Athletics
Immaculata University is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and the Atlantic East Conference. As a member of the NCAA Division III, Immaculata University adheres to the NCAA, Division III philosophy.
Athletics is an integral part of the liberal arts educational experience at Immaculata University. The athletic programs provide an opportunity for individual growth while instilling discipline, self-sacrifice, teamwork, and the essence of sportsmanship and fair play. A student-athlete is expected to commit his or her best efforts to academics first and then to his or her sport, to join other University activities, to fulfill responsibilities such as work/study, and, in general, to enjoy a full collegiate experience. The specific aim of Immaculata athletics is to provide a quality competitive experience in an atmosphere of commitment, success, and teamwork.
Colleges and universities in Division III place highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of all students’ academic programs. They seek to establish and maintain an environment in which a student-athlete’s athletics activities are conducted as an integral part of the student-athlete’s educational experience.
Academic Eligibility For Participation In Athletics
The Academic Standards Committee reviews the academic records of each student at the end of each semester. A student must be in good academic standing and show satisfactory progress toward a degree in accordance with Immaculata University standards for all students in order to be eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics. The student must also be enrolled as a full-time student (12 credits per semester minimum) and earn 24 credits in the academic year. If a student-athlete elects to drop a class, he/she must add a course before doing so.
- Good Academic Standing
Credits Attempted GPA (minimum) 12-24 1.75 25-59 1.80 over 60 2.00 - Satisfactory Progress
Following this year a student must have 1 24 credits 2 48 credits 3 72 credits 4 96 credits 5 120 credits Note: Winter sessions can be used to meet this requirement for the academic year, however, all credits must be earned prior to the spring semester. The same applies to summer sessions as long as all credits are earned prior to the fall semester. Accelerated on-line courses completed prior to the semester ending, counts towards total credits registered for that semester.
Failure to meet good academic standing will result in academic ineligibility. The Assistant Athletic Director will notify head coaches and student athletes that they are no longer allowed to participate in practices, competitions, and all team activities for the semester.
- Full-time Student Full-time status at Immaculata University is defined as being enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester. However, a student-athlete may compete while enrolled in less than a minimum full-time program of studies, provided the student is enrolled in the final semester of the baccalaureate or graduate program, and the institution certifies that the student is carrying the courses necessary to complete degree requirements.
Athletics Degree Level Policy
Associate degree students are not permitted to participate in NCAA athletic teams.
Academic Support Services & Compliance
The Assistant Director for Academic Support Services & Compliance is designated to assist student-athletes throughout their studies at Immaculata University. Initially, the primary goal is to assist student-athletes in their transition to the collegiate environment and to help them better understand the academic and athletic demands they will encounter. Through educational programming and support services, Immaculata student-athletes are encouraged and supported in their pursuit of personal, academic, career, and athletic goals. Immaculata student-athletes are encouraged to be actively involved in their educational process as the balance of academic and athletic achievement is fostered.
Objectives
- To provide a program and environment in which student-athletes can become efficient students.
- To maximize the academic and athletic potential of student-athletes.
- To provide the means by which student-athletes can accept full responsibility for their educational planning.
- To assist student -athletes in their progress toward graduation.
- To assist student-athletes in balancing and managing the demands of participating in intercollegiate athletics.
- To inform student-athletes of policies, rules and regulations established by the University, athletic department, and the NCAA.
Class Absence For Athletic Competition
Student-athletes are excused from class attendance in order to represent Immaculata University in intercollegiate athletic competition.
Understandings:
- Student-athletes are entitled to the same number of class absences as students who do not represent Immaculata in intercollegiate athletics; however, knowing that class may need to be missed for athletic competition, every effort should be made to attend all other classes.
- Student-athletes will not miss class for practices.
- Student-athletes will not be charged a class absence in order to represent Immaculata in intercollegiate athletic competition provided they adhere to the following procedures.
Procedures:
- An updated roster and complete schedule for each sport is available on the athletics website www.gomightymacs.com at all times throughout the academic year. There will be schedule changes and roster changes throughout the season. Faculty are encouraged to refer to the athletics website with any questions or to reach out to the athletic director directly. A student-athlete must inform his/her instructor one week in advance of the date of the class he/she will miss.
- The instructor will be presented an intercollegiate Athletic Participation Class Absence Form. Using this form, the instructor will indicate the assignment to be completed in order to compensate for the missed classroom time. All homework assignments and projects should be submitted prior to leaving for the competition. This assignment shall not be in excess of the subject matter covered during the student athlete’s absence. Also, the next class session assignment, as well as any other future assignments, shall be included.
- The student-athlete will prepare the assignment by the next regularly scheduled classroom session.
- Should the student-athlete fail to satisfactorily complete the assignments, the instructor may lower the assignment grade accordingly.
- Should a student-athlete be charged a class absence for failure to adequately prepare his/her athletic absence form, he/she will have this absence subtracted in the same manner as a regular class absence. Furthermore, the student-athlete’s coach may impose a penalty (i.e., game suspension).
- A student-athlete who misses a scheduled class test to represent Immaculata in intercollegiate athletic competition will be granted the opportunity to take said test at a time that does not preclude athletic competition. The instructor, using reasonable consideration, shall determine when said examination will be held. Should the instructor elect not to proctor the test, then he/she indicates on the athletic absence form the method of procuring the test as well as the method of returning it to the instructor. It is understood that neither penalty nor added credit shall be attributed to any examination taken in this manner
Team Travel
Students are excused from class for all NCAA competition providing they adhere to the policy on class absence. Athletic contests and departure time will be established to reduce the amount of class time which student-athletes will miss. It is further understood that coaches may honor requests from athletes to miss athletic competition for class purposes. Such request should be in writing, and not be held against the athlete.
For more information on expectations and guidelines for Immaculata’s student athletics, please see the Immaculata University Mighty Macs website under the “Inside Athletics” section.