Table of Contents

TAMUK BackgroundAthletic Department MissionAthletic Organizational ChartAthletic Department Staff DirectoryNCAA Division II Philosophy StatementBeing a JavelinaLone Star Conference Code of ConductNCAA Ethical ConductStudent-Athlete ConductAthletic Policies and Procedures

Alcohol PolicyIllegal Drug PolicyTobacco PolicyTeam RulesGame PoliciesPractice PoliciesTravel PoliciesUniform Policies

Academic Policies and Procedures

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A QUICK LOOK AT A&M-KINGSVILLE

Texas A&M University-Kingsville has long served the people of South Texas as well as students from throughout Texas, and beyond. Founded in 1925 as the South Texas State Teachers College, the university has changed over the years to meet the changing needs of its students. In some instances, these changes have necessitated a change in the institution’s name. For instance in 1929, three additional areas of study were added causing the name to be changed to the Texas College of Arts and Industry. Receiving university status from the state legislature in 1967 resulted in the name being changed to Texas A&I University. The most recent name change occurred in 1993 when, after being a member of the Texas A&M University System for four years, the name was changed to Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) is a federation of state universities and agencies dedicated to serving students and citizens through education, leadership development, research and service. TAMUS is one of the largest and most renowned systems of higher education in the United States. With its headquarters in College Station, the system includes ten universities with a total enrollment of approximately 100,000 students. The first member of the system, Texas A&M University (College Station) was founded in 1876. Today, it is the third largest university in the country with an enrollment of approximately 45,000 students. Other current members of the system are Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas A&M University-Texarkana, West Texas A&M University (Canyon), Texas A&M International University (Laredo), Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University and Texas A&M University-Galveston.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville (A&M-Kingsville) is a regional university with a current enrollment of approximately 8,300 students. A&M-Kingsville students may choose a field of study from any of the 114 degree programs (undergraduate and graduate) offered by the university through its six academic colleges: Dick & Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Human Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business Administration, College of Education and Human Performance, Frank H. Dotterweich College of Engineering and College of Graduate Studies.

A&M-KINGSVILLE ATHLETIC PROGRAM

Texas A&M University-Kingsville is a Division II member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and has been a member of the Lone Star Conference (LSC) since 1954. The coaches and staff of the athletic department are identified below.

THE DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS: ITS PEOPLE AND MISSION

Texas A&M-Kingsville’s current athletic program fields teams in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, football, women’s golf, softball, women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and field and volleyball. Thus, sports in general and intercollegiate athletics, in particular, make a significant contribution to the overall success of the university. As a result, the department of athletics plays a vital role in helping the university achieve its stated purpose. This role is defined by the department’s mission statement, which is shown below.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville participates in intercollegiate athletic competition as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Lone Star Conference to compliment the institution’s educational mission. The university’s athletic program is built upon the concept that effective student development involves processes related to the body and mind. Thus, the athletic department strives to

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maintain a highly competitive atmosphere to help promote technical application of skill, physical well-being and the development of desirable social values.The athletic department is committed to:

1. Providing superior instruction.2. Achieving success on the field of competition.3. Adhering to the principles of amateur athletic competition.4. Projecting a positive image of the university.

In doing so, the athletic department pledges to operate in an ethical manner and within the structure of the university. In addition, the department pledges to operate on a plane of high integrity when contributing to the personal development of individual participants.

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART***

DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS

D. Scott Gines VP for Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation 361-593-2411Ruben Cantu Sr. Assoc. Athletic Director/Head Trainer 361-593-2493Joe Biedron Assoc. Athletic Director of External Advancement 361-593-2692Marques Dantzler Asst. AD for Academics and Compliance 361-593-2155Hanna Lantz Coordinator of Student-Athlete Services/ S.W.A. 361-593-4268Kelvin Queliz Sports Information Director 361-593-2870Phillip Pongrantz Assistant Sports Information Director 361-593-4876Anthony Giacometti Assistant Director of Development-Athletics 361-593-4760Fred Nuesch Coordinator of External Affairs 361-593-3908David Brock Operations and Events Coordinator 361-593-2500Phillip Brown Asst. Athletic Director-Financial Operations 361-593-2411Rosie Moreno Assistant Manager-Tickets 361-593-4030Tena Savage Assistant Athletic Trainer 361-593-2592Monica Valdez Assistant Athletic Trainer 361-593-4876Robb Rogers Strength and Conditioning Coach 361-593-4568Michael Peres Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach 361-293-4568Jason Gonzales Head Baseball Coach 361-593-3487Philip Middleton Assistant Baseball Coach 361-593-3487Johnny Estelle Head Men’s Basketball Coach 361-593-2412Mark Mathew Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach 361-593-3387L. Wade Scott Head Women’s Basketball Coach 361-593-4029Brittany Mason Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach 361-593-4029Daren Wilkinson Head Football Coach 361-593-2585Phil Serchia Offensive Line 361-593-2497James Jefferson Defensive Backs 361-593-2585Jaime Martinez Running Backs/Full Backs 361-593-2498David Brown II Defensive Coordinator 361-593-4524Ronnie Palmer Defensive Coordinator 361-593-4879Alessandra Dominguez Co-Head Golf Coach 361-658-5110Mark Dominguez Co-Head Golf Coach 361-460-0344Betsy White-Dean Head Softball Coach 361-593-3388Autumn Williams Head Tennis Coach 325-200-9443Ryan Dall Head Men’s and Women’s Track & Field/Cross 361-593-2424

Country CoachTanya Allen Head Volleyball Coach 361-593-2413Joseph Morales Assistant Volleyball Coach 361-593-4872Hannah Walker Assistant Volleyball Coach 361-593-4875

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NCAA DIVISION II PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

Members of Division II believe that a well-conducted intercollegiate athletics program, based on sound educational principles and practices, is a proper part of the educational mission of a university or college and that the educational welfare of the participating student-athlete is of primary concern.

Members of Division II support the following principles in the belief that these objectives assist in defining the division and the possible differences between it and other divisions of the Association. This statement shall serve as a guide for the preparation of legislation by the division and for planning and implementation of programs by institutions and conferences.

A member of Division II:

Believes in promoting the academic success of its student-athletes, measured in part by an institution's student-athletes graduating at least at the same rate as the institution's student body; 

Believes that participation in intercollegiate athletics benefits the educational experience of its student-athletes and the entire campus community; 

Believes in offering opportunities for intercollegiate athletics participation consistent with the institution's mission and philosophy;   

Believes in preparing student-athletes to be good citizens, leaders and contributors in their communities;    

Believes in striving for equitable participation and competitive excellence, encouraging sportsmanship and ethical conduct, enhancing diversity and developing positive societal attitudes in all of its athletics endeavors;  

Believes in scheduling the majority of its athletics competition with other members of Division II, insofar as regional qualification, geographical location and traditional or conference scheduling patterns permit;    

Recognizes the need to "balance" the role of the athletics program to serve both the campus (participants, student body, faculty-staff) and the general public (community, area, state);    

Believes in offering opportunity for participation in intercollegiate athletics by awarding athletically related financial aid to its student-athletes;    

Believes that institutional control is a fundamental principle that supports the educational mission of a Division II institution and assumes presidential involvement and commitment.  

All funds supporting athletics should be controlled by the institution.  The emphasis for an athletics department should be to operate within an institutionally approved budget, and compliance with and self-enforcement of NCAA regulations is an expectation of membership;

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and believes that all members of Division II should commit themselves to this philosophy and to the regulations and programs of Division II

BEING A JAVELINA

As Texas A&M-Kingsville student-athlete, you are an important part of the university athletic department as well as its student body in general. Please take a moment and look closely at the term, student-athlete. The word student comes before the word athlete…and it does so for a very important reason. Your first responsibility is to be a student, then an athlete. Academics always have and always will come before athletics for Texas A&M-Kingsville student-athletes.

Remember, simply being part of the university student body does not mean you can participate in intercollegiate athletics. Athletic participation is not a student’s right; it is a privilege. Rights are freely granted; they cost you nothing. Privileges, on the other hand, are not free; you must earn them. Thus, you must earn the privilege of being able to participate in intercollegiate athletics. To do so, you will have to effectively budget your time and energy to meet the academic demands of being an athlete, most notably, those related to practice, travel and competition. Simply put, you must be successful as a student in order to enjoy the privilege of participation in intercollegiate athletic competition.

LONE STAR CONFERNCE CODE OF CONDUCT

Sportsmanlike Conduct Policy. It shall be the responsibility of each member institution to ensure that allindividuals employed by or directly associated with the athletics program of that institution, including its student athletes, conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner when representing their university, especially at intercollegiate athletic contests. Inappropriate conduct shall subject the individual to disciplinary action. The member institution with which the individual is associated may also be subject to disciplinary action if it is found that the institutions' policies, actions, or failure to act, substantially contributed to the individual's misconduct. Inappropriate Conduct Defined: Acts of inappropriate conduct shall include, but not be limited to, the following and shall be subject to private or public reprimand or suspension from a contest(s) as the Commissioner deems appropriate in the event of a flagrant violation or additional offense:

a. Any person (athletic department staff member or student-athlete) who strikes or physically abuses anofficial, opposing coach, player or spectator.b. Any person who intentionally incites participants or spectators to violent or abusive action.c. Any person who uses obscene gestures or profane or unduly provocative language or action towardsofficials, opponents or spectators.d. Any person who engages in negative recruiting, by making statements to a prospective student-athlete,parent, high school coach or other person interested in the prospective student-athlete which are not of apositive nature about another academic institution or its personnel, shall be subject to a public reprimand

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for the first offense and to a suspension of the privilege of recruiting for one season for an additionaloffense.e. Acts of inappropriate conduct not specifically prescribed.f. Any person who publicly is unduly critical of any game official, Conference personnel, another memberinstitution or its personnel, shall receive a public reprimand for the first violation, one-game suspensionfor a second violation and a two-game suspension for a third violation. (These sanctions shall not beprobated.)

Penalty for Inappropriate Conduct: When the Commissioner concludes, after a reasonable investigation, that there has been a violation of the regulation on inappropriate conduct, (s)he shall impose such penalty as (s)he deems appropriate by first giving notice to the individual or institution. The Commissioner will provide the institution reasonable time, given the circumstances involved, to take action of its own, and may adopt that action as Conference action if deemed appropriate. A penalty imposed by the Commissioner shall stand.

Carrying Penalty Over to Next Season: Whenever a penalty of suspension is imposed at or near the end of the season of competition, such penalty may be carried over into the next season of competition.Definition of Terms: As used in this regulation, "suspension" in the case of a player means that the player cannot participate in the designated number of contests but may practice; in the case of a coach, it means that the coach cannot be present in the playing arena for the designated number of contests but may conduct practice sessions.

Official Interpretation. When a violation of LSC 9.05 results in a coach being suspended from a contest, the coach shall be restricted from being within the facility where the game is to be played for a period one hour before the game until the conclusion of the contest. Further, the coach shall be restricted during the aforementioned period of time from any coaching activity, to include scouting, contacting or recruiting prospective student athletes and scouting opponents.

9.06 Pre-Game Appropriate Conduct Statement Read by Public Address Announcer: The public address announcer prior to all LSC athletic events that have public address announcers shall read a statement on appropriate conduct created by the Conference Office. In other cases the meet or contest director shall read the statement to the athletes.

9.07 Distribution of LSC Appropriate Conduct Policy: The Conference office shall distribute a Sportsmanlike Conduct Policy to the LSC institutions for distribution to the student-athletes at their pre-season compliance meeting.

Basketball Only: Technical Fouls: Players, coaches and other team personnel are subject to an accumulation policy (to include all regular season and postseason games during a given season) for technical foul calls whereby the Conference shall issue a warning letter upon any individual being called for two (2) technical fouls. Any player, coach or other team personnel shall receive a one-game suspension

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and a phone call from the Conference Office after a third (3) technical, a two-game suspension after a fourth (4), and be suspended for the remainder of the season after a fifth (5).  Administrative technical fouls will not count toward accumulations.

NCAA ETHICAL CONDUCT

Ethical ConductStandards of Honesty and Sportsmanship (Bylaw 10.01.1) – Individuals employed by (or associated with) a member institution to administer, conduct or coach intercollegiate athletics and all participating student-athletes shall act with honesty and sportsmanship at all times so that intercollegiate athletics as a whole, their institutions and they, as individuals shall represent the honor and dignity of fair play and the generally recognized high standards associate with wholesome competitive sports.

Unethical Conduct (Bylaw 10.1) – Unethical conduct by a prospective or enrolledstudent-athlete or a current or former institutional staff member may include, but is notlimited to, the following:

Refusal to furnish information relevant to an investigation of a possible violation of an NCAA regulation when requested to do so by the NCAA or the individual’s institution;Knowing involvement in arranging for fraudulent academic credit or false transcripts for a prospective or an enrolled student-athlete;Knowing involvement in offering or providing a prospective or enrolled student athlete an improper inducement or extra benefit or improper financial aid;Knowingly furnishing the NCAA or the individual’s institution false or misleading information concerning the individual’s involvement in or knowledge or matters relevant to a possible violation of an NCAA regulation;Receipt of benefits by an institutional staff member for facilitation or arranging a meeting between a student-athlete and an agent, financial advisor or a representative of an agent of advisor (e.g., “runner”), orKnowing involvement in providing a banned substance or impermissible supplement to student-athletes, or knowingly providing medications to student athletes contrary to medical licensure, commonly accepted standards of care in sports practice, or state or federal law.

STUDENT-ATHLETE CONDUCT

Texas A&M-KINGSVILLE’S CODE OF CONDUCT AND GENERAL ATHLETIC POLICIES

The following described Code of Conduct and general policies of the athletic department apply to all Texas A&M-Kingsville student-athletes and student participants. A student participant is defined as any student who is not a student-athlete, but is employed by or directly associated with the athletic department and intercollegiate athletics at Texas A&M-Kingsville. For example, student equipment managers and student trainers are considered student participants for purposes of expected behavior.

THIS IS THE CODE

Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Code of Conduct for student-athletes and student participants declares that all student-athletes and student participants shall act in a manner that consistently exhibits characteristics of good sportsmanship. As a student-athlete, your behavior must at all times reflect the high standards of honor and dignity, which characterize participation in competitive sports in the collegiate setting. If you

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fail to abide by the university’s code of conduct in general, or if you commit specific code infractions, you will be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, probation, suspension, or dismissal from the athletic program.

Ethical behavior of student-athletes is important for every institution that participates in intercollegiate athletics. Texas A&M-Kingsville’s frequent and large exposure to publicity resulting from its continued success on the fields of competition greatly intensifies the need for all Texas A&M-Kingsville student-athletes to abide by the code on a daily basis. Thus, you should know that the athletic department does not take lightly any violation of the code. Simply put, if you violate the code, you will be disciplined.

PLAGIARISM

Cheating may result in your being expelled from the University. Cheating on an exam is dishonest. However, students do, on occasion, turn in papers which they thought were acceptable, only to find out they were accused of plagiarism. If you use another person’s ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source, you are guilty of plagiarism. Failing to give proper credit for ideas, research conclusions, etc., is the same thing. A good rule of thumb is to quote the unique or witty and paraphrase the rest. If you are in doubt, check with your advisors and tutors.

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-KINGSVILLE

POLICY ON NON-ATTENDANCE DROP

Scholarship student-athletes who are dropped from a course OR receive a failing grade in a course due to nonattendance will be required to reimburse the athletic department as noted below.

Student-athletes whose scholarship covers full tuition – will be required to reimburse the athletic department the entire value of the class based on the University’s tuition and fees schedule for that semester.

Student-athletes who receive a dollar value scholarship – will be required to reimburse the athletic department a prorated share of their scholarship for the class.

o Example: Student-athlete who is receiving $2000 for the year registers for 15 hours

in a semester. Student-athlete is dropped from a 3 hour class for nonattendance. $2000 scholarship = $1000 per semester $1000 per semester/15 hours = $66.67 per hour $66.67 per hour x 3 hour course = $200 (amount to be reimbursed to

athletic department) The charges would be applied to the student-athlete’s bill and regular University financial

hold procedures would be followed (affecting registration and transcripts if the bill is over $200).

TEXAS A&M UNIVERISTY- KINGSVILLE

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POLICY ON ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

I. PURPOSE

Texas A&M University-Kingsville is committed to developing and maintaining an environment that reinforces the classroom success and pathway to graduation for students participating in intercollegiate athletic competition, and academic Integrity is essential in accomplishing these goals.

Per the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Student Handbook (p. 46), academic misconduct and academic dishonesty are defined as follows:

The following are intended as statements of general principles and are not all-inclusive.

100 Academic Misconduct

a. Failure to follow published departmental guidelines, professor’s syllabi, and other

posted academic policies in place for the orderly and efficient instruction of classes,

labs, use of academic resources and equipment.

b. Unauthorized possession of examinations, reserved library materials, laboratory

materials or other course related materials.

c. Failure to follow the instructor or proctor’s test-taking instructions, including but not

limited to not setting aside notes, books or study guides while the test is in progress,

failing to sit in designated locations and/or leaving the classroom/ test site without

permission during a test.

d. Prevention of the convening, continuation or orderly conduct of any class, lab or class

activity. Engaging in conduct that interferes with or disrupts university teaching,

research or class activities such as but not limited to: 1) making loud and distracting

noises; 2) repeatedly answering cell phones/text messaging or allowing pagers or

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phones to beep or play ring tones; 3) exhibiting erratic or irrational behavior; 4)

persisting in speaking without being recognized; 5) repeatedly leaving and entering the

classroom or test site without authorization; and 6) making physical threats, verbal

insults or intimidating remarks to the faculty member, or other students and staff.

e. Falsification of student transcript or other academic records; or unauthorized access to

academic computer records.

f. Nondisclosure or misrepresentation in filling out applications or other university

records.

g. Any action which may be deemed as unprofessional or inappropriate in the professional

community of the discipline being studied.

101 Academic Dishonesty

a. Plagiarism: Portrayal of another’s work or ideas as one’s own.

b. Cheating: Using unauthorized notes or study aids; allowing another party to do one’s

work/exam and turning in that work/exam as one’s own; getting help from another

party without the instructor’s consent; submitting the same or similar work in more

than one course without permission from the course instructors.

c. Fabrication: Falsification or creation of data, research or resources, or altering a graded

work without the prior consent of the course instructor.

d. Lying: Deliberate falsification with the intent to deceive in written or verbal form as it

applies to an academic submission.

e. Bribery: Providing, offering or taking rewards in exchange for a grade, an assignment

or the aid of academic dishonesty.

f. Threat: An attempt to intimidate a student, staff, or faculty member for the purpose of

receiving an unearned grade or in an effort to prevent the reporting of an Honor Code

violation.

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g. Aid of Academic Dishonesty: Intentionally facilitating any act of academic dishonesty

II. Non-Compliance

Charges of academic misconduct, including academic dishonesty, can greatly impact one’s academic career. If found guilty by the University, a student may face the following sanctions: failing of assignment; failing of class; suspension from the University; or, dismissal from the University. Being accountable for all submitted work is the responsibility of each Texas A&M University-Kingsville student. Failure to be accountable for one’s academic career may result in a suspension from athletic participation at the discretion of the sport Head Coach and/or Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation.

Suspensions from athletic participation will only occur following the completion of the University’s appeals process (i.e. when enacted by a student-athlete). If a student-athlete is found guilty of academic misconduct and/or dishonesty after exhausting the appeals process (or chooses not to participate in the appeals process), his/her suspension from athletic participation will take immediate effect.

A. First charge of Academic Misconduct and/or Dishonesty: 1. Notification: The student‐athlete’s head coach will be notified by the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance or the Coordinator of Student-Athlete Services that an immediate meeting with the head coach and the identified student‐athlete is required. At this meeting the student‐athlete will be informed of the allegation and provided the necessary information regarding the charges and appeals process.

2. Guilty Verdicts: The student‐athlete will be suspended from athletic competition after the appeals process (if the student-athlete chooses to enact an appeal) for a minimum number of opportunities according to the following schedule:

SPORT MINIMUM LENGTH OF

SUSPENSION

Baseball 4 games

Basketball 2 games

Cross Country One meet

Football 1 game

Golf One tournament

Softball 4 games

Tennis 2 matches

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Track & Field One meet

Volleyball 2 matches

B. Second charge of Academic Misconduct: 1. Notification: The student‐athlete’s head coach will be notified by the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance or the Coordinator of Student-Athlete Services that an immediate meeting with the head coach and the identified student‐athlete is required. At this meeting the student‐athlete will be informed of the allegation and provided the necessary information regarding the charges and appeal process.

2. Guilty Verdicts: The student‐athlete will be suspended from athletic competition after the appeals process (if the student-athlete chooses to participate in the appeals process) for a minimum number of opportunities according to the following schedule:

C. Third charge of Academic Misconduct. 1. If a student-athlete is found guilty of a third charge of academic misconduct and/or dishonesty, the student‐athlete will be suspended from competition and all athletic department activities (i.e. for a minimum of 12 months or indefinitely at the discretion of the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation).

2. The student‐athlete will immediately forfeit his/her athletic scholarship. Should the student-athlete request a transfer release, the release will indicate a disciplinary suspension rendering the student-athlete ineligible for NCAA competition for one (1) full year.

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SPORTMINIMUM LENGTH OF SUSPENSION

Baseball 8 games

Basketball 4 games

Cross Country One meet

Football 2 games

Golf One tournament

Softball 8 games

Tennis 4 matches

Track & Field One meet

Volleyball 4 matches

INTERNET MISUSE

Please be aware that the Internet can be accessed by almost anyone. Remember that you (at all times) represent Javelina Athletics. Thus, it is recommended that student-athletes do not post information including photographs, text and/or join “groups” that do not promote positive behavior. Remember that the general public, including news reporters, boosters, and recruits also have access to these websites (Facebook, MySpace, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram etc.). Do not publish personal contact information (phone numbers, physical address, dorm, class schedules, etc.). Report any problems or concerns to coaches or athletic department personnel.

SOCIAL NETWORKING WEBSITES

As a student-athlete, many fellow students and members of the community will think they know you and are a close friend.  Please know that your social networking websites (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat etc.)  are not as “private” as you may think they are. All information appearing in your account (i.e. personal data, photos, text, etc.) will be published to the internet.   This information can be accessed by anyone with a computer, even people who are not your intended target audience.  The LSC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has put together some helpful guidelines to keep you safe:

• Assume that all material will be seen by your mother, father, coach, or university president, because there is a chance it might be!

• Do not list personal contact information (i.e. phone numbers, e-mail address, physical address, dorm room, etc.).  Update your privacy settings so that your profile is not visible.

• Always monitor your account photo gallery.  Do not include photos with alcohol, nudity or obscene gestures.  Be aware that photos can be altered or saved (tagged) by others.

• Monitor your account postings and delete any derogatory or obscene statements.  You are responsible for all content appearing on your site.

• Do not reference or discuss issues regarding your team, coaches and/or athletic department.• Do not “trash talk” or post disrespectful comments aimed at opponents.• Report any problems or concerns to coaches or athletic department personnel.

Please know that future employers may check Google or other social networks to gather information on potential candidates. Often times things we think are humorous are not to a future employer.  Use common sense when publishing anything on the Internet.

As a Texas A&M University-Kingsville Student-Athlete, you will be held responsible for any actions that are deemed inappropriate and compromise the integrity of the institution and your sport. In addition, you are accountable for any behaviors that violate federal and state laws, NCAA regulations, University, team, and athletic department policies. Violating any of the above can result in discipline, team suspension, termination from your team, and reduction or non-renewal of annual athletic scholarship. Examples of inappropriate or offensive behaviors may include depictions or presentations of the following:

• Hazing• Use of alcohol (if under 21)• Use of drugs• Lewd or lascivious behavior• Access to valuable team information that promotes sports gambling• Communication with sports agents

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• Slander

IMPORTANT NUMBERS

Telephone numbers for most of the academic offices and student service providers you may need to contact while attending A&M-Kingsville are as follows:

College of Agriculture & Human Sciences 593-3712 College Of Graduate Studies 593-2808

Agriculture, Agribusiness & Enviro. Sciences 593-3719 Admissions 593-2315

Animal, Rangeland & Wildlife Sciences 593-2188 Business Office 593-2616

Human Sciences 593-2211 Cooperative Education 593-2217

College of Arts & Sciences 593-2761 Counseling & Testing 593-3991

Art 593-3401 External Affairs 593-3020

Biology 593-3803 Financial Aid 593-3911

Chemistry 593-2914 Housing 593-3419

Communications/Theater Arts 593-3401 Registrar 593-2811

History 593-3501 Grants/Scholarships 593-2479

Language & Literature 593-2516 Student Activities 593-4036

Mathematics 593-3517 Student Affairs 593-3612

Music 593-2803 Student Government Association 593-3610

Physics/Geosciences 593-3310 Health Center 593-3991

Political Science 593-3501 Student Union (SUB) 593-4036

Psychology/Sociology 593-2701 Special Programs 593-2129

Social Work 593-2761 Student Support 593-2129

College of Business Administration 593-3801 Upward Bound 593-2129

Accounting & CIS 593-3801 University Police 593-2611

Economics & Finance 593-3801 Women’s Center 593-2166

Management & Marketing 593-3801 Center for Student Success 593-3290

Computer Lab 593-2840 Academic Advising 593-3290

Student Advising 593-3902 Texas Success Initiative 593-3308

College of Education 593-2802 Library 593-3416

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Bilingual Education 593-2802 Bishop Hall 593-3527

Education Leadership / Counseling 593-2980 Lewis Hall 593-3815

Health & Kinesiology 593-2301 Lynch Hall 593-2577

Teacher Certification 593-2722 Martin Hall 593-3239

College of Engineering 593-2001 Turner Hall 593-3829

Chemical/Natural Gas Engineering 593-2002 S.P.E.C. 593-2306

Civil Engineering 593-3046 Campus Post Office 593-2595

Electrical Engineering 593-2004 KTAI-FM 593-3489

Environmental Engineering 593-3046 South Texan 593-3700

Industrial Technology 593-2608 Computer Lab 593-2841

Mechanical & Industrial Engineering 593-2003

ACADEMICS

THE STUDENT-ATHLETE’S FIRST RESPONSIBILITY

As stated previously, academics always have and always will be the number one priority for Texas A&M-Kingsville student-athletes. Your first responsibility is to succeed in the classroom. To do so requires a concentrated effort on your part. Gaining a thorough knowledge of the following topics should help you have a successful academic career at A&M-Kingsville.

KNOWING WHAT TO DO AND WHEN: IMPORTANT DATES & PROCEDURES

The official academic calendar for A&M-Kingsville appears in the university catalog and online at www.tamuk.edu. In addition to listing the courses being offered for the upcoming semester, the class schedule also includes a calendar of important dates for the specific term. Several of these dates are identified below:

Late registration Late payment fee will be assessed for registering and/or paying after this deadline.

First Class Day

5th Class Day of Fall, Spring Absolute deadlines for adding a class, changing sections, changing your degree (4th Class Day Summer Term) plan or dropping a class without having it appear on your transcript.

Drop/Withdraw Deadline Last day to drop a course or withdraw from the university during current term.

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Final Exams Final Exams are often scheduled at a time or day which is not when the class class normally meets.

PROGRESS TOWARD DEGREE CHANGES

Starting Spring 2016:

1. Student-Athletes must pass 9 semester hours per semester2. Mid-year Enrollees must pass 12 semester horus3. Student-Athletes must have an institutional cumulative GPA of 2.0

Continuing:

4. Student-Athletes must pass a minimum of 18 semester hours during the regular academic year (Fall and Spring)

5. Student-Athletes must pass a minimum of 24 semester hours for the academic year6. Student-Athletes must declare their major by the beginning of the 5th full time semester

ACADEMIC CALENDAR

Click link below to view Texas A&M University-Kingsville Academic Calendar

http://www.tamuk.edu/events/academic_calendar.html

ACADEMIC FREEDOM

All instructors are granted the right to teach their classes in a manner of their choosing so long as they remain within the parameters set by the course description in the university catalog, and of course, they adhere to applicable federal and state laws as well as the stated policies of the university. However, they still have a broad range of rights with regard to the teaching (and grading) methods they choose to use. These rights constitute what is commonly referred to as “academic freedom.” Generally speaking, your academic life will be much easier if you become aware of your instructor’s interpretations of academic freedom. Remember, in some instances academic freedom may restrict you from doing something that you might otherwise think is your right to do. For example, instructors are often allowed to set their own rules concerning how students are to make up missed work, including work missed as a result of travel and participation in intercollegiate athletic competition. In addition, instructors are usually allowed to set the penalty (grade-wise) for being late to their class or being absent without just cause, etc. Thus, you must understand the instructors’ use of academic freedom, but do not forget that there are limits on that freedom. For example, the instructor may have the right to decide how you will make up work missed due to athletic competition, but he or she cannot refuse to let you make up the work so missed.

If you believe the instructor is going beyond the limits of academic freedom, there are several alternatives available to you. However, before taking any of the listed actions below, you MUST discuss the situation with the Academics/Compliance office. These alternatives include:

1. Discussing the situation with the instructor;2. Discussing the situation with the chair of the department and then the dean of the college, if

necessary;

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3. Discussing the situation with the university’s EEOC officer, if appropriate;4. Discussing the situation with the director of the Life Services and Wellness, if appropriate; and/or5. Petitioning the university’s Student Grievance Committee.

COURSE REGISTRATION

Student-athletes are expected to complete pre-registration each semester to make sure you register for classes that meet the requirements for your degree (major and minor) and professional certificate, if applicable to your program. The university’s six colleges do not use the same system for advising students. It is your responsibility to become familiar with the process applicable to your degree program. Student-athletes should meet with their assigned academic advisor from the specific degree program. Advisors will give each student an advising form that lists the classes that need to be registered for. Students are responsible for making sure that the classes they are registering for are on their specific degree plan. Any deviation from this degree plan could affect their athletic eligibility. Once the student has met with their advisor, and obtained all of the necessary signatures for registration, they are to return the advising form, signed and filled out completely (dates, times and CRNs, etc.) and a copy of their degree plan to the Athletic Academic Office. The Athletic Academic Office will then assist the student-athlete with registering for their classes. Athletic Holds will only be removed when the student-athlete’s advising form has been reviewed by the academic office and is ready to be registered in Blue and Gold.

ADDING AND DROPPING A CLASS

Each semester’s specific add and drop dates are published with the university’s academic calendar. Courses may be dropped without a grade until the first drop date (automatic Q). After this date, THE NEW POLICY DOES NOT ALLOW A COURSE TO BE DROPPED OR A STUDENT TO WITHDRAW AFTER THE DATE FOR DROPPING WITH AN AUTOMATIC “Q” (see the academic calendar for the specific date of the semester/term).  This policy includes student initiated drops and drops for non-attendance by faculty. Student-athletes must fill out the appropriate forms to add or drop classes and turn them into the Registrar’s Office.

All student-athletes must contact the Athletic Academic Office and their coach before dropping and adding a class. A student will also be required to get his/her advisor's signature on the course drop form or the withdrawal form before the form will be processed.  This is not for an approval but will indicate the student has consulted with his/her advisor. NCAA rules require all student-athletes be enrolled as full-time students in at least 12 hours per semester for undergraduate students and 9 hours per semester for graduate students. Any student that drops below these required hours will become ineligible for practice and competition immediately.

If you decide to drop a class, you must do so. Do not expect the instructor to drop you from the class even if you speak with him or her and you both agree that you should drop. Do not expect to be dropped from a course even if the instructor tells you that he or she will drop you. It is important for you to know that attendance at every class period is required unless you have an excused absence. Instructors may drop you for non-attendance without your knowledge. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm his or her enrollment status.

MAKING A CAREER DECISION: CHOOSING A SPECIFIC DEGREE PROGRAM

The NCAA requires you at the end of your second year (4th semester) to declare your choice of a specific degree program and to show evidence that you have been accepted into that program in order for you to be eligible for athletic practice and intercollegiate competition. After choosing a major student-athletes

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are required to turn in a copy of a signed degree plan on file in the Academic/Compliance office. It is the student-athlete’s responsibility to obtain this from their academic advisor. In addition, you must make your choice and be admitted to the program no later than the beginning of your third year of enrollment (fifth semester). This rule applies whether you are a continuing student or a transfer student; if you are a transfer student, it applies whether you are transferring from a two-year or four-year institution. Moreover, the rule applies regardless of whether you have completed an academic year in residence at Texas A&M-Kingsville, and it applies even if you have not utilized a season of eligibility in your sport at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

There are two basic ways to meet this rule: (1) formally enroll in a specific baccalaureate degree program offered by A&M-Kingsville, or (2) have an academic official of A&M-Kingsville who is not employed by the athletic department declare that you have been accepted into one of the baccalaureate degree programs offered by the university.

GETTING GOOD ADVICE: ACADEMIC ADVISING FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES

As mentioned previously, all six colleges of the university do not accomplish student advising in the same manner. However, as a student-athlete, you will be assigned an academic advisor by either the department or college that offers the degree program you have selected.In addition to helping you pre-register, your academic advisor can help you when it comes to selecting a particular section or instructor, as well as showing you how to follow the department’s particular set of rules for dropping a class. Your advisor can also tell you how to best sequence your course selections. Proper sequencing is sometimes very important because often a course that you need has a prerequisite that may be offered only once a year. That information is not in the Class Schedule, but your academic advisor will know it and can alert you to possible future scheduling problems due to the choices you are making now. Advisors have a very good idea of which courses will and will not be offered during the summer sessions long before the Class Schedule is published. More importantly, academic advisors know what professional certificates are available to students. Correctly choosing elective courses is very important for student-athletes because of the NCAA’s satisfactory progress rule. Remember, some courses offered by a department may not apply to a degree offered by that department or college. You should check with your advisor, to make sure all the courses that you have selected will apply toward your degree. It is the student-athletes responsibility to review their degree and make sure all classes that they have been advised to take are applicable to their specific degree. Finally, your academic advisor will be aware of changes that have occurred with respect to the courses listed in the Class Schedule. The scheduled meeting time for a class may have been changed after the Class Schedule was posted online, or the instructor originally assigned to teach the class may have been reassigned, or the section may have been canceled. In summary, it is rather obvious that your academic advisor can be a big help to you. It is highly recommended that you develop a positive relationship with your advisor. The best way to graduate in a timely manner is to visit with your academic advisor often.

REPORTING PROGRESS: ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE REPORTS

Any student, regardless of whether he or she is a student-athlete, may on occasion experience problems related to classroom performance. When this happens to a student-athlete it is a cause of great concern because academic success is required for continued eligibility. It is easier, of course, to resolve small problems before they escalate. In many instances, small problems become big problems simply because no early action is taken. Unfortunately, not taking early action often occurs because no one is aware of the problem. Thus, the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics will periodically ask your instructors about your performance and class standing to ascertain if there is a need for tutoring or other appropriate measures of help.

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Progress reports are sent out 2-3 times a semester to assess the performance of the student-athlete in each of their classes. For student-athletes that are at risk or special admits, progress reports will be sent on a monthly basis. In addition, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and the Athletic Department have a strict policy against cheating and plagiarism. Please review the policy in your student handbook as well as the Cheating and Plagiarism form found in the appendix of this book.

PROVING CONTINUED ELIGIBILITY: PERIODIC STATUS REPORTS

The coaches and staff of the athletic department are a dedicated group of professionals who believe in the department’s mission statement. As a result, the coaching staff and the Academic/Compliance office will check regularly during your period of enrollment at Texas A&M-Kingsville to make sure you are meeting all applicable NCAA and university standards for eligibility. Sometimes you may be asked to help clarify certain issues of concern or you might be asked to obtain additional documents or data that may impact your eligibility. You will be expected to comply with these requests even if you believe it may have a negative impact on your eligibility.

STUDY HALL PROGRAM

JAVELINA STUDY HALL PROGRAM (JSHP)

“WINNING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE CLASSROOM”

The Javelina Study Hall Program or JSHP will provide opportunities for student-athletes to develop and improve their study habits as they mature into independent learners.

JHSP will occur in the following buildings and hours:

Eckhardt Building Room: 144 and 145 8:00 am- 2:00 pm Monday through Thursday

8:00 am- 12:00 pm Friday

Eckhardt Building Room: 162 and 258 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm Monday through Thursday

Rooms are subject to change; Room Changes will be communicated

Graduation Pathways Success Center - 6:00 pm-9:00 pm Monday through Thursday

GPS (2nd Floor of the Library)

*Tutoring and Independent Studying Only*

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Who are participants of JSHP?

All Incoming Freshmen 5 hours*All Transfers below a 2.30 5 hours*All Transfers with a 2.31-2.69 4 hours*All Returners below a 2.30 5 hours*All Returners with a 2.31-2.69 4 hours*

Once a student-athlete has earned an institution cumulative GPA of 2.70* they will be released from the JSHP program

*Hours can be increased or assigned at any time by the Head Coach and or the Coordinator of Student-Athlete Services

JSHP Procedures

1. Student-Athletes must sign in and out of the study hall room when transferring rooms or ending their time for the day. You can use your Student ID or Knumber to sign in or out.

a. If you try to sign in a teammate, YOU and YOUR Teammate will lose ALL hours for the week.

2. Come prepared- JSHP is for academic work only

a. Stay on task

b. Studying of team plays is strictly prohibited and can result in loss of hours

3. The following websites will be blocked from computers

- Facebook- World Star Hip Hop- Any sport specific websites such as ESPN, Hudl, Synergy4. Attending

Academic Success Workshops will count toward your time

5. Any time at or below 15 minutes will not be counted in your overall time; regardless of what GradesFirst says

Loss of Hours

Student-Athletes can lose hours for the following reasons:

1. Not being on task- Will be giving ONE (1) warning to correct behavior

2. Being disruptive (staying on your cell phone, talking to your neighbors, loud music)

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3. Being disrespectful to staff

Repeated Disruptive and Disrespectful behavior will result in a semester ban from the JSHP, plus a meeting with the Head Coach and Coordinator of Student-Athlete Services

Failure to meet JSHIP Requirements:

JSHP Hours will be reported weekly to each Head Coach.

Failure to meet JSHP requirements will require a meeting with Head Coach or designee and Coordinator of Student-Athlete Services.

TUTOR SUPPORT

Tutors are often students who have performed exceedingly well in the course in question and in other related courses. As a result, tutors help you to do better in the classroom because they show you how to spend your available study time in a more efficient manner. They also help you prepare more thoroughly for your class and for the tests administered throughout the semester. Tutors are not allowed to complete any course work for student-athletes. This is a violation of NCAA and institutional rules and any student-athlete or tutor found to have committed this violation will be penalized. The university has free tutoring for all students in the Learning Assistance Center available on the second floor of the Jernigan Library on a daily basis.

If you should encounter a problem that is not primarily academic in nature, there are several alternatives available to you. Ask your department academic advisor or the Coordinator for Student-Athlete Services for advice on where to get help on campus. The university has free counseling services available for its students. Several types of diagnostic testing are available on campus. In the event that the help you need is not available on campus, the university will assist you in finding an off-campus source. Most importantly, never hesitate to ask for help when you need it; help is available.

STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Texas A&M-Kingsville Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of at least two student-athletes from each team assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience, provide community service and offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes on the Texas A&M-Kingsville campus. Any student-athlete attending Texas A&M University-Kingsville with at least a 2.5 GPA, without regard to handicap, race, creed, sex, or national origin, can be a member on the committee.

This committee promotes communication for all student-athletes on the Texas A&M-Kingsville campus. It is intended to solicit the response from student-athletes about their experience on campus and on the playing field. The members are actively involved in the review of NCAA legislation, and in the administrative process of the athletic department. SAAC members disseminate information, provide feedback on athletic department issues, build a sense of community among all of the athletic teams, organize community service events, and promote a positive student-athlete image on campus.

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The Texas A&M-Kingsville SAAC executive board is made up of a President, Vice President, and Secretary along with several committee chairpersons. All of these positions are held by a student-athlete. The Advisor for SAAC is the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance.

ELIGIBILITY

EARNING THE PRIVILEGE OF PARTICIPATION

Establishing eligibility is based on NCAA, institutional, and conference rules and regulations. It is the certification team’s responsibility to determine continuing eligibility based on satisfactory progress. However, ultimately, student-athletes are responsible for their own eligibility based on their academic performance. Therefore obtaining and maintaining a status of eligibility is extremely important for all Texas A&M-Kingsville student-athletes.

MAINTAINING ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY

In order for you to represent Texas A&M-Kingsville in intercollegiate athletics, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Be enrolled as a full-time student throughout the entire semester;2. Be accepted into an approved baccalaureate degree program; and3. Be in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory progress toward the baccalaureate

degree.

A waiver of the minimum full-time enrollment requirement may be obtained if you are enrolled in the final term for your baccalaureate degree. Students enrolled as a graduate or professional (certificate) student must maintain a minimum of 9 hours.

You may not represent Texas A&M-Kingsville as a student-athlete in any given year until you complete and sign documents required by the NCAA that provide information related to:

1. All of the items listed above;2. The existence of, and any involvement in, organized gambling activities with respect to

intercollegiate athletics; and3. Testing for the use of drugs, which are prohibited by the NCAA.4. Additional academic and compliance-related documents.

Failure to complete and sign these required statements each year will result in you being declared ineligible for all intercollegiate athletics competition.

OBTAINING INITIAL ELIGIBILITY STATUS

As a Texas A&M-Kingsville student-athlete, the NCAA must approve your initial eligibility status. The requirements to obtain this initial eligibility status at Texas A&M-Kingsville are based on whether you are a beginning freshman student or a transfer student.

INITIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR A&M-KINGSVILLE FRESHMAN STUDENTS

To be considered a freshman student under the rules and guidelines of the NCAA, you must have no previous full-time college attendance. As a freshman student, you cannot be declared eligible for intercollegiate athletics until the NCAA Eligibility Center approves you. To be approved, you must have

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earned your high school diploma and have completed while in high school, 16 core courses including:

3 years of English 2 years of Math 2 years of Natural Science 3 additional years of English, Math or Natural Science 2 years of Social Science 4 years of courses selected from the approved NCAA list

Also, you must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00. In addition, you must have a SAT test score of at least 820 (re-centered scale) or an ACT sum score of at least 68.

Upon approval, you will be classified as a Qualifier, Partial Qualifier or Non-Qualifier. If you are declared to be a Partial Qualifier, you can practice but not compete in contests during your first year in residence at Texas A&M-Kingsville. As a Partial Qualifier, you will have four seasons of eligibility (at Division II level) and you can receive financial aid during your first year at Texas A&M-Kingsville. If you are a non-qualifier, you cannot practice, compete or receive athletically related financial aid your first year in residence at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

MAKING SATISFACTORY PROGRESS: SATISFYING THE NCAA

NCAA rules require you to be enrolled as a full-time student (12 semester hours for undergraduate and 9 semester hours for graduate students) and be in good academic standing at Texas A&M University-Kingsville to be eligible to participate in athletics practice or intercollegiate competition. In addition, you must have completed six semester hours of degree countable academic credit in the previous full time long semester and you must earn or average no fewer than 24 semester hours in an academic year, which are applicable to your degree. For purposes of this rule, the academic year is defined as the first day of the fall semester through the last day before the start of the following fall semester. Furthermore, you may apply no more than six semester hours of credit earned during summer sessions toward the required total of 24 hours.

*Starting Spring 2016, must pass a minimum of 9 degree applicable credit hours per each long semester (Fall and Spring)*

Credit Hours/GPA Requirements (Requirements for upcoming years)

Second Year: 24 credits minimum GPA: 2.0 Third Year: 48 credits GPA: 2.0 Fourth Year: 72 credits GPA: 2.0 Fifth Year: 96 credits GPA: 2.0

INITIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS FROM TWO-YEAR SCHOOLS

Students attending two-year schools who transfer to Texas A&M-Kingsville must attend the 2-year school for a minimum of 2 full-time semesters, and must have a minimum of 12 hours of transferable degree countable credit per semester of attendance at the two-year school with a minimum grade point average of 2.00 or have graduated from the 2-year college. Additionally, transfers must have completed 6 hours of degree countable transfer credit in their last semester of full time enrollment.

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NCAA HARDSHIP RULES

Under certain conditions, you may be granted an additional year of competition eligibility by the Lone Star Conference or the Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee of the NCAA. These conditions must constitute what is referred to as hardship incapacity. By definition, hardship incapacity occurs as the result of an injury or illness that meets the following criteria:

1. The incapacitating injury or illness occurs in one of your four seasons of intercollegiate competition.

2. The injury or illness results in incapacity to compete for the remainder of that playing season.3. The injury or illness occurs when you have not participated in more than two contests or dates of

competition or 20 percent (whichever is greater) of Texas A&M-Kingsville’s scheduled contests or dates of competition in your sport.

YOU CANNOT REDSHIRT YOURSELF!

TRANSFER REQUESTS

Be aware that the athletic department at Texas A&M-Kingsville will not release you to another Lone Star Conference Institution. A copy of the Texas A&M University-Kingsville Policy on Student-Athlete Appeals is located in the appendix.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE EDUCATION AND TESTING

Generally speaking, the NCAA and Texas A&M-Kingsville prohibit Texas A&M-Kingsville student-athletes from using a narcotic or any drug that is not prescribed by a physician for specific treatment of and injury or illness. You can obtain a list of the drugs and narcotics specifically banned by the NCAA by contacting A&M-Kingsville’s athletic trainer, online at www.ncaa.org, or in the appendix. Texas A&M-Kingsville requires all student-athletes who are eligible for intercollegiate athletics to participate in the institutions drug-testing program. Texas A&M-Kingsville also fully supports the NCAA’s drug testing program for student athletes who participate in post-season and championship contests. As noted previously, you must sign a consent form each year, which indicates your willingness to participate in these drug-testing programs in order to be eligible to participate in your sport.

AMATEURISM

An individual loses amateur status and shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition in a particular sport if the individual;

a. After initial full-time collegiate enrollment, uses his or her athletics skill (directly or indirectly) for pay in any form in that sport, including prize money.

b. After initial full-time collegiate enrollment, accepts a promise of pay even if such pay is to be received following completion of intercollegiate athletics participation;

c. After initial full-time collegiate enrollment, signs a contract or commitment of any kind to play professional athletics, regardless of its legal enforceability or any consideration received;

d. After initial full-time collegiate enrollment, receives, directly or indirectly, a salary, reimbursement of expenses or any other form of financial assistance from a professional sports organization based on athletics skill or participation, except as permitted by NCAA rules and regulations;

e. After initial full-time collegiate enrollment, competes on any professional athletics team, even if

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no pay or remuneration for expenses was received; orf. Enters into an agreement with an agent either prior to or following initial full-time enrollment.

AGENTS

An individual shall be ineligible for participation in an intercollegiate sport if he or she ever has agreed (orally or in writing) to be represented by an agent for the purpose of marketing his or her athletics ability or reputation in that sport. Further, an agency contract not specifically limited in writing to a sport or particular sports shall be deemed applicable to all sports, and the individual shall be ineligible to participate in any sport.

PROFESSIONAL TRYOUTS AFTER ENROLLMENT

A student-athlete may not try out with a professional athletics team in a sport or permit a professional athletics team to conduct medical examinations during any part of the academic year (i.e., from the beginning of the fall term through completion of the spring term, including any intervening-vacation period) while enrolled in a collegiate institution as a regular student in at least a minimum full-time academic load, unless the student-athlete has exhausted eligibility in that sport. Please contact the Compliance Office prior to any activities with a professional organization.

PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES

All promotional activities must be approved by the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation. Please do not engage in any promotional activities without checking with the Department of Athletics. Assistance can be obtained by seeing the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance.

RULES FOR TEAM BEHAVIOR

You are expected to respect and observe the rules, policies and procedures established by the head coach of your sport. Your behavior as a member of the team will reflect upon the team, university and you as an individual. Furthermore, young children in particular will look to you as a role model, both as an individual and a team member. It is very important that your personal conduct be exemplary at all times. Consequently, it is expected that when you are representing Texas A&M-Kingsville as a student-athlete on campus, in town (Kingsville and Corpus Christi area), or on road trips that you will:

1. Abide by all team, training and travel rules as outlined by your coach; 2. Dress appropriately and keep in mind that you are a representative of Texas A&M-Kingsville;3. Be courteous to, cooperate with, and be patient with fans, officials, community, and media

personnel;4. Refrain from using language, signs and symbols, not associated with ethical behavior and good

sportsmanship; and5. Refrain from engaging in loud language or other types of attention-drawing behavior generally

regarded as socially unacceptable, especially when traveling, staying in hotels and visiting other campuses, etc.

Any student-athlete who fails to perform in the above manner will be subject to disciplinary measures ranging from receiving a warning to dismissal from the team. In addition, violators may be subjected to a reduction in your athletic related aid or even complete withdrawal of aid.

THE PRINCIPLE OF RULES COMPLIANCE

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The Code of Conduct and associated rules for student-athletes are needed to help ensure achievement of the athletic department’s mission statement. The coaches and staff of the athletic department are duty-bound, therefore, to uphold and enforce the rules explained and described in this handbook. Just as important, however, is Texas A&M-Kingsville’s pledge to the Lone Star Conference and the NCAA that, as a member institution, the university will comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the conference and association. Thus, Texas A&M-Kingsville must diligently monitor its athletic programs to assure full compliance with all applicable rules and regulations. Furthermore, Texas A&M-Kingsville has promised to report any situation in which compliance has not been achieved and to cooperate fully with the conference and association in taking measures to correct the situation in a timely manner. To summarize, Texas A&M-Kingsville is committed to complying with the rules and regulations of the Lone Star Conference and the NCAA. As a Texas A&M-Kingsville student-athlete, you are expected to behave in a similar manner. If you do not, you will be disciplined.

GENERAL POLICIES OF THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

There are several athletic department policies that apply specifically to Texas A&M-Kingsville student-athletes and students participating, including those identified below.

LENGTH OF PRACTICE SESSIONS AND LENGTH OF PLAYING SEASON POLICY

The NCAA requires all member institutions to administer their athletic programs in a manner that minimizes interference with the academic programs of their student-athletes. Texas A&M-Kingsville therefore limits the length of the playing season for all team sports based on the NCAA rules for maximum number of contests or dates of competition. Additional limitations in effect during the playing season are as follow:

• No student-athlete shall participate in countable athletically related activities more than four hours per day and in no case, more than 20 hours per week. All competition and any associated athletically related activities on the day of competition shall count as 3 hours regardless of the actual duration of these activities. Countable hours must be recorded on a daily basis for each student-athlete. All athletically related activities shall be prohibited at least one calendar day per week.

Limitations in effect outside the playing season include:

• No student-athlete shall participate in specified activities more than eight hours per week, all athletically related activities shall be prohibited at least 2 calendar days per week; and

• Specified activities such as weight-training and physical conditioning activities shall be held only at the supervision of an institutional staff member for health and safety.

STUDENT-ATHLETE AND STUDENT PARTICIPANT TICKET POLICY

As a student-athlete, Texas A&M-Kingsville may provide you with up to four complimentary admissions for each home game in your sport. For all sports, pass lists are used. For example, the following procedures have been established for the sport of football:

• Each Thursday before a home football game, players must submit the names of those persons to receive the complimentary tickets. Tickets are not issued to the student-athlete.

• A game day pass list is assembled and the named person/s must present themselves and show

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picture identification for entry.

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S WEIGHT ROOM USAGE POLICY

As a student-athlete, it is to your advantage to maintain a high level of physical conditioning. To assist you in obtaining (and maintaining) an optimum level of physical condition, your coach will develop a suggested strength program designed especially for you. Thus, by adhering to your program, you should be able to reach your physical potential with respect to strength, flexibility, speed and endurance, as well as decreasing the possibility of injury. For your safety, student-athletes may lift only during supervised times. In addition, all supervisors must be members of the athletic staff or certified university student workers.

TEAM LOCKER ROOM POLICY

Team locker rooms are for the use of the assigned team members only. The equipment manager will issue all locks and lockers. Personal locks are not to be used on team room lockers. You should keep your locker locked at all times, as the room will not be locked during the day. Articles left in unassigned lockers will be removed by the equipment manager or trainer.

ISSUE OF ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT POLICY

Original equipment will be issued to each team only on a group basis with the group being comprised of all student-athletes who are named to the team. Equipment so issued is to be used only for practice and participation in that sport; it is not to be used for physical education classes, intramurals, personal free time activities, etc. Each student-athlete is responsible for the equipment issued to him or her. All articles must be returned at the appropriate time or the student-athlete’s account will be subject to holds. Athletes added to the roster after the original equipment issue team meeting must have clearance from the coach before receiving any equipment.

ABSENCE DUE TO ATHLETIC NOTIFICATION POLICY

When a student-athlete must miss class or an assignment deadline due to participation in intercollegiate athletics, it is the responsibility of the student-athlete to inform his or her instructors about the impending absence. The athletic department has an official form that may be presented to the instructor at the beginning of each semester that states all travel dates and times.

TOBACCO

The use of tobacco products by a student-athlete is prohibited during practice and competition. A student-athlete who uses tobacco products during a practice or competition shall be disqualified for the remainder of that practice or competition.

ANSWERS

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPS

It seems that many people are curious about how financial aid is provided to Texas A&M-Kingsville student-athletes. The following questions appear to be the ones most frequently asked by those persons. Answers to these questions have been provided to help you respond correctly if you are asked any of these important questions.

What is an athletic scholarship?

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The term athletic scholarship is actually the vernacular title for an athletic institutional grant-in-aid award which, in turn, is a monetary award given a student-athlete based upon athletic ability with respect to sports performance.

Who can receive an athletic institutional grant-in-aid award? Athletic institutional grant-in-aid awards are made to student-athletes who have been recommended by the head coach and subsequently approved by the assistant athletic director for academics and compliance and the financial aid director.

For what period of time is an athletic institutional grant-in-aid awarded?Athletic institutional grant-in-aid awards are issued for one academic year or less.

What is required to renew an athletic institutional grant-in-aid award?To renew the award, the student athlete must:

1. Be academically eligible;2. Comply with the NCAA’s satisfactory progress rule; and3. Continue to participate on the intercollegiate team for his or her sport.

The head coach will recommend the renewal and the amount of the renewal. In addition, the head coach and director of student financial aid must provide information about the renewal to the student-athlete no later than July 1 before each upcoming academic year.

Can freshman students receive an athletic institutional grant-in-aid award?Freshman student-athletes must be processed by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Those who are classified as Qualifiers may receive an athletic institutional grant-in-aid award, which is renewable. Those who are classified as Partial Qualifiers may receive aid during their first year of residence. Non-Qualifiers may not receive aid during their first year of residence.

Under what circumstances can an athletic institutional grant-in-aid award be withdrawn?An award may be withdrawn if the student-athlete:

a. fails to meet the required academic eligibility status; b. fails to comply with the NCAA’s satisfactory progress rule; c. voluntarily quits the team; d. loses amateur status in his or her sport; e. fraudulently misrepresents any information on his or her application, letter of intent or other required

forms; f. fails to sign the required consent forms; or g. engages in serious misconduct warranting the substantial disciplinary action.

Can an athletic institutional grant-in-aid award be withdrawn during the period of the award?Yes

Can an athletic institutional grant-in-aid award be increased during the period of the award?No

Can the student-athlete appeal a decision to decrease or withdraw his or her athletic institutional grant-in-aid award? Yes, the student-athlete is entitled to a hearing concerning the reduction or withdrawal or his or her award. The review panel shall be the existing university committee charged with the responsibility of hearing appeals.

Can a student-athlete receive an athletic institutional grant-in-aid award in addition to another scholarship?Yes

How are book scholarships handled?Student-athletes who are on book scholarship will be able to obtain their books from the Book Store. Books should be rented first, then used books should be purchased and if neither are available students can then receive new books. All books are to be returned during the week of Finals to the back of McCulley Hall. Book Store employees

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will be available to collect books Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10-4pm. Failure to do so will result in a hold being placed on your records.

STUDENT-ATHLETE SURVEYS

At the end of each sport season, student-athletes will be asked to complete the student-athlete survey to obtain information regarding the student-athlete experience. The Compliance Office compiles the results and discloses all information and feedback to the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation.

MEDICAL INFORMATION – PHYSICALS AND INSURANCE

1. Every student-athlete must have an up-to-date physical.a. Returning student-athletes need only have a pre-physical and history form unless otherwise

instructed by the Texas A&M-Kingsville training staff.b. New student-athletes must have a physical prior to practice or competition.c. If a student-athlete sustains an injury while at Texas A&M-Kingsville, an exit physical may

be required.

2. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to report an injury sustained to the Texas A&M-Kingsville training staff. Texas A&M University-Kingsville athletic department is only responsible for injuries that occur during a game or practice.

3. Any injury or illness that is NOT the result of athletic participation is the student-athlete’s responsibility.

4. The athletic insurance policy is an excess policy.a. The student-athlete’s primary insurance is used first. Student-athletes should provide the

Head Trainer with a copy of their insurance card prior to the first practice.b. The amount not covered is paid by Texas A&M-Kingsville (Insurance Company).

5. If any student-athlete or their parents have questions, please contact the department’s Head Trainer at 361-593-2493.

Drug Screening and Education Program

I. PURPOSE

Texas A&M University-Kingsville is committed to developing and maintaining an environment that encourages students participating in intercollegiate athletic competition to avoid the abuse of alcohol and the unauthorized use of controlled substances and performance-enhancing drugs. The integration of a comprehensive educational program with reliable tests and predictable responses to student-athletes who test positive will function as an effective deterrent to substance abuse.

To this end, the program has several components. The education program is designed to discourage student-athletes from alcohol abuse and experimentation with drugs and minimize the risk of drug abuse and drug dependency. An

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accurate and reliable drug-screening program will identify users and abusers of controlled substances and performance-enhancing drugs. Student-athletes who test positive will participate in a program designed to encourage the student-athlete to make positive choices about his or her future conduct, and to discipline those student-athletes who continue to abuse controlled substances and performance-enhancing drugs.

II. Student-Athlete Assistance Program Substance Abuse Program

The mission of Javelina Athletics at Texas A&M University-Kingsville is to offer every student-athlete a quality athletic experience. This includes providing each student-athlete with the opportunity to enhance his or her intellectual, physical, personal and social development within a competitive sport environment. The use of drugs is inconsistent with this mission, and may create a serious risk to the health and safety of all student-athletes. Preventative measures used by the Athletics Department include drug screening combined with an alcohol and drug education program.

The Athletic Department's definition of inappropriate use of alcohol by student-athletes includes, but is not limited to, the following: under-age drinking, drinking on road trips, consumption of alcohol prior to or during athletic practice or competition, and public drunkenness. The Athletics Department will determine sanctions for the inappropriate use of alcohol.

The Athletics Department will use urine drug testing to help detect those student-athletes with drug abuse, alcohol, or chemical dependency problems. It is the policy of the Javelina Athletics program to return to athletics those who are in compliance with institutional policies, and, to restrict from athletics those who are not. A third strike, the student-athlete may sit out a year and request re-evaluation and re-admission to Javelina Athletics.

III. Education and Screening Program Goals

1. Educate student-athletes concerning the problems of substance and alcohol abuse.

2. Provide reasonable safeguards ensuring the safety of every student-athlete by allowing only drug free student-athletes to participate in athletic competition.

3. Identify and treat student-athletes who may be involved with substance or alcohol abuse.

4. Encourage prompt treatment or counseling for student-athletes with substance or alcohol abuse problems.

Education and Prevention Program

Texas A&M University-Kingsville shall, in accordance with NCAA Guidelines, provide the following:

A yearly, mandatory, scheduled educational program addressing substance abuses for all student-athletes. Substance abuse education sessions will be conducted to enhance student awareness. Sessions may address, but not be limited to, the following;

1. Alcohol2. Street Drugs3. Steroids, Tobacco4. Eating Disorders5. NCAA-Banned substances,

All educational sessions and preventative programs shall utilize expert resources from the university and the community as approved by the Director of Athletics and shall emphasize discouraging drug use and the value of a counseling education treatment response to substance abuse.

IV. Program Implementation

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Any student-athlete participating or intending to participate in Javelina Athletics will be included in the program. At least once each year, a presentation by the head athletic trainer or designee will be made to each team outlining and reviewing the Department's program and policy regarding drug screening, its purpose and its implementation. Prior to the start of the first intercollegiate competition, in a sport, in an academic year, each student in that sport will confirm in writing that she/he has received, read, and is willing to abide by this policy.

V. Drug Screening

Currently, Javelina Athletics conducts tests for street drugs such as amphetamines, cannabinoids (substance contained in marijuana), cocaine and other controlled substances. The department also has the capability and authority to test for any drug listed on the NCAA list of banned drugs [Bylaw 31.2.3.1].

A. Testing Guidelines 1. Random tests will be conducted throughout the fall and spring semesters of the academic year, testing a

minimum of 25% of total eligible intercollegiate athletes. The Head Athletic Trainer will determine the method of randomization. The randomization will be determined prior to the beginning of the fall semester from the submitted team rosters and will not reflect bias to any individual athlete.

2. Fifth-year athletes (including those whose eligibility is exhausted or those medically unable to compete) receiving any form of athletic scholarship must comply with all elements of the program.

3. Each refusal by a student-athlete to take a drug test at the time it is requested will result in the appropriate suspension. (See Section VI - Non Compliance)

4. The presence of any known masking agents or urine manipulators in urine sample is prohibited and will result in the appropriate suspension. (See Section VI - Non Compliance)

B. Reasonable Suspicion

The Texas A&M University-Kingsville Department of Athletics may request drug screening for specific student-athletes on a reasonable suspicion basis. Reasonable grounds for suspicion includes the following:

a. Odor about the personb. A signed informant’s statementc. Observation of drug paraphernaliad. Previous positive test resultse. Physical symptoms or emotional symptoms suggestive of substance abuse as determined by

trained medical personnel such as a physician or nursef. Any other factor or act that would lead a person to suspect substance abuse in violation of this

policy based on the dictates of reason and common senseg. Any arrest for a drug related offense

C. Testing Procedures 1. Student-athletes will be asked to report directly to the testing area and will be required to remain until the

collection is completed.2. Collection will be done under the direct supervision of an Athletic Training staff member.3. The student-athlete will transfer collection from a collection cup to a lab specimen container and then seal

it before placing it in the box for shipment.4. The student-athlete will sign a ledger acknowledging an assigned code number that will correspond to the

number on the specimen container.5. Specimens are collected from the training rooms. A courier will then sign for and pick up specimens, after

the Head Athletic Trainer / Site Coordinator has signed them verifying that tampering has not taken place. The test lab will then sign as having received them untampered. Bonded carriers will take specimens to respective labs.

6. A certified sports testing lab will conduct the analysis of the specimen.7. Testing protocol may vary based on the testing laboratory's guidelines. (Available upon request)

VI. Disposition of the Results

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A. Positive Tests 1. The positive test results will be received from the testing center by the Site Coordinator / Head Athletics

Trainer who will notify the Director of Athletics.2. The Head Athletic Trainer will inform the student-athlete and coach immediately of the positive test result.

B. Assessment 1. An appointment for a chemical dependency assessment will be made with the treatment administrator.2. The student-athlete has 3 to 16 days to follow through with completing the assessment. If the student-

athlete fails to comply within this time frame, the student-athlete will be immediately suspended from practice and competition for a minimum of two weeks (14 days) from the date of expiration of the original 14-day compliance period. The Head Coach will determine the term of suspension, and subsequent reinstatement should any successive periods be needed to obtain compliance after the initial 14-day period.

3. The treatment administrator recommends a plan for the appropriate program for the student-athlete, based on the information contained in the assessment.

4. The plan is shared with the Head Coach and the Head Athletic Trainer.

VII. Education, Treatment Program

A. Education Program

Participation in the annual substance education program developed by the university counseling center as a means to prevent future substance abuse will be mandatory for all university athletes.

B. Treatment Program

The treatment program is designed to use a variety of techniques as a means to accomplish secondary prevention success. Each case will be unique in its treatment plan as determined by the treatment coordinator.1. The treatment administrator will report progress and consult with the head trainer.2. Any violation of the treatment program, including a positive test, will be reported to the Director of

Athletics.3. Decisions regarding the student-athletes' ability to continue to practice and/or compete are contingent on

the confidential recommendations from the treatment administrator with input from the head trainer, consultation with the head coach and the approval of the Director of Athletics. During treatment student-athletes may be required to:a) Submit to (monthly) drug testing for the remainder of the academic year as required by the treatment

facility.b) Sign a comprehensive contract (treatment plan) that stipulates conditions for eligibility for competition

and/or practice.VI. Non-Compliance

Compliance at each stage is the responsibility of the student-athlete. Failure to comply with any aspect of the program following the first positive test may result in a suspension from athletic participation at the discretion of the sport Head Coach and Director of Athletics.

Therefore, non-compliance can occur through failure to follow the requirements at any of these stage: drug testing, assessment, treatment or aftercare. Positive test results are cumulative throughout an athlete's career at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

D. The first positive test result by a student athlete: . 1. The student‐athlete’s coach will be notified by the Head Athletic Trainer that an immediate meeting with the coach and identified student‐athlete is required. At this meeting the student‐athlete will be notified of the findings of the screening.

2. The student‐athlete will be suspended from participation in official competition for a minimum number

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of opportunities according to the following schedule, but may be longer as determined by the Director of Athletics:

SPORT MINIMUM LENGTH OFSUSPENSION

Baseball 4 gamesBasketball 2 gamesCross Country One meetFootball 1 gamesGolf One tournamentSoftball 4 gamesTennis 2 matchesTrack & Field One meetVolleyball 2 matches

E. The second positive test result: 1. The student‐athlete’s coach will be notified by the Head Athletic Trainer that an immediate meeting with the coach and identified student‐athlete is required. At this meeting the student‐athlete will be notified of the findings of the screening.

2. The student‐athlete will be suspended from participation in official competition for a minimum number of opportunities according to the following schedule, but may be longer as determined by the Director of Athletics:

F. The third positive test result: 1. If the athlete provides a THIRD POSITIVE SPECIMEN at any point in the future following reinstatement (including the follow‐up drug screen after the first and second positive tests), the student‐athlete will be suspended from competition and any athletic department activity. (for a minimum of 12 months or indefinitely at the discretion of the Athletic Director)

2. The student‐athlete will immediately forfeit his/her athletic scholarship.

4. TAMUK will not grant a release for the student‐athlete to transfer to another NCAA institution.

VII. Voluntary and Other Referrals

A. A student-athlete who comes forward voluntarily or is referred by other means (prior to notification of selection for drug testing) and acknowledges a problem with drug abuse shall be afforded the support and resources available to address the problem.1. The student-athlete will undergo a mandatory chemical dependency assessment, as scheduled by the Head

Athletic Trainer. The procedures followed will be the same as those outlined under "Assessment for a first

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SPORT MINIMUM LENGTH OFSUSPENSION

Baseball 8 gamesBasketball 4 gamesCross Country One meetFootball 2 gamesGolf One tournamentSoftball 8 gamesTennis 4 matchesTrack & Field One meetVolleyball 4 matches

positive result" previously listed.2. A student-athlete who fails to follow the recommended treatment plan will be considered non-compliant,

and will receive the appropriate suspension.

B. A self-referral after notification of selection for drug testing is not considered voluntary.

VIII. Coach’s Role

It is the responsibility of the head coach to ensure that his/her student-athletes follow through with all responsibilities regarding their assessment, treatment, and/or aftercare programs.

IX. Violation of State or Federal Law

Any criminal violation of state or federal laws involving the possession or sale of any drugs or illegal substances by student-athletes will be dealt with using the procedures outlined in the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct.

X. AMENDMENTS

This program may be amended from time-to-time at the discretion of the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation. Amendments shall be distributed to all student-athletes. No amendment shall be applied retroactively if such application will adversely affect a student-athlete's right to prior notice of standards of conduct or discipline.

The NCAA Executive Committee shall authorize methods for drug testing of student-athletes who compete in NCAA championships and certified post-season contests. The authorized methods, and any subsequent modifications, shall be published in The NCAA News and copies of the report shall be available, on request, to member institutions. The Executive Committee shall determine those championships and certified post-season contests for which drug tests shall be made and the procedures to be followed in disclosing its determinations.

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-KINGSVILLEPOLICY ON STUDENT-ATHLETE TRANSFER APPEALS

(NCAA Bylaw 14.5)

OVERVIEW

The basic NCAA four-year college transfer rule states that if a student-athlete transfers from one four-year institution to another four-year institution, then the student-athlete must serve one year of residence at the second four-year school before being eligible for competition (NCAA Bylaw 14.5.5.1). Assuming Texas A&M University-Kingsville granted permission to speak with the student-athlete to the four-year institution to which the student-athlete is transferring (NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.2), it would be permissible for the student-athlete to receive athletically related financial aid and to practice, but not compete, during that one year of residence.

NCAA Bylaw 14.5.5.3.9 (One-Time Transfer Exception) outlines exceptions to this basic rule. This bylaw provides that student-athletes who participate in designated sports may transfer from one four-year institution to another four-year institution and participate in intercollegiate competition during the first year of enrollment at the second four-year institution provided certain conditions are met. One such condition (14.5.5.3.9(c)) is that the school from which the student-athlete is transferring must certify in writing that it has no objection to the student-athlete being granted an exception to the transfer residence

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requirement. If the school does object, then the student-athlete shall be notified in writing that on request a hearing will be provided.

POLICY

A coach may make a recommendation to the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation to deny, or grant with conditions, a student-athlete’s request for permission for other institutions to contact the student-athlete about the possibility of a transfer or a one-time transfer release. If this recommendation is approved by the Vice President, the student-athlete has the right under NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.2.1, to request a hearing before the Athletic Student Appeals Committee. If the student-athlete wishes to appeal he/she must submit a written request which includes the following information:

1. Name, Social Security Number, Classification2. All contact information including current mailing address and local phone number and cell

phone number3. Class schedule and work schedule (if appropriate)4. Date entered Texas A&M-Kingsville and date transfer will occur5. Student-athlete’s reasons for requesting an appeal and the reason the student-athlete believes

the university violated NCAA or University policy.6. Sport and name of institution to which the student-athlete wishes to transfer7. Copies of any other relevant documentation

The appeal should be filed with the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance no later than ten business days* from the date of the letter notifying the student-athlete that a release is not being granted. The appeal must contain the information listed above. The Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance will review the information and then forward to the Chair of the Athletic Student Appeals Committee. An initial hearing by the Dean of Students will review the information and interview the student to determine if a full committee hearing is necessary. The hearing will be scheduled within ten business days* after the appeal is received by the chairperson. The only individuals allowed in the hearing (without prior approval of the chairperson) include the student-athlete, the Vice President, the head coach, and the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance.

ATHLETIC STUDENT APPEALS COMMITTEE

The Athletic Student Appeals Committee exists to hear appeals by student-athletes who have been denied, or granted with conditions, a release permitting another institution to contact the student-athlete about a possible transfer or the denial of the one-time transfer exception. The committee is chaired by the Dean of Students and consists of up to five individuals (four faculty and staff and one student).

HEARING PROCEDURES

1. The student-athlete submits a written request, as described above, to the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance.

2. The Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance forwards all information/documentation to the Dean of Students, the chair of the Athletic Student Appeals Committee.

3. The Dean of Students will review all of the information provided and will interview the student. The Dean of Students, acting as Chair, will determine if sufficient grounds exist for a full board hearing.

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4. The Chair of the Athletic Student Appeals Committee notifies all parties of the date, time and the location of the hearing. The date of the hearing will be no less than three business days* from the date of notification.

5. The Chair of the Athletic Student Appeals Committee will exercise control over the hearing. Any person who disrupts the hearing may be excluded from the proceedings.

6. The Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation and/or Head Coach and the student-athlete will be offered the opportunity to present their cases independently.

7. Other individuals must have the Chairperson’s prior approval to make any presentation.

8. The members of the Appeals Committee will be offered the opportunity to question the student-athlete, Head Coach and Athletic Director independently.

9. The Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance will be present only to provide any necessary rule interpretations.

10. The Athletic Student Appeals Committee reserves the right to request additional written documentation from either party.

11. The committee will deliberate in private and render a decision on the matter. The decision will be mailed to the student-athlete and the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, by the chairperson, within ten business days* of the date of completion of the hearing.

One of two actions will be taken:1. The committee will uphold the decision of the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and

Campus Recreation and the head coach to deny, or grant with conditions, the student-athlete’s request for permission for other institutions to contact the student-athlete about the possibility of a transfer or the denial of the one-time transfer exception. If this occurs the student-athlete and the other NCAA institutions are bound by the conditions of the original release and the language of NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.2.

2. The committee will overturn the decision of the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation and the head coach to deny, or place conditions on, the student-athlete’s request for permission for other institutions to contact or the denial of the one-time transfer request. If this occurs, a full and complete release will be granted to the student-athlete.

In either case, the Committee’s decision is binding.

*Any reference to business days is based on Texas A&M-Kingsville business days.

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-KINGSVILLEPOLICY ON STUDENT-ATHLETE FINANCIAL AID APPEALS

(NCAA Bylaws 15.3.4 and 15.3.5)

OVERVIEW

A student-athlete must meet all applicable NCAA, conference, and institutional regulations to be eligible

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for financial aid. NCAA Bylaws allow for a reduction or cancellation of financial aid during the period of the award if the student-athlete:

(a) renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition, (b) fraudulently misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid

agreement, (c) engages in serious misconduct warranting substantial penalty, or (d) voluntarily withdraws from a sport at any time for personal reasons (Bylaw 15.3.4.1).

The renewal of institutional financial aid shall be made on or before July 1 before the academic year in which it is to be effective. The institution shall notify student-athletes with eligibility remaining who received an award the previous academic year whether the grant has been renewed or not renewed for the upcoming year. If the institution decides not to renew or to reduce financial aid for the upcoming academic year the student-athlete has the right to request a hearing per NCAA Bylaw 15.3.5.1.

POLICY

A coach may recommend that a student-athlete’s financial aid be reduced or canceled. The student-athlete will be notified in writing of the reduction or cancellation and of the opportunity to request a hearing. If the student-athlete wishes to appeal he/she must submit a written request which includes the following information:

1. Name, Social Security Number, Classification2. All contact information including current mailing address and local phone number and cell phone

number3. Class schedule and work schedule (if appropriate)4. Date entered TAMUK and date transfer will occur5. Student-athletes reasons for requesting an appeal6. Sport and name of institution to which the student-athlete wishes to transfer7. Copies of any other relevant documentation

The appeal should be filed with the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance no later than 10 business days* from the date of the letter notifying the student-athlete that financial aid has been reduced or canceled. The appeal must contain the information listed above. The Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance will review the information and then forward to the Chair of the Athletic Student Appeals Committee. An initial hearing will be conducted by the Dean of Students and the Director of Financial Aid, who will review the information and interview the student-athlete to determine if a full board hearing is necessary. The hearing will be scheduled within ten business days* after the appeal is received by the chairperson. The only individuals allowed in the hearing (without prior approval of the chairperson) include the student-athlete, the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation, the head coach, and the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance.

ATHLETIC STUDENT APPEALS COMMITTEE

The Athletic Student Appeals Committee exists to hear appeals by student-athletes who have had a reduction or cancellation of their financial aid. The committee is chaired by the Dean of Students and consists of up to five individuals (four faculty and staff and one student) including the Director of Financial Aid.

HEARING PROCEDURES

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1. The student-athlete submits a written request, as described above, to the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance.

2. The Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance forwards all information/documentation to the Dean of Students, the chair of the Athletic Student Appeals Committee.

3. The Dean of Students and the Director of Financial Aid review all of the material and interview the student. They will determine if sufficient grounds exist for a full board hearing.

4. The Chair of the Athletic Student Appeals Committee notifies all parties of the date, time, and the location of the hearing. The date of the hearing will be no less than three business days* from the date of notification.

5. The Chair of the Athletic Student Appeals Committee will exercise control over the hearing. Any person who disrupts the hearing may be excluded from the proceedings.

6. The Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation and/or the Head Coach and the student-athlete will be offered the opportunity to present their cases independently.

7. Other individuals must have the Chairperson’s prior approval to make any presentation.

8. The members of the Appeals Committee will be offered the opportunity to question the student-athlete, Head Coach and Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation independently.

9. The Assistant Athletic Director for Academics and Compliance will be present only to provide any necessary rule interpretations.

10. The Athletic Student Appeals Committee reserves the right to request additional written documentation from either party.

11. The committee will deliberate in private and render a decision on the matter. The decision will be mailed to the student-athlete and the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation, by the chairperson, within ten business days* of the date of the completion of the hearing.

12. The Director of Financial Aid will be the only member of the committee available for questions related to the appeal process. The Director will be available only to the student-athlete, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation, Provost and the President.

The Committee’s decision shall be final.

*Any reference to business days is based on A&M-Kingsville business days.

INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS AWARDSGeneral Statement

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The Department of Athletics and the University endorse an athletics award system to recognize the achievement earned by each varsity student-athlete.

Letter Award Criteria

Each head coach is responsible for developing their own varsity letter criteria for their program. 1. If an athlete engages in two or more sports, he/she is eligible for multiple awards.

Letter Award System

All sophomores, juniors, and seniors who would be eligible for a second, third, or fourth letter will be identified as lettering athletes.

Championship Awards

The Department of Athletics operates with a student-athlete championship awards ladder in which the size of the award is proportional to the size of the honor. Annual revenues received through the University’s licensing program will serve as the funding source. Lone Star Conference policy and NCAA II Bylaws will serve to define the nature of individual and team champions, maximum limits in award value, and eligible student-athlete recipients.

Distribution

When possible the awards will be presented in public forums such as basketball halftimes, team banquets, etc.

Individual Sport Award Ceremonies

Teams are allowed to conduct a team-only award ceremony. However, the expense must be paid by the individual budget of each team and the meal and/or award value may not exceed “normal” costs or any NCAA regulations.

Any awards given to student-athletes by the institution or another party must meet the regulations outlined in NCAA Bylaw 16.

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Championship Awards LadderAccomplishment Maximum Institutional Award Value Award

TypePost-Season Bowl Game Team Participant No Award No Award

Lone Star Conference Play-Off Champion Not to Exceed 40% of NCAA II Maximum Allowable

Watch

Lone Star Conference Divisional Champion Not to Exceed 40% of NCAA II Maximum Allowable

Watch

Lone Star Conference Tournament Champion and NCAA Post-Season Automatic Qualifying Team Participant

Not to Exceed 50% of NCAA II Maximum Allowable

Watch

Lone Star Conference Play-Off Champion and NCAA Post-Season Team Participant

Not to Exceed 50% of NCAA II Maximum Allowable

Watch

Lone Star Conference Divisional Champion and NCAA Post-Season Team Participant

Not to Exceed 50% of NCAA II Maximum Allowable

Watch

Lone Star Conference Team Champion (i.e. as defined per conference bylaws) Not to Exceed 65% of NCAA II Maximum Allowable

Ring

Lone Star Conference Individual Champion (i.e. as defined per conference bylaws)

Not to Exceed 65% of NCAA II Maximum Allowable

Ring

Lone Star Conference Tournament and Lone Star Conference Regular Season Champion, NCAA Post-Season Participant

Not to Exceed 80% of NCAA II Maximum Allowable

Ring

NCAA II Regional or Super Regional Team or Individual Champion Not to Exceed 90% of NCAA II Maximum Allowable

Ring

NCAA II Team or Individual National Champion Not to Exceed 100% of NCAA II Maximum Allowable

Ring

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