UT – NCAAPROGRESS TOWARD DEGREE ELIGIBILITY

GUIDELINESTABLE OF CONTENTS

1. OVERVIEW………………………………………………………....Page 2

2. GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING REQUIREMENT…………..Page 3

3. FULL-TIME ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENT……………...Page 4

4. DESIGNATION OF DEGREE PROGRAM

REQUIREMENT...........................................................Page 75. CREDIT HOUR REQUIREMENTS………………………….. Page

116. PERCENTAGE OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS…………. Page

247. GRADE POINT AVERAGE REQUIREMENTS……………. Page

298. TRANSFER REGULATIONS AFFECTING PROGRESS TOWARD DEGREE REQUIREMENTS…………………….. Page 30

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9. FINAL ELEGIBILITY CHECK………………………………… Page 32

10. PROCEDURES…………………………………………………….Page 33

Comments and questions can be directed to Dr. Earl Schliesman

(865) 974-9351 schlies@UT.edu

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1. OVERVIEW

All returning student-athletes are subject to an eligibility check each semester by the NCAA Compliance Specialists under the supervision of University Registrar after the semester grades are available through Student Academic Management Systems (SAMS). The University Registrar has the final authority to certify a student’s continuing eligibility. In the Registrar’s absence, the Registrar’s designee has the authority to sign for the Registrar.

Any problems uncovered should be reported immediately to the Academic Compliance Officer in the Thornton Center. To assist the NCAA Compliance Specialists, a NCAA Continuing Eligibility Tracking System and a NCAA Continuing Eligibility Checklist have been developed using the Microsoft Excel and Access Software programs respectively, along with the student-athlete’s academic history to assess the student’s progress toward completion of all degree requirements. These forms provide for checking each of the following items for all continuing student athletes:

A. Good Academic Standing RequirementB. Full-time Enrollment RequirementC. Designation of Degree Program RequirementD. Credit-Hour RequirementsE. Percentage of Degree RequirementsF. Grade Point Average RequirementsG. Transfer Regulations Affecting Progress Toward

Degree

Operational DefinitionsFor the purposes of this document, Progress Toward Degree, Credit Hour Requirements, Percentage of Degree, and Correspondence Courses will be defined as follows:

Progress Toward Degree Requirements. All academic achievement regulations which determine whether a student-athlete may compete during the upcoming season based on her/his performance during the preceding semester and/or year.

Credit-Hour Requirements. The portion of Progress Toward Degree Requirements that mandates the passing of a specific number of credit-hours of course work applicable toward a degree during the calendar year, regular academic year, the semester prior to the time of certification, or post-season competition.

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Percentage of Degree Requirements. The portion of Progress Toward Degree Requirements that mandates that a percentage of credit hours toward a degree be attained during a given period of time (Percentage of Degree), and that a given percentage of the grade point average (Grade Point Average Requirements) required for graduation be maintained during a given period of time.

UT Correspondence Courses. Credited educational opportunities which take place outside of the traditional classroom setting. Traditional written correspondence courses are administered through the UT Distance Education and Independent Study office.

2. Good Academic Standing

Regulation Good Academic Standing. To be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletics competition, a student-athlete shall be in good academic standing as determined by the academic authorities who determine the meaning of such phrases for all students of the institution, subject to controlling legislation of the conference(s) or similar association of which the institution is a member. 14.01.2.1

Application of Good Academic Standing Requirement

At The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, a student who is eligible to enroll for classes is considered to be in good academic standing.

Ineligibility Due to Academic Dismissal. Student-athletes who are academically dismissed at the conclusion of fall semester, spring semester or summer term, will be declared ineligible on the first day of classes for the next regular academic semester, at which time appropriate designation will be made on the squad list. Should an appeal for reinstatement be denied prior to the first day of classes, the student-athlete will be declared ineligible at the time the appeal is denied.

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3. FULL-TIME ENROLLMENT

RegulationRequirement for Practice. To be eligible to participate in organized practice sessions, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies leading to a baccalaureate or equivalent degree as defined by the regulations of the certifying institution 14.1.8.1

Requirement for Competition. To be eligible for competition, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program of studies, leading to baccalaureate or equivalent degree as defined by the institution , which shall not be less than 12 semester hours. 14.1.8.2

Exceptions to the Full-Time Enrollment Requirement

Final Semester/Quarter. A student-athlete may compete while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student is enrolled in the final semester or quarter of the baccalaureate program and the institution certifies that the student is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete degree requirements. The student granted eligibility under this provision shall be eligibile for any NCAA championship and for any postseason licensed bowl game or National Invitation Tournament that begins within 60 days following said semester or quarter, provided the student has not exhausted the five years for completion of the individual’s four seasons of eligibility (see Bylaw 14.2). Thereafter, the student shall forfeit eligibility in all sports, unless the student completes all degree requirements during that semester or quarter and is eligible to receive the baccalaureate diploma on the institution’s next degree-granting date. The Legislative Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief may waive the 60-day requirement for instances in which an NCAA championship, postseason licensed bowl game or National Invitation Tournament is conducted at the conclusion of the traditional playing season but begins more than 60 days following the end of said term. 14.1.8.2.13.

Final Semester. A student-athlete with athletics eligibility remaining may participate in organized practice sessions while enrolled in a less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student is enrolled in the final semester or quarter of the baccalaureate program and the institution certifies that the student is carrying (for credit) the courses necessary to complete the degree requirements, as determined by the faculty of the institution. 14.1.8.1.3

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Final Semester/Quarter. …The student granted eligibility under this provision shall be eligible for any NCAA championship and for any postseason licensed bowl game or National Invitation Tournament that begins within 60 days following said semester, provided the student has not exhausted the five years for completion of the individual’s four seasons of eligibility (see Bylaw 14.2). Thereafter, the student shall forfeit eligibility in all sports, unless the student completes all degree requirements during that semester and is eligible to receive the baccalaureate diploma on the institution’s next degree-granting date. The Legislative Council Subcommittee for Legislative Relief, may waive the 60-day requirement for instances in which an NCAA championship, postseason licensed bowl game or National Invitation Tournament is conducted at the conclusion of the traditional playing season but begins more than 60 days following the end of said term. 14.1.8.2.1.3

An undergraduate student-athlete in her/his final semester who is carrying fewer than twelve semester hours may be eligible for competition if the Registrar certifies that the student is enrolled in course work sufficient to fulfill all the requirements for her/his designated degree program. Counselors should notify the Academic Compliance Officer when they have an undergraduate student who wishes to enroll in less than full-time hours. The Academic Compliance Officer will contact the NCAA Compliance Specialists who will verify the number of hours remaining to graduate. In order for the verification process to occur, the student must submit the Application for Graduation by the published deadline. Written notification will be sent to the Faculty Athletics Representative with copies mailed to the Academic Compliance officer, the appropriate Compliance Coordinator and Director of the Thornton Center.

The student will sign a Statement of Understanding pertaining to the forfeiture of further eligibility in the event she or he fails to meet all graduation requirements during that semester. The Academic Counselor will submit the original signed copy of the form to the Academic Compliance Officer and will provide a copy for the head coach, the squad list manager and will keep a copy.

Admitted graduated students may be eligible for competition while enrolled in a minimum of nine (9) hours of course work.

Graduate school status is verified by the NCAA Compliance Specialists in order for a student to be considered full-time with 9 to 11 hours.

Exception-Practice during First Week of Class. A student-athlete may practice, but may not compete during the institution’s first five days of classes if the student-athlete is enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student is

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otherwise eligible under all institutional, conference and NCAA requirements. 14.1.8.1.5

Drop/Add Course. A student-athlete no longer shall be considered enrolled in a minimum full-time program of studies (after dropping a course that places the student below full-time status) when the dropped course becomes official in accordance with procedures determined by the institution for all students. A student who is adding a course to reach full-time status shall become eligible for practice and competition once the course has been approved by the appropriate department head (or designated representative) and submitted to the registrar. 14.1.8.1.2

Full-Time Enrollment Check

Beginning five working days prior to the first day of classes, an enrollment check for student-athletes is run daily continuing through the end of the competitive season. These reports are distributed to the Squad List Coordinator, Director of the Thornton Center, Academic Compliance Officer, Faculty Athletic Representative, Athletics Compliance Officers, Academic Counselors, and the NCAA Compliance Specialists.

Students who drop below the twelve-hour minimum requirement are reported to the Head Coach or the Head Coach’s designee by the Squad List Coordinator. Ineligibility is declared as of the date the student-athlete dropped below full-time enrollment.

No drop/add transaction after the deadline is considered to be official without the Registrar’s final approval.

Exception to the Full-Time Enrollment Requirement for Olympic, Pan American, World Championships, World Cup, or World University Games. The Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet may waive the minimum full-time enrollment requirement for anyparticipant in the Olympic, Pan American, World Championships, World Cup, World University Games or World Youth Championships (including junior levels of such events) who, because of such participation, may lose eligibility for practice and competition in any sport. 14.1.8.2.7.2

Documentation of this waiver will be forwarded to the Academic Compliance Officer who will send a copy to the NCAA Compliance Specialists.

Eligibility Between Terms. To be eligible for competition that takes place between terms, the student-athlete shall:

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A. Have been registered for the required minimum full-time load (see Bylaw 14.1.8.2) at the conclusion of the term immediately preceding the date of competition, if the student is continuing enrollment, or

B. Be accepted for enrollment as a regular full-time student for the regular term immediately following if the student is either continuing enrollment or beginning enrollment (see Bylaw 14.1.10)

Full-time enrollment is determined using the University enrollment data in the IMS system.

Correspondence Courses. A student-athlete may not use a correspondence course to meet the minimum 12-hour enrollment requirement. 14.1.8.2.6.

4. DESIGNATION OF DEGREE PROGRAMRegulations

A student-athlete shall designate a program of studies leading toward a specific baccalaureate degree at the certifying institution by the beginning of the third year of enrollment (fifth semester or seventh quarter) and thereafter shall make satisfactory-progress toward that specific degree.

This provision shall be appointed to the eligibility not only of a continuing student, but also of a transfer student from a four-year or two-year collegiate institution who is entering her or his third year of collegiate enrollment, even if the student has not yet completed an academic year in residence or utilized a season of eligibility in a sport at the certifying institution. Designation of a specific baccalaureate degree program may be accomplished by:

a) Formal enrollment by the student-athlete in a specific baccalaureate degree program, or

b) Approval by an appropriate academic official (who must not be an academic advisor/ counselor employed by the athletics department) of the program leading to the specific baccalaureate degree that the student-athlete is pursuing 14.4.3.1.6.

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Student-Athlete Enrolled in Two Separate Degree Programs. b. Student-Athlete Enrolled in Two Separate Degree Programs. (I/II) The membership services staff confirmed that a student-athlete who has designated two separate degree programs must satisfy all applicable satisfactory-progress requirements (e.g., credit-hour requirements) in one of the two degree programs. The student-athlete may not combine credits from two separate degree programs to meet the applicable satisfactory-progress requirements. [References: NCAA Bylaw 14.4.3 (eligibility for competition -- Divisions I and II) and staff minute 02/03/95, item a] Staff Interpretation: April 22, 1998

Student-Athlete Enrolled in Two Majors Within the Same Baccalaureate Degree Program. a. Student-Athlete Enrolled in Two Majors Within the Same Baccalaureate Degree Program: The Legislative Services Staff confirmed that a student-athlete who has designated a double major within the same baccalaureate degree program is permitted to use credits obtained toward either major to meet the satisfactory-progress credit-hour requirement (24 hour or averaging method) and/or the percentage of degree requirements (50 percent and 25/50/75 percent). Hours earned in a minor may also be used to meet the satisfactory-progress credit-hour requirement and/or the percentage of degree requirements provided the hours earned in the minor are acceptable toward the student-athlete’s baccalaureate degree program. [References: 14.4.3.1 (fulfillment of credit hour requirements -- 24 hour or averaging method), 14.4.3.1.4 (designation of degree program); 14.4.3.2.1 (percentage of degree requirements -- 50 percent) and 14.4.3.2.2 (percentage of degree requirements -- 25/50/75 percent). Staff Interpretation: February 3, 1995

All credit hours required to fulfill both of the double major programs must be totaled up to calculate the percentage of degree requirements.

Application of the Degree Designation Rule

UT Degree Designation Policy. Many students are undecided about their major when they enter UT Knoxville. All undecided students are designated University Students and are advised by Arts and Sciences Advising Services. While it is proper to explore alternative choices, students should also pursue a course of study that culminates in graduation. For this reason there is a limit to the length of time students may remain as University Students.

At the completion of 45 hours, University Students who have entered The University of Tennessee, Knoxville as freshmen must associate

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with a college or officially declare a major prior to the end of the next term of enrollment.

Students who transfer from another college or university may enroll as University Students. However, transfer students may remain as University Students no longer than through the completion of fifteen semester hours if the total number of hours transferred is 30 or more. UT Knoxville students who fail to progress in a given major, college, or school and are undecided about an alternative course of study may continue at University of Tennessee, Knoxville as University Students for a maximum of fifteen semester hours.

Degree Designation Check. Student-Athletes will be checked for fulfillment of the Degree Designation Requirement using official university records. In the absence of an official Degree Designation Form (DDF) the screen located at AH DISSAP will be used as the most current record of Degree Program Declaration.

During the first two years of enrollment, a student-athlete may use credits acceptable toward any of the institution’s degree programs. 14.4.3.1.5 (a)

Student-athletes who are in their first four semesters, will be certified as undecided, regardless of their official degree designation with the University.

Degree Designation Form Policy. Due to the lag time until the new Degree Declaration is officially posted, and due to progression requirements which may delay a student’s official admission to a particular degree program, student-athletes may indicate the degree program under which they wish to be checked by filing a Degree Designation Form (DDF).

This form will over-ride any program which is indicated in the University Records Management System (SAMS) and will stand as the actual declaration until such time as another DDF is filed.

Once a DDF is on file with the NCAA Compliance Specialists, no additional DDF is necessary unless the student chooses to pursue a different degree program.

Pre-Majors with Specific Degree Requirements. In the absence of a DDF, degree designations shown on SAMS (screen AH DISSAP) beginning with the fifth semester, indicating Arts and Sciences, Pre-Professional Programs will be checked against the curriculum listed for the appropriate concentration. Concentrations in Pre-Professional Programs post specific curriculum requirements which include but are

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not limited to: Pre-Dental, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Nuclear Medicine Technology, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Veterinary, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science- Science Technology Pre-Veterinary, Biosystems Engineering Major- Pre- Professional Concentration, and Food Science and Technology Major- Pre-Professional Concentration.

Since each of these degree programs represents a special case, some having a “3+1” or “3+2” configuration, it is important to remember that the degree completion requirements will be calculated on the basis of the number of hours required in order to graduate and not just the hours earned at UT during the first three years.

Pre-Teaching. Some Pre-teaching programs are majors, while Elementary and Secondary are minors which do not have to be declared. If Elementary Education is chosen as a minor, then a major can be any Arts and Sciences major or Pre-teaching Environmental Science, Math, and/or Science. If Secondary Education is chosen as a minor, then a major can be in any Arts & Sciences field of teaching.

Majors “Interest” Without Specific Degree Requirements. In the absence of a DDF, a student whose SAMS screen (AH DISSAP) indicates a Major “Interest” which does not have a specific set of degree requirements will be checked for continuing eligibility as “Undecided.” Such majors include, but are not limited to: Accounting Interest, Communication Studies Interest, Exercise Science Interest, and Sport Management Interest.

Catalog Year. The catalog used for degree audit purposes is presumed to be the catalog in effect upon the student-athlete’s first term of enrollment unless the student designates otherwise. Students may declare a program listed in any catalog in effect during the whole of their enrollment at UT as long as it is not outdated by more than six years.

Declaring and Changing Degree Program. Student-athletes who wish to change colleges, majors, catalog year, concentrations, and/or other options within the major are responsible for processing their own official university change or major forms and, if necessary, the NCAA Degree Designation Form under certain conditions. DDF forms are required:

When a student wishes to be checked for progress toward degree under the provisions of a degree program other than the one currently designated;

When a student-athlete who is ineligible for admission into a new college or major wishes to pursue course work in that new area;

When a student wishes to declare or change a concentration or other option available within the major;

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When the student-athlete wishes to be checked for progress toward degree under the provisions of a catalog other than the one in effect during her/his first year of enrollment;

When the student-athlete is enrolled in a Major “Interest” program of study, in which case admission to a degree program could be delayed;

When the student-athlete wishes her/his degree program change to be reflected in a timely manner.

Filing an NCAA DDF allows the NCAA Compliance Specialists to certify the student’s eligibility for satisfactory-progress even if the process of declaring a major on her/his academic history should be delayed, and/or the major on the academic history is not currently accurate.

Degree designation forms are to be properly completed and on file with the Registrar’s Office by the last day to add classes of the semester in which the student wants the new DDF to be effective.

Students who meet percentage of degree completion requirements at the beginning of a given term may change their designation to a different degree program effective that same term. The deadline for making such change is the last day of the first session for that term.

When the intended major is known in advance, continuing students whose fifth semester occurs in the Fall will submit a DDF, if necessary by April 1st. Students whose fifth semester occurs in the Spring will submit a DDF, if known, by November 1st.

Students who are required to designate a degree program will be notified. Failure on the part of the student to respond within five working days will result in the student being suspended from practice.

University approved DDFs are available to all Athletic Academic Counselors online at https://web.UT.edu/~tccomply/ddf/. Dated signatures of the student-athlete, the Athletic Academic Counselors, and the University Registrar are required before the form is considered official. All DDFs are submitted by the Athletic Academic Counselors online to the Academic Compliance Officer and NCAA Compliance Specialist. The hard copy is signed and submitted to the Academic Compliance Officer, then forwarded the NCAA Compliance Specialist.

Counselors are encouraged to retain a copy of the signed DDF for their files. Once final approval of the DDF has been determined, the Registrar will notify the Academic Compliance Officer and the Academic Counselor via email.

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Percentage Toward Degree Certification Timing for Transfers. Timing of certification of degree designation, degree-completion and grade point average requirements is established by examining all college transcripts and determining the number of terms of full-time enrollment.

Transfer “W”. Transfer students who at one time during a term were enrolled as full-time students, then obtained one or more “W’s” which dropped them to less than full-time, will be considered enrolled full-time for that particular term for purposes of determining degree designation, degree-completion and grade point average requirements.

The student’s college transcript from the previous institution will be used to determine fulltime enrollment.

5. Credit-Hour Requirements Regulations

Fulfillment of Credit-Hour Requirements. Eligibility for competition (for those student-athletes first entering a collegiate institution full-time on or after 8/1/03, 3/10/04, 4/28/05) shall be determined based upon satisfactory completion of at least:

a) 24 semester or 36 quarter-hours of academic credit prior to start of student-athlete’s second year of collegiate enrollment

b) Eighteen semester or 27 quarter-hours of academic credit since the beginning of the previous fall term or since the beginning of the certifying institution’s preceding regular two semesters or three quarters; and

c) Six semester or six quarter-hours of academic credit the preceding regular academic term in which the student-athlete has been enrolled full-time at any collegiate institution. 14.4.3.1

Application of Credit/Hour Requirements

Application of Rule. For purposes of Bylaw 14.4.3.1(b), once a student-athlete initially enrolls as a full-time student, she or he must meet the eighteen semester/27 quarter-hour requirement prior to the start of the institution’s third semester or 36-quarter hours during the previous two semesters or three quarters. 14.4.3.1.4

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Application to a Midyear Enrollee. After a midyear enrollee’s initial certification, (prior to the start of the institution’s third semester or fourth quarter following the student-athlete’s initial full-time enrollment), the student-athlete’s completion of the 18-semester/27 quarter hour requirement shall be certified prior to the start of each academic year based on the student-athlete’s record since the beginning of the previous fall term. 14.4.3.1.4.1

Regular Academic Year. For purposes of Bylaw 14.4.3.1, the regular academic year shall be defined as the time beginning with the opening of the institution’s fall term and concluding with the institution’s spring commencement exercise. 14.4.3.1.1

Regaining Eligibility. For purposes of Bylaw 14.4.3.1(a), a student-athlete who does not meet the 24-semester or 36-quarter credit-hour requirement prior to the start of her or his second year of collegiate enrollment (i.e., third semester, fourth quarter), may become eligible at the beginning of the next academic term by successfully completing 24-semester or 36-quarter hours during the previous two semesters or three quarters. 14.4.3.1.3

Exception-Baseball. In baseball, a student-athlete who is subject to the 24-semester or 36-quarter credit-hour requirement at the beginning of an institution’s fall term and fails to meet the requirement based on the student-athlete’s academic record in existence at the time shall not be eligible during the remainder of the academic year. 14.4.3.1.3.1

Additional Application-Baseball. In baseball, a student-athlete who is subject to the 18-semester/27-quarter hour requirement at the beginning of an institution’s fall term and fails to meet the requirement based on the student-athlete’s academic record in existence at that time shall not be eligible during the remainder of the academic year. 14.4.3.1.4.2

Eligibility for Postseason Competition – Between Terms. To be eligible to compete in a postseason event (e.g., conference tournament, bowl game, National Invitation Tournament, NCAA championship) that occurs between regular terms (including summer) a student-athlete shall have satisfactorily completed six-semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit during the preceding regular academic term of full-time enrollment (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1). 14.1.10.2

Transfer

Transfer. To be eligible for competition, a transfer student-athlete must meet the following credit-hour requirements

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based on attendance at the previous institution(s) for the specified time and may use any hours of academic credit earned at any collegiate institution:

a) Equivalent of one semester/ one quarter: six-semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit;

b) Equivalent of one academic year (e.g., two semesters/ three quarters): 24-semester or 36-quarter hours of academic credit;

c) Equivalent of three semesters/ four quarters: 30-semester of 42-quarter hours of academic credit; or

d) Equivalent of four semesters/six quarters and thereafter: six-semesters or six-quarter hours of academic credit during the previous term of full-time enrollment, if applicable (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1.1.1) 14.4.3.1.2.

Six-Hour Requirement for Transfer. A transfer student-athlete from a domestic two-year or four-year collegiate institution must complete six hours of academic credit during the previous term of full-time enrollment institution. A transfer student-athlete from a foreign collegiate institution is not required to complete six hours of academic credit in the previous term of full-time enrollment. 14.4.3.1.2.1

Split Certification. Students who change majors during the year will be checked for continuing eligibility according to the major declared as of the end of each academic term. Courses which count toward the degree program in effect during a given term will count toward fulfillment of progress toward degree requirements.

Change in Eligibility Status. If a student-athlete’s academic eligibility changes at the end of a semester, the student-athlete shall become eligible or ineligible to compete on the date her or his eligibility officially is certified by the appropriate institutional authority. In a case in which the student becomes eligible at the end of the term, the earliest date on which the student can become eligible to compete is the day after the date of the last scheduled examination listed in the institution’s official calendar for the term that is ending. In a case in which the student becomes ineligible, the ineligibility shall become effective not later than the first day of classes of the following semester or quarter. In any case if the student-athlete is academically eligible to compete at the time of the student-athlete’s or the institution’s first participation in an NCAA championship, he or she shall remain eligible for the remainder of the championship. 14.1.10

Factors that Impact Degree Applicability

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Non-Regular Academic Year Hours. The following course work may not be used to satisfy the Regular Academic Year requirements per Bylaw 14.4.3.1.1:

UT Mini-Term Summer Term Transfer Course UT Correspondence Course UT Summer Term UT credit earned prior to initial enrollment on a part-time basis. Credit by examination earned prior to full-time enrolment and

during summers and mini terms thereafter.

Hours Earned or Accepted for Degree Credit. The provision that the calculation of credit hours under the progress toward degree regulation shall be based on hours earned or accepted for degree credit at the certifying institution in a student-athlete’s specific baccalaureate degree program shall be met as follows:

a) During the first two years of enrollment, a student-athlete may use credits acceptable toward any of the institution’s degree programs.

b) By the beginning of the third year of enrollment (fifth semester or seventh quarter), a student-athlete shall be required to have designated a program of studies leading toward a specific baccalaureate degree. From that point, the credits used to meet the progress-toward-degree requirements must be degree credit toward the student’s designated degree program.

c) A student-athlete who changes her or his designated degree program may comply with the progress toward degree requirement if:

1. The change in programs is documented appropriately by the institution’ academic authorities

2. The credits earned prior to the change are acceptable toward degree previously sought; and

3. The credits earned from the time of the change are acceptable toward the new desired degree.

d) A student-athlete who has designated a specific degree program with an identified major may not use a course to fulfill the credit-hour requirement for meeting a progress toward degree even if the course fulfills an elective component of the student-athlete’s degree program, if the student ultimately must repeat the course to fulfill the requirements of the student’s major. 14.4.3.1.7

Student-athletes who are in their first four semesters, will be certified as undecided, regardless of their official degree designation with the University.

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Non-Traditional Coursework

Credit from Other Institutions. Credit hours earned at another institution while enrolled as a full-time student may be utilized to satisfy academic progress requirements specified in Bylaws 14.4.3.1 and 14.4.3.2. 14.4.3.4.7

Correspondence and Extension Courses from Another Institution. Correspondence, extension and credit-by-examination courses taken from an institution other than the one in which a student-athlete is enrolled as a full-time student shall not be used in determining a student’s academic standing or progress toward degree. 14.4.3.4.3

UT Correspondence Courses. UT correspondence courses may be applied to both the 24-hour regulation in the first year and the percentage of degree completion regulation. Credit earned via UT correspondence courses may not be applied to the regular academic year requirement. Correspondence work taken at an institution other than the one in which the transfer student was enrolled full-time may be used to fulfill the transfer student credit-hour requirements but may not be applied to the percentage of degree requirement (Educational Column, February, 20, 2008).

Centralized Correspondence-Course Exception. In a state that centralizes the offering of correspondence courses through one state institution, a student enrolled in another of the state’s institutions may use a correspondence course from the institution authorized to offer such courses in determining the student’s academic standing or progress toward degree. 14.4.3.4.3.2

Correspondence courses which are administered at UT, but whose instructor may be located at UT Chattanooga or UT Martin may also be used to meet satisfactory-progress requirements per Bylaw 14.4.3.4.3.2

Credit earned via UT correspondence courses may be applied toward the credit hour requirement for a given season only if the grade for such course is posted by the end of the day before classes begin for the following semester.

Distance Learning Courses. Credit hours earned via distance learning may be used to meet all progress toward degree requirements provided:

a) Evaluation of student’s work is conducted by the appropriate academic authorities in accordance with the institution’s established academic policies.

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b) The course is available to any other student at the certifying institution and is reflected on the certifying institution’s transcript. 14.4.3.4.8

Double Major Same Degree Program. Student-Athlete Enrolled in Two Majors Within the Same Baccalaureate Degree Program: The Legislative Services Staff confirmed that a student-athlete who has designated a double major within the same baccalaureate degree program is permitted to use credits obtained toward either major to meet the satisfactory-progress credit-hour requirement (24 hour or averaging method) and/or the percentage of degree requirements (50 percent and 25/50/75 percent). Hours earned in a minor may also be used to meet the satisfactory-progress credit-hour requirement and/or the percentage of degree requirements provided the hours earned in the minor are acceptable toward the student-athlete’s baccalaureate degree program. Staff Interpretation Feb. 3, 1995

Prior Approval (Equivalency) Forms. While the NCAA no longer requires that student-athletes obtain prior approval for course work taken off campus during the summer in order to be applied to Progress Toward Degree requirements, the University will continue to require that equivalency forms be processed internally. This procedure helps ensure that student-athletes are taking courses that lead toward a degree and provides advanced notice for the NCAA Compliance Specialists to be on the alert for off campus transcripts.

Transfer Work Transcript. An official transcript must be received by the Office of the University Registrar before credit can be applied to Progress Toward Degree Requirements.

Grades of Incomplete

Incomplete Grades. A student who receives an incomplete grade in a course may utilize the course in question to fulfill the minimum progress toward degree requirements, subject to the following conditions:

a) The incomplete grade must have been removed in accordance with the institution’s regulations applicable to all students.

b) Such a course may be counted only once after a grade has been achieved that is acceptable to the institution for determining progress toward degree; and

c) The course with the acceptable grade shall be counted either during the term in which the student initially enrolled in the course or during the term in which the incomplete grade was removed an acceptable credit was awarded. 14.4.3.4.5

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UT Policy for Grades of Incomplete. Under extraordinary circumstances and at the discretion of the instructor, the grade of I (Incomplete) may be awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed a substantial portion of the course but cannot complete the course for reasons beyond their control.

The I grade is not issued in lieu of the grade of F. The terms for the removal of the I, including the time limit for

removal of the I, is decided by the instructor. It is the responsibility of the student receiving an I to arrange

with the instructor whatever action is needed to remove the grade at the earliest possible date, and in any event, within one calendar year of the assignment of Incomplete.

Students may not remove an I grade by re-enrolling in the course.

The I grade does not carry quality points and is not computed as a grade of F in the grade point average.

If the I grade is not removed within one calendar year or upon graduation, it shall be changed to an F and count as a failure in the computation of the grade point average.

A student need not be enrolled at the university to remove a grade of incomplete.

In addition, a grade of IW may be assigned if a student cannot fulfill the requirements for a course because of an inability to communicate in writing.

As stated in The University of Tennessee 2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog.

Incomplete Course. Hours for any course for which the student-athlete received a grade of “Incomplete” are not counted toward the credit-hour requirement until a letter grade is earned and posted to the student’s academic history.

If the incomplete grade is removed after the original term of enrollment, the hours earned can be credited either toward the original term of enrollment or toward the term when the grade was received.

A course in which an “Incomplete” grade is earned during the summer term may not be applied to the regular academic year requirement regardless of when the letter grade is posted.

Repeated Courses

Repeated Courses. Credit for courses that are repeated may be used by a student to satisfy the minimum academic progress requirements only under the following conditions:

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a) A course repeated due to an unsatisfactory initial grade may be utilized only once, and only after it has been satisfactorily completed;

b) Credit for a course that may be taken several times (e.g., a physical education activities course) shall be limited by institutional regulations; and

c) Credits earned in courses that may be taken several times may not exceed the maximum institutional limit for credits of that type for any baccalaureate degree program (or for the student’s specific baccalaureate degree program once a program has been designated). 14.4.3.4.6

Repeat Course. Repeated courses originally passed with a satisfactory grade will not be counted again toward compliance with the credit-hour or the degree-completion requirement.

Foreign Language 150 Enrollment. Foreign languages which offer a review course numbered 150 may not receive credit for both 150 and the two elementary language courses. For example, if Spanish 150 is taken after 111, and 112 then credit will be deducted as if it were a repeat for BOTH 111, 112. In our case, whichever class was taken first (ex. Spanish 111) the student will receive 3 hrs credit for that course according to our first taken, first used rule.

Bio 101-102 and 130. Same rule applies, however if taken 130 and 140 the office of the university’s registrar will adjust for 130-140 to count since 140 is not included in this repeat. Sometimes these are pre-requisite in biological sciences majors. We still used first taken, first used unless the student has requested otherwise.

Unsatisfactory Grades

Course in which a Grade of Less Than “C” is Earned. Such courses may be counted for progress toward degree requirements under the following conditions:

If there is no institutional restriction for counting a course in which a grade of less than “C” has been earned for a specific graduation requirement,

If the student has electives available which could include the course in which a grade of less than “C” is earned,

If the course is not usable in the major, but does fulfill a different graduation requirement (e.g., an Upper Level Distribution requirement in Arts and Sciences).

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Hours Earned for Degree Credit. A student-athlete who has designated a specific degree program with an identified major may not use a course to fulfill the credit-hour requirement for meeting progress toward degree even if the course fulfills an elective component of the student-athlete’s degree program, if the student ultimately must repeat the course to fulfill the requirement of the student’s major. 14.4.3.1.7 (d)

A specific major course requirement in which a grade of less than “C” has been earned and cannot be counted toward the major because of the grade of less than “C,” cannot be used to fulfill satisfactory-progress requirements in any alternative category.

Prerequisites which Require a “C” Grade or Higher. A prerequisite course in which a grade of “C” or higher is required in order to obtain admission into a particular degree program will be treated the same as a specific program requirement in terms of the application of grades of less than “C” to Progress Toward Degree Requirements.

Grade Changes. Student-athlete grade changes received by the Registrar’s Office which immediately impact the student-athletes eligibility are forwarded to the University Provost, the Faculty Athletics Representative, and the Academic Compliance Officer by the NCAA Compliance Specialists.

Courses Not Meeting All the Credit-Hour Requirements. If a student, due to transferring quarter hours or for other reasons, completes enough courses but fails to satisfy the total number of hours mandated for a block of curriculum requirements (e.g., Natural Science), the student must either successfully complete another course to make up the difference, or obtain a waiver for the remaining hours.

In the case of the specific course requirements (e.g., Econ 201) for four credit hours, where a substitution has been approved to fulfill the requirement with a course for less that four hours, the remaining hours are automatically waived and additional hours are added to electives.

Remedial, Tutorial, or Noncredit Courses. Remedial, tutorial, or noncredit courses may be used by the student to satisfy the minimum academic progress requirements of Bylaw 14.4.3.4.1 only if they meet all of the following conditions:

(a) The courses must be considered by the institution to be prerequisites for specific courses acceptable for any degree program;

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(b) The courses must be given the same weight as others in the institution in determining the student’s status for full-time enrollment;

(c) Noncredit courses may not exceed the maximum institutional limit for such courses in any baccalaureate degree program (or the student’s specific baccalaureate degree program once a program has been designated); and

(d) Credit in such courses shall not exceed six semester or nine quarter hours, and the courses must be taken during the student’s first academic year of collegiate enrollment. 14.4.3.4.4

Remedial Course. Math 100 is the only remedial course offered at UT. Math 100 may count toward the credit-hour requirement if applicable, when taken during the first year of enrollment, inclusive of summer. However, it may not be used to fulfill the percentage of degree completion rule.

High School Deficiency

Courses taken to fulfill high school core course requirements are degree applicable. Additional credit hours in order to graduate are not required.

Courses taken to fulfill high school core course deficiencies do not need to be treated as remedial work.  They may be applied to both the credit-hour requirements and the percent of degree completion requirements and may be used at any time during the student-athlete’s academic career.

This policy is effective with 2010 Undergraduate Catalog. Previously enrolled students may take advantage of the new policy by changing to the 2010 Undergraduate Catalog.  In cases where such change is not desired, an appeal process is in place whereby a student may remain under a previous catalog, and be permitted to follow the new policy.

Excess Electives. Elective hours which are in excess of the maximum number of electives allowed in a particular major can not be used to fulfill progress toward degree requirements.

Courses Which are Waived. When courses are waived due to high test scores or completion of higher level courses, the hours for those courses will revert to available elective hours.

Credit from Other Institutions. Credit hours earned at another institution while enrolled as a full-time student may be utilized to

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satisfy academic progress requirements specified in Bylaws 14.4.3.1 and 14.4.3.2. 14.4.3.4.7

Variable Credit. In curricula with requirements which may be fulfilled by successfully completing a variable number of credit hours, the lowest number of hours will be assumed to determine the number of allowable electives until course completion commits a student to a higher number of hours.

Overlapping Courses in Arts & Sciences. In applicable cases where a student has successfully completed up to six hours of designated overlapping courses in the major, the student will be given an equivalent number of additional elective hours. (Under certain circumstances nine or more hours of overlapping courses could feasibly result in additional hours being put into free electives.)

Excess Hours. Hours earned in a given curricular category (e.g., Social Science requirement in Arts and Sciences) which are in excess of the required number of hours in that particular requirement will be placed in the electives category. For example, if Economics 201 puts the total number to thirteen hours when only twelve are needed to fulfill the Social Science requirement, then one excess hour from the final course taken will go into the electives.

Transferred Quarter Hours. Transferred Quarter hours which result in a decimal will remain a decimal (no rounding). Degree hour totals which remain short of the degree which remain short of the required degree-completion percentage by a fraction of an hour will have to be fulfilled by taking a course for a whole hour or more, unless a petition to waive the remaining credit requirement is granted.

Advanced-Placement Tests/Credits by Examination. Credit received through advanced-placement tests or by examination may be utilized by the student to meet the minimum progress toward degree requirement, provided the subject for which the examination is an alternative is offered by the institution as acceptable degree credit. 14.4.3.4.2

AP, IB, DP, CLEP and Proficiency Exams: Hours earned by Advance-Placement, International Baccalaureate Departmental Placement, CLEP, or Proficiency Examinations are ways that credit may be awarded by examination.

Exact timing of credit by examination will be determined for the purpose of tracking hours to be applied toward meeting satisfactory-progress requirements.

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For student-athletes first entering a collegiate institution on or after August 1, 2003, credit earned via credit-by-examination and advanced placement courses completed prior to initial full-time collegiate enrollment shall not be used to satisfy the 18/27 credit-hour requirement or the six credit-hour requirement. However, such credit may be used to satisfy the 24/36 credit-hour requirement and percentage of degree requirements (i.e., 40/60/80). Subsequent to initial full-time enrollment, credit earned while enrolled during a regular academic term via credit-by-examination and advanced placement courses may be used to meet all progress toward degree requirements. Official Interpretation October 1, 2003

Minors

Minors. Minors must be earned using available electives and general education requirements in order to count for eligibility.

Minor in Education. A minor in education must be earned using available electives in order to count for eligibility. Even though the Education Minor is required for teaching licensure, it is not a requirement for the degree.

Petitions

Petitions for Substitutions or Waiver. Petitions for substitution or waiver of curriculum requirements should be submitted at the time of enrollment into the courses in question. The target date for petitions to be submitted is the final day to add classes in order to allow time to seek alternative courses.

Exception: Courses in which a student earned an unsatisfactory grade would reasonably be petitioned at the end of the semester.

Courses Petitioned After the Fact: Credit hours earned for a course that is not initially applicable toward the designated degree program, and then is later approved for substitution may be applied to fulfill the progress toward degree requirements.

Approaching Graduation

Less than Full-Time Enrollment. A student-athlete who was enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies pursuant to an exception or waiver during the term immediately prior to the postseason event is subject to the following requirements:

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a) If the student-athlete was enrolled in at least six credit hours, he or she shall have satisfactorily completed six semester or six quarter hours of academic credit; or

b) If the student-athlete was enrolled in less than six credit hours, he or she shall have satisfactorily completed the number of semester or quarter hours of academic credit in which he or she was enrolled. 14.1.10.2.1

Exception-Final Academic Year of Degree Program-Six-Hour Requirement. A student-athlete who is in the final academic year (final two semesters or three quarters) of her or his designated degree program may use credit hours acceptable toward any of the institution’s degree programs to satisfy the six-hour requirement states in Bylaw 14.4.3.1, provided the institution certifies that the student is enrolled in courses necessary to complete degree requirements at the end of the two semesters or three quarters. Thereafter, the student shall forfeit eligibility in all sports, unless the student completes all degree requirements during the final two semesters or three quarters and is eligible to receive the baccalaureate diploma on the institution’s next degree-granting date. 14.4.3.1.7.1

Exceptions and Waivers-Progress Toward Degree Requirements

a) Missed Term. One time during a student-athlete’s entire period of collegiate enrollment, the provisions of Bylaw 14.4.3.1 (b) may be prorated at nine hours per term of actual attendance if the student-athlete misses a complete term or consecutive terms during an academic year, subject to the following conditions: (1) The student-athlete engaged in no outside competition in the sport during the academic term or terms in which the student was not in attendance; and (2) At the time of certification, the student has fulfilled the progress toward degree requirements (per Bylaw 14.4.3.1) for the terms in which the student was in attendance. 14.4.3.5

A transfer student from a two-year college is not eligible to use this one-time exception during the first academic year of residence at the certifying institution in order to maintain eligibility during the second year in residence. Hours earned while enrolled as a part-time student during the “missed term” may be used to satisfy the 24/36 hour (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1 (a)), percentage of degree (see Bylaw 14.4.3.2) and grade-point average requirements (see Bylaw 14.4.3.3) 14.4.3.5

One-Time Missed Term Exception Procedure. Students wishing to use the one-time missed term exception must present

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verification that they did not compete during the term(s) not in attendance. In a staff interpretation issued May 21, 1993, “the legislative services staff confirmed that, for purposes of 14.5.6 (a) (missed-term exception to satisfactory-progress), outside competition includes both individual and team competition.”

Verification will be submitted to the Academic Compliance Officer who will send it on to the NCAA Compliance Specialists. The NCAA Compliance Specialists will document the use of the one-time missed term exception and forward a copy to both the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) and the Academic Compliance Officer. The FAR will review all documentation and approve or deny use of the one-time missed term exception.

b) Nonrecruited, Nonparticipant. A student-athlete may qualify for an exception to the application of the progress toward degree regulation for the initial season of eligibility if the student was not recruited; has not received athletically related financial assistance; has never practiced or participated in intercollegiate athletics, except that a student may have participated in limited preseason tryouts; and is otherwise eligible under all institutional, conference and NCAA rules. The student-athlete’s eligibility in subsequent seasons would be governed by the provisions of the progress toward degree rule, which would be applied from the beginning of the first term the student began participation. This exception shall not apply to the percentage-of-degree (Bylaw 14.4.3.2) and minimum grade-point average (Bylaw 14.4.3.3) requirements. 14.4.3.5

Nonrecruited, Nonparticipant Exception Procedure. Student-athletes who meet these criteria and have not fulfilled progress toward degree requirements may be certified. Nonrecruited status is verified using the Recruited Status form completed by the student-athlete and signed by the head coach or the coach’s designee.

An examination of previous squad lists will verify that the student meets the definition of a nonparticipant. The NCAA Compliance Specialists will document that the nonrecruited, nonparticipant exception was used and will forward a copy to the Academic Compliance Officer.

c) Graduate Student/Postbaccalaureate Exception. A graduate student-athlete or a student-athlete who graduates and returns for a second baccalaureate degree or who is taking course work that would lead to the equivalent of another major

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or degree who is otherwise eligible for regular-season competition shall be exempt from the provisions of this regulation, except the student-athlete shall successfully complete a minimum of six-semester or -quarter hours of academic credit during each regular academic term in which the student enrolled full time as a graduate student at any collegiate institution or as a student who has graduated and is seeking a second baccalaureate or taking course work that would lead to the equivalent of another major degree at the same institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree (see Bylaw3 14.1.9). 14.4.3.5

Waivers of Progress Toward Degree Rule. The Division I Progress Toward Degree Waivers Committee shall establish appropriate criteria for waivers of this legislation. Such waivers shall be administered by the conference members of the Association or, in the case of an independent institution, by the Division I Progress Toward Degree Waivers Committee. 14.4.3.6

(a) Medical Absence. The credit hours required under the progress toward degree regulation of Bylaws 14.4.3.1 and 14.4.3.5 (c) may be prorated at nine hours per term of actual attendance during an academic year in which a student misses a term or is unable to complete a term as a full-time student as a result of injury or illness. Such an exception may be granted only when circumstances clearly supported by appropriate medical documentation establish that a student-athlete is unable to attend a collegiate institution as a full-time student as a result of an incapacitating physical injury or illness involving the student-athlete or a member of the student-athlete’s immediate family. Credits earned by the student during the term to which the waiver applies may be used to satisfy the 24/36 hour (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1(a) ), percentage of degree (see Bylaw 14.4.3.2), and grade-point average requirements (see Bylaw 14.4.3.3).

(b) International Competition. The credit hours required under the progress toward degree regulation Bylaw 14.4.3.1 and 14.4.3.5 (c) may be prorated at nine hours per term of actual attendance during the academic year in which a student is not enrolled for a term or terms or is unable to complete a term as a result of participation in the FIFA World Youth Championship, Pan American, Olympic, World Championships, World Cup or World University Games (including final Olympic tryouts and the officially recognized training program that directly qualifies participants for those

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tryouts). This waiver provision may be applied to no more than two semesters. 14.4.3.6

Waiver-Olympic Games. The Division I Progress Toward Degree Waiver Committee may waive this general progress toward degree requirement for any participant in the Olympic Games who, because of such participation, may lose eligibility for practice and competition in any sport. 14.4.3.7

6. PERCENTAGE OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Regulation

Fulfillment of Percentage of Degree Requirements. A student-athlete who is entering her or his third year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 40 percent of the course requirements in the student’s specific degree program. A student-athlete who is entering her or his fourth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 60 percent of the course requirements in the student’s specific degree program. A student-athlete who is entering her or his fifth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully at least 80 percent of the course requirements in the student’s specific degree program. The course requirements must be in the student’s specific degree (as opposed to the student’s major). 14.4.3.2

Student-athletes following a four-year degree program entering their:

5th semester must have completed at least 40% of the course requirements in their degree.

7th semester must have completed at least 60% of the course requirements in their degree.

9th semester must have completed at least 80% of the course requirements in their degree.

Five-Year Degree Program. If the student-athlete’s degree program is identified in the institution’s official catalog as a five-year program or otherwise requires the completion of a minimum of 150-semester hours, the student-athlete who is entering her or his third year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully 33 percent of the course requirements in the student’s specific degree program. A

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student-athlete who is entering her or his fourth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully 50 percent of the course requirements in the student’s specific degree program. A student athlete who is entering her or his fifth year of collegiate enrollment shall have completed successfully 67 percent of the course requirements in the student’s specific degree program. 14.4.3.2.1

Student-athletes following a five-year degree program entering their:5th semester must have completed at least 33% of the course requirements in their degree.

7th semester must have completed at least 50% of the course requirements in their degree.

9th semester must have completed at least 67% of the course requirements in their degree.

Application of Degree-Completion Requirements

Change in Eligibility Status. If a student-athlete’s academic eligibility changes at the end of a semester, the student-athlete shall become eligible or ineligible to compete on the date her or his eligibility officially is certified by the appropriate institutional authority. In a case in which the student becomes eligible at the end of the term, the earliest date on which the student can become eligible to compete is the day after the date of the last scheduled examination listed in the institution’s official calendar for the term that is ending. In a case in which the student becomes ineligible, the ineligibility shall become effective not later than the first day of classes of the following semester or quarter. In any case if the student-athlete is academically eligible to compete at the time of the student-athlete’s or the institution’s first participation in an NCAA championship, he or she shall remain eligible for the remainder of the championship. 14.1.10

Timing of Certification. A student-athlete’s eligibility under this provision shall be determined on the basis of the student’s academic record in existence at the beginning of that student’s third or subsequent academic year (i.e., fifth semester) of full-time enrollment. If the student-athlete is ineligible under the provisions of the satisfactory-progress legislation at the beginning of that term, eligibility may be reinstated at the beginning of any other regular term of that student’s specific academic year, based upon the student’s subsequent fulfillment of the necessary degree requirements. 14.4.3.2.3

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Exception-Baseball. In baseball, a student-athlete who is ineligible under this provision at the beginning of an institution’s fall term shall not be eligible during the remainder of the academic year. 14.4.3.2.3.1

Application of Rule to Transfer Student. The provisions of 14.4.3.2 shall be applicable to the eligibility of a transfer student from a two-year or four-year collegiate institution, even if the student has not yet completed an academic year in residence or used a season of eligibility in a sport at the certifying institution. 14.4.3.2.2

Eligibility Certification Timing for Transfers. Timing of certification of degree-completion and grade point average requirements is established by examining all college transcripts and counting the number of terms of full-time enrollment.

Transfer “W”. Transfer students who at one time during a term were enrolled as full-time students, then obtained one or more “W’s” which dropped them to less than full-time, will be considered enrolled full-time for that particular term for purposes of determining degree designation, degree-completion and grade point average requirements.

The student’s college transcript from the previous institution will be used to determine fulltime enrollment.

Factors Which Impact Total Degree Hours

Hours Earned or Accepted for Degree Credit. The provision that the calculation of credit hours under the progress toward degree regulation shall be based on hours earned or accepted for degree credit at the certifying institution in a student-athlete’s specific baccalaureate degree program shall be met as follows:

a) During the first two years of enrollment, a student-athlete may use credits acceptable toward any of the institution’s degree programs.

b) By the beginning of the third year of enrollment (fifth semester or seventh quarter), a student-athlete shall be required to have designated a program of studies leading toward a specific baccalaureate degree. From that point, the credits used to meet the progress-toward-degree requirements must be degree credit toward the student’s designated degree program.

c) A student-athlete who changes her or his designated degree program may comply with the progress toward degree requirement if:

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1. The change in programs is documented appropriately by the institution’ academic authorities

2. The credits earned prior to the change are acceptable toward degree previously sought; and

3. The credits earned from the time of the change are acceptable toward the new desired degree.

d) A student-athlete who has designated a specific degree program with an identified major may not use a course to fulfill the credit-hour requirement for meeting a progress toward degree even if the course fulfills an elective component of the student-athlete’s degree program, if the student ultimately must repeat the course to fulfill the requirements of the student’s major. 14.4.3.1.7

Non-Traditional Coursework

Correspondence and Extension Courses from Another Institution. Correspondence, extension and credit-by-examination courses taken from an institution other than the one in which a student-athlete is enrolled as a full-time student shall not be used in determining a student’s academic standing or progress toward degree. 14.4.3.4.3

UT Correspondence Courses. UT correspondence courses may be applied to both the 24-hour regulation in the first year and the percentage of degree completion regulation. Credit earned via UT correspondence courses may not be applied to the regular academic year requirement. Correspondence credit transferred from other institutions many not be used in determining a student-athlete’s satisfactory-progress. Correspondence work taken at an institution other than the one in which the transfer student was enrolled full-time may be used to fulfill the transfer credit-hour requirement, but may not be applied to the percentage of degree requirement (Educational Column, February 20, 2008).

Centralized Correspondence-Course Exception. In a state that centralizes the offering of correspondence courses through one state institution, a student enrolled in another of the state’s institutions may use a correspondence course from the institution authorized to offer such courses in determining the student’s academic standing or progress toward degree. 14.4.3.4.3.2

Correspondence courses which are administered at UT, but whose instructor may be located at UT Chattanooga or UT Martin may also be used to meet satisfactory-progress requirements per Bylaw 14.4.3.4.3.2

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Credit earned via UT correspondence courses may be applied toward the credit hour requirement for a given season only if the grade for such course is posted by the end of the day before classes begin for the following semester.

Distance Learning Courses. Credit hours earned via distance learning may be used to meet all progress toward degree requirements provided:

a) Evaluation of student’s work is conducted by the appropriate academic authorities in accordance with the institution’s established academic policies.

b) The course is available to any other student at the certifying institution and is reflected on the certifying institution’s transcript. 14.4.3.4.8

Double Major Same Degree Program. Student-Athlete Enrolled in Two Majors Within the Same Baccalaureate Degree Program: The Legislative Services Staff confirmed that a student-athlete who has designated a double major within the same baccalaureate degree program is permitted to use credits obtained toward either major to meet the satisfactory-progress credit-hour requirement (24 hour or averaging method) and/or the percentage of degree requirements (50 percent and 25/50/75 percent). Hours earned in a minor may also be used to meet the satisfactory-progress credit-hour requirement and/or the percentage of degree requirements provided the hours earned in the minor are acceptable toward the student-athlete’s baccalaureate degree program. All credit hours required to fulfill both of the double major programs must be totaled up to calculate the percentage of degree requirements.Staff Interpretation Feb. 3, 1995

Prior Approval (Equivalency) Forms. While the NCAA no longer requires that student-athletes obtain prior approval for course work taken off campus during the summer in order to be applied to Progress Toward Degree requirements, the University will continue to require that equivalency forms be processed internally. This procedure helps ensure that student-athletes are taking courses that lead toward a degree and provides advanced notice for the NCAA Compliance Specialists to be on the alert for off campus transcripts.

Transfer Work Transcript. An official transcript must be received by the Office of the University Registrar before credit can be applied to progress toward degree requirements.

Grades of Incomplete

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Incomplete Grades. A student who receives an incomplete grade in a course may utilize the course in question to fulfill the minimum progress toward degree requirements, subject to the following conditions:

d) The incomplete grade must have been removed in accordance with the institution’s regulations applicable to all students.

e) Such a course may be counted only once after a grade has been achieved that is acceptable to the institution for determining progress toward degree; and

f) The course with the acceptable grade shall be counted either during the term in which the student initially enrolled in the course or during the term in which the incomplete grade was removed an acceptable credit was awarded. 14.4.3.4.5

UT Policy for Grades of Incomplete. Under extraordinary circumstances and at the discretion of the instructor, the grade of I (Incomplete) may be awarded to students who have satisfactorily completed a substantial portion of the course but cannot complete the course for reasons beyond their control.

The I grade is not issued in lieu of the grade of F. The terms for the removal of the I, including the time limit for

removal of the I, is decided by the instructor. It is the responsibility of the student receiving an I to arrange

with the instructor whatever action is needed to remove the grade at the earliest possible date, and in any event, within one calendar year of the assignment of Incomplete.

Students may not remove an I grade by re-enrolling in the course.

The I grade does not carry quality points and is not computed as a grade of F in the grade point average.

If the I grade is not removed within one calendar year or upon graduation, it shall be changed to an F and count as a failure in the computation of the grade point average.

A student need not be enrolled at the university to remove a grade of incomplete.

In addition, a grade of IW may be assigned if a student cannot fulfill the requirements for a course because of an inability to communicate in writing.

As stated in The University of Tennessee 2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog.

Incomplete Course. Hours for any course for which the student-athlete received a grade of “Incomplete” are not counted toward the credit-hour requirement until a letter grade is earned and posted to the student’s academic history.

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If the incomplete grade is removed after the original term of enrollment, the hours earned can be credited either toward the original term of enrollment or toward the term when the grade was received.

A course in which an “Incomplete” grade is earned during the summer term may not be applied to the regular academic year requirement regardless of when the letter grade is posted.

Repeated Courses

Repeated Courses. Credit for courses that are repeated may be used by a student to satisfy the minimum academic progress requirements only under the following conditions:

d) A course repeated due to an unsatisfactory initial grade may be utilized only once, and only after it has been satisfactorily completed;

e) Credit for a course that may be taken several times (e.g., a physical education activities course) shall be limited by institutional regulations; and

f) Credits earned in courses that may be taken several times may not exceed the maximum institutional limit for credits of that type for any baccalaureate degree program (or for the student’s specific baccalaureate degree program once a program has been designated). 14.4.3.4.6

Repeat Course. Repeated courses originally passed with a satisfactory grade will not be counted again toward compliance with the credit-hour or the degree-completion requirement.

Foreign Language 150 Enrollment. Foreign languages which offer a review course numbered 150 may not receive credit for both 150 and the two elementary language courses. For example, if Spanish 150 is taken after 111, and 112 then credit will be deducted as if it were a repeat for BOTH 111, 112. In our case, whichever class was taken first (ex. Spanish 111) the student will receive 3 hrs credit for that course according to our first taken, first used rule.

Bio 101-102 and 130. Same rule applies, however if taken 130 and 140 the office of the university’s registrar will adjust for 130-140 to count since 140 is not included in this repeat. Sometimes these are pre-requisite in biological sciences majors. We still used first taken, first used unless the student has requested otherwise.

Unsatisfactory Grades

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Course in which a Grade of Less Than “C” is Earned. Such courses may be counted for progress toward degree requirements under the following conditions:

If there is no institutional restriction for counting a course in which a grade of less than “C” has been earned for a specific graduation requirement,

If the student has electives available which could include the course in which a grade of less than “C” is earned,

If the course is not usable in the major, but does fulfill a different graduation requirement (e.g., an Upper Level Distribution requirement in Arts and Sciences).

Hours Earned for Degree Credit. A student-athlete who has designated a specific degree program with an identified major may not use a course to fulfill the credit-hour requirement for meeting progress toward degree even if the course fulfills an elective component of the student-athlete’s degree program, if the student ultimately must repeat the course to fulfill the requirement of the student’s major. 14.4.3.1.7 (d)

A specific major course requirement in which a grade of less than “C” has been earned and cannot be counted toward the major because of the grade of less than “C,” cannot be used to fulfill satisfactory-progress requirements in any alternative category.

Prerequisites which Require a “C” Grade or Higher. A prerequisite course in which a grade of “C” or higher is required in order to obtain admission into a particular degree program will be treated the same as a specific program requirement in terms of the application of grades of less than “C” to Progress Toward Degree Requirements.

Grade Changes. Student-athlete grade changes received by the Registrar’s Office which immediately impact the student-athletes eligibility are forwarded to the University Provost, the Faculty Athletics Representative, and the Academic Compliance Officer by the NCAA Compliance Specialists.

Courses Not Meeting All the Credit-Hour Requirements. If a student, due to transferring quarter hours or other reasons, completes enough courses but fails to satisfy the total number of hours mandated for a block of curriculum requirements (e.g., Natural Science), the student must either successfully complete another course to make up the difference, or obtain a waiver for the remaining hours.

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In the case of the specific course requirements (e.g., Econ 201) for four credit hours, where a substitution has been approved to fulfill the requirement with a course for less that four hours, the remaining hours are automatically waived and additional hours are added to electives.

Remedial, Tutorial, or Noncredit Courses. Remedial, tutorial, or noncredit courses may be used by the student to satisfy the minimum academic progress requirements of Bylaw 14.4.3.4.1 only if they meet all of the following conditions:

(a) The courses must be considered by the institution to be prerequisites for specific courses acceptable for any degree program;

(b) The courses must be given the same weight as others in the institution in determining the student’s status for full-time enrollment;

(c) Noncredit courses may not exceed the maximum institutional limit for such courses in any baccalaureate degree program (or the student’s specific baccalaureate degree program once a program has been designated); and

(d) Credit in such courses shall not exceed six semester or nine quarter hours, and the courses must be taken during the student’s first academic year of collegiate enrollment. 14.4.3.4.4

Remedial Course. Math 100 is the only remedial course offered at UT. Math 100 may count toward the credit-hour requirement if applicable, when taken during the first year of enrollment, inclusive of summer. However, it may not be used to fulfill the percentage of degree completion rule.

High School Deficiency

Courses taken to fulfill high school core course requirements are degree applicable. Additional credit hours in order to graduate are not required.

Courses taken to fulfill high school core course deficiencies do not need to be treated as remedial work.  They may be applied to both the credit-hour requirements and the percent of degree completion requirements and may be used at any time during the student-athlete’s academic career.

This policy is effective with 2010 Undergraduate Catalog. Previously enrolled students may take advantage of the new policy by changing to the 2010 Undergraduate Catalog.  In cases where such change is not desired, an appeal process is in place whereby a student may

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remain under a previous catalog, and be permitted to follow the new policy.

Excess Electives. Elective hours which are in excess of the maximum number of electives allowed in a particular major can not be used to fulfill progress toward degree requirements.

Courses Which are Waived. When courses are waived due to high test scores or completion of higher level courses, the hours for those courses will revert to available elective hours.

Credit from Other Institutions. Credit hours earned at another institution while enrolled as a full-time student may be utilized to satisfy academic progress requirements specified in Bylaws 14.4.3.1 and 14.4.3.2. 14.4.3.4.7

Variable Credit. In curricula with requirements which may be fulfilled by successfully completing a variable number of credit hours, the lowest number of hours will be used to determine the number of allowable electives until course completion commits a student to a higher number of hours.

Overlapping Courses in Arts & Sciences. In applicable cases where a student has successfully completed up to six hours of designated overlapping courses in the major, the student will be given an equivalent number of additional elective hours. (Under certain circumstances nine or more hours of overlapping courses could feasibly result in additional hours being put into free electives.)

Excess Hours. Hours earned in a given curricular category (e.g., Social Science requirement in Arts and Sciences) which are in excess of the required number of hours in that particular requirement will be places in the electives category. For example, if Economics 201 puts the total number to thirteen hours when only twelve are required, then one excess hour from the final course taken to fulfill the Social Science requirement will go into the electives.

Transferred Quarter Hours. Transferred Quarter hours which result in a decimal will remain a decimal (no rounding). Degree hour totals which remain short of the required degree-completion percentage by a fraction of an hour will have to be fulfilled by taking a course for a whole hour or more, unless a petition to waive the remaining credit is granted.

Advanced-Placement Tests/Credits by Examination. Credit received through advanced-placement tests or by examination may be utilized by the student to meet the minimum progress toward degree

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requirement, provided the subject for which the examination is an alternative is offered by the institution as acceptable degree credit. 14.4.3.4.2

AP, IB, DP, CLEP and Proficiency Exams: Hours earned by Advance-Placement, International Baccalaureate Departmental Placement, CLEP, or Proficiency Examinations are ways that credit may be awarded by examination.

Exact timing of credit by examination will be determined for the purpose of tracking hours to be applied toward meeting satisfactory-progress requirements.

For student-athletes first entering a collegiate institution on or after August 1, 2003, credit earned via credit-by-examination and advanced placement courses completed prior to initial full-time collegiate enrollment shall not be used to satisfy the 18/27 credit-hour requirement or the six credit-hour requirement. However, such credit may be used to satisfy the 24/36 credit-hour requirement and percentage of degree requirements (i.e., 40/60/80). Subsequent to initial full-time enrollment, credit earned while enrolled during a regular academic term via credit-by-examination and advanced placement courses may be used to meet all progress toward degree requirements. Official Interpretation October 1, 2003

Minors. Minors must be earned using available electives and general education requirements in order to count for eligibility.

Minor in Education. A minor in education must be earned using available electives in order to count for eligibility. Even though the Education Minor is required for teaching licensure, it is not a requirement for the degree.

Petitions for Substitutions or Waiver. Petitions for substitution or waiver of curriculum requirements should be submitted at the time of enrollment into the courses in question. All petitions are to be submitted prior to the final day to add classes in order to allow time to seek alternative courses.

Exception: Courses in which a student earned an unsatisfactory grade may be petitioned at the end of the semester.

Courses Petitioned After the Fact: Credit hours earned for a course that is not initially applicable toward the designated degree program, and then is later approved for substitution may be applied to fulfill the progress toward degree requirements.

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Exceptions and Waivers-Progress Toward Degree Requirements

a) Missed Term. One time during a student-athlete’s entire period of collegiate enrollment, the provisions of Bylaw 14.4.3.1 (b) may be prorated at nine hours per term of actual attendance if the student-athlete misses a complete term or consecutive terms during an academic year, subject to the following conditions: (1) The student-athlete engaged in no outside competition in the sport during the academic term or terms in which the student was not in attendance; and (2) At the time of certification, the student has fulfilled the progress toward degree requirements (per Bylaw 14.4.3.1) for the terms in which the student was in attendance. 14.4.3.5

A transfer student from a two-year college is not eligible to use this one-time exception during the first academic year of residence at the certifying institution in order to maintain eligibility during the second year in residence. Hours earned while enrolled as a part-time student during the “missed term” may be used to satisfy the 24/36 hour (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1 (a)), percentage of degree (see Bylaw 14.4.3.2) and grade-point average requirements (see Bylaw 14.4.3.3) 14.4.3.5

One-Time Missed Term Exception Procedure. Students wishing to use the one-time missed term exception must present verification that they did not compete during the term(s) not in attendance. In a staff interpretation issued May 21, 1993, “the legislative services staff confirmed that, for purposes of 14.5.6 (a) (missed-term exception to satisfactory-progress), outside competition includes both individual and team competition.”

Verification will be submitted to the Academic Compliance Officer who will send it on to the NCAA Compliance Specialists. The NCAA Compliance Specialists will document the use of the one-time missed term exception and forward a copy to both the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) and the Academic Compliance Officer. The FAR will review all documentation and approve or deny use of the one-time missed term exception.

b) Nonrecruited, Nonparticipant. A student-athlete may qualify for an exception to the application of the progress toward degree regulation for the initial season of eligibility if the student was not recruited; has not received athletically related financial assistance; has never practiced or participated in intercollegiate

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athletics, except that a student may have participated in limited preseason tryouts; and is otherwise eligible under all institutional, conference and NCAA rules. The student-athlete’s eligibility in subsequent seasons would be governed by the provisions of the progress toward degree rule, which would be applied from the beginning of the first term the student began participation. This exception shall not apply to the percentage-of-degree (Bylaw 14.4.3.2) and minimum grade-point average (Bylaw 14.4.3.3) requirements. 14.4.3.5

Nonrecruited, Nonparticipant Exception Procedure. Student-athletes who meet these criteria and have not fulfilled progress toward degree requirements may be certified. Nonrecruited status is verified using the Recruited Status form completed by the student-athlete and signed by the head coach or the coach’s designee.

An examination of previous squad lists will verify that the student meets the definition of a nonparticipant. The NCAA Compliance Specialists will document that the nonrecruited, nonparticipant exception was used and will forward a copy to the Academic Compliance Officer.

c) Graduate Student/Postbaccalaureate Exception. A graduate student-athlete or a student-athlete who graduates and returns for a second baccalaureate degree or who is taking course work that would lead to the equivalent of another major or degree who is otherwise eligible for regular-season competition shall be exempt from the provisions of this regulation, except the student-athlete shall successfully complete a minimum of six-semester or -quarter hours of academic credit during each regular academic term in which the student enrolled full time as a graduate student at any collegiate institution or as a student who has graduated and is seeking a second baccalaureate or taking course work that would lead to the equivalent of another major degree at the same institution from which he or she previously received a baccalaureate degree (see Bylaw3 14.1.9). 14.4.3.5

Waivers of Progress Toward Degree Rule. The Division I Progress Toward Degree Waivers Committee shall establish appropriate criteria for waivers of this legislation. Such waivers shall be administered by the conference members of the Association or, in the case of an independent institution, by the Division I Progress Toward Degree Waivers Committee. 14.4.3.6

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(a) Medical Absence. The credit hours required under the progress toward degree regulation of Bylaws 14.4.3.1 and 14.4.3.5 (c) may be prorated at nine hours per term of actual attendance during an academic year in which a student misses a term or is unable to complete a term as a full-time student as a result of injury or illness. Such an exception may be granted only when circumstances clearly supported by appropriate medical documentation establish that a student-athlete is unable to attend a collegiate institution as a full-time student as a result of an incapacitating physical injury or illness involving the student-athlete or a member of the student-athlete’s immediate family. Credits earned by the student during the term to which the waiver applies may be used to satisfy the 24/36 hour (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1(a) ), percentage of degree (see Bylaw 14.4.3.2), and grade-point average requirements (see Bylaw 14.4.3.3).

(b) International Competition. The credit hours required under the progress toward degree regulation Bylaw 14.4.3.1 and 14.4.3.5 (c) may be prorated at nine hours per term of actual attendance during the academic year in which a student is not enrolled for a term or terms or is unable to complete a term as a result of participation in the FIFA World Youth Championship, Pan American, Olympic, World Championships, World Cup or World University Games (including final Olympic tryouts and the officially recognized training program that directly qualifies participants for those tryouts). This waiver provision may be applied to no more than two semesters. 14.4.3.6

Waiver-Olympic Games. The Division I Progress Toward Degree Waiver Committee may waive this general progress toward degree requirement for any participant in the Olympic Games who, because of such participation, may lose eligibility for practice and competition in any sport. 14.4.3.7

7. GRADE POINT AVERAGE REQUIREMENT

Regulation

Division I. A student-athlete who is entering her or his second year of collegiate enrollment shall present a cumulative minimum grade point average (based upon a maximum of 4,000) that equals at least 90 percent of the institution’s overall cumulative minimum grade point average required for graduation. A student-athlete who is entering her or his third

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year of collegiate enrollment shall present a cumulative minimum grade point average (based upon a maximum of 4,000) that equals 95 percent of the institution’s overall cumulative minimum grade point average required for graduation. A student-athlete who is entering her or his fourth or subsequent year of collegiate enrollment shall present a cumulative minimum grade point average required for graduation.

If the institution does not have an overall grade point average for graduation, it is permissible to utilize the lowest grade point average for graduation, it is permissible to utilize the lowest grade point average required for any of the institution’s degree programs in determining the cumulative minimum grade point average. The minimum grade point average must be computed pursuant to institutional policies applicable to all students. 14.4.3.3

Application of Rule to Transfer Student. The provisions of 14.4.3.3.1 shall be applicable to the eligibility of a transfer student from a two-year or four-year collegiate institution who has completed an academic term in residence. 14.4.3.3.1

Timing of Certification. A student-athlete’s eligibility under this provision shall be determined on the basis of the student’s academic record in existence at the beginning of that student’s third and subsequent academic semester of fulltime enrollment.

If the student-athlete is ineligible under the provisions of the satisfactory-progress legislation at the beginning of that term, eligibility may be reinstated at the beginning of any other regular term of that student’s specific academic year, based upon the student’s subsequent fulfillment of the necessary degree requirements. 14.4.3.3.2

Grade Changes. Student-athlete grade changes received by the Registrar’s Office which immediately impact the student-athletes eligibility are forwarded to the University Provost, the Faculty Athletics Representative, and the Academic Compliance Officer by the NCAA Compliance Specialists.

8. TRANSFER STUDENT-ATHLETES AND THE PROGRESS TOWARD DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

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14.4.3.1.2 Transfer. To be eligible for competition, a transfer student-athlete must meet the following credit-hour requirements based on attendance at the previous institution(s) for the specifiedtime and may use any hours of academic credit earned at any collegiate institution:

a) Equivalent of one semester/one quarter: six-semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit;

b) Equivalent of one academic year (e.g., two semesters/ three quarters): 24-semester or 36-quarter hours of academic credit;

c) Equivalent of three semesters/four quarters: 30-semester or 42-quarter hours of academic credit; or

d) Equivalent of four semesters/six quarters and thereafter: six-semester or six-quarter hours of academic credit during the previous term of full-time enrollment, if applicable (see Bylaw 14.4.3.1.1.1). 14.4.3.1.2

Six-Hour Requirement for Transfer. A transfer student-athlete from a domestic two-year or four-year collegiate institution must complete six hours of academic credit during the previous term of full-time enrollment regardless of when the student-athlete enrolls in the certifying institution. A transfer student-athlete from a foreign collegiate institution is not required to complete six hours of academic credit in the previous term of full-time enrollment. 14.4.3.1.2.1

Progress Toward Degree Certification Timing for Transfers. Timing of certification of percentage of degree completion and grade point average requirements is established by examining all college transcripts and determining the number of terms of full-time enrollment.

Transfer “W”. Transfer students who at one time during a term were enrolled as full-time students, then obtained one or more “W’s” which dropped them to less than full-time, will be considered enrolled full-time for that particular term for purposes of determining degree designation, degree-completion and grade point average requirements.

The student’s college transcript from the previous institution will be used to determine fulltime enrollment.

Two-Year College Transfer Student

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Qualifiers. Two-year college transfer students who were qualifiers out of high school will be checked for percentage of degree completion. Using the academic history/ transcript from the two-year college, the number of terms of full-time enrollment will be determined.

Four-Year College Transfer Student

All four-year college transfer students will be checked for percentage of degree completion. Using the academic history/transcript from the previous institutions, the number of terms of full-time enrollment will be determined.

SEC Regulations

SEC Transfer and Correspondence. No more than six hours of any combination of transfer and/or correspondence course work may be counted towards the minimum progress toward degree- requirements in any given twelve month period. Example: A student athlete who has three hours of credit by correspondence and is enrolled in twelve hours at Pellissippi State Community College may count three hours, if applicable, toward the degree program to meet the minimum satisfactory-progress requirements.

If, at the end of the spring semester, the student athlete needs six additional hours to become eligible, no more than three of those hours may be transfer or correspondence credit since three of the six hours allowed in a given twelve month period were transferred in during the fall semester. 14.1.6.2.6 (SEC Regulations)

9. FINAL ELIGIBILITY CHECK

Priority

Priority of consideration for final eligibility checks is assigned according to the sequence in which the respective sports groups are scheduled to practice or compete in the upcoming season. However, emergency eligibility checks and certifications are handled according to the urgency of the request from the Academic Compliance Officer. The check will be completed by the NCAA Compliance Specialists and the Academic Compliance Officer. The Registrar then certifies the final squad list.

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Mid-Year Degree-Completion and GPA Certification

Mid-year certification of Degree-Completion and GPA requirements may become necessary when a student initially enrolls at the beginning of the spring semester, when a student has been granted a one-time missed term exception, or a medical exception, or when the student has enrolled less than full-time one or more semesters. After fall term grades are available, an additional eligibility check will be made for all student-athletes who must meet progress toward degree requirements prior to the beginning of the spring semester.

Mid-Year Progress Toward Degree Certification. Student-athletes who are declared ineligible for the fall semester will be checked for spring eligibility.

Review of Special Circumstances. When unique situations surface concerning a student-athlete’s enrollment hours and/or courses, a committee (members to include, but not limited to, the Registrar, the NCAA/SEC Faculty Athletics Representative, the Athletics Compliance Officer and the Academic Compliance Officer) will meet to determine what attention and/or action the situation will receive. One such situation would be when a student-athlete wishes to “late add” a course, or courses, after a regular term has ended. The committee’s findings will be documented and followed-up by written notice to all concerned parties. Requests for review of the committee’s findings will be considered.

10. PROCEDURES

Checking Transfer Student-Athletes. All transfer student-athletes are checked for satisfaction of percentage of degree-completion requirements. The Office of Admissions sends the Transfer Athletes’ Certification Form with copies of transcripts to the NCAA Compliance Specialist.

Using official transcripts, the NCAA Compliance Specialist determines the number of full-time terms. Transfer student-athletes who are beginning or have completed their 4th, 5th, or subsequent semester of full-time enrollment, will submit a DDF and will be checked for the appropriate percentage of degree completion.

The signed Transfer Athletes Certification form is sent to the Admissions Office, the FAR, the Academic Compliance Officer, and the Athletics Compliance office.

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Clearing Academically Ineligible Students. If a change of status occurs, due to petition, grade change, etc., and a current student-athlete is deemed to be eligible after the initial signing of the Squad List, the NCAA Compliance Specialist will enter an “X” into the squad list and forward it to the FAR and appropriate athletics department officials a signed Squad List Modification Form stating that the student-athlete has been certified eligible. Appropriate comments are also entered on the Comments Screen.

Comparing Tracking Sheets. At least three times during the year, the NCAA Compliance Specialist and the Academic Compliance Officer compare Tracking Sheets in an ongoing effort to ensure accuracy.

The Academic Compliance Officer may email a copy of the tracking sheet to the NCAA Compliance Specialist for review, or the Academic Compliance Officer may print a copy of the tracking sheet and meet personally with the NCAA Compliance Specialist in order to reconcile any discrepancies on the spot.

All parties remain aware that agreement does not necessarily guarantee accuracy and continue to re-check their work.

Either the Academic Compliance Officer or the NCAA Compliance specialist initiates tracking sheet comparisons. Both parties are open to discussion regarding any discrepancies. Both parties make whatever modifications to their records that are needed.

Data is checked early to mid February, mid June, and early to mid August.

Emergency Certification. If it is anticipated that the eligibility status of a student-athlete is likely to change where short-notice certification is desired, it is the responsibility of the head coach or an Athletics Compliance Officer to make prior arrangements to see that the certification process is completed.

Reasonable notice should be provided to the office of the University Registrar in order to ensure accuracy in the certification process. In most cases two business days prior to the day of competition would be considered reasonable. Emergency certification with less than 24 hour advance notice is not guaranteed.

Exception to the Six-Hour Rule. In the event that one or more student-athletes qualify for an exception to the Six-Hour Rule, the Athletics Compliance staff will cause the SEC Office to be notified in writing.

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First Taken, First Listed. Consistent with established university registrar policy, courses are listed on the audit sheet on a “first taken, first listed” basis. A course taken later in the student’s academic career may not replace a previously completed course in a given requirement category, unless the first course is placed in an alternative category in which it will count toward completion of the degree.

Full-Time Enrollment Check

Beginning five working days prior to the first day of classes, an enrollment check for student-athletes is run daily continuing through the end of the competitive season. These reports are distributed to the Squad List Coordinator, Director of the Thornton Center, Academic Compliance Officer, Faculty Athletic Representative, Athletics Compliance Officers, Academic Counselors, and the NCAA Compliance Specialists.

Students who drop below the twelve-hour minimum requirement are reported to the Head Coach or the Head Coach’s designee by the Athletics Compliance Officer. Ineligibility is declared as of the date the student-athlete dropped below full-time enrollment.

No drop/add transaction after the deadline is considered to be official without the Registrar’s final approval.

Internal Audit Sheet Review

At least once each term, the Audit Sheets, (a.k.a. Continuing Eligibility Checklists) are reviewed by the NCAA Compliance Specialists, the Academic Compliance Officer, and the Academic Counselors.

Once Audit Sheet listings for the courses completed and the currently enrolled courses are updated, the two NCAA Compliance Specialists double check first their own work, then each other’s work by reviewing, in detail, each Audit Sheet. Consensus is achieved and corrections entered.

Each Audit Sheet is independently reviewed by the Academic Compliance Officer and at least one trained Graduate Assistant. Once a consensus is reached, a list of possible problem areas is sent to the appropriate NCAA Compliance Specialist for comment, and if necessary, Audit Sheet modification.

At some point in the term, the Academic Counselors check the accuracy of the Audit Sheets pertaining to the student-athletes with whom they work. Any potential problems they find are called to the

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attention of the Academic Compliance Officer who then validates the potential problem and notifies the NCAA Compliance Specialists.

In all cases, a combination of the AHR and the DARS reports are used as the basis for the review.

Medical Scholarship or Exhausted Eligibility. Students who are on medical scholarship or scholarship student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility will continue to be checked for eligibility for APR purposes.

Mini-Term Enrollees. The Academic Compliance Officer will, at the conclusion of Mini-Term, forward a list of student-athletes who are enrolled in Mini-Term to the NCAA Compliance Specialists.

Monitoring Grade Changes. The NCAA Compliance Specialists will routinely monitor grade changes which occur in the records of student-athletes. Upon discovery of grade changes, the NCAA Compliance Specialists will notify the University Provost, the Faculty Athletics Representative and the Academic Compliance Officer.

Monitoring Petitions. Counselors will file a copy of petitions for substitutions and/or waivers with the Academic Compliance Officer who will monitor the progress of final approval by the Registrar. The NCAA Compliance Specialists will routinely check for petitions submitted by/for student-athletes and forward a copy of the signed document to the Academic Compliance Officer who will distribute a copy to the appropriate counselor.

Nonrecruited, Nonparticipant Exception Procedure. Student-athletes who meet these criteria and have not fulfilled progress toward degree requirements may be certified. Students will verify their nonrecruited status by completing and signing the Recruited Status form. The NCAA Compliance Specialists will document that the nonrecruited, nonparticipant exception was used and will forward a copy to the Academic Compliance Officer.

One-Time Missed Term Exception Procedure. Students wishing to use the one-time missed term exception must present verification that they did not compete during the term(s) not in attendance.

Verification will be submitted to the Academic Compliance Officer who will send it on to the NCAA Compliance Specialists. The NCAA Compliance Specialists will document the use of the one-time missed term exception and forward a copy to both the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) and the Academic Compliance Officer. The FAR

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will review all documentation and approve or deny use of the one-time missed term exception.

Pre-Squad List Signing Meeting. Prior to the official signing of the squad lists, a meeting of individuals involved in the certification process will be held to identify potential problems. Included in the meeting is identification of student-athletes who have not yet met progress toward degree requirements.

Procedures for Exception to the Full-time Enrollment Requirement

An undergraduate student-athlete in her/his final semester who is carrying fewer than twelve semester hours may be eligible for competition if the Registrar certifies that the student is enrolled in course work sufficient to fulfill all the requirements for her/his designated degree program. Counselors should notify the Academic Compliance Officer when they have an undergraduate student who wishes to enroll in less than full-time hours. The Academic Compliance Officer will contact the NCAA Compliance Specialists who will verify the number of hours remaining to graduate. In order for the verification process to occur, the student must submit the Application for Graduation by the published deadline. Written notification will be sent to the Faculty Athletics Representative with copies mailed to the Academic Compliance officer, the appropriate Compliance Coordinator and Director of the Thornton Center.

The student will sign a Statement of Understanding pertaining to the forfeiture of further eligibility in the event she or he fails to meet all graduation requirements during that semester. The Academic Counselor will submit the original signed copy of the form to the Academic Compliance Officer and will provide a copy for the head coach, the squad list manager and will keep a copy.

Admitted graduated students may be eligible for competition while enrolled in a minimum of nine (9) hours of course work.

Graduate school status is verified by the NCAA Compliance Specialists in order for a student to be considered full-time with 9 to 11 hours.

Procedure for Graduate Student Full-Time Enrollment

Graduate school status must be verified in order for a student to be considered full-time with nine to eleven hours. Upon notification by a counselor that a student intends to enroll in graduate level courses, the Academic Compliance Officer will request that the NCAA Compliance Specialists verify that the student in question is fully

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admitted into the graduate school. NCAA Compliance specialists will then inform the appropriate athletic and academic personnel.

Squad List Changes. The Assistant Athletics Director for Operations will notify the appropriate university officials of additions and changes in status for squad list members. These officials will include the NCAA Compliance Specialists, the Academic Compliance Officer, the appropriate academic counselor, and any other such university officials, as deemed necessary.

Squad List Signing. At an appropriately scheduled time prior to the start of competition, a meeting will be called to determine final certification of all student-athletes. Among other university personnel, the participants will include the Academic Compliance Officer, both NCAA Compliance Specialists, and the University Registrar or the Registrar’s designees who will sign the squad lists certifying eligibility.

Timing of Certification. A student-athlete’s eligibility under this provision shall be determined within 14-business days (regardless of the date in which the grades are posted or submitted) after the date of the last scheduled examination listed in the institution’s official calendar for the term that it is ending. If the postseason event occurs prior to the conclusion of the 14-business days, eligibility shall be determined by using grades from the immediately preceding regular academic term (e.g., fall term if certifying for a bowl game), provided a sufficient number of grades from the term have been posted. All grades posted in accordance with institutional procedures by 5 p.m. local time (where the institution is located) on the day prior to the postseason event must be considered. If the postseason event occurs prior to the conclusion of the 14-business days and an insufficient number of grades from the immediately preceding term have been posted, eligibility shall be determined by using grades from the most recent regular academic term for which a sufficient number of grades have been posted. 14.1.10.2.2

Tracking Sheets. The Academic Compliance Officer will, at the beginning of each term, forward an updated copy of the tracking sheets to the NCAA Compliance Specialists.

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