Student Athlete Handbook - Drexel University Athletics

NCAA and Drexel Academics

NCAA Academic Eligibility Standards

Incoming student-athletes, please see the requirements for initial eligibility located here.
Undergraduate and Graduate Continuing Academic Eligibility

To be eligible for practice and competition, student-athletes must be enrolled full time in a program of studies leading towards baccalaureate or equivalent degree.
Undergraduate	12 Credits
Graduate	9 Credits
Exception: During the final quarter, student-athletes are permitted to be less than full time as long as the student is enrolled in all credits required for degree completion.

To be eligible for competition, student-athletes must meet the following:
Each Minimum Number of Credits Each Term	6 Credits
1st Year Students	Earn 27 credits over fall, winter and spring quarters Earn 36 credits by the start of fall term of 2^nd year Earn 1.8 cumulative GPA by start of fall term of 2^nd year
2nd Year Students	If enrolled 2 terms of class (co-op), must earn 18 credits; if enrolled 3 terms of class, must earn 27 credits Earn 40% of degree entering Year 3 or Term 7 Earn 1.9 cumulative GPA by start of fall term of 3^rd year
3rd Year Students	If enrolled 2 terms of class (co-op), must earn 18 credits; if enrolled 3 terms of class, must earn 27 credits Earn 60% of degree entering Year 4 or Term 10 Earn 2.0 cumulative GPA by start of fall term of 4^th year
4th Year Students	If enrolled 2 terms of class (co-op), must earn 18 credits; if enrolled 3 terms of class, must earn 27 credits Earn 60% of degree entering Term 10; OR, Earn 80% of degree entering Year 5 or Term 13 Earn 2.0 cumulative GPA by start of fall term of 5^th year
5th Year Students	If enrolled 2 terms of class (co-op), must earn 18 credits; if enrolled 3 terms of class, must earn 27 credits Earn 80% of degree after 12 Terms Graduate with 2.0 cumulative GPA
Graduate Students	Earn 6 credits per term Earn 2.0 cumulative GPA

Transfers

Incoming transfer student athletes must meet all progress toward degree requirements including:
- Earning 6 credits in prior term
- Minimum cumulative GPA benchmark
- Earn minimum annual credit requirement
  - SEMESTER: 18 semester credits over 2 terms (24 by start of 3^rd semester)
  - QUARTER: 27 quarter credits over 3 terms (36 by start of 4^th quarter)
- Minimum percentage of degree benchmark (40%, 60% and 80%)
Drexel accepts up to 50% of degree for transferrable credits. If a student is bringing in less credits due to institutional policy, the compliance office can submit an NCAA waiver.

Drexel Academic Standards
The ACHIEVE Center is the academic support center for Drexel student-athletes. For more information about ACHIEVE or further Academic questions, please contact the ACHIEVE Center staff.

Undergraduate Students: Refer to Drexel Policy PO-01 Academic Standing: Undergraduate Students
Graduate Students: Refer to the Office of the Provost's Academic Standing: Graduate Students

NCAA Rules

Amateurism

All Drexel varsity students must adhere to NCAA amateurism rules per Bylaw 12. Only an amateur student-athlete is eligible for intercollegiate athletics participation in a particular sport, per Bylaw 12.01.1.
Drexel Athletics compliance verifies pre-enrollment amateur status through the mandated NCAA certification process. Drexel continues to certify the amateur status of student-athletes during the student's time as a varsity athlete at Drexel.

Athletic Scholarship Standards

All athletic scholarships will be renewed, increased, decreased, or cancelled by July 1^st for the upcoming academic year.
Renewed athletic scholarships are distributed via ARMS and must be signed before the end of the spring term in order to be awarded.
All incoming undergraduate transfers from an NCAA Division I, II, or III institution receiving athletic scholarship shall refer to NCAA Bylaw 15 Financial Aid, specifically Bylaw 15.3.4.1.2 Undergraduate Four-Year College Transfers.
Scholarship Decreases/Cancellations: If you receive a decrease or cancellation, you have the opportunity for a hearing. Please refer to Athletic Financial Aid Appeal Procedures.
For more details, please refer to the Annual Compliance Presentation in the ARMS Workflow titled Beginning of Year Compliance Review, as well as your athletic scholarship document.

Extra Benefits

Student-athletes are not permitted to receive extra benefits per NCAA Bylaw 16.
An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or representative of the institution's athletics interests to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete family member or friend a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation.

Name, Image and Likeness (NIL)

Refer to the Drexel Athletics' NIL website for details on NIL policy, NIL disclosure and FAQ.

Playing and Practice Season

What are Countable Athletic Related Activities (CARA)?
Per NCAA Bylaw 17.02.1, Countable athletically related activities include any required activity with an athletics purpose involving student-athletes and at the direction of, or supervised by, one or more of an institution's coaching staff (including strength and conditioning coaches) and must be counted within the weekly and daily limitations under Bylaws 17.1.7.1 and 17.1.7.2. Administrative activities (e.g., academic meetings, compliance meetings) shall not be considered as countable athletically related activities.
In-Season
- Maximum of 4 hours per day
- Maximum of 20 hours per week
- Mandatory 1 day off per week
Out of season
- Maximum of 4 hours per day
- Maximum of 8 hours per week with no more than 4 hours of skill instruction per week
- Mandatory 2 days off per week
- No practice or competition the week before finals and week of finals
For more information on specific sport Playing and Practice Season, refer to NCAA Bylaw 17.
Outside Competition – must be disclosed and approved by the Compliance office prior to participation in outside competition. This process takes place in ARMS via the Outside Competition Workflow. More details in regard to rules and regulations can be found in the workflow.

Transfers

All incoming and outgoing transfers must meet NCAA eligibility standards, including academic, amateurism, Transfer Portal legislation.
Please contact the athletic department's compliance office for more information via athleticscompliance@drexel.edu

Violations

Any University, Conference or NCAA violation should be reported to the athletic department's compliance office.

Waivers

All Conference and NCAA waivers are processed through the athletic department's compliance office.

Student-Athlete Conduct and Expectations

General Conduct

Obey all federal, state, and local laws
Abide by all policies outlined in Drexel's Student Code of Conduct
Understand and follow all Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture Policies and Procedures
In all public domains (including electronic), student- athletes are encouraged to conduct oneself with dignity as they are representatives of the institution.

Academic

Attend all classes except those excused due to competition and complete all academic assignments;
Consult academic advisors when you have questions or concerns about your education;
Maintain a full-time academic course load of at least 12 credits per term and make satisfactory progress toward a degree by passing an average of 16 credits per term;
Accept responsibility for maintaining academic eligibility;
Strive to obtain a college degree within the four or five year expectation;
Utilize all tools and resources recommended and provided by the ACHIEVE Staff and University
Distribute your Missed Class Absence Form to all Professors at the start of each term
As a varsity division I student, you have priority registration for terms of full-time class enrollment and are expected to register during this time.

Athletic

Abide by all University, Conference, NCAA and team rules;
Attend all organized athletic related activities;
Take proper care of equipment and return it in good condition;
Sportsmanship is mandatory- You are expected to treat athletics staff, coaches, teammates, officials, opponents, and spectators with respect.

Drug Use

Abide by the NCAA Ethical Conduct Bylaw 10 and 10.2 Knowledge of Use of Banned Drugs, 2023-2024 NCAA Drug Testing Program and University Conduct Policies
Any questions about a substance or supplement should be directed to your Team Athletic Trainer and the Athletic Training office.

Gambling

Abide by the NCAA Ethical Conduct Bylaw 10 and 10.3 Sports Wagering Activities, as well as federal and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania laws prohibiting illegal gambling, as seen in University Conduct Policies

Hazing

Abide by the NCAA Ethical Conduct Bylaw 10 and University Conduct Policies
Definition of Hazing: Regardless of the individual's willingness to participate, hazing is any action taken or situation created involving new or returning organization/group members as a part of joining, maintaining membership, or holding office in that organization that meets any or all of the following:
- Violates state or federal law.
- Humiliates or degrades and individual or group
- Intentionally or unintentionally endangers an individual – mentally, physically, or emotionally.

Disciplinary Action

Disciplinary action taken by Drexel University for violations to the Student Code of Conduct will follow the University's Conduct Process.
The NCAA Disciplinary action for prospective and enrolled student athletes in violation of Ethical Conduct will result in being ineligible for further intercollegiate competition, per NCAA Ethical Conduct Bylaw 10 and 10.4 Disciplinary Action.
Conference disciplinary action taken by the sport applicable conference (Colonial Athletic Association, Intercollegiate Rowing Association, College Squash Association and Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Associate) will follow the associated conferences disciplinary protocols.

Student Athlete Resources

Refer to the Athletic Department's Resources available to Drexel student-athletes.
- All Drexel Athletics administrators, coaches and athletic trainers are available as resources to you. Drexel Athletics Staff Directory
- Drexel's Faculty Athletic Representative
- Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
Refer to Drexel's Resources available to all Drexel students.
- Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture
Refer to Drexel's New Student Resources available to Drexel students.