1. Case Studies: Putting Bylaws Into Practice
Brenda Blackburn & Krishna Lee
Legislative Services Team

2. Glossary: TOA = term(s) of attendance SOC = season(s) of competition
24/36-Hour Rule = eligibility requirements in V.C.6
Progress Rule = eligibility requirements in V.C.9
Situational Analysis = document to assist in determining reactivation with the EC
EC = Eligibility Center
CR ER = Credit Earned
Evaluative Criteria = evaluation of competitive experience
PSAY = Postsecondary Amateur Year

3. Assumptions:
Assume all transcripts for each student are included in the provided documentation.
Assume the students did not participate anywhere other than the leagues and intercollegiate competition listed.
Assume all students are first-time NAIA participants, unless otherwise noted.
Assume you are certifying students today for Spring 2016, unless otherwise noted.
On the transcripts, you will not need to know what a specific symbol means on the transcript unless otherwise noted.

4. Scenario 1: Robin Roberts
Question 1
Scenario 1: Robin Roberts
Key Concepts: Freshman Eligibility, Term of Attendance, Season of Competition
Robin leaves Southeastern Louisiana State University Fall 2014, but returns to the same institution in Fall Is she charged a term of attendance for Fall 2014?
Yes, because there are ‘W’s on her transcript, Robin will be charged a term of attendance for Fall 2014.
No, because Robin returned to the same school for Fall 2015, she is not charged a term of attendance for Fall 2014.
Inconclusive. It depends on if she withdrew within 21 days of the start of the term.

5. Question 1
Answer: #3 – Inconclusive. We must know when she withdrew to determine.
Rationale: Article V, Section B, Items 19
Because we don’t know when Robin withdrew from classes we can’t say for sure if she should be charged a term of attendance for Fall If Robin withdrew within 21 days bylaw V.B.19 comes into play stating:
If a student identified with an institution officially totally withdraws from that institution within 21 calendar days following the official opening date of classes as stated in the institutional catalog and returns and again becomes identified with the same institution (without becoming identified at another institution), the student shall not be charged with a term of attendance for the term in which the student withdrew.
If Robin did not withdrawal within 21 days, Fall 2014 will count as a term of attendance because she received ‘W’s in more than 12 hours of coursework.

6. Scenario 1: Robin Roberts
Question 2
Scenario 1: Robin Roberts
Key Concepts: Freshman Eligibility, Term of Attendance, Season of Competition
Robin transferred to your institution for the Spring 2016 academic term. She has met 2 of the 3 freshman eligibility requirements. Is she eligible to play this spring?
Yes. Robin is eligible because she met freshman eligibility requirements out of high school and she has not completed a full term yet.
Yes. Robin is eligible because the cumulative total of attempted hours is 15 and she only needs 9 to be eligible for her second term.
No. Robin is not eligible because she did not pass 9 institutional credit hours in her first term of attendance.
Inconclusive: we need more information. We need to know if she withdrew from classes before or after the census date to know if a term of attendance should be charged for Fall 2014.

7. Answer: #3 – No. She did not pass nine institutional credit hours
Question 2
Answer: #3 – No. She did not pass nine institutional credit hours
Rationale: Article V, Section C, Items 5
Robin must have accumulated a minimum of nine institutional credit hours prior to identification for the second term of attendance in order to be eligible in her second term of attendance.

8. Scenario 1: Robin Roberts
Question 3
Scenario 1: Robin Roberts
Key Concepts: Freshman Eligibility, Term of Attendance, Season of Competition
You have just discovered that Robin played in one game at Southeastern Louisiana State and was charged a SOC before she transferred to your institution. Your soccer coach would like her to play in the spring scrimmages so she can build some chemistry with the other women on the team. Is she eligible to play?
Yes. Since the team is only competing in scrimmages, players do not have to be certified as eligible in order to play.
No. Robin must have accumulated 9 institutional credit hours in order to be eligible to play as a second term freshman.
No. Robin must be certified for her second season of competition and needs to have 24 institutional credit hours in order to meet the progress rule.
Both 2 & 3

9. Answer: #4 – No, both the Nine-Hour Rule and Progress Rule must be met
Question 3
Answer: #4 – No, both the Nine-Hour Rule and Progress Rule must be met
Rationale: Article V, Section C, Items 5; Article V, Section C, Item 9
As a second term freshman, Robin must earn nine institutional credit hours in order to be eligible for her second term of attendance.
As a student being certified for her second season of competition, Robin will need to have accumulated 24 semester institutional credit hours to meet the Progress Rule.
Once Robin departs Southeastern Louisiana State she ends her first SOC. In order to be eligible to play in the spring term at your institution she will have to be certified for her second SOC. Which means she would have had to accumulate 24 institutional credit hours. These hours can be across all previous collegiate coursework and not specifically after initial identification. She would also have to meet the Nine-Hour Rule in order to be eligible as a second term freshman. All nine hours satisfying the Nine-Hour Rule must have been accumulated after initial identification.

10. Scenario 2: Venus Williams
Question 4
Scenario 2: Venus Williams
Key Concepts: Residency Period
Venus transferred to your institution in January 2016, without a release, after competing for her last NAIA school, Compton University, in the Fall 2015 volleyball season. Your spring term began on January 21st and spring break is March 26th- April 3. The last day of finals is May 6th, which is listed as the last day of the term in the course catalog, and grades are posted on May 11th. The first Fall 2016 competition is August 8th and Fall 2016 term begins August 15th. Will Venus meet the residency period to be able to compete in the first volleyball competition on August 8th?
Yes. Venus will not participate for the full 16 week spring semester which fulfills the residency requirement.
No. Venus will not meet the residency period because spring break does not count towards the residency period which means she only served 15 weeks of the 16 weeks required.
No. Venus will not satisfy the residency period because the total number of days in the term from January 21st to May 6th is 107 and the requirement is 112 days.
Yes. Venus will meet the residency requirement because the total number of days in the term from January 21st to May 11th is 112 days.

11. Question 4
Answer: #3 - No, Venus must serve a total of 112 days in residence before playing
Rationale: Article V, Section B, Items 16; Article V, Section G, Item 2
Identification with an institution for 16 calendar weeks (112 calendar days) during the regular school year (summer session not included).
This period shall be counted from the opening date of classes as stated in the official college catalog or from the date on which the student enrolls, whichever is later. No part of the 16 weeks shall fall between the end of the term immediately preceding the regular summer term and/or summer vacation and the beginning of the fall term.

12. Scenario 2: Serena Williams
Question 5
Scenario 2: Serena Williams
Key Concepts: Situational Analysis, EC determination requirements
(This question does not have any corresponding documentation, but the Situational Analysis would be useful.)
Venus has a sister, let’s call her Serena, who plays basketball and transfers to your institution in Spring 2016 with Venus. Serena received an EC determination of eligible in Fall 2015 with the intention to play for Compton University, but she did not represent Compton University in competition. Does Serena need to be reactivated and receive an updated EC determination?
Yes. Serena must receive an updated determination from the EC before she is eligible to play because she did not use her original determination in the term it was determined and she transferred.
No. Serena has already received a determination of eligible from the EC so we can handle her eligibility on our campus as a continuing student.

13. Answer: #1 - Yes. Serena must be reactivated with the EC
Question 5
Answer: #1 - Yes. Serena must be reactivated with the EC
Rationale: CFAR Policy, III.2; Situational Analysis No. 6
Students who receive an eligible determination from the EC and transfer before competing or using their determination must be reactivated with the EC and be given an updated determination before they are eligible to participate for their new institution.

14. Question 6
Scenario 3: Mia Hamm
Key Concepts: Transfer, Progress Rule, 24/36-Hour Rule, GPA
Mia transfers to your institution from Chapel Hill College at the beginning of Fall 2015 academic term. She has played two seasons in women’s soccer for CHC (Fall 2011 and Fall 2013). Mia would like to compete in the Fall 2015 women’s soccer season at your institution. Is she eligible to compete?
Yes. The progress rule requires that Mia must have earned 48 institutional credit hours and she has 61.
Yes. The progress rule requires that a student with junior standing must have a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Mia has a 2.08 and is eligible.
Both 1 and 2
No. Mia is not eligible because she did not earn 24 institutional credit hours in her last two terms of attendance.

15. Answer: #4 - No. Mia does not meet the 24/36-Hour Rule
Question 6
Answer: #4 - No. Mia does not meet the 24/36-Hour Rule
Rationale: Article V, Section C, Item 6
After completion of the second semester term or third quarter term of attendance and from then on, a student must have accumulated a minimum of 24 institutional credit hours in the two immediately previous terms of attendance in a semester system or 36 institutional credit hours in the three immediately previous terms of attendance in a quarter system.
Fall 2013 and Spring 2014 are Mia’s two most recent TOAs. Due to her withdrawal in Spring 2014, Mia only accumulated twelve institutional credit hours in her last two TOAs. Mia is able to use the nine hours she earned in Spring 2015 towards meeting the 24/36-Hour Rule since they were earned after her second most recent TOA, but that still leaves Mia three hours short of meeting the 24/36-Hour Rule.

16. Question 7
Scenario 3: Mia Hamm
Key Concepts: Transfer, Progress Rule, 24/36-Hour Rule, GPA
Mia mentions, in an offhanded comment, that prior to transferring to your institution, she enrolled in a two credit junior college course in summer 2015 in which she earned a D. However, you know your institution will not accept transfer work earned below a C-. The next day you receive the transcript. Can you calculate this credit into the 24/36-Hour Rule?
Yes, because the credit should be taken at face value and can be calculated into the 24/36-Hour Rule.
No, only credit that is accepted by your institution can be used to satisfy the 24/36-Hour Rule.

17. Question 7
Answer: #1 - Yes. The credit should be taken at face value from the issuing school’s transcript
Rationale: Article V, Section C, Item 6
All credit hours used to meet this total of 24/36 institutional credit hours are to be taken at face value and are not to be converted.
No more than 12 institutional credit hours earned during summer and/or during non-terms may be applied to meet the 24/36-Hour Rule. Such credit must be earned after one or both of the two immediately previous TOAs.
Mia’s course from the junior college should be taken at face value by her new institution and may be added into her non-term totals that may be applied to satisfy the 24/36- Hour Rule.

18. Question 8
Scenario 3: Mia Hamm
Key Concepts: Transfer, Progress Rule, 24/36-Hour Rule, GPA
Does the previous answer change if Mia was identified with your institution in Spring 2015 before taking the summer course?
No. The course should still be taken at face value from the issuing institution’s transcript.
Yes. The course must be accepted by your institution in order for it to count towards the 24/36-Hour Rule.

19. Question 8
Answer: #2 - Yes. Mia’s previous identification with the NAIA school will make a difference
Rationale: Article I, Section N, Item 1, Casebook Example
In this situation, the credits cannot be used to satisfy the 24/36-Hour Rule. Unlike the previous question, the student is identified at your NAIA institution. If the identifying institution will not accept the credit, the NAIA will not recognize such work. The key factors in determining if summer credit will be applied to meet the 24/36-Hour Rule are: 1) the hours are approved by the institution where the student is identified; and 2) the hours are accepted by the institution where the student is identified.

20. Scenario 4: Wilma Rudolph
Question 9
Scenario 4: Wilma Rudolph
Key Concepts: Winter-Term Course
Wilma, a track athlete at your institution, is three credits short of meeting the 24/36-Hour Rule at the conclusion of the Fall 2015 term. You advise her to find a winter-term course to take. She finds a course at Tennessee State College and brings you TSC’s academic calendar for proof.
Wilma completes the course and you receive the final transcript from TSC. TSC applies the course to Spring 2016 academic term. The Registrar at your institution said she would be able to transfer the course in as a winter inter-term course. Can the course be used towards satisfying the 24/36-Hour Rule for Spring 2016?
Yes. Because the course was finished before the start of the Spring 2016 term at your institution.
Yes. Although the course is attributed to the Spring 2016 term at the issuing institution, our institution will apply it as a winter inter-term course.
No. Because the course is listed under the Spring 2016 term and credits must be earned prior to the term in which eligibility is being sought.
Answer 2 adds new information- change that
Are we spelling out school policy well enough?

21. Question 9
Answer: #3 - No. The credits are applied to the term in which eligibility is being sought
Rationale: Article I, Section N, Item 2
In their role as the official interpreter of the rules, the NEC has confirmed in a recent case that credits intended to be used for eligibility purposes, must be earned prior to the term in which eligibility is being sought. Although the NAIA institution in this scenario is able to transfer the credit to their institution as a winter inter-term course, the credits are listed as Spring 2016 on the issuing school’s transcript and must be taken at face value.
Although adjusting the term in which a student earned credit at another institution may be common practice on your campus for all students. In this case the credits must be taken at face value from the issuing institution’s transcript for both the 24/36-Hour Rule and the Progress Rule.

22. Scenario 5: Dominique Dawes
Question 10
Scenario 5: Dominique Dawes
Key Concepts: Calculating TOA, Transfer, 24/36-Hour Rule exception
Dominique enrolls in her local network of community college campus. She uses the same administration portal for enrollment at Eastern Community College and Western Community College. She enrolls in at least 12 credits total each term for three semesters (Spring 2013, Fall 2013 and Spring 2014) through the portal. Should Dominique be charged terms of attendance?
Yes. Dominique should be charged a term of attendance for each term because she used the same administrative portal to enroll full-time.
Yes, but only for Spring 2013 and Spring Fall 2013 she was enrolled in nine credits at Eastern CC and three credits at Western CC, which identifies her with Eastern CC.
No. Dominique will not be charged terms of attendance because her enrollment is shown on two separate transcripts from two different institutions.

23. Question 10
Answer: #3 - No. Dominique will not be charged TOAs for these semesters
Rationale: Article V, Section B, Item 19, Casebook Example
A student is identified and charged a term of attendance upon enrolling in 12 or more institutional credit hours at a single institution or at least nine or more institutional credit hours at an NAIA institution with at least three hours at another institution as reported by the institution’s registrar on an official transcript based on the institution's official census date, or by representing an institution in an intercollegiate contest.
Because this student was not enrolled in 12 institution credit hours as a SINGLE institution, she is not considered to be identified and is therefore not charged terms of attendance for any of the terms in question.

24. Scenario 6: Tonya Harding
Question 11
Scenario 6: Tonya Harding
Key Concepts: EC Determination, Reactivation
Tonya was enrolled at West University when she was expelled from the institution in Fall 2009 for “unsportsman like conduct” (allegedly) against a fellow competitor.
Since 2009, Tonya has attended BACC, until Fall 2012 when she attended her first NAIA institution, Munich University, for one academic term. In summer 2015 she enrolled in her second NAIA institution, Kerrigan University, and continued her enrollment into Fall 2015.
Tonya is seeking an eligibility determination for spring Is Tonya subject to a residency requirement due to her expulsion?
No. This rule does not apply to Tonya because the bylaw only addresses suspensions, not expulsions.
Yes. Tonya must serve the two term residency requirement at the NAIA school in which she will participate.

25. Answer: #2 - Yes. Tonya must serve the residency period
Question 11
Answer: #2 - Yes. Tonya must serve the residency period
Rationale: Article V, Section F, Item 6
A transfer student who has been suspended (or its equivalent) for any reason, including athletic department policy, from any institution of higher learning must establish residency of two full semesters, two full trimesters, or three full quarters of attendance at the NAIA institution or until the institutional suspension period at the suspending institution has been terminated, whichever is shorter, before intercollegiate participation at an NAIA institution shall be permitted.
An expulsion is viewed as an indefinite suspension, with no termination date. Because of this, any student who has been expelled would need to serve the full residency period at a single NAIA institution where they wish to compete before they are eligible to participate.
Legislation passes at 2016 convention alters this answer. Beginning Aug 1, 2016 students will not have to serve the residency period at the NAIA school they wish to compete, but at any four-year institution. See bylaw V.D.5 in handbook.

26. Scenario 7: Becky Hammon
Question 12
Scenario 7: Becky Hammon
Key Concepts: EC Determination, Reactivation
Becky graduated from high school in Spring 2015, registers with the EC and receives a determination of eligible for the sports of Women’s Cross Country and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field for Fall Becky enrolls at the NAIA institution, Colorado Springs University, for Fall Becky does not compete in cross country, but does compete in an indoor track and field meet on December 5th. Did a violation occur?
Yes. Becky should have received an EC determination in indoor track before competing.
No. A determination in outdoor track and field may carry over to indoor track and field since they are the same sport.
No. Since Becky is not subject to a competitive experience review she does not need to receive a determination for indoor track and field before competing.

27. Question 12
Answer: #3 - No. Becky does not need to be reactivated to be eligible for Indoor Track
Rationale: Situational Analysis No. 10
Becky is not required to be reactivated with the EC because she is not subject to a competitive experience review. The situational analysis states: For students who are not subject to the competitive experience rule (identified at the NAIA institution before the first day o the thirteenth month after high school graduation and does not have a break in enrollment) no reactivation is required.
For students who are subject to a competitive experience review, reactivation is not required if the student competes for the NAIA school in the original sport before adding a new sport. Reactivation is required if the student wishes to participate in a new sport before competing in the sport they were originally determined for.

28. Question 13
Scenario 8: Dara Torres
Key Concepts: Assessing Competitive Experience, Invitational Sports
Dara graduated from high school May She enrolls at an NAIA institution, Gainesville University, in Fall Dara attends tryouts for the club lacrosse team and is selected to join the team. Because Gainesville’s club team is extremely competitive, all of their competitions in the season, when they were representing GU, were against intercollegiate teams in the area. Dara has now transferred to your institution and will be playing on your varsity lacrosse team beginning in Fall Will she be charged seasons of competition for her participation with the club team?
No. Club teams on NAIA campuses are considered to be unattached competition and therefore not chargeable.
No. The team was not operated by the athletic department and therefore not considered intercollegiate and not chargeable.
Yes. Dara’s participation on the club team is considered elite-level because two of the evaluative criteria for participation on a team are met.

29. Question 13
Answer: #3 - Yes. Dara’s club team is chargeable as outside competitive experience
Rationale: Meets items 2 & 6 of Evaluative Criteria
You must first determine if Dara’s club team meets unattached criteria. Because the team competed representing GU, the unattached criteria are not met and the evaluative criteria must be used to determine if the team is chargeable as outside competitive experience.
This team meets two of the evaluative criteria for outside competitive experience and therefore must be seen as a chargeable team. Any competition with this team will charge a student a season of competition.

30. Question 14
Scenario 9: Dara Torres
Key Concepts: Assessing Competitive Experience, Invitational Sports
Dara was properly certified and played lacrosse for the Gainesville University club team in the academic year through the NWLL. Does she need to receive an eligible determination from the EC before she can play for your institution in the academic year?
No. Since Dara played at an NAIA school in the school year and was certified she is grandfathered in and does not need to go through the EC.
No. Lacrosse will not be a championship sport in the school year so there is no requirement for lacrosse students to receive EC determinations.
Yes. Dara would have had to play for your institution last year in in order to be grandfathered in.
Yes. Because the team she played for in was not a varsity team, Dara must receive a determination from the EC before she may play in the season.

31. Answer: #4 - Yes. Dara must have an EC determination before competing
Question 14
Answer: #4 - Yes. Dara must have an EC determination before competing
Rationale: CFAR Policy, III.5
Lacrosse and Men’s Volleyball are all entering second year invitational status as NAIA sports in All first time NAIA participants in these sports are expected to receive EC determinations before they are eligible to compete. Students who meet the following criteria may be grandfathered into the NAIA and are not required to receive EC determinations before competition:
The student’s eligibility for participation was certified under the applicable eligibility rules governing the sports in its first year as a recognized invitational sport;
The student represented an NAIA institution in an intercollegiate contest in the applicable sport’s first year as a recognized invitational sport;
The student’s institution sponsored the applicable sport as a varsity intercollegiate sport as defined by NAIA bylaws and submitted a declaration of intent noting the sport’s varsity status; and
The student is properly certified as meeting all other NAIA eligibility requirements listed in NAIA Bylaws Article V.

32. Scenario 10: Misty May-Treanor
Question 15
Scenario 10: Misty May-Treanor
Key Concepts: Outside Competitive Experience & SOC
Misty graduated from high school in May 2012 and competed in the following chargeable golf events after her PSAY. How many seasons of competition has Misty used?
July 1, 2013
June 12, 2014
June 21, 2014
July 2, 2014
July 19, 2014
October 9, 2014
1 SOC for her participation in the 2014 calendar year
2 SOC. 1 for competing in 2013 and 1 for competing in 2014
2 SOC. 1 for the first three competitions listed and 1 for the last three competitions listed

33. Answer: #3 - Misty is charged 2 SOCs
Question 15
Answer: #3 - Misty is charged 2 SOCs
Rationale: Article V, Section B, Item 18, Note 2; Evaluative Criteria
Misty is an individual sport athlete. The Evaluative criteria tells us that she must be charged a SOC for competing in three chargeable competitions in a single 12-month period. Her 12-month period must start with the first chargeable competition on July 1, 2013 and runs though June 30, In this particular 12-month period she competed in three chargeable contests and is therefore charged with a SOC for this time period. Her competition on July 2, 2014 will start a new 12-month period which will run though July 1, Misty is charged a second SOC for the three competitions she played in after July 2nd.