Student-Athlete Handbook
Brenau University Athletic Department
PHILOSOPHY
educational program of that institution. This belief is strongly reflected in the governing documents, activities and organizational structure of the association.
Established in 1940 as the National Association of Intercollegiate Basketball, the Association expanded to include other sports programs in 1952. The NAIA became the first intercollegiate sports governing body to provide championship opportunities for both men and women when the women's program was established September 1, 1980.
ADMISSION AND ENROLLMENT
Brenau desires to accept students who are qualified for admission and who will benefit from academic and co-curricular experiences provided by the institution. It is Brenau's belief that applicants should possess the abilities, maturity and self-discipline to take advantage of and benefit from the opportunities provided. All prospective students are considered impartially on the basis of academic and personal qualifications and potential. Brenau University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion or national origin.
Students may be admitted to advanced standing on the basis of work completed at other regionally accredited colleges. Satisfactory enrollment and completion of course work at other institutions is evidence of a student's ability to do university-level work. Applicants for advanced standing shall submit an official, sealed transcript, and some applicants will be asked to submit a statement of good academic standing from each institution previously attended. A detailed explanation of the admission process may be found on the Brenau web site: www.brenau.edu.
ELIGIBILITY
All athletes must be certified as eligible to participate in accordance with all eligibility rules and regulations outlined in the NAIA bylaws. All eligibility information must be submitted to the SSAC eligibility chair prior to the team's first scrimmage/contest.
WHAT IS THE NAIA ELIGIBILITY CENTER?
The NAIA Eligibility Center is responsible for determining the NAIA eligibility of first-time student-athletes. Any student playing NAIA championship sports for the first time must meet the eligibility requirements. Students must have their eligibility determined by the NAIA Eligibility Center, and all NAIA schools are bound by the center's decisions.
WHO NEEDS TO REGISTER?
Every student interested in playing championship sports at NAIA colleges for the first time in fall 2011 or later needs to register and receive an eligibility determination. This applies to:
• High school seniors
• Current NAIA students who will play sports for the first time at an NAIA school*
1. Talk with the head coach of the sport.
Gain permission from the coach to try out for membership on the team.
- Sign appropriate waiver to try out for the team.
- Arrange for a date and time with the coach for the try-out.
- If the coach accepts the student onto the team, the student must make an appointment to see the athletic director.
2. In the meeting with the athletic director, the following should take place.
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If the prospective athlete is a transfer from another college/university, she must obtain a release from the athletic department of the school last attended.
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Prior to the meeting, the prospective athlete should obtain a copy of her official transcript.
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The athletic director will determine that the student meets the NAIA eligibility.
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Sign the appropriate eligibility forms.
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The prospective athlete must complete appropriate medical history and public information forms.
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Make an appointment for the physical examination.
3. Return to the coach of the sport and check out appropriate equipment and begin practice.
CLASS ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION POLICY
All grades and evaluations earned by the student and issued by the faculty are based upon the quality of the student's overall academic performance both in and out of class. Students are expected to attend and participate in class regularly and to assume responsibility for meeting all requirements as specified in the course syllabus. Whenever possible, advance notice should be given to instructors when a student anticipates an absence. In all cases, it is the student's responsibility to arrange for making up missed work and to be prepared for class upon return.
No policy can cover every eventuality; however, the institution recognizes the following as acceptable and excusable reasons for missing class:
1. Acute Illness/Injury
2. Death in the Family/Personal Crisis
3. Approved College-Sponsored Activity
4. Major Religious Holiday
In cases of absences not meeting these criteria, it is the prerogative of the professor to exercise professional judgment in deciding whether or not tests, quizzes or other work may legitimately be made up.
Faculty members exercise their professional judgment in establishing attendance policies for their classes. These must be clearly stated in the course syllabus. However, there is a minimum attendance requirement for the Women's College. Students who miss more than 20 percent of the scheduled class sessions for whatever reason may be removed from the class with a failing grade due to non-attendance and non-participation. This policy does not operate automatically but may be activated only through written request from the faculty member to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
When lack of attendance and/or participation detrimentally affects the student's quality of work or performance, the instructor is encouraged to notify the student, the academic advisor and the Vice President for Student Life in writing. The Office of Student Life also supervises an attendance intervention policy.
ATHLETIC INSURANCE
In order to play, each student-athlete must provide a copy - front and back - of her health insurance card. In the case of an injury sustained during practice or a sanctioned athletic event, The student-athlete's insurance policy will be considered primary and the claim must be filed promptly with the parent's insurance carrier. Each Athlete is required to sign Brenau University's Athletic Insurance Claim Procedures document. Brenau provides a policy to cover uninsured claims (excluding co-payments) and amounts applied to the deductible. The student-athlete must complete a claim form for this insurance coverage, which must be received by the insurance company within 90 days of the injury. Brenau also provides catastrophic insurance for all athletes for injuries in which expenses exceed $25,000.00. This coverage has a lifetime maximum benefit of $5,000,000.00 per student-athlete.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS
Pre-participation physical examinations will be provided by Brenau University. Students not wishing to participate in these examinations may have a physical examination, at their own expense, by a licensed physician. Documentation must be secured from the physician indicating that the student is physically fit to participate in the specific sport.
TRANSPORTATION
All athletes must ride to and from athletic contests in the university provided transportation with other members of the team. An exception to this policy will require a signed waiver from the team coach and the athletic director. A student worker or assistant coach may request exemption from the business office.
MEMBERSHIP AND AFFILIATION
The members of the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) are colleges and universities in the states of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, which offer a minimum of four years of academic work, award a bachelor's degree, are active members of the NAIA and are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Institutions meeting the above minimal requirements may be considered for membership subject to the review and inspection by the Conference Membership Committee, and a favorable two-thirds vote of the Board of Presidents. Membership may be cancelled for cause by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Presidents.
AAC MEMBER INSTITUTIONS
Allen University (SC)
Bluefield College (VA)
Brenau University (GA)
Bryan College (TN)
Columbia International University (SC)
Columbia College (SC)
Kentucky Christian College (KY)
Milligan University (TN)
Point University (GA)
Reinhardt University (GA)
St. Andrews College (NC)
Tennessee Wesleyan University (TN)
Truett-McConnell University (GA)
Union College (TN)
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Brenau University awards scholarships in the senior year of high school to the prospective athlete given she meets the eligibility criteria of both the NAIA and Brenau University admissions office. The contract between the university and the student-athlete must be signed by the student, coach and athletic director.
POST-SEASON PLAY
Each coach is responsible, in cooperation with the Brenau University Athletic Department, for filing the necessary paperwork with the SSAC officials to qualify for post-season play. All official rules governing post-season play are listed in the CAA section XI of the NAIA Policy Handbook. Coaches' Association modifications to the official rules, where applicable, are outlined in the respective coaches' handbook.
ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS
Coaches do not permit the use of alcohol, tobacco or illegal substances by participants, game administrators or game officials during all NAIA sanctioned competition or practices for such competition. The institution athletic department shall enforce this policy through the following steps: On the first offense, a warning shall be given; on the second offense, a mandatory expulsion will occur. Member institutions are strongly encouraged to adopt this policy for all regular season practices and competitions.
STUDENT ATHLETE ARBITRATION BOARD
Any formal grievance which cannot be resolved between the student-athlete, coach or athletic director may be directed to the Faculty Athletic Representative. All grievances to the committee must be filed in writing. The Faculty Athletic Representative will set up an appropriate committee to review the grievance and issue a ruling. The findings of the committee are final.
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