The Intercollegiate Athletics Program at the University of New Hampshire is responsible to the President of the University. In all academic matters, athletics personnel and student-athletes comply with policies and procedures that govern the activities of the University as a whole.

The major structural change in UNH Athletics in the last three years has been the integration of the separate men's and women's departments into a unified department. Although this has not altered academic governance in any significant way, it will insure uniform policies and support services for men's and women's teams. Prior to the merger, each department had its own policy manual with different wording and emphasis for similar policy items. For example, the women's handbook said that "coaches must treat the academic requirements necessary for progress toward a degree as a matter of highest priority..." and that they "are jointly accountable with the academic advisement liaison for [athletes'] academic progress and ultimate graduation." The men's handbook, on the other hand, stated that coaches were expected to "review academic progress of student-athletes, and help each individual have a successful experience at UNH." Such distinct wording suggested a higher academic expectation for coaches of women's teams, when that was never the case in practice. The Senior Associate Director of Athletics is currently preparing a unified Department Policy Manual, which is scheduled to be completed by fall 1998. In addition, the Athletics Director has developed standard contracts for all coaches that clearly articulate responsibilities related to academic integrity.

The University of New Hampshire employs a professional staff in the Office of Admissions which reviews all domestic and international student undergraduate admission requests (i.e., freshman, transfer, and readmit). Admissions criteria for all categories of applicants are developed and monitored by the admissions staff, in consultation with school guidance counselors, UNH faculty and administration. Students are eligible to apply for fall semester or spring semester entrance by specified application deadlines.

Official admissions decisions are announced by mail to all candidates who complete the application process. Freshman applicants are required to submit an application form and admissions essay, application fee payment, official secondary school transcript and/or GED results, SAT I or ACT examination results, TOEFL score reports (if applicable, for non-native English speakers) and a written letter of recommendation. In addition to the freshman application requirements, transfer applicants must submit official transcripts of post-secondary school education. UNH participates in the Fee Waiver program of the College Board.

In preparation for prospective student-athlete recruitment, each fall the Director of Admissions and other admissions staff, as appropriate, conduct a workshop attended by UNH coaches and Athletics Department administrators. Admissions staff members explain application procedures and admission criteria, and provide supplies of admissions publications (viewbooks, application forms, etc.).

Each men's and women's sport has a designated computer "tracking code." Coaches may distribute admissions applications to prospective student-athletes with a discretely recorded tracking code. Since many student-athletes submit uncoded applications that have been acquired through their high school's guidance office, coaches may periodically submit rosters of recruited student-athletes to the admissions office for cross-reference with the admissions applicant roster to ensure that applications are appropriately coded during the admissions review process. A designation of "AT" appears on the Applicant Summary Report form (admissions scoring/action sheet) inside the student-athlete's admission file.

Applications are distributed to the Admissions Office for review according to geographic factors (i.e., in-state resident or out-of-state resident) and college division or major (e.g., College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, out-of-state). All applicants, including recruited student-athletes, are first considered for admission in the context of the admissions criteria and competition for the desired academic program area. At this phase of the application review process, an admissions officer may admit all qualified applicants, regardless of athletic ability.

When an applicant is not admitted during an initial review, her/his file receives a "hold" rating with a scale range of "probable admit" to "likely deny." Marginally qualified applicants may be referred to any of several admission sub-committees before a final decision is reached. Reviewer's recommendations to deny admission of a designated student-athlete are forwarded to the Director of Admissions for final approval.

Throughout the application review process, coaches funnel pertinent details about recruited student-athletes through the Senior Associate Athletics Director (SAAD) who meets with the Director of Admissions on a weekly basis during the application review period. The Director of Admissions shares admissions ratings with the SAAD. In all cases, final admissions decisions are determined by the candidate's prospects for academic success at the University. Accordingly, the general admission threshold for New Hampshire residents determines our "bottom line" admissions criteria for student-athletes. Typically, this "bottom line" is significantly higher than the minimum intercollegiate athletic academic certification standards established by the NCAA.

In instances where an out-of-state recruited student-athlete meets the in-state "threshold standard" but has academic credentials that are inferior to non-designated-athlete secondary school peers who have been denied admission, the Director of Admissions may approve admission with an "athletic override." The athletic override enables the Admissions Office to alert secondary school guidance personnel through admissions outcomes reports that preferential consideration was granted to an applicant based upon his/her athletic talent. Similarly, the Director of Admissions may approve overrides for "legacy," "art," "music," "ethnic," or "geographic" factors. Academic outcomes of all matriculated "overrides" are reviewed periodically by the Admissions Office to inform future admissions decisions.

The Admissions Office offers a non-binding Early Action (formerly called Early Notification) Program to all interested freshman, fall semester admission applicants. Under EA, applicants receive early admission consideration without obligation to enroll. EA applications must be received by December 1. EA decisions are released by mail no later than January 15 of a student's senior year.

The EA review process is selective. Admission candidates whose applications are not approved during EA receive additional admission consideration, with the benefit of senior mid-year grade reports, during the subsequent "regular" application review period. Final admission decisions for unsuccessful EA and "regular" admission candidates are mailed no later than April 15.

Often, coaches request "informal" admission readings of a prospective student-athlete prior to his/her having actually submitted an application for admission. Under these circumstances, the Senior Associate Athletics Director makes the request of the Admissions Director. Unofficial transcripts and standardized test scores may be submitted for the Director's assessment (i.e., "probable admit" to "likely deny"). The coach's rationale for seeking these informal readings often includes competitive "early signing"(i.e., "Letter of Intent") pressures and/or a desire to target student-athlete recruitment funds or activities toward the most likely admission candidates.

The Admissions Profile Information may be found in Tables 1 through 8. The SAT data contained here employ recentered scores. Further, the "GPA" columns employ class rank percentiles, since the UNH Office of Admissions does not include high school GPAs among its admissions criteria.

The data in Table 1 reflect the application of rigorous admissions standards, for all prospective students, whether athletes or not. Female athletes on athletics aid have been in the same decile in class rank as all females. Further, they have had SAT scores comparable to those of females in general. Male athletes on athletics aid have ranked 11-14 percentile points lower than students in general, and their SAT scores have stayed roughly within 100 points of their counterparts.

Table 1

These data tend to parallel those of male athletes above lower class ranks but with quite comparable SAT scores. Low cell sizes make most minority comparisons difficult, but it is clear that student-athletes present respectable profiles. For instance, Black athletes on athletics aid averaged 1075 on their SAT in 1996-97, almost even with all students.

Table 2

As shown in Table 6, sport groups show a range of profiles and some low cell sizes make comparisons difficult. Football and men's basketball have had lower than average "GPA" profiles, but SAT scores - especially in football- have been within 100 points of "general" students. Both men's and women's basketball showed marked improvement in 1996-97. Indeed, women's basketball recruits averaged a 96.7 percentile class rank and 1250 SAT scores.

4. Compare the number of freshman student-athletes receiving athletics aid who were admitted by special exception to the institution's standard or normal entrance requirements with the number of freshmen students generally who were so admitted by providing these data for the three most recent years and, for the student-athlete data, for each of the eight sport groups organized by year listed in the Division I graduation-rate disclosure form. [Note: Use Attachment No. 2 to compile these data.]

The number of "special admits" for student-athletes on athletics aid is presented in Table 9. As reflected there, the number of students in this category in 1994-95 was 18. In 1995-96 the number was 12, and in 1996-97 the number was 16. Roughly 40% of these have been football players.

The number of "special admits" for students outside of athletics in 1994-95 was 10. In 1995-96 the number was three, and for 1996-97 the number was two.

As outlined in the answer to question 2, it is important to note that a "special" consideration at the University of New Hampshire simply means applying in-state student criteria to an out-of-state student. The criteria are still selective by national standards.

Final authority for certifying initial eligibility for transfer student-athletes rests with the Registrar's Office. Following is the step-by-step process for four-year college transfers:

1. Student-athlete contacts UNH about transferring to UNH.
2. In accordance with NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.3, UNH seeks permission to speak with the student-athlete from the original institution. Once this permission is granted then UNH may speak with the student-athlete about the possibility of transferring to UNH.
3. Student-athlete is then encouraged to apply to UNH.
4. Student-athlete is also encouraged to forward a copy of high school, as well as college transcripts to the UNH Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance to determine if the student-athlete meets NCAA initial as well as continuing eligibility requirements.
5. In accordance with NCAA bylaw 14.5.5.3.11, the student-athlete's original institution is asked to furnish eligibility information, including documentation that the student-athlete was a qualifier out of high school (Clearinghouse form 48C). The original institution also provides information concerning whether the student-athlete has signed a National Letter of Intent, and if the student-athlete has fulfilled the obligations of the National Letter of Intent.
6. The Admissions Office admits or denies admission to the student-athlete.
7. If student is admitted, the Admissions Office performs a credit evaluation to determine the number of transferable credits.
8. Once accepted to UNH, the student-athlete is permitted to play a sport only if he or she meets the definition of NCAA Qualifier for Initial Eligibility (through Clearinghouse Certification), and is certified by the Registrar's Office for continuing eligibility according to NCAA regulations.

Following is the step-by-step process for two-year college transfers:

1. Student-athlete applies for admission to UNH.
2. The Admissions Office admits or denies admission to the student-athlete.
3. If the student is admitted, the Admissions Office then evaluates credits to determine the number of transferable credits.
4. Student-athlete must forward copies of NCAA Clearinghouse form 48C to UNH proving "qualifier" status out of high school. UNH will also write to the Clearinghouse to seek this documentation.
5. If student is a qualifier out of high school, and he/she meets all NCAA two-year college transfer requirements (NCAA bylaw 14.5.4.1.1), then the Associate Registrar will provide documentation to the Compliance officer that the student-athlete is eligible for intercollegiate athletics.
6. If the student-athlete was not a qualifier out of high school, then the student-athlete must meet NCAA bylaw 14.5.4.1.2 requirements for eligibility. The Associate Registrar will certify the student-athlete for competition once this has been completed.

The following is the sequence of actions that are taken to certify continuing eligibility:

1. Coaches forward rosters to Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance (SAAD).
2. Rosters are examined by both the SAAD and a staff member in the Registrar's office.
3. Grades and credits are downloaded from institutional database and entered into a spreadsheet developed by the SAAD. These spreadsheets will be provided at the time of the site visit.
4. Continuing eligibility worksheets are also used in compiling spreadsheet information. These worksheets will be provided at the time of the visit.
5. Spreadsheet tracks each student-athlete's fulfillment of degree requirements and fulfillment of GPA requirements.
6. At the beginning of each semester, the rosters are examined weekly by the Registrar and SAAD.
7. Registrar's Office registration system will not allow student-athletes to take less than 12 credits per semester, unless that student is a senior and is allowed to complete the last semester of eligibility as a part-time student, per NCAA Bylaw.
8. Athletics Director, SAAD, Registrar, Faculty Athletics Representative and Financial Aid office all authorize the NCAA roster.

Academic support services for athletes are coordinated through the Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS)office. All student-athletes are eligible for free tutorial help. The SASS Coordinator supervises the tutorial program. Both undergraduate and graduate students are hired to work with the student-athletes. Prospective tutors must submit a recommendation from a professor and also must attend tutor training. Individual and group tutoring sessions can be arranged. Student-athletes meet with their tutors according to their schedules. Student-athletes are allowed up to three hours per week for tutoring. Most student-athletes arrange for tutoring themselves; however, professors and advisors may also make recommendations for tutorial assistance.

In addition to providing tutorial assistance, the SASS Coordinator works with faculty and advisors to monitor academic progress of student-athletes, with special emphasis on first-year and transfer student-athletes. Professors receive mid-term progress report forms for all first-year student-athletes and those student-athletes who earned below a 2.0 GPA for the previous semester. On these reports, faculty members evaluate student-athletes on their overall academic performance, attendance, completion of assignments, and need for tutorial assistance. Professors are also given space to provide comments. These forms are returned to the SASS office, and the coordinator then shares the information with the student-athletes and their coaches.

Student-athletes also receive assistance from support services already established on the UNH campus. ACCESS (Accessing Career Challenges in Education through Specialized Services) provides support to all students with documented learning disabilities. The Center for Academic Resources (CAR) offers free individual study skills instruction and conducts drop-in tutoring sessions. The Counseling Center offers a range of services including consultation, workshops, and therapy. The SASS Coordinator informs student-athletes of these services, makes referrals when needed, and works closely with the staff of these offices to monitor the progress of the student-athletes.

Academic advisors play an important role in the academic support system for student-athletes. Each student-athlete, like every other student at UNH, is assigned to an advisor in his/her college or major. Among their many responsibilities, the advisors guide the student-athletes in course choices and monitor academic progress. The SASS Coordinator communicates with advisors from the five colleges on a regular basis. During registration periods, advisors are informed of practice times and game schedules of student-athletes in order to assist in course scheduling.

Student-athletes receive information concerning the SASS Office from the beginning of their first year at UNH. During the Freshmen Days program held for all incoming freshmen, a student-athlete academic orientation is held by the SASS Coordinator to explain the program as well as introduce the student-athletes to staff members of the various UNH support programs. Throughout the academic year, coaches and advisors direct student-athletes to the SASS Office for help. The SASS Coordinator is also a member of a variety of committees on campus, thus increasing the University community's awareness of the program.

The SASS Coordinator reports directly to the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance, who reports to the Athletics Director, who reports to the President. In addition, an Academic/Athletics Advisory Committee, which meets monthly, oversees the SASS office. This committee is comprised of advisors and associate deans from the five colleges, as well as the Associate Registrar, the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance, and the Athletics Director.

The subcommittee was not able to locate any current, written policy, either in the Department of Athletics or in the Academic Senate that governs the scheduling of competitions or practices. Before the Athletics Department was reorganized under one Director of Athletics in spring 1996 there were separate directors for both Men's and Women's Athletics. Each department had its own policy manual. The Women's Athletics Department policy manual did include a statement that "coaches must be sensitive to final examination schedules for the athletes when scheduling their practice sessions."

It appears that the lack of a written policy reflects the everyday understanding by coaches, faculty, and administrators that competitions will not be scheduled during exam periods. This has simply not been an issue.

Coaches have also been sensitive to scheduling practices and games to minimize interference with class time. In addition, student-athletes are allowed some pre-registration priority (i.e., athletes may pre-register at the head of their class cohort-sophomore, junior, senior) which allows them some latitude in choosing class sections that do not conflict with practice and game schedules. Hockey East, which governs men's hockey, schedules league games only on weekends. This is a great advantage to those athletes. Ultimately, however, UNH athletes, like all UNH students, must work out any schedule conflicts with their professors.

As demonstrated in Appendices I and J, the University of New Hampshire strives to admit and educate student-athletes who represent the academic qualities of all students at the university. Graduation data reflect great success in this effort. For the last three years, "All" student-athletes have graduated at virtually identical rates to "All" students. Although athletes receiving aid have taken marginally longer to graduate on average than students as a whole (e.g., 4.61 years vs. 4.38 years for 1997 cohort), they have graduated at a higher rate (e.g., 74% vs. 73% for 1997 cohort).

10. Describe the specific goals that your institution has set for graduation of students generally, and for graduation of student-athletes.

As reflected in the Undergraduate Catalog (Appendix K) and its published entrance requirements (Appendix L), using a selective admissions process, UNH expects all of its admitted students to graduate. Even though all are capable of attaining their baccalaureate, some students leave for a variety of reasons, such as financial difficulty, illness, and transfer to another institution.

The University of New Hampshire supports an athletics program that is in substantial conformity with both the letter and the spirit of the NCAA's operating principles governing academic integrity. Athletics at UNH are recognized as an important educational option for our students. To that end, athletics programs and student-athletes are governed by policies and offices that insure their compliance with the university's academic mission.

1. Given the previous responses, evaluate whether the activities of the athletics program are in substantial conformity with each of the operating principles set forth in this section.

The University of New Hampshire is in substantial conformity with each of the operating principles in this section.

Student-athletes are fully integrated into the academic life of the university. They are accountable to their professors in the same manner as are all students.

The University admits all students selectively. As shown in the admissions profiles, student-athletes compare favorably in their academic profiles to students in general. Once admitted, student-athletes pursue their academic programs like all other students. Most importantly, student-athletes graduate at rates as high or higher than students in general.

The responsibility for admission, certification of academic standing and evaluation of academic performance of student-athletes is vested in the same academic offices that execute these functions for all students (i.e., Admissions, the Registrar, the academic deans offices, and ultimately the Provost).

Academic support for athletes is largely the same as for non-athletes. The Student-Athlete Support Services Coordinator also arranges for free tutoring to any interested student-athletes. At this point, UNH has no formal evaluation procedure conducted by academic authorities outside the Athletics Department. This NCAA Subcommittee, however, developed and administered a survey to gauge the effectiveness of these support services. The survey was given to a sample of male and female athletes as well as to a senior-level course in the Business School. The survey results indicate that the SASS program is working well and that student-athletes are better informed and more satisfied with academic support services than non-athletes. Survey results will be provided at the time of the site visit.

UNH currently has no formal policies governing game or practice schedules. Experience shows, however, that coaches and administrators have avoided conflicts as much as possible.

Based on the analysis offered in this report, the Academic Integrity Sub-Committee concludes without hesitation that the activities of the UNH athletics program are consistent with the mission and purpose of the institution.

While the subcommittee is certain that the UNH athletics program conforms to both NCAA and institutional principles and missions, we have welcomed the self-study as an opportunity for constructive reflection. In that spirit, we note the following areas where we might improve:

1. A written policy that shall minimize conflicts between academic schedules and game/practice schedules, especially during examination periods. Although experience shows that we have an informal policy in operation, we should develop a written policy in the department manual that is in progress.
   Intended end result: a formal, written policy governing the scheduling of practices and games, especially during exam periods.
   Individuals or offices responsible for taking specific actions: the Athletic Advisory Committee (AAC) will develop a policy for recommendation to the faculty senate and, ultimately to the President.
   Timetable: the AAC has begun this process and projects a new policy in place by May of 1998.
2. Formal, annual review of support services for student-athletes, conducted by an academic office or agency. Currently, this topic is covered in annual student-athlete exit interviews. An improvement would be the development of a separate annual review.
   Intended end result: development and implementation of a formal, annual review.
   Individuals or offices responsible for taking specific actions: the Academic/Athletics Advisory Committee (AAAC), which is comprised of advisors and associate deans from the five colleges, as well as the Associate Registrar, the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Compliance, and the Athletics Director; will develop and implement the formal annual review. The survey instrument developed for this Self-Study Report will be a starting place.
   Timetable: the AAAC will develop the process and instrument by for approval by the President. The Associate Registrar, who chairs the AAAC will implement the process in September 1998.