Student-Athlete
Being a collegiate student-athlete is a privilege, not a right. Student-athletes are held to an academic standard by Clark Atlanta University and the NCAA to maintain eligibility for participation in intercollegiate athletics. Habits are developed through repetition. Just as athletes are expected to give 100% effort in competition, student-athletes are also expected to put 100% effort into their academics. Student-athletes are expected to come to Study Hall prepared with work to complete. If a student-athlete does not come with work, he/she will NOT receive credit for study hours. If a student-athlete is up to date on all assignments, they are expected to work ahead in their classes or to bring educational materials to work on. Student-athletes will receive credit for study hours by working on academic assignments only.
Athletic Coaches
Athletic Coaches are held responsible for running and managing all aspects of their teams. As a result, coaches are accountable for the academic performance of their student-athletes. Coaches work together with the SAASP by supporting, supplementing, and enforcing the academic policies of Clark Atlanta University, the Department of Athletics, and those of the NCAA.
Study Hall Coordinator
The Study Hour Coordinator will serve to support the academic needs of student-athletes at Clark Atlanta University. Specifically, the Study Hall Coordinator will: supervise and coordinate with Study Hall Monitors to provide monitoring of daytime, evening, and some weekend study hour requirements; assist in monitoring study hall attendance by encouraging sign-in and sign-out using the QR link to accurately track student-athletes’ time; collect and send out weekly study hall hour reports; properly maintain confidential student information; attend Student Athlete Academic Success Program meetings; support SAASP policies; and, perform other duties as assigned. Study Hall Coordinators may be comprised of graduate assistants, academic/athletic interns, or work-study students.
Study Hall Monitors
Study Hall Monitors will provide monitoring of daytime, evening, and some weekend study hour requirements; encourage sign-in and sign-out using swipe readers to accurately track student-athletes’ attendance; assist in the collection of weekly study hall hour for reports; properly maintain confidential student information; attend Student Athlete Academic Success Program meetings; support SAASP policies; and, perform other duties as assigned. Study Hall Monitors may be comprised of graduate assistants, academic/athletic interns, or work-study students.
Tutors
Tutors will provide individual and small group tutoring to student-athletes in the ASH Lab and scheduled one-on-one meetings across campus. Sessions may be individual, group or by appointment. Assistance might include assisting student-athletes in gaining a better understanding of course content and developing habits and study skills necessary to be successful academically, reviewing class material, discussing the text, predicting test questions, formulating ideas for papers, or working on solutions to problems.
Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR)
The FAR is a member of the faculty who has been designated by the institution to serve as a liaison between the institution and the athletics department, and as a representative of the institution in conference and NCAA affairs. The role of the FAR is to ensure that Clark Atlanta University establishes and maintains the appropriate balance between academics and intercollegiate athletics. The FAR ensures that academic services and support are available to student-athletes. The FAR also communicates with Faculty about student concerns/issues and assists student-athletes with academic appeals.
Director of Student-Athlete Academic Success
The Director of Student-Athlete Academic Success works with the Senior Athletic Director for Compliance to ensure institutional compliance with departmental, institutional, and NCAA guidelines. The Director of Student-Athlete Academic Success collaborates with the Senior Athletic Director for Compliance to determine incoming first-year students and transfers continuing eligibility, meets with at-risk student-athletes and works with Title III to develop academic improvement plans. The Director of Student-Athlete Academic Success meets with athletic teams to discuss rules, progress toward degree, and other academic information. The Director of Student-Athlete Academic Success works with Title III to provide comprehensive and progressive services and resources to student-athletes to help balance the demands of academics and athletics, promote academic excellence, enhance retention, and increase graduation rates.
Deputy Athletic Director for Compliance
The Deputy Athletic Director for Compliance plays a pivotal role in overseeing and ensuring adherence to departmental, institutional, and NCAA guidelines within the athletic department. Reporting directly to the Director of Athletics, the Deputy Athletic Director for Compliance supervises and supports the Athletics Academic Liaison, Director of Student-Athlete Academic Success, Study Hour Coordinator, and other team members. This role actively participates in the NCAA certification process, providing accurate reporting and overseeing the eligibility status of incoming and returning student-athletes. Serving as a liaison between the athletic department and campus faculty, the Deputy Athletic Director for Compliance collaborates with the Athletics Academic Success Team to ensure the timely and accurate reporting of academic data. This position holds a crucial responsibility in maintaining the balance between academics and intercollegiate athletics, ensuring institutional compliance, and supporting the academic success of student-athletes across various roles within the athletic department.
Director of Athletics
The Athletic Director encompasses a multifaceted approach to overseeing the academic progress and compliance of student-athletes. A key responsibility is acting as the final authority on data submitted to Title III, ensuring accuracy and adherence to relevant regulations. The Athletic Director coordinates closely with the Director of Student-Athlete Academic Success, the Athletics Academic Liaison, and the Deputy Athletic Director for Compliance. This collaboration is vital for aligning the academic and athletic objectives, particularly in the context of Title III requirements. Additionally, the Athletic Director liaises with Head Coaches and the Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR) to integrate academic priorities into the athletic framework. A crucial aspect of this role is ensuring the effective implementation and management of study hall programs, a significant component in maintaining academic standards and compliance under Title III. Through these collaborations and oversight, the Athletic Director ensures that the strategic goals of both athletic and academic excellence are met, fostering an environment where student-athletes can thrive in both arenas.
Title III Student Success Project
The Title III Student Success Project is designed to overhaul and enhance the University’s academic support services, such as tutoring, advising, and registration, to improve student outcomes. The project's goals include developing a unified approach to undergraduate academic advisement and support, thereby enhancing retention and graduation rates. It also aims to improve the undergraduate experience and increase student engagement, as well as academic progression for all students, including specific groups like athletes, at-risk, transfer, commuters, and honors students. Additionally, the project seeks to strengthen foundational skills in Math, English, and Writing to prepare students for college success.
In relation to Athletics, the project sets specific targets to boost the performance of student athletes. These include increasing retention and graduation rates, mandating academic coaching and study skills sessions for all first-year student athletes and those with a GPA below 2.3, with the expectation that 90% of these students will complete one-on-one academic coaching sessions and attend at least one group study session prior to each semester's registration. Furthermore, 40% of all student athletes are expected to undergo an academic coaching session before registration. The project also plans to introduce mandatory tutoring for athletes with low performance in courses to reduce their rates of fails, withdrawals, and incompletes (DFW rates).
Center for Academic Student Success
The Center for Academic and Student Success (CASS) at the University enhances undergraduate education through a variety of programs and services. CASS provides ongoing support in understanding and navigating academic requirements, regulations, and procedures for students, faculty, and parents. This includes managing transient study applications, coordinating the General Education Core curriculum, and overseeing appeals of academic decisions. The Executive Director oversees the educational and support units, including the First-Year Seminar, Advising, and retention initiatives. CASS is dedicated to supporting all undergraduate students, with particular focus on at-risk, non-traditional, disabled students, and student athletes. Services offered include Early Intervention/Retention Alerts, Undergraduate Academic Seminars, Academic Advisement, and Tutorial and Study Skills Services.
