Student-Athletes

As an Oakland University student-athlete, there are several NCAA, Horizon League, and institutional rules and regulations of which you should be aware. This section of the website provides an overview of information that affects you as a student-athlete.

Please contact the Athletic Compliance Office if you ever have questions or concerns regarding any of the information contained in this section.

Compliance Software
Who is a booster?
A booster is an individual that:

Promotes the Oakland University athletics program.
Makes a financial contribution to athletics or its booster organizations.
Provides benefits (e.g., jobs, occasional meals) to enrolled student-athletes.
Has purchased season tickets for any Oakland University athletics program.

It is important to remember that once an individual has been identified as a booster, he or she retains that status forever.

Academic Eligibility Standards
A student-athlete is allowed 4 seasons of eligibility within 5 calendar years from the time he or she first enrolls full-time at a collegiate institution. In general, when a student-athlete competes in any competition (including scrimmages with outside competition), whether it is for one minute or the entire contest, he or she has used 1 of 4 seasons of competition and 1 of 5 years of eligibility.

Student-athletes must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits per term to practice, receive financial aid, and compete in intercollegiate athletics (exception if enrolled in final semester). If a student-athlete drops below 12 credit hours, he or she is immediately ineligible to practice or compete with the team.

ACADEMIC CLASS (Semester of Full-time Enrollment)	NCAA Continuing Academic Eligibility Requirements
Freshmen (1st Semester)	Must be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center as a Qualifier.
Sophomore (3rd Semester)	Must have earned at least 24 credits hours during the previous year with at least 18 earned during the previous two full-time terms and at least 6 earned per term. Must have a cumulative GPA of 1.8.
Junior (5th Semester)	Must have at least 18 academic credits during the previous two full-time terms and 6 academic credits per term. Must have declared a major; cumulative GPA of 1.9. 40% of degree must be completed (50 credits).
Senior (7th Semester)	Must have at least 18 academic credits during the previous two full-time terms and 6 academic credits per term. Must have declared a major; cumulative GPA of 2.0. 60% of degree must be completed (75 credits).
5th Year Senior (9th Semester)	Must have at least 18 academic during the previous two full-time terms and 6 academic credits per term. Must have declared a major; cumulative GPA of 2.0. 80% of degree must be completed (100 credits).

Any student with a GPA below a 2.0 is placed on academic probation with Oakland University.

Agents and Amateur Status
A student-athlete can lose his or her amateur status and become ineligible for competition if he or she:

Accepts pay or the promise of pay for play.
Enters into a professional contract.
Plays for a professional team.
Enters into an agreement (oral or written) with an agent.
Accepts a benefit from an agent or runner.
Promotes a commercial product or service, regardless of pay (allows his or her picture, name or testimonial to be used to advertise a product or service).

The prohibition for a student-athlete to enter into an agreement, either verbally or in writing, with an agent extends to both the present and the future. It is not permissible for a student-athlete to enter into an agreement to be represented by an agent in the future once the student-athlete's eligibility expires.

In addition, a student-athlete may not accept transportation or any other benefits from an athlete agent. This prohibition also applies to a student-athlete's relatives and/or friends. The term "agent" includes actual agents, runners and financial advisors.

Employment
All student-athletes who wish to work must submit a student-athlete employment form on the ARMS compliance software.

Student-athletes are permitted to earn income through legitimate employment opportunities.
A student-athlete may receive employment compensation:

Only for work that is actually performed and useful in nature;
Only for the number of hours actually worked;
At a rate commensurate with the going rate for similar services in the area.

A student-athlete may NOT receive:

Payment for value that he or she brings the employer because of publicity, reputation, fame or personal following because of his or her athletics ability;
Transportation to work or other benefits, unless the same benefits are available equally to all employees.

Fee-for-lesson Employment
NCAA rules permit student-athletes to be employed on a fee-for-lesson basis under the following prescribed conditions:

Fee-for-lesson employment may NOT take place in an institutional facility;
A student-athlete must actually provide skill instruction; "playing lessons" are not permissible;
Compensation must be paid by the lesson recipient or the recipient's family and not another outside individual or entity;
Payment must be at the going rate for such services in the area;
A student-athlete may not use his or her name in promoting or advertising the lesson.

Extra Benefits
It is an NCAA violation for a student-athlete to receive something that is not generally available to the student body. Student-athletes should NOT accept transportation, payment of food or drink, or any other benefit from someone who is not an established friend or family member.

Extra benefits can include, but, are not limited to:

Money, gifts, clothing, tickets for entertainment, haircut, and use of a car.
Free or reduced-cost room or board anywhere.
Free or reduced-cost merchandise or services.
Typing or editing reports, papers, letters, etc. for a student-athlete.
A loan of money or the consigning of a note to arrange a loan.
The sale or trade of complimentary admissions for merchandise, services or debt repayment.
The sale or trade of ANY items a student-athlete has received for his or her participation in athletics (e.g., gear, clothing, awards).

Accepting an extra benefit will jeopardize a student-athlete's eligibility to compete in NCAA sports.

Outside Competition
Student-athletes must receive approval from the Athletic Compliance Office prior to participating in competition as a member of an outside sports team or as an individual. Pending compliance approval, student-athletes in all sports may compete in non-collegiate amateur competition during select time periods (e.g., summer break, official vacation periods when team is out-of-season). Basketball SAs on an Olympic/national team is unlimited in terms of a cap.

The number of student-athletes on any one outside team shall not exceed the following limitations:
Baseball – 4
Soccer – 5
Track and Field – Unlimited
Basketball – 2
Softball – 4
Volleyball – 2
Golf – Unlimited
Swimming – Unlimited
Cross Country – Unlimited
Tennis – Unlimited

Gambling
NCAA rules prohibit all student-athletes, coaches, and staff from wagering on any intercollegiate and professional sport, at any level, that is sponsored by the NCAA. This ban also applies to pools or fantasy leagues in which an entry fee is required and there is an opportunity to win a prize or money.

The NCAA strictly prohibits student-athletes, coaches and staff from engaging in the following activities:

Soliciting a bet on any intercollegiate or professional team.
Accepting a bet on any team representing the institution.
Soliciting or accepting a bet on any intercollegiate or professional competition for any item (e.g., cash, shirt, dinner) that has tangible value.
Participating 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, including pools, auctions and fantasy leagues.
Knowingly providing information to individuals involved in any type of organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition.

Drug Testing
Student-athletes are subject to NCAA random drug testing year-round. Student-athletes are encouraged to communicate any and all substances that they ingest to their athletic trainer.

NCAA Drug Testing Program

Charitable or Promotional Activities
The use of a student-athlete's name, picture or appearance in promotional activities is limited to educational, charitable and non-profit organizations, and the following conditions apply:
- Student-athletes may not miss class time
- Student-athletes may only accept actual and necessary expenses related to his or her participation in the activity (and these expenses must be documented)
- All monies derived from the activity must go directly to the charitable, educational or non-profit organization; and
- Student-athlete's involvement may not include co-sponsorship, advertisement or promotion by a commercial agency other than through the reproduction of the sponsoring organization's officially registered regular trademark or logo on printed materials such as pictures, posters or calendars.

Student-athletes should contact the Athletic Compliance Office prior to participating in any promotional activities.

Financial Aid
Financial Services Office

Oakland University Financial Aid Policies
Oakland University Awards

Percentages listed on financial tenders is based off of the in-state rate.
Tuition differentials are awarded based on academic performance or can be included as a part of your athletic scholarship.
Tuition rates are based on major and course level. It is possible to take courses that cost more than the permissible Cost of Attendance.
Transfer Tuition Differential is only awarded for 4 full-time semesters.

NCAA Scholarship Policies
The NCAA permits a student-athlete to receive financial aid from anyone upon whom he or she is naturally or legally dependent. A student-athlete may also receive financial aid not to exceed the cost of tuition, room, board, books and fees from:
Sources Distributed by the University:

A student-athlete may receive institutional need-based aid based on information from his or her FAFSA. Such aid may include scholarships, grants, work-study, SEOG and PELL.
A student-athlete may receive scholarships based on academic standing and/or athletic ability.
The possibility of student employment either as work-study (need-based) or non work-study may be available to a student-athlete.

Sources Outside the University

A student-athlete may receive financial aid that is awarded on basis unrelated to athletic ability
15.2.6.3 Athletically Related Financial Aid From an Established and Continuing Program -- Up to $1,000. A student-athlete may receive up to a total of $1,000 of athletically related outside financial aid per academic year, without restrictions, through one or more established and continuing programs to aid students.

The aid is awarded through an established and continuing program aid to students, if the following conditions are met:
- The student-athlete's choice of institution is not restricted by the donor; and
- There is no direct connection between the donor and Oakland University.
- The financial aid is not provided by an outside sports team or organization that conducts a competitive sports program to an individual who is or has been a member of that team or organization
A student-athlete MUST report all outside financial aid awards which he or she receives towards his or her college expenses to the financial aid office.

Reduction/Cancellation of Institutional Financial Aid

If a student-athlete is receiving institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability, that financial aid MAY be reduced or canceled during the period of the award (e.g., during that academic year or term) only if the student-athlete:
Renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition, or
Fraudulently misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement, or
Commits serious misconduct which warrants a substantial disciplinary penalty (the misconduct determination must be made by the university's regular student disciplinary
authority), or
Voluntarily quits the sport for personal reasons. In this case, the student-athlete's financial aid may not be given to another student-athlete during the term in which the aid was reduced or canceled, or
Violates any written condition of the student-athlete's athletics aid agreement.
Provides written notification of transfer (see Bylaw 13.1.1.3) to the institution; however, the student-athlete’s financial aid may not be reduced or canceled until the end of the regular academic term in which written notification of transfer is received. If a student-athlete provides written notification of transfer to the institution between regular academic terms (winter break, summer break) the institution may reduce or cancel the financial aid immediately.

Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability MAY NOT be reduced, canceled or increased during the period of the award:

Based on a student-athlete's ability, performance or contribution to a team's success, or
Because injury prevents the student-athlete from participating, or
For any other athletics reason.

Countable Athletically-Related Activities
A student-athlete's participation in countable athletically related activities (CARA) shall be limited to the following:

During the Playing Season	Outside the Playing Season
Daily Limit: 4 Hours	Daily Limit: 4 Hours
Weekly Limit: 20 Hours	Weekly Limit: 8 Hours
At least one (1) day off per week	At least two (2) days off per week

Coaches are required to log their team's weekly playing/practice hours through ARMS

Countable Athletically Related Activities	Noncountable Athletically Related Activities
Practices	Compliance meetings
Athletics meetings with a coach initiated or required by a coach	Meetings with a coach initiated by the student-athlete
Competition	Drug/alcohol educational meetings, or Life Skills meetings
Field, floor, or on-court activity	Study hall, tutoring or academic meetings
Required weight-training and conditioning activities	Voluntary weight training not conducted by a coach or staff member
Required participation in camps/clinics	Traveling to and from the site of competition
Participation outside the regular season in individual skill-related instructional activities with a member of the coaching staff	Recruiting activities (e.g., student host)
Discussion or review of game films	Meals
	Community service, promotional or public relations activities including media activities
	Physical rehabilitation

Definition of a Week -- Any seven (7) consecutive days to be determined by the individual sport's discretion. Once the "week" is defined, it shall not change for the duration of the season.

Competition Day -- All competition and any associated athletically related activities on the day of competition shall count as three (3) hours regardless of the actual duration of these activities. Countable athletically related activities may not be conducted at any time (including vacation periods) following competition, except between contests, rounds or events (e.g., double-headers
in baseball).

In-Season -- The time between the team's first officially recognized practice session and the last practice session or competition. Seasons can be separated into 2 distinct segments: championship and non-championship.

Out-of-Season -- Outside the playing season, from the institution's first day of classes of the academic year or September 15, whichever occurs earlier, to one week prior to the beginning of the institution's final examination period at the conclusion of the academic year, only a student-athlete's participation in required weight training, conditioning and skill-related instruction shall be permitted. A student-athlete's participation in such activities per Bylaw 17.02.1 shall be limited to a maximum of eight hours per week with not more than four hours per week spent on skill-related workouts. All countable athletically related activities outside the playing season are prohibited one week prior to the beginning of the institution's final examination period for the applicable academic term through the conclusion of the institution's academic term.

Vacation Periods and Between Terms -- Hour limitations do not apply during official institutional break periods when classes are not in session (i.e., fall, winter, spring break). This includes hour limitations during preseason practice prior to the first day of classes.

Travel Day -- A travel day related to athletics participation may be considered a day off, provided no countable activities occurred.

Final Exam Period -- When in-season, limitations do apply during final-examination periods and preparatory days leading up to final exams. When out-of season, all athletically related activities are prohibited one (1) week prior to the beginning of final exams through the conclusion of each student-athlete's exam.

Safety Exception -- A coach may be present during voluntary activities (noncountable) in a practice facility when students are using equipment in the sports of swimming/diving and track (field events only and jumping hurdles or the jumping element of the steeplechase).

Voluntary Activity -- All of the following conditions must be met:

Student-athletes are not required to report back to a coach any information related to the activity. Staff members observing activities may not report back to a coach any information related to the activity.
Activity must be initiated and requested solely by the student-athlete.
Attendance and participation in the activity (or lack thereof) may not be recorded for the purpose of reporting to coaching staff or other student-athletes.
Student-athletes may not be subjected to penalties should they not participate and no recognition or incentive may be awarded based on attendance or performance.

Complimentary Admissions
If the sport in which a student-athlete participates charges admission for home contests, each student-athlete will be provided a maximum of four (4) complimentary admissions for each home contest.

All admissions are by a pass list and require the student-athlete's guests to provide proper identification and a signature.

Guests must be approved by compliance in advance through the compliance software. Ticket windows close 3 hours before the start of the game.

Ticketing Instructions
The sale or exchange of a student-athlete's complimentary admissions for any item of value is a violation of NCAA regulations and places a student-athlete's eligibility in jeopardy.

Oakland University Athletics

Scoreboard

Student-Athletes