RUAC Discussion Points for Faculty Senate on Student Absences January 25, 2017

Agenda Overview of Issue Current GA Language Background Student-Athlete Surveys Faculty Surveys Enhanced Athletic Department Procedures Ideas to Strengthen Faculty Procedures

Overview of Issue Small but significant percentage of faculty do not give students a “reasonable opportunity” to make up class work missed due to absences at university-sponsored extracurricular activities Current GA language that absences are “rare” is inaccurate for Student-Athletes (SAs), particularly during sports seasons University-wide processes on absences should be strengthened

Current GA Language The university understands that students participating in university-sponsored extracurricular activities may, on rare occasions, need to miss a class session during the semester. As a matter of course, students should inform their instructors in advance of absences resulting from participation in university-sponsored activities, and faculty normally will give a reasonable opportunity to make up work missed on such occasions. General Announcements (2016-2017), Attendance and Excused Absences (2nd paragraph)

Student-Athlete Surveys F15 question: “My faculty member’s sensitivity to my intercollegiate sport obligations as a student-athlete.” S16 question: “My faculty members give a reasonable opportunity to make up class work missed due to my university sanctioned responsibilities as a student-athlete”. In an end of season survey, SAs were asked to rate and describe their experiences at Rice on variety of topics related to athletics. The following questions were posed that pertain to this topic: The S16 question was updated to more specifically address this topic) Unsatisfactory Below Expectations Meets Expectations Exceeds Expectations Outstanding Total Responses 5 28 100 46 26 205 2.44% 13.66% 48.78% 22.44% 12.68%  

RUAC Faculty Perception Surveys RUAC interviewed 43 faculty on six questions on SAs intellectual curiosity and capacity, honor code adherence, leadership, and a specific question regarding absences: “Does the practice, travel, and competition schedule of student-athletes create issues in the classroom (team projects, missed classes, make-up assignments)? If so, please explain how and why this is the case.” ~55% Missed classes an issue, sometimes serious—especially labs, team projects, and “learning in the classroom” ~45% Missed classes not an issue or no more than for non-athletes ~10% Indicated faculty refusal / significant reluctance to provide SAs reasonable opportunity to make up missed classwork RUAC faculty provided further anecdotal information on faculty refusals

Enhanced Athletic Dept. Procedures Starting F16, SAs given signed letters at start of each semester listing all classes must miss for university-sanctioned sports events Encourages SA and faculty communication Met with positive faculty feedback Consideration to also reviving all-sports calendar NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR, currently Rob Griffin) reminders to SAs that he can help with issues Athletic Director Joe Karlgaard strongly committed to working with coaches and staff to minimize absences and smooth processes

Ideas to Strengthen Procedures Clarify and strengthen the GA language in regard to absences at university-sponsored events Change inaccurate “rare” language Specify an ombudsman or process to help students and faculty with issues Remind SAs that they may also seek assistance from the FAR Require new GA language in course syllabi, akin to university requirements on documented disabilities Provide annual reminders of university policy, akin to university reminders on documented disabilities Provide training and outreach to deans, faculty, and students Make clear that faculty practices that deny any student realistic options to reschedule assignments are not consistent with Rice University policy