Dear Student-Athlete:

Welcome to Panther Athletics!  Each year more than 340 student-athletes practice countless hours to compete for the PURPLE and GOLD.  Many student-athletes excel in the classroom as well as in team and individual competition.  Our graduation rates rank in the top half of the Missouri Valley Conference and are higher than the graduation rate for the general student body at UNI. 

Become active in the entire athletics program.  Find out about SAAC, the CHAMPS/Life Skills program, PAAC, and Mentors of Women Athletes.  Support other athletes when they compete!  Develop a sense of PANTHER PRIDE!

The opportunities provided you as a student-athlete must be met with a personal commitment from you to:
• Demonstrate the highest standards of personal behavior and honesty to yourself, your teammates, your classmates, your coaches, your professors, the media, and the public.
• Give 100% effort in practice, competition, and in the classroom.
• Make satisfactory progress and fulfill all academic requirements so that you earn a degree at the end of five years or before.
• Demonstrate concern for good nutrition and remain drug free.
• Be courteous at all times.
• Let us know if you are ill or injured, need help with your studies, or have a problem that we can advise you on or help you solve.

Athletics participation is not a right, it is an EARNED RESPONSIBILITY. 

The policies published in the University of Northern Iowa Student-Athlete Handbook must be followed and achieved.  It will answer many of your questions and concerns.  The athletics staff is committed to helping you maximize you academic and athletic potential.  Should you ever feel the need to visit with an administrator about policy or rules, please call or come by our offices located in the UNI-Dome. 

WELCOME TO PANTHER ATHLETICS!
 

Sincerely,
 
 

Sandra C. Williamson, Ed. D.
Associate Director of Athletics

(This publication does not provide comprehensive rules and regulations, but rather a summary.) 

Our Mission and Philosophy
Our mission is to provide intercollegiate athletics opportunities, which will enrich the educational experience of our students and enhance the image of our University.  The following statements reflect our commitment to this mission.

• The Athletics Department is an integral part of the University, adding to its richness and diversity.  The department is based on the involvement of students who participate in our programs and fans that watch our events because they choose to spend their free time with us.

• We recognize that our most important resource is people.  Our students deserve the best facilities, equipment, coaching, and supervision that we can provide.  Our coaches and administrators not only manage people and programs, but also serve as mentors.  All staff members should have opportunities to grow professionally and personally.

• Our department serves as a focal point for many constituents: alumni, students, faculty, staff, and the general public.  These constituents hold us to a high standard in all of our interactions and deserve our best efforts.

• There is a need for quality time outside the classroom, library, or laboratory.  We encourage all students to participate in our programs to achieve the proper balance of education between mind, body, and spirit.

• We believe in the overall benefits of athletic competition.  Such competition teaches lessons that last beyond our student-athletes’ college years.

• We have high standards for our sports programs.  Our teams should compete in the upper half of our conference and, in some cases, in regional and national competition. • We are committed to the proper development and management of financial resources to carry out the goals and objectives for all of our programs and activities.

• We are committed to the concept of equal opportunity in our programs and in our management practices.

• Our programs operate within the guidelines, rules, and regulations or our institution, our conferences, and the NCAA.

Appeals Committee

Every student-athlete has the right to a hearing with an Appeals Committee consisting of UNI faculty, staff and other student-athletes.  This Appeals Committee may hear cases concerning financial aid, transfer issues or other situations that may arise in the student-athlete’s college experience.  Please speak to an administrator, your coach or the faculty representative if you feel it is necessary to have a hearing with the Appeals Committee.

Prohibited Athletics Activities

The University of Northern Iowa is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Gateway Football Conference, and the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC).  These governing organizations lay down and enforce very strict rules, which must be adhered to by you, as student-athletes, as well as all members of our department.  Once you become an enrolled student-athlete (the first day of classes for the semester), there are a number of things you cannot do.  If you take part or are associated with any of the following, you will immediately become ineligible for athletic participation and you may lose your athletic scholarship. 

1. Accept cash prizes, non-personalized merchandise awards, gift certificates, travel/per diem expenses or a salary for your participation in outside competition in your sport.
2. Be employed on a “fee-for-lesson” basis.
3. Ask that your name be placed on a professional sports draft list or try out for a professional team. 
4. Agree to be represented by an agent for the purpose of marketing your sport skills until after completion of the last intercollegiate contest.
5. Accept money or anything of value for the use of your name or photograph to promote the role or use of a commercial product.
6. Accept any gifts, free meals, loans, use of a car, or anything of value from anyone employed by UNI, an alumnus, or any friend or supporter of UNI’s athletics program (except where allowed).
7. Accept free equipment from sporting goods companies or sports manufacturing firms including, but not limited to, shoes and articles of clothing, unless such equipment is donated to UNI and distributed by the coach.
8. Accept any compensation for work not performed, or accept any compensation that is higher than the going rate for similar services.
9. Receive preferential benefits or treatment (for example, loans on a deferred payback basis) because of the athlete’s reputation, skill, or payback potential as a professional athlete.
10. Retain professional services for personal reasons at less than the normal charge from a representative Northern Iowa’s athletics interests.
11. Receive non-athletics institutional aid or outside aid unless prior approval is received from the associate director who has the responsibility to check NCAA rules to be sure such aid is legal.
12. Participate on any outside team during your sport season.
13. Participate in a basketball summer league or on any outside team during the summer in basketball which isn’t approved by the NCAA, and you must have prior written permission from this office.
14. Contact another senior college for the purpose of transferring without receiving prior permission from UNI to do so.
15. Accept travel or per diem expenses from an outside organization sponsoring a competition if such reimbursement is dependent on place finish.

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR COACH IMMEDIATELY BEFORE ACCEPTING ANY BENEFIT OR AWARD OR PARTICIPATING IN ANY OUTSIDE COMPETITION TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE NOT BREAKING ANY RULES.

Recruiting

The recruiting process involves a balancing of the interests of the prospective student-athletes, their high schools and the NCAA’s member institutions.  Recruiting regulations shall be designed to promote equity among NCAA member institutions in their recruiting of prospects and to shield them from undue pressures that may interfere with the scholastic or athletic interests of the prospects or their high schools. 

Off-Campus Contact with Prospects
No off-campus contact between UNI student-athletes and prospects (especially at the direction of the coach) is permissible.  Unavoidable, incidental contact (without prior knowledge or coordination) is acceptable but must involve only normal civility for a brief amount of time.  Certainly, student-athletes are not allowed to recruit.

Telephone Calls
Enrolled student-athletes or other enrolled students shall not make or participate in telephone calls to prospects at the direction of a coaching staff member or calls financed by the institution or a representative of is athletics interests

On-Campus Contact with Prospects
It is permissible for student-athletes to contact prospects on-campus.  A prospect may stay in a student-athlete’s room on an official, unofficial, or admission’s visit. 

Serving as a Student Host
During the recruitment of a prospective student-athlete, you may be asked to serve as a student host of an official on-campus visit.  Be sure to fill out the proper forms and follow all rules and regulations pertaining to this prospect’s visit.  There is a maximum of $30 per day (24-hour period) allowed for specific entertainment use. 

Gambling Activities

Student-athletes shall not knowingly:
a) provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition;
b) solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team;
c) accept a bet on any team representing the institution;
d) solicit or accept a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item (e.g., cash, shirt, dinner) that has tangible value; or
e) Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling.

Ethical Conduct
All participating student-athletes shall conduct themselves with honesty and sportsmanship at all times so that intercollegiate athletics as a whole, their institutions and they, as individuals, shall represent the honor and dignity of fair play and the generally recognized high standards associated with wholesome competitive sports. 

Drug Use and Abuse
Drug use and abuse will not be tolerated.  It is within NCAA rules and regulations that the NCAA, UNI, or conference may drug test student-athletes for use of prohibited/banned drugs.  The use of any drug or narcotic not prescribed by a physician for specific treatment of an injury or illness is prohibited by NCAA regulations.  A list of banned drugs is available from the NCAA and from the Head Athletics Trainer here at UNI.

Intercollegiate Competition
 Intercollegiate competition is considered to have occurred when a student-athlete in either a two-year or a four-year collegiate institution does any of the following:

a) represents the institution in any contest against outside competition;
b) competes in the uniform of the institution; or
c) competes and receives expenses from the institution for the competition
 

Countable Activities
The student-athlete shall not practice and/or compete in more than 20 hours per week, no more 
than four hours per day (unless competition is longer) with one entire day off per week. 
 The following activities must count in that four hours per day or 20 hours per week:

a) practice, which is defined as any meeting, activity or instruction involving sports-related information and having an athletics purpose, held for one or more student-athletes at the direction of, or supervised by, any member or members of an institution’s coaching staff.  Practice is considered to have occurred if one or more coaches and one or more student-athletes engage in any of the following activities;

1) field, floor on on-court activity;
2) setting up offensive or defensive alignment;
3) chalk talk;
4) lecture on or discussion of strategy related to the sport;
5) activities using equipment related to the sport;
6) discussions or review of game films or videotapes related to the sport;
7) activities conducted under the guise of physical education class work; or

b) competition;

c) required weight-training and conditioning activities held at the direction of or supervised by an institutional staff member;

d) required participation in camps, clinics, or workshops;

e) use of an institution’s athletics facilities when such activities are supervised by or held at the direction of any member of an institution’s coaching staff; or

f) involvement of an institution’s strength and conditioning staff with enrolled student-athletes in required conditioning programs.

UNI Policy on Sexual Harassment

It is the policy of the University to create a campus environment that is free from sexual harassment. The University will not tolerate any form of sexual harassment and will not condone any actions or words from employees or students that constitute sexual harassment. 

The University of Northern Iowa considers sexual harassment to include those behaviors defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1) submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment, academic standing, or athletics status (participation on a team, team travel, team awards, athletic GIA, etc.);

 2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions, academic decisions, or athletic decisions affecting the individual; or

3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working, academic, athletic or social environment.

Violations of University sexual harassment policy include, but are not limited to:

1) engaging in sexual harassment;

2) providing advancement, improved academic standing, or other consideration in exchange for sexual favors;

3) initiating any action as a reprisal for reporting allegations of sexual harassment, utilizing a sexual harassment complaint procedure, or being involved in a sexual harassment investigation;

4) failing to take prompt action to correct a known situation involving sexual harassment or reprisal.

Any member of the University who is found to have engaged in sexual harassment will be subject to disciplinary action, as described in the University's published " Resolution of Discrimination Complaints."

Persons who believe they have been sexually harassed in a situation associated with the University may access the University's procedure on resolution of discrimination complaints to have the allegation addressed. Allegations of sexual harassment against employees should be addressed to the Office of Compliance and Equity Management and allegations against students should be filed in the Office of the Vice President for Educational and Student Services. Allegations against graduate students, in the context of an employee role with the University, should be filed with the Office of Compliance and Equity Management.  These services are located in Gilchrist Hall

 The student-athlete and his/her parent(s) or guardian(s) are responsible for all expenses of a college education.  There are, however, various means of financial assistance available to the student-athlete.  The student-athlete may be awarded, if qualified, an athletics grant-in-aid, work study, Pell grants, student loans, and various other institutional or organizational awards.  As per the NCAA, a student-athlete shall not receive any financial aid other than that administered by the institution.  This includes hometown, service club, and/or company awards of any kind.  These sorts of awards must go through the Financial Aid Office and a revision to your athletics award may occur to assure your eligibility is maintained.
 Financial aid awarded to the student-athlete must not exceed that amount equal to tuition and fees, room and board, and required course related textbooks (with the exception of Pell Grants and Student Loans).  The portion of scholarship income that exceeds tuition, supplies, books, and equipment is taxable income and must be reported to the IRS on Form 1099.

Renewal/Non-Renewal of Athletics GIA
Renewal:  Student-athletes may have athletics GIA renewed each term or year during which he-she is in regular (full-time) attendance as an undergraduate with eligibility remaining, or within six years after initial enrollment (provided the student does not receive such aid for more than five years during that period).  The student-athlete will be informed and will receive the renewal of athletics GIA on or before July 1, before the academic year it is to be received.

Probation:  The faculty defines Academic probation.  Athletics probation must be supported by a letter from the coach to the athlete with a copy to the Associate Director of Athletics responsible for athletics GIA awards.  Student-athletes on probation shall be granted financial assistance on a semester basis.  A probationary period shall last at least one semester.  At the conclusion of the probationary semester, athletics GIA may be cancelled. 

Non-Renewal:  Non-renewal of athletics GIA can occur without a letter of probation in the case of extreme circumstances as defined in the NCAA constitution, or if the student-athlete render him/herself ineligible.

Appeal Procedure: The student-athlete has an obligation to the university and the university has an obligation to the student-athlete.  Should the student-athlete not live up to his/her obligation, non-renewal procedures will commence.  Any student-athlete who receives notification that their athletics GIA will not be renewed can request the opportunity for a hearing before the institution’s regular scholarship awards authority appointed by the Financial Aid Office (116 Gilchrist Hall).

Types of Financial Aid
All students of the University should apply for financial aid to determine eligibility for receiving additional funding.  Countable financial aid money cannot exceed the value of tuition/fees, room and board, and required course-related books as allowed by the NCAA.

Countable Financial Aid:
• Athletics GIA
• UNI grants
• Athletic Employment (UNI-Dome, West Gym, Parking)
• Work study (unless exempted)
• Hometown awards
• Employment (unless exempted)
• SEOG
• Some merit awards

Non-Countable Financial Aid:
• Pell grants
• Legitimate loans
• ROTC awards
• Money from parents and/or spouse
• State merit (some other merit)
• Some academic awards
• NCAA Student Assistance
• Employment during official vacation periods

Employment
There are many employment opportunities off and on campus which you may take advantage of during both the academic year and in the summer.  In order for you to retain eligibility for participation, the Athletics Department must monitor your earnings.  Please see the Associate Director of Athletics before accepting any job during the academic year.  There are also form(s) that must be completed regarding academic year and summer employment.  Freshmen and transfers are not eligible for exempted earnings during the academic year.

Special Assistance Fund
The NCAA had approved and set aside money for specific needs of student-athletes who are receiving countable athletically related financial assistance and who have demonstrated financial need as determined by federal methodology (Financial Aid Office).  This money is available through application for clothing, medical needs, eyeglasses (for competition) and other emergency needs.  Apply in the office of Dr. Sandra Williamson, Associate Athletic Director, west concourse of the UNI-Dome.  Aid is also available for those with demonstrated financial need to purchase supplies at University Book & Supply.

Book Allocation Policy
If so awarded, course-related books are allowable as part of an athletics GIA.  These books are loaner books.  A list of student-athletes with the amount of money allocated is provided to University Book & Supply.  Those S-A’s who receive book allocations must report with current student ID and class schedule to get their books.  Important things to remember:

• you may not purchase books for any other person from your allocated money
• not all student-athletes on athletics GIA will receive books as part of their award
• S-A’s must purchase textbooks from University Book & Supply

At the conclusion of each semester, books purchased through athletics GIA are to be returned to U. Book & Supply for credit to the S-A’s account.  At this time, S-A’s wishing to keep any book(s) may purchase the book at buyback value from U. Book.  Returned books, as well as buyback books will be credited to the S-A’s account to allow unspent money in the account to be allocated.    The price of non-returned books will be subtracted from any subsequent allocations.  A two-week time limit is allowed at the end of the semester for returns.  If your books are not returned, book credit for the next semester will be forfeited. 
Required textbooks, packets, syllabi, etc. may be purchased at Copyworks or from an instructor.  Bring your receipts for these items to the Associate Director of Athletics’ Office and you will be reimbursed, provided you have book allocation remaining. 

Reduction of Athletics GIA
If a student-athlete receives countable financial aid that exceeds the total for a Full Grant in Aid, the excess aid will be reduced in order to comply with individual and team limits in accordance with NCAA rules and regulations.

UNI Eligibility

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS EFFECTIVE FALL 2002-03
The Athletics Department of the University of Northern Iowa is providing this new Academic Requirements Policy that will become effective with the 2002-03 academic year.  Please read carefully this new policy, as it will affect your son/daughter as a student-athlete.

General Principals of the Policy:
• Student-athletes must pass a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester.
• An incomplete (“I”) must be made up and a passing grade assigned before the last day to add a full semester class of the academic term immediately following the semester of the “I” to avoid loss of eligibility for athletic GIA (scholarship), practice and competition.
• Credit hours required per year beginning with the first year:  24, 27, 27, 27 and hours needed to graduate if a fifth year is necessary and the student-athlete has competition remaining.
• If summer school is necessary to gain/maintain eligibility the Athletics Department will pay for no more than six (6) total credit hours which may be taken over one or more summer terms. (3 credits one summer, 3credits the second summer).  Thereafter the student athlete is responsible for paying for summer terms to gain/maintain eligibility.
• A one time one-semester grace period for GIA and practice will be extended to the student-athlete the first time he/she is declared ineligible.
• The Athletics Department will pay for a total of six (6) hours of repeat course credit thereafter the student-athlete will be responsible for the cost of the repeat course.

FIRST ACADEMIC YEAR:  TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR ATHLETIC GIA (SCHOLARSHIP), PRACTICE AND/OR COMPETITION THE STUDENT-ATHLETE (SA) MUST BE ENROLLED FOR 12 HOURS PER SEMESTER AND BE CERTIFIED ELIGIBLE BY THE NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE, THE ATHLETICS COMPLIANCE OFFICE AND THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR.

During the First Academic Year
1. SA must pass a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester.
2. SA must pass a total of 24 credit hours, no more than six (6) hours in summer term to gain eligibility.
3. SA must have a 1.80 accumulative GPA at the end of the first year (may include summer term)

Beginning the Second Year or the Third (3rd) Semester:  The SA must have 24 credit hours with a 1.80 accumulative GPA and be certified by the Athletics Compliance Office and the Office of the Registrar to be eligible for GIA, practice and/or competition.

During the Second Academic Year
1. SA must pass 27 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters.  For example the SA should take 15 credit hours during the non-competitive semester and 12 credit hours during the competitive semester or perhaps 13 and 14 credit hours.
2. No more than six (6) hours can be taken in summer school to gain/maintain eligibility.
3. SA must pass a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester.
4. SA must declare a major during the fourth semester prior to registration for classes for the fifth semester.
5. SA must achieve a 1.90 accumulative GPA.

Beginning with the Third Year or the Fifth (5th) Semester:  To be eligible the SA must have a total of 51 credit hours with no fewer than 27 credit hours the previous year with a 1.90 accumulative GPA, have declared a major, meet the 25% Rule and be certified by the Compliance Office and the Office of the Registrar to be eligible for GIA, practice and/or competition. 

During the Third Academic Year
1. SA must take and pass 27 credit hours.
2. SA must achieve a 2.00 accumulative GPA before the beginning of the seventh semester.
3. Number 2 and 3 from the Second Academic Year also apply.

Beginning with the Fourth Year or the Seventh (7th) Semester:  To be eligible the SA must have 78 credit hours with no fewer than 27 credit hours the previous year with a 2.00 accumulative GPA, meet the 50% Rule and be certified by the Compliance Office and the Office of the Registrar to be eligible for GIA, practice and/or competition.

During the Fourth Academic Year

 Numbers 1, 2 (9th semester), and 3 from the Third Academic Year Apply.

Beginning with the Fifth Year or the Ninth (9th) Semester for SA with remaining competition:  The SA must have a total of 105 credit hours with no fewer than 27 credit hours the previous year with a 2.00 accumulative GPA, meet the 75% Rule and be certified by the Compliance Office and the Office of the Registrar to be eligible to receive GIA, practice and/or compete.

During the Fifth Academic Year

 Numbers 1, 2 and 3 from the Third Academic Year may apply.  If the SA is graduating at the end of the first semester of the fifth academic year he/she need only take the hours necessary to graduate but in no case less than 6 credit hours.  If the SA will graduate in the spring he/she must take 12 hours in the fall and the number of hours necessary to graduate at the end of spring semester but in no case less than 6 credit hours.

Policies and Procedures

3.06 Make-up Work and Missed Classes

Purpose:
To outline expectations and responsibilities of students and faculty members when educationally appropriate activities require students to be absent from classes.

Preamble:
The responsibility for attending classes rests with the student.  As the citizens of Iowa have every right to assume, students at UNI are expected to attend class.  This idea is neither novel nor unreasonable.  Students should realize that an hour missed cannot be relived, that work can seldom be made up 100%, and that made-up work seldom equals the original experience in class.

Policy Statement:
It is the expressed focus of the University of Northern Iowa to further the educational development of its students.  On occasion events will necessitate a student’s absence from class.  In order for both faculty and students to effectively plan for these absences, the following procedures are recommended.

Procedure:
1. All parties involved should be made aware of scheduled absences well ahead of the date(s) of absence.  In the case of extra-curricular activities, a semester-long schedule should be prepared and distributed at the beginning of the semester.  In instances where semester-long schedules are not feasible, two weeks written notification shall be given for all absences.  This notification shall take place even if the absence is potential rather than definite.  Assuming that appropriate notification has been provided, students and faculty shall mutually agree as to how assignments, lectures, exams, etc. shall be made up.  The type and extent of make-up work shall be at the discretion of the faculty member.
2. Occasionally there will occur situations in which two weeks notice is impossible.  On these occasions, students, faculty, and other concerned should work closely together to ascertain whether special arrangements can and/or should be made.
3. Faculty shall not penalize a student for missing a class or exam for an educationally appropriate activity, including university sponsored or sanctioned events.
4. Where situations of irreconcilable disagreement occur which are not resolved at the department level, a panel comprised of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, or that officer’s designee, the Department Head of the academic department involved, and a representative of the extra-curricular program (where applicable) shall meet at their earliest convenience with the faculty member and the student to mediate the matter.

Faculty Senate, Approved 4/24/01
President’s Cabinet, Approved 4/23/01

NCAA Eligibility

In order to be eligible for practice/competition, student-athletes must adhere to the following rules and regulations:

• Be enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours)

• Sign the NCAA Student-Athlete Statement, drug consent form, and athletics application for competition annually

• Be listed on the specific Sport Squad List and Eligibility Report; And be certified eligible by the Registrar and Compliance office

• Must not compete in more than four seasons of competition during a five year span

• Must demonstrate ethical conduct (truthfully furnish information for investigations, no fraud, no recruiting violations)

• Must not receive extra benefits, services, or improper rewards

• Must not work unless approved by Athletics Compliance Officer and Financial Aid Office 

Initial Eligibility
All student-athletes entering college for the first time as a full-time student must be certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Continuing Eligibility
• Must make satisfactory progress (pass 27 hours from fall to fall)

• Nine Hour Rule: Must pass a minimum of nine hours each semester to maintain eligibility for practice/competition and to retain athletics GIA

• Degree Requirements: The NCAA requires that a percentage of your courses necessary to earn a degree be completed by the beginning of your third, fourth and fifth years at UNI.  Additionally, a minimum percent of the GPA required to graduate must be met.  The chart below shows the GPA and “Degree Requirement Regulations.”
 

Year of Enrollment	% of Classes Completed Toward Degree	GPA Required
3rd	25%	1.90
4th	50%	2.00
5th	75%	2.00

*The above chart is based on minimum university requirements.  Minimum 
  GPA requirements may be higher for selected majors.

• Declaration of Major: S-A’s must declare a major prior to registration during their fourth semester in college.  Both your major department and the Registrar’s Office must be notified. 
 

• Missed Class Policy: On occasion athletics participation will require S-A’s to miss class.  When this occurs, the following procedure is recommended. 

1. All parties involved should be notified as far in advance as possible.

2. Written notification will be given for all absences.  This shall take place even if the absence is potential rather than definite.  S-A’s and faculty shall mutually agree as to how assignments, lectures, exams, etc. will be made up.  All work should be made up in advance if at all possible.

3. Missing a class or exam for a University-sponsored event will not adversely affect a S-A’s grade in a course.

4. Where situations of irreconcilable differences occur, a panel comprised of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, or that officer’s designee, the Department Head of the academic department involved, the Director of Athletics, the faculty member, and the student shall meet at their earliest convenience to resolve the matter.

Redshirt
The tern “redshirt” refers to the circumstance surrounding no competition.  The student-athlete has met eligibility requirements and may be practicing with the team; however, the coaching staff has determined that the student-athlete will not compete, for any amount of time, against outside competition.  Simply speaking, the student-athlete is held out of all competitive events during the academic year.  The student-athlete has not used a season of eligibility, but one of five calendar years has elapsed. 

Hardship
A student-athlete may be granted an additional year of competition by the conference for reasons of “ hardship,” which is defined as that incapacity resulting from injury or illness which occurs under the following conditions:
1. Occurs in one of the four seasons on intercollegiate competition at any four-year institution for members of Division I, or in one of two seasons at a junior college.
2. Occurs when the student-athlete has not participated in more than 20 percent of the institution’s completed events in his/her sport or no more than two events, whichever number is greater provided the injury or illness has occurred in the first half of the season and results in the incapacity to compete for the remainder of the season.

Mandatory College Housing
Student-athletes who receive the portion of Athletics GIA equal to or more than the cost of room and board are required to live in the dormitory or married student housing (if married) during their freshman and sophomore years.

Final Semester
During the student-athlete’s final semester, S-A’s must be enrolled for no less than six hours, have applied for graduation, and be taking the hours necessary to graduate.

Student-Athlete Benefits/Privileges

Letter Awards
A varsity letter may be earned each year of competition at UNI for no more than four years of eligibility.  Each sport has established criteria for determining how the student-athlete may earn a letter award for each year.  Participation alone does not guarantee a letter award.  You should receive the criteria for lettering from the coaching staff.  Letter awards should be picked up no later than one semester after it is awarded.  Awards earned are as follows:

• First year:  T-shirt 
• Second year:  jacket (must letter two consecutive years in the same sport)
• Third year:  desk clock
• Fourth year:  blanket

Panther Academic Certificate
A student-athlete whose name appears on the current Eligibility Report who has practiced and/or competed a majority of the season, as determined by the head coach, is eligible to receive the Panther Academic Certificate each semester.  A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required to received the award.

Senior Banquet
 A combination of academic and athletic achievement:
• Must be a senior who has lettered at least once and has exhausted eligibility.
• Must be in good standing with the team.
• Must have applied for graduation or be within 24 hours of graduation.
• Must have a minimum 2.00 GPA.

Conference Awards
Conference awards are as awarded by the Missouri Valley Conference for conference champions.  The sports of wrestling and football will have the following criteria since they are not members of the MVC.  Management will deal with exceptions on a case by case basis.
• Football:  When the football team wins a conference title, student-athletes on the NCAA travel squad will receive a watch provided he is in good academic standing with the team.
• Wrestling:  The wrestlers participating in the Qualifying Meet for the NCAA will receive a watch if the team is in the Top Ten nationally.  The student-athlete must be in good standing with the team.

NCAA Rings
The student-athlete whose team is successful in the NCAA First Round of competition and moves to the Second Round in a team sport will receive a ring of UNI design.  A student-athlete in an individual sport will receive a ring if they advance to the NCAA and become an All-American.  Ring designed by UNI Athletic Management with Sport Management input.  A student-athlete will receive only one All-American ring given after he/she has exhausted eligibility or left the team.

Complimentary Admissions to Your Sports Events
The Athletics Department recognizes the efforts of our student-athletes in contributing to the success of our athletic teams.  In accordance with NCAA policy, the student-athlete will receive four complimentary admissions for each of his/her sporting events.  The following conditions apply:

• complimentary admission shall be provided only on a pass list for guests identified by the student-athlete
• photo identification is required by guests when signing for the ticket
• hard tickets will not be issued; ticket will be stubbed by persons posted at the “Pass Gate”

Student-Athlete All-Sports Pass
All student-athletes who are eligible to practice and/or compete will be awarded an All-Sports Pass.  The list of eligible student-athletes will be provided by the Head Coach to the ticket manager at the beginning of the fall semester.  This list does include managers and student assistants as long as they are full-time students.  Anyone who leaves the team during the course of the year will have their pass revoked.

Athletics Equipment/Clothing
The athletics equipment room is available only to eligible student-athletes and the staff of each respective team.  The student-athlete makes use of the equipment room’s services, provided each individual:

• Has been listed by the head coach of their sport,
• Has a complete physical on file in the Head Athletics Trainer’s office and
• Is academically eligible to practice and/or compete

At the beginning of his or her season, each athlete is issued clothing, which may be laundered daily throughout the fall and spring semesters.  At the conclusion of the athlete’s season, any equipment that has been issued during the year must be returned, or the student-athlete will be billed at replacement cost.  Equipment room window hours are 1-6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Fifth-Year Aid
A student-athlete who has exhausted eligibility, but has not yet graduated and is in their fifth calendar year of college, may apply for 5th year GIA if he/she meets the all of the following criteria:

1. must be within 30 hours of graduating;
2. have the GPA necessary to graduate in their chosen degree major;
3. have applied for financial aid;
4. must have applied for graduation; and
5. must have been on athletic GIA.

It is the head coach’s responsibility to recommend which student-athletes he/she wishes to receive 5th year aid by December of each year.

Medical Care Procedures for the Student-Athlete

As a student-athlete at the University of Northern Iowa, you assume the inherent risk of injury while participating in intercollegiate athletics.  The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) seeks to provide athletic training, physical rehabilitation, and medical care for its student-athletes.  The Sports Medicine Department is housed in the Wellness Recreation Center, Room 168, and features equipment and supplies to facilitate athletic injury care and rehabilitation.  Trained professionals guide these services. 

Medical Certification for Individual Student-Athlete Participation:

The University of Northern Iowa requires all student-athletes to complete a pre-participation physical examination on an annual basis.  This examination is to be completed after the student-athlete goes through the UNI Student-Athlete Orientation Program and before the student-athlete is issued equipment and/or permitted to attend any practice, strength and conditioning sessions, and/or compete in any intercollegiate athletic events. 

Upon completion of the physical examination, the student will receive certification from the Sports Medicine Department to be issued equipment and to participate in practice, strength & conditioning sessions, and/or competition.  No member of the University of Northern Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Department will permit a student-athlete to participate, nor will the University provide insurance coverage to any student-athlete not following this procedure.

If for any reason the student-athlete is not approved / certified for intercollegiate athletic participation, he/she will be notified by a member of the Sports Medicine Department at the completion of the pre-participation physical examination.  ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ANY TESTS, CONSULTATIONS, AND/OR MEDICAL PROCEDURES NEEDED TO GAIN APPROVAL/ CERTIFICATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT / PARENT / GUARDIAN.  If the student-athlete is not approved / certified for intercollegiate athletic participation at UNI due to a prior injury / illness resulting from the direct participation in the intercollegiate athletics program during the dates of the competitive season and designated off-seasons as approved by the Director of Athletics according to NCAA regulations, all costs associated with any tests, consultations, and/or medical procedures needed to gain approval / certification may be covered by the University of Northern Iowa’s medical and catastrophic insurance program.  This policy, however, is SECONDARY to, or in excess of, a student-athlete’s personal family medical insurance coverage.

The procedure for gaining medical certification must be completed on an annual basis.  Upon completion of eligibility in their final sport, student-athletes are requested to schedule an appointment with a member of the Sports Medicine Department, prior to the conclusion of the academic term, for the purpose of an “Exit Physical Examination”.  This will include a review of all injuries and/or illnesses received during participation and referral for follow-up care if applicable. 

Athletic Injury Medical Care:

Any certified intercollegiate athletics participant who receives an injury during and as a result of an approved practice or contest must IMMEDIATELY report the injury/illness to a member of the UNI Sports Medicine Department to activate insurance coverage.  Please note that the injury must have been incurred in a practice, contest, or related travel that was supervised by approved University coaching staff during a practice/contest period that was approved by the Director of Athletics according to NCAA regulations, to be eligible for SECONDARY insurance coverage from the University of Northern Iowa.  The athlete or his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) must notify the student-athlete’s PRIMARY insurance carrier within 24 hours of injury.

Outside Injury Care / Consultations:

If a student-athlete visits a physician outside of the University’s Team Physician, then a member of the UNI Sports Medicine Department MUST make the referral!  When consultation is requested or recommended, any recommendations for testing, medical procedures, surgery, repeat visits, etc. made by the consultant must be communicated to the Sports Medicine Department BEFORE any arrangements are made.  If that referral results in a recommendation for non-emergency surgery, the student-athlete MUST inform the Sports Medicine Department PRIOR TO finalization of any arrangements.

If a student-athlete decides to see a physician/ specialist WITHOUT prior authorization/ referral from a member of the UNI Sports Medicine Department, the student-athlete and/or the student athlete’s parent(s)/ guardian(s) will be financially responsible for any and all medical bills incurred. 

Insurance Coverage of Student-Athletes:

ALL UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA STUDENT-ATHLETES SHOULD BE COVERED BY SOME TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN ANY PRACTICE, GAME, AND/OR COMPETITION.  If a student-athlete is not covered under a parent(s)/ guardian(s) health insurance policy, supplemental health insurance is available at a cost to the student-athlete.  The student-athlete’s insurance shall be considered the PRIMARY insurance coverage for all athletic related injuries.   The University of Northern Iowa provides a medical and catastrophic insurance program for its intercollegiate athletes injured in practices, contests, and/or related travel.  THIS POLICY, HOWEVER, IS SECONDARY TO, OR IN EXCESS OF, PERSONAL FAMILY MEDICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE.  Bills should not be sent to the UNI Sports Medicine Department until the personal family coverage is applied.  Therefore, all medical bills must first go to the student-athlete and/or the student athlete’s parent/guardian.  In addition, ALL bills (both paid and unpaid) must be submitted to the Sports Medicine Department.  All medical bills must be submitted to the Sports Medicine Department within 14 business days of receipt.  Bills received after 14 business days MAY NOT be processed by the UNI Sports Medicine Department and/or Athletic Department and will be the responsibility of the student-athlete and/or the student athlete’s parent(s)/ guardian(s).