Nichols College Athletics

 
Within a supportive community, Nichols College transforms today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders through a dynamic, career-focused business and professional education.
To support its mission, Nichols College

• Offers an experiential business curriculum with a strong liberal arts foundation that is enhanced by the scholarship of practice and pedagogy.
• Integrates research and scholarship into the student experience programs and activities that cultivate and enhance professional skills and readiness.
• Develops the communication and critical thinking abilities, the ethical and cultural perspectives, and the necessary teamwork skills that are required of leaders in a global economy.

 
The Athletics Department places the highest priority on the total educational experience of each student-athlete. Educational benefits offered in the classroom through athletic activities and community service play an important role in the personal and professional development of our student-athletes.
 
  As a collegiate athlete on this campus, your visibility is high. At every event across the campus and throughout your travels, 24/7, 365 days, you represent your teammates, your coaches, the college, your family and most importantly yourself.                                              
                                                                           Your commitment to the program will not just be in your accomplishments on the fields, courts, courses and ice but in the way you present yourself in everything you do. Show your Nichols College pride by holding the honor of participating in collegiate athletics in high esteem. Remember that all eyes are upon you!
 
It is with great pride and responsibility that our student-athletes, coaches and staff represent Nichols College, striving to achieve our goals of excellence.
  The Athletics Department offers an intercollegiate athletics program designed to assist each student-athlete in securing an academic degree and meeting the objectives of the college. When participating in the program, student-athletes must accept responsibility for their personal conduct.

For an undergraduate student to participate in athletics, he or she must be classified as a ‘day student,’ carry 12 credits per semester and be in good academic standing. A student that drops or withdraws from a class and drops below 12 credit hours will become immediately ineligible for practice and competition.
 

                              Credit-Hours Attempted/Earned                     Cumulative GPA
                                                            1-31 credits                                   1.5 GPA
                                                            32-45 credits                                 1.75 GPA
                                                            46 or more                                     2.0 GPA
  
Students whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls above the following thresholds are allowed full participation in any intercollegiate event or program. (Unless otherwise determined by the Director of Athletics and/or Coach)
 
Academic Suspension Warning: Students who cumulative grade point average (GPA) falls below the minimums established above will be placed on academic suspension warning (ASW), and will be enrolled in the College Success program. At Nichols, students on ASW have the right to participate in clubs, activities, intramurals, NCAA Athletics, etc. Therefore, student athletes who fall in this category may participate in intercollegiate athletics at the discretion of the Director of Athletics and respected head coach.
 
Academic Suspension: Failure to meet the minimum required cumulative grade point average for good academic standing by the end of the next nine-or-more credit hours will result in Academic Suspension. Additionally, if any student receives less than a 1.0 GPA in any one semester in which he or she was enrolled for nine-or-more credits, the student will be placed on Academic Suspension. (Student athletes who fall into this category are not eligible to participate in any collegiate or intercollegiate event as they are not eligible to be enrolled as a student). Students are permitted to appeal an Academic Suspension.
 
Academic Probation: A student who appeals an academic suspension and is permitted to re-enroll falls into the category called Academic Probation. No student on Academic Probation may participate on a Nichols College varsity athletic team. As an exception to this rule, in cases where a student’s overall GPA is 2.0-or-above, Academic Probation does not prohibit participation in intercollegiate athletics.
 
**Transfer Students: Transfer students, before their second semester at Nichols College, must achieve a GPA of 1.75. Students who have not met this requirement their second semester at Nichols will be placed on Academic Probation and are not eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics while on Academic Probation. Thereafter, they must follow the previous stated GPA guidelines.
 
Those students who are on Academic Probation at the end of the semester will be notified of their eligibility in athletics
 
* Graduate Student-Athlete: Graduate student-athlete must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits per semester to be eligible. A student must maintain a program GPA of 3.00 or higher. When a student falls below a 3.0, with at least 6 credits completed, an academic warning will be issued to the student. The student has two terms on academic warning before dismissal from the Graduate Program, resulting in loss of athletic eligibility.
 
A waiver of the minimum full-time enrollment requirement may be granted for a student-athlete enrolled in the final term of the baccalaureate program provided the courses he/she is enrolled in will result in graduation at the completion of the semester. The student-athlete granted eligibility under this provision shall be eligible for any NCAA championship that begins within 60 days following said semester, provided the student has not exhausted the 10 semesters for completion of the individual’s four seasons of eligibility.
 
 
For a complete rundown of these policies with additional details please refer to the Nichols College catalog at http://issuu.com/nicholscommunications/docs/nichols-college_2015-2017_catalog?e=1322325/30254707 or by accessing the Nichols College portal and clicking on the catalog link under the academics heading in Web Advisor.
 

Student Athletes are expected to:

• Attend all classes and complete all academic assignments
• Never miss class for practice-per the NCAA.
• Be honest and truthful in all academic work, contacts with faculty, and interactions with fellow students.

 
Student athletes are expected to demonstrate satisfactory progress through the semester. For any deficiencies noted at the mid-term, the student athlete must meet their coach and advisor to prepare an academic plan addressing the deficiencies. The plan will specify the necessary steps to correct the deficient grades and must be approved by the student’s advisor if the student is to remain eligible. Three-or-more deficiencies at the mid-term places a student on “Athletics Academic Warning” and the student ineligible.
  Nichols College will provide any student in good academic standing the opportunity to try out for a varsity athletics team. 

• Tryouts typically last 2-4 days in duration, but in some sports, may extend for the full non-traditional season. 
• Tryouts may involve participation with the full varsity roster or may involve participation simply with other students that are also seeking a roster spot.
• Head coaches must be present for tryouts.
• Athletic Trainers must be present for tryouts to monitor health and safety.
• Prospective student-athletes must complete all medical paperwork and receive full clearance from the Nichols Athletic Training Staff prior to beginning the tryout process.
• Head coach will provide date and time to all students who inquire about the tryout process. A coach may not deny a student the opportunity to try out for any reason other than non-eligibility. This includes past participation on the team or previous attempts to try out for the team.
• Head coach has full discretion on which, if any, students are selected to be on the full varsity roster.

 
  The Athletic Department adheres to any and all institutional policies in regard to both alcohol and drug violations. Please note that any sanctions involving weekend suspensions from the institution will also include participation in athletic contests.
 
Student-athletes must understand the General Laws of Massachusetts, the College and Athletics Department regarding alcohol use. Refer to the Nichols College Student Handbook for further details. Violations of the alcohol policy, the General Laws of Massachusetts and/ or any other state, may result in the following sanctions:
 

• A warning subject to the coach’s discretion
• One or more game(s) suspension with practice being coach’s discretion
• Suspension from any varsity sport for the rest of that academic year

  Use, possession or distribution of narcotic or dangerous drugs and paraphernalia as defined by state and federal laws and the NCAA by student-athletes, team managers and student trainers is prohibited. The College’s goal is a drug-free campus where the physical and mental health of the student enables him or her to reach their full potential.
 
Marijuana
Violations of the drug policy for marijuana will result in the following sanctions:
 

• *Suspension from competition for a minimum of 20% of the scheduled contests
• A second offense will result in dismissal from intercollegiate involvement for one full calendar year
• A third offense will result in dismissal from intercollegiate involvement permanently.

 
Student-athletes will be deemed in violation of the drug policy for marijuana in the event of a positive drug test, a refusal to take a drug test when requested by an athletics department staff member, or
being found responsible by Nichols College Student Services of any of the following Student Conduct Code violations:

• 7d. Possession and/or consumption of marijuana
• 7e. Possession and/or use of drug paraphernalia (marijuana)

 
 

Banned Substances other than marijuana
Violations of the drug policy for all banned substances other than marijuana will result in the
following sanctions:

• Suspension from competition for a minimum of 33% of scheduled contests
• A second offense will result in dismissal from intercollegiate involvement for one full calendar year
• A third offense will result in dismissal from intercollegiate involvement permanently

 
Student-athletes will be deemed in violation of  the drug policy for banned substances other than marijuana in the event of a positive drug test, a refusal to take a drug test when requested by an athletics department staff member , or being found responsible by Nichols College Student
Services of any of the following Student Conduct Code violations:

• 7c. Possession and/or consumption of drugs other than marijuana
• 7e. Possession and/or use of drug paraphernalia (other than marijuana)

 
Distribution, Sale, or Intent to Sell Drugs
Violations of the drug policy for distribution, sale, or intent to sell drugs will result in the following sanctions:

• Dismissal from intercollegiate athletics involvement permanently

 
Student-athletes will be deemed in violation of the drug policy for distribution, sale, or intent to sell drugs in the event of being found guilty of distribution of narcotic or dangerous drugs as defined by state and local news or in instances where a student-athlete is found responsible by Nichols College Student Services of the following Student Conduct Code violations:

• 7a. Distribution, sale, or intent to sell drugs legal or illegal

 
Other Factors
Other violations of the Nichols College Student Conduct Code that may result in disciplinary action and enforcement of the drug policy at the discretion of the Director of Athletics include:

• 7b. Improper use of prescription drugs
• 7f. In the presence of marijuana use

 
If an athletics department staff member has reasonable suspicion that a student-athlete has used a substance on the NCAA banned substance list, a drug test may be administered at the discretion of the Director of Athletics.
 
Suspensions administered at the end of a season will be served in the next season of competition. Should a student choose to remove him or herself from sport participation, the suspension will be administered or continued when the student returns to participation.
 

Any student-athlete on a team that advances to the NCAA Tournament is subject to random drug testing administered by the NCAA. The penalty for a failed drug test administered by the NCAA is as follows:
              
               18.4.1.5 Ineligibility for Use of Banned Drugs. A student-athlete who, as a result of a          drug test administered by the NCAA, tests positive for use of a substance in a                               banned drug class, as set forth in Bylaw 31.2.3.1 , shall be declared ineligible for
               further participation in postseason and regular season competition in accordance      with the ineligibility provisions in this bylaw.
               18.4.1.5.1 Penalty — Banned Drug Classes Other Than “Street Drugs.” A student-            athlete who, as a result of a drug test administered by the NCAA, tests positive for           use of a substance in a banned drug class other than “street drugs”, shall be charged           with the loss of one season of participation, pursuant to Bylaw 14.2.4.1, during the same academic year. The student-athlete shall remain ineligible for all
               regular-season and postseason competition during the time period ending one
               calendar year (i.e., 365 days) after the collection of the student-athletes positive              drug-test specimen and until he or she tests negative.
               18.4.1.5.2 Penalty — “Street Drugs.” A student –athlete who, as a result of a drug
               test administered by the NCAA, tests positive for use of a substance in the banned              drug class “street drugs” shall be charged with the loss of competition during 50 per   cent of a season in all sports (i.e., 50 percent of the Bylaw 17 maximum
regular-season contests or dates of competition). The student-athlete shall remain ineligible from the time the institution is notified of the test result until the prescribed penalty if fulfilled and he or she tests negative.
  Bylaw, articles 10.3 and 10.4 of the NCAA Manual specify the NCAA’s policy on gambling. Staff members of the athletics department and student-athletes shall not knowingly:

• Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities
• Solicit a bet on any intercollegiate team
• Accept a bet on any team representing the institution, or
• Participate in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics through a bookmaker, a parlay card, the internet, or any other method employed by organized gambling.

Nichols College will not tolerate any instance of hazing among students. Hazing is defined as any intentional or unintentional action taken or situation created to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule for the purpose of initiation, ritual, tradition, admission or as a perceived condition of continued membership. The expressed or implied consent of an individual is not viewed as a defense. Failing to intervene, prevent, or report may also violate this policy. Such activities and situations include, but are not limited to:
 
· Any activity that causes or requires an individual to violate the Student Code of Conduct
· Any activity requiring the consumption of food, liquid, alcohol, drugs, or other substance
· Any physical activity such as extended deprivation of sleep, forced calisthenics, exposure to weather, extended confinement or isolation, exercise or other activity that subjects an individual to a risk of harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety
· Any activity that intimidates and threatens an individual with ostracism that subjects and individual to mental stress, embarrassment, shame or humiliation, or that adversely affects the mental health and/or dignity
· Any type of physical or mental brutality including, but not limited to whipping, beating, striking, branding, or placing a harmful substance on the body
 
  The NCAA and Nichols College prohibit the use of tobacco products in all sports during practices and competition. The use of tobacco may result in suspension or dismissal from the team.
  Student-athletes are required to travel to and from an athletic competition with their teammates and coaches. Travel with parents is not allowed without permission from the head coach. Student-athletes, regardless of age, may not possess or consume regulated alcoholic beverages or other controlled substances while involved in a college sanctioned athletic event as well as travel to and from a contest or practice. Any violation of this policy will subject the student-athlete to immediate disciplinary action; including being sent back to campus, suspension, dismissal, and other sanctions for conduct violation authorized by the College policy.
  Student-athletes are expected to be aware that electronic communication/ social media is considered a public forum and information posted may be viewed by anyone. Information posted electronically may be monitored and may be brought to the attention of conduct officials when they are seen as possible violations of the Student Code of Conduct.
 
  The Equipment room staff is available to help you. Acting disrespectfully toward any equipment room staff member will not be tolerated. Laundry services provided to you are privileges, not a right and may be revoked at will. If you have a problem with any of your equipment, your uniform, or apparel, ask for assistance immediately.
You are responsible for all equipment/apparel issued to you by the Athletics Department.
 

• You are responsible for all equipment/apparel issued to you by the Athletics Department. All items signed-out by student-athletes are property of Nichols College and must be respected and returned at the end of the season unless otherwise directed by the Equipment Manager.

• Equipment and uniforms issued to student –athletes are solely to be used as a member of an official varsity event. Personal use of equipment and uniforms outside sanctioned events will result in loss of privileges in the current and future seasons.
• Student-athletes are prohibited from performing alterations and modifications on equipment or apparel without consent of both the Equipment Manager and the Head Coach. Alert an equipment room staff member as soon as possible if any of your equipment or apparel needs repairs, tailoring. Replacement or exchanges.
• Game uniforms and practice attire should be returned to the equipment room immediately after games and practices to be washed.

               NO EXCEPTIONS! All uniforms, apparel, and equipment issued by Nichols College and      signed out by student-athletes will be due back in the Equipment Room no later than     48 hours following the last scheduled contest or practice. If items are not returned, the
               Athletics Department will post an amount due to the student’s account.
 
Failure to adhere to the due date on the bill will result in a submission of a report to the Dean of Students for Theft/Destruction of College Property and a hold will be placed on the student’s academic transcripts.
 
  Your physical welfare is very important to us at Nichols College. If you are injured during athletic competition or practice you will receive excellent medical care. Recuperation and recovery after an illness will be closely monitored by the Sports Medicine Staff to ensure that you will be at your peak level of physical health when competing. They are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals. With athletic participation comes the inherent risk of injury, and we are here to help you in the following ways:

• Reduce the risk of injury through physical screening, conditioning programs and education.
• Should an injury occur, be available for consultation, referral to the trainer, and develop a treatment and rehabilitation program that will guide you to full recovery.
• Act as a liaison between the doctor, coach, parents, and the athlete so everyone has a full understanding of the capabilities or limitations the injury imposes.
• Educate the athlete so that he/she understands his/her injury, responsibilities, and the future implications for participation.

When a student-athlete is admitted to Nichols College, before practice or competition in any sport is allowed, he or she is required to have a physical examination by a family physician, within six (6) months of their sport competition. You are also required to have health forms on file with the Sports Medicine staff, including a copy of your insurance card.