelphia Soccer Association. Institutional Control: Institutional control of athletics is a fundamental requirement of NCAA legislation. Specifically, the NCAA constitution provides that each institution shall be responsible for:
The University President is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the Athletic Department is under institutional control. The Associate Vice-President/Director of Athletics reports directly to the Vice-President for Student Life, but has a "dotted line" connection to the University President. This connection allows for the University President to maintain the institutional control needed in the Athletic Department. Faculty Athletics Representative: Saint Joseph's, as mandated by the NCAA, has a Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR). The fundamental responsibilities of the FAR at SJU are to evaluate and ensure the academic integrity of the intercollegiate athletics program, to facilitate institutional control of athletics, and to enhance the student-athlete experience. The specific responsibilities of the FAR fall into four major areas:
The FAR reports directly to the President. Board on Athletic Policy: The purpose of the Board on Athletic Policy is to advise the President on all aspects of the intercollegiate athletics program at Saint Joseph's. The Board will review Athletic Policies and Procedures, evaluate Varsity Sport Teams (academic and athletic performance), Gender Equity and Diversity Issues, and provide input to the Director of Athletics as needed on current National, Regional or University Athletic Issues. Lastly, the Board will assist in Compliance Reviews. The Board Members are to include representatives from the following areas, as appointed by the President:
The Board Members will serve on a one-year term and may be re-appointed to subsequent terms.
A Board Member serves as Chair. Compliance Committee: The University Faculty Athletic Representative will serve as Chair and representatives from the following campus offices will serve as members of the Compliance Committee:
The purpose of the Compliance Committee is to evaluate and enhance the University's athletics compliance efforts. The Committee will periodically review records, policies and procedures in the areas of:
The Committee will assist in Compliance Reviews conducted by the Faculty Athletic Representative or by an outside entity and in the NCAA Self Study process. Student-Athlete Advisory Committee: Saint Joseph's University Student-athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is composed of the team leaders and is convened monthly by the Athletic Director. The purpose of the committee is to give feedback to the Athletic Director on issues pertinent to student-athletes, to give input into the planning process of the Athletic Department, and receive updates from the Athletic Department in order that these might be communicated to other student-athletes and teams. Life Skills Program: A Life Skills Program is available for student-athletes. Student-athletes are strongly encouraged to participate in the program. The Department of Athletics works in conjunction with the Office of Educational Support Services, the Learning Resource Center (LRC), Career Service Center (CSC), and Counseling and Personal Development Center (CPDC) to provide educational workshops in order to develop well balanced lifestyles for student-athletes. The program is designed to provide student-athletes with education and experiences to assist them in bridging the gap from college life to professional life and also to make meaningful contributions to their communities. The Life Skills Program focuses on the individual as a whole - academically, athletically, and emotionally - and on the changing needs and skills of that individual in the years during and after college. |
