MEMORANDUM
TO:
Faculty, Athletic Staff, and Relevant Staff
FROM:
Linda McMillin
Provost & Dean of the Faculty
DATE:
August 4, 2006
SUBJECT:
Academic/Athletic/Activities cooperation
________________________________________________________________________
This is to remind the teaching faculty, the athletic staff, and other persons working with students in cocurricular activities, that classes for full-time undergraduates at Susquehanna University are held between
the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:05 p.m. each weekday, and 6:30-9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday (plus
8:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturdays) for students in the evening program. The hours between 4:15 p.m. and 6:15
p.m. are reserved for co-curricular activities, including ensemble rehearsals and athletic practice.
The above stipulations dividing normal class hours from hours reserved for other activities typically do not
apply to students seeking teaching certification, who regularly may have obligations to fulfill at an offcampus school site. In such cases, the requirements of the supervising school take precedence over normal
Susquehanna University class and co-curricular activity scheduling. Of course, the class schedules of these
students also must be arranged to avoid built-in conflicts.
It follows from the above that coaches and others should not expect students to be available for athletic
practices or rehearsals during class hours, and faculty should not schedule required class meetings or
class-related activities during the hours reserved for rehearsals and athletic practice. Classes missed
because of participation in varsity athletic competition or off-campus ensemble performances are counted as
unexcused absences (“cuts”), and should be planned for well in advance. Each student is responsible for
understanding and meeting the attendance requirements of individual instructors, and for making
arrangements to make up work missed when absent. At the same time, I would urge faculty in these
opening days of the term to encourage students who foresee conflicts to come forward now, to anticipate
possible consequences, formulate alternative plans, or, when appropriate, secure an instructor’s agreement
to some reasonable accommodation.
A current-as-possible varsity athletic schedule will be distributed by the Director of Athletics Office (to be
included in the Opening Faculty Meeting Agenda materials to be distributed by Wednesday, August 16) to
help in planning and working with students to minimize the adverse consequences of such conflicts.
Calendar updates will be provided as schedules are secured. Athletic staff members also should obtain a
complete class schedule for each student on varsity teams.
Our primary purpose as a University is academic: ultimately, classroom obligations take precedence
over other commitments. At the same time, we are intent on developing and educating the whole person
and, consequently, support a wide array of co-curricular activities, including music ensembles and
intercollegiate athletic competition. Your thoughtful cooperation will be essential in achieving a healthy,
balanced, beneficial experience for students who choose to be involved in these activities.
LAM/jow