NCAA FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVE

I am Shippensburg University's NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR). In this position I work with the President, Provost, V.P. of Student Affairs, University Faculty, Athletics Staff and YOU to insure the academic integrity of our athletics program. This page provides you with important information about resources that you may find valuable including a summary of some of your obligations relating to scheduling, attendance, missed classes and the development of relationships with your professors. Some materials require the free Adobe Reader.

Along with hundreds of my colleagues at other universities across the NCAA, I am a member of the Faculty Athletics Representative Association. We believe in the following guiding principles:

• We believe that intercollegiate athletics is an integral part of the mission of the academic institution.  We acknowledge the benefits of intercollegiate athletics, and we believe that intercollegiate athletics can bring many positive attributes to the collegiate community.
• We believe that the well-being of the student-athlete is an essential concern of the university.  We take seriously the faculty athletics representative’s responsibility to ensure that student-athletes are supported properly and treated fairly.
• We believe that institutional academic integrity is essential.  It is the faculty athletics representatives’ role to ensure that the academic institution establishes and maintains the appropriate balance between academics and intercollegiate athletics.
• We believe that conference academic integrity is essential.  It is the faculty athletics representatives’ role to advocate the appropriate emphasis on academics in the conference.
• We believe that academic integrity must be a priority within the NCAA.  It is FARA’s role to advocate the appropriate emphasis on academics in NCAA discussions, NCAA committee decisions and NCAA member legislation.
• We believe that FARA is the collective voice of faculty athletics representatives in all three NCAA divisions.  It is FARA’s role to advocate for faculty athletics representatives and to represent their concerns at the national level.

I am always willing and available to consult with you confidentially about your academic progress, your athletics experiences, or issues you do not feel comfortable discussing with your coaches or athletics staff. Please feel free to contact me, and I will always make time for you. My contact information is at both the top and at the left of this page.

Another important source of information, advice, and services that is available to you is the Office of Academic Support Services for Student Athletes. Contact the Interim Coordinator, Jennifer Cummings, at x1699 for more information. In addition, The Director (Jeff Michaels), Assistant Director (Tim Verge), and Assistant Director/SWA (Carrie Michaels) of Athletics are all available to consult with you. A link to our full staff directory with their contact information is at left.

Finally, should you find yourself in need of such services, our excellent Shippensburg University Counseling Center (x1481) is available to you.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

As a student-athlete at Shippensburg University, you have important responsibilities relating to class attendance. This link explains some of the obligations you have to be in class and to maintain a continuous dialog with your professors about any absences that may occur as a result of NCAA competitions. Your ability to make up work under the Shippensburg University missed class policy is dependent upon you following these guidelines. After carefully reviewing this document, if you have any questions at all, please contact me.

ANY QUESTIONS ?

I look forward to working with you all. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or any of the other individuals listed below.