Eligibility

• Academic Progress and Eligibility Committee (APEC)
• Class Attendance
• Absences due to travel and medical conditions
• Academic Progress
• Summer School Policy

Academic Progress and Eligibility Committee (APEC)

Academic Review
Academic Evaluation

Academic Review

The Academic Review is a planned, periodic evaluation of each varsity team following a predetermined schedule. Each team will be reviewed once in a three-year cycle, with reviews continuing every three years. The scope of the review will be determined by the Academic Progress and Eligibility Committee (APEC) in consultation with the Associate Athletic Director for Academic Affairs and representatives from the Chancellor's Office. Academic performance will be evaluated based upon progress towards degree, individual and team GPA's and graduation rates.

In addition, information for the Academic Review will be gathered from transcripts, grade reports and other sources of academic information. Several years of information will serve as the basis for the Academic Review. APEC will identify the indicators of performance to be used and will communicate these indicators, as well as the schedule for evaluation to the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics staff (including academic support persons and coaches), and to the Chancellor's Office.

A detailed report will be prepared detailing the findings of the Academic Review and any recommended actions. This report will be the focus of a meeting involving the Chair of APEC, the Director of Athletics, the Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Affairs, a representative from the Chancellor's Office, a faculty athletic representative, and the head coach of the team being reviewed.

Academic Evaluation

The Academic Evaluation is a process that is required when the academic performance of a team fails to meet minimum criteria at the end of a fall or spring semester. A quick response to the evaluation is necessary to immediately investigate a weak academic performance of a team and to assist individual student-athletes in improving their academic performances.

At the end of each fall and spring semester, the grade point performance of each sport team will be assessed. Shortly thereafter, a review will be conducted of every sports team failing to meet one or more of the following performance standards (based on a 4.0 scale):

• An overall team grade point average of 2.25 or above.
• An overall grade point average of 2.25 or above for grant-in-aid students.
• A minimum of 80% of the team members obtaining a grade point average equal to, or greater than, a 2.0.

APEC will periodically review the above criteria, and may modify, delete, or add performance standards for the Academic Review System.

In an academic review, written statements will be requested from the head coach, the academic counselor, and from all team members failing to meet individual student-athlete standards. The statements will provide the opportunity for each of these individuals to comment on the circumstances surrounding the academic performance of the semester.

The APEC will compose a report, which draws from the statements and other pertinent information, for the Athletic Director and the Office of the Chancellor. Included in the report may be recommendations and/or actions for improving the academic performance of the team or the individual student-athletes on the team. The report will be the focus of a meeting involving the Chair of APEC, a faculty athletic representative, the Athletic Director, the representative from the Chancellor's Office, the Associate Athletic Director for Academic Affairs, the head coach, and the student-athletes, when appropriate.

The Academic Evaluation increases communications about academic performance on a semester-by-semester basis, addresses emerging problems, and helps overcome obstacles which may inhibit student-athletes from achieving academic successes at the University of Illinois.

Class Attendance

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics (DIA) wants to see each student-athlete pursue and obtain an academic degree. Student-athletes have the responsibility of attending class, completing all assignments, and conducting themselves in all academic matters in ways that are consistent with acceptable academic performance.

The Division of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Illinois has adopted the following policy regarding class attendance and academic performance:

In the event that a student-athlete fails to make a good-faith effort to complete the requirements of one or more classes, as evidence by unsatisfactory performance in the class(es) and unexcused absences from examinations, tests, or quizzes, repeated failure to complete the classroom assignments, or repeated absences from class or required Study Table, then the student-athlete may be suspended from competition for one or more games, matches, meets, or contests.

Absences due to travel and medical conditions

Travel
Student-athletes are expected to communicate with instructors prior to departure regarding any class absences resulting from representing the University of Illinois in athletic competition. Travel verification letters for instructors are available from academic counselors and from the Academic Services Office.

Medical
Letters for instructors verifying class absences due to medical reasons can be obtained from the attending staff member at McKinley Student Health Center or from Sports Medicine.

Academic Progress

Academic progress and eligibility are monitored by the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. However, it is the responsibility of the student-athlete to insure that applicable requirements are being met. If you or your student-athlete has questions regarding eligibility requirements, consult with the athletic academic counselor or the Director of Academic Services.

In order to be eligible for competition and/or financial aid (scholarship), the following Big Ten Conference requirements must be met:

• To be eligible to practice, compete, and receive aid, all undergraduate student-athletes must be enrolled in and complete a minimum of 12 semester hours. If at any time during a semester, a student-athlete drops below the 12 minimum hours, he or she immediately becomes ineligible.
• All hours used to certify eligibility must count toward the student-athlete's degree. The dean will certify that enrolled hours count towards degree requirements.
• All student-athletes must comply with the minimum grade point average (GPA) and hour requirements established by the Big Ten Conference to remain academically eligible for competition and aid.

BY THE END OF:	MINIMUM GPA:(on 4.0 scale)	CREDIT HOURS
1st Semester	1.65	-
1st Year	1.80	24
2nd Year	1.90	51
3rd Year	2.00	78
4th Year	2.00	105

Summer School Policy

The NCAA limits the number of hours a student-athlete may take in summer school to fulfill the satisfactory progress requirement. Student-athletes shall not earn more than 25 percent of those hours used to fulfill the satisfactory progress requirement during the summer. Seventy-five percent of the hours used to satisfy the progress requirement must be earned during the regular academic year. If your student-athlete needs further clarification of the rule (NCAA Bylaw 140.5,4.1), contact their Academic Counselor.