This policy specifies the protocols and associated responsibilities required for certifying the academic eligibility of student-athletes per NCAA, Ivy League, and Brown rules and regulations. 

This policy applies to all current varsity student-athletes, the Certifying Officer, coaches, and all employees in the Division of Athletics and Recreation who have responsibilities with academic eligibility and certification.

Brown University and the Division of Athletics and Recreation require that each student-athlete shall be certified as eligible to compete in accordance with NCAA, Ivy League, and other applicable governing body regulations before representing the University in varsity athletics competition. 

The NCAA requires that:

• An institution shall not permit a student-athlete to represent it in intercollegiate athletics competition unless the student-athlete meets all applicable eligibility requirements, and the institution has certified the student-athlete’s eligibility.
• To be eligible to represent an institution in an intercollegiate athletics competition, a student-athlete shall be enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program of studies, be in good academic standing, and maintain progress toward a baccalaureate or equivalent degree as established by NCAA rules.
• First-Year Academic Requirements: A student-athlete who enrolls in a member institution as an entering first-year with no previous full-time college attendance shall meet the requirements established by NCAA rules.

The Ivy League requires that:

• Student-athletes must be held accountable to the same academic standards as other students.
• Institutional Eligibility Officer:
  • Each institution shall appoint an eligibility officer. This individual, if not the institution’s representative on the Policy Committee, must maintain a close working relationship with that representative. He or she should not be a member of the athletic department.
  • The eligibility officer is responsible for advising students of their eligibility under Ivy rules.
  • The eligibility officer or designee will make all requests for exceptions to Ivy rules, interpretations of such rules, reports as required under these rules, and other eligibility requests to the Ivy League.
• No student shall be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletic competition unless the student is a duly matriculated student regularly studying for a baccalaureate degree. A non-degree seeking student is not eligible to represent Brown in intercollegiate athletic competition.
• A student carrying less than the number of courses normally taken by members of his or her class shall not be eligible without Ivy League approval unless the student’s schedule has been temporarily reduced by academic authorities because of illness or other circumstances warranting such reductions, or unless the NCAA exceptions for a student-athlete’s final semester of study applies.
• No student shall be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletic competition unless the student is in good academic standing as determined by the faculty of that institution, and is making normal academic progress both quantitatively and qualitatively, toward the degree.
• No student who completes the requirements for a baccalaureate or equivalent degree shall be eligible to represent an institution in intercollegiate athletic competition, even though the actual award of the degree is postponed. This does not apply to a student enrolled for a second baccalaureate degree at the same institution.
• Unlike NCAA rules, a student who has received the baccalaureate degree and is enrolled in the graduate or professional school of the institution from which that degree was awarded, and who has athletic eligibility remaining, is not permitted to participate in intercollegiate athletics.

All individuals to whom this policy applies are responsible for becoming familiar with and following this policy. University supervisors and employees with student oversight duties are responsible for promoting the understanding of this policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure and enforce compliance with it.

Division of Athletics and Recreation Compliance: 

• Ensure NCAA rules are applied correctly
• Ensure Brown policy is applied correctly
• Ensure the eligibility for competition is properly communicated to coaches, team-specific athletic personnel, Faculty Athletics Representative, and athletic personnel support staff. 

Division of Athletics and Recreation Student-Athlete Development: 

• The Student-Athlete Development Senior Manager for Academic Services and Career Development will collaborate with the University’s student information system (i.e., Banner) to assess the academic progress and success of each student-athlete after each academic semester. After completing this review an academic report will be generated and emailed to the compliance department and the Head Coach to inform them of any students who need attention (eligibility status) based on their academic performance for the previous semester. 

Office of the Registrar:

• The Office of the Registrar will generate a report to certify the eligibility of current student-athletes for practice and competition. This certification will be based on their academic standing, progress toward their degree, and full-time enrollment status.
• A full certification report will be issued before the first competition in the fall and the day before classes start in the spring semester. Additionally, the office will provide the compliance office with Report: ATHL19 – Athletic Eligibility Report for student-athlete status changes daily based on data obtained from the University student information system (i.e., Banner). These reports will be used to verify the eligibility of student-athletes.

Failure to comply with this and related policies is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension without pay, or termination of employment or association with the University, in accordance with applicable (e.g., staff, faculty, student) disciplinary procedures.

Failure to comply with this and related policies could result in the loss of academic eligibility for the student-athlete, and/or violation of NCAA and/or Ivy League policies which could include a financial penalty.

The following information complements and supplements this document. The information is intended to help explain this policy and is not an all-inclusive list of policies, procedures, laws and requirements.