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The goal of the Department of Athletics’ Academic Service area is to provide a comprehensive support program for all student athletes at Roger Williams University that promotes both academic success and a positive athletic experience. Student-athletes receive support from the Assistant Director of Athletics for Academic Services by linking the athletic and academic communities at Roger Williams University. The Assistant Director for Academic Services works closely with coaches, faculty and academic services on campus to help student athletes balance the demands of their academic responsibilities and athletic endeavors.
Monitoring Academic Progress
Monitoring the progress of student athletes is a collaborative effort between the student athlete’s Faculty Advisor, coach and Assistant Director of Athletics for Academic Services.
- Faculty Advisor: Matriculating freshmen and transfer students are assigned a faculty advisor. All undergraduate University faculty serve as academic advisors. Although students are responsible for knowing and complying with academic regulations, faculty advisors are available on a regular basis to review academic regulations and requirements, career planning resources, counseling and tutorial services. Questions concerning advisement should be addressed to the student’s dean.
- Coach: In order to track the progress of student-athletes, freshmen will be required to submit academic progress reports to their professors twice in their first semester at Roger Williams, the last week of September and the last week of October. Coaches will assess progress reports to determine who may be in academic danger. If a returning student athlete is not meeting his or her academic potential, they may be required to submit academic progress reports throughout the year. In the event a problem is discovered, the Assistant Director of Athletics for Academic Services will work closely with the coach and student athlete, finding the necessary support on campus to achieve academic success.
- Assistant Director of Athletics for Academic Services: Any student-athlete, who is not meeting their academic potential as shown by their progress reports or prior semester’s GPA, will be required to meet with the Assistant Director for Academic Services. This will include all student athletes who fall below a 2.25 GPA and all first year student athletes as indicated by their progress reports. A support plan will be put in place to include:
- Regular meetings
- Academic progress reports
- Referrals to all University resources
Center for Academic Development
Academic Development at Roger Williams University provides programs and services designed to foster student success, encourage academic excellence and promote intellectual curiosity. The Center for Academic Development is comprised of the Math, Writing, and Core Tutoring Centers, Academic Support Programs, and Disability Support Services. All services are available in the Center for Academic Development located in the University Library on the second floor. The Center is open 56 hours each week.
- The Writing Center: The Writing Center provides faculty and peer tutoring for all RWU undergraduates enrolled in writing courses or involved in writing-related projects. The Writing Center also conducts group workshops and colloquia consistent with the Writing Program’s course objectives and content.
- The Math Center: The Math Center provides tutoring for all math courses and math-related topics across the curriculum. Faculty and peer tutors are available to assist students with grasping general concepts and skills, completing homework assignments, and preparing for tests.
- The Core Tutoring Center: Peer tutors for the Core Curriculum are students who have demonstrated academic proficiency in these courses. These tutors are nominated by faculty to serve as Core peer tutors and are trained by the Academic Development staff. Peer tutoring for Core courses is offered on a walk-in basis. Tutors conduct study groups, attend class discussions, and provide individual help with course content and requirements. Core tutors’ schedules are available at the Center and through the Core faculty.
- Disability Support Services: In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), students with disabilities will not be discriminated against on the basis of their disability. Students with disabilities (learning, medical, physical, etc.) who wish to receive academic accommodations are required to submit appropriate documentation to verify their eligibility under Section 504 / ADA. Assessments must be conducted by a licensed professional and be no more than three (3) years old. Prior to the start of classes, all pertinent documentation should be sent directly to:
Disability Support Services
Center for Academic Development
Roger Williams University
One Old Ferry Road
Bristol, RI. 02809
- Academic Support Programs: Academic Support Programs are workshops, seminars and individual tutorial sessions. Students may also make an appointment for consultation to assess their study strategies and improve their skills. Workshops and general instruction sessions touch on topics such as time management, organization, note taking, textbook strategies, test preparation, learning styles, and academic success. Workshops and individual consultations to develop success strategies are free to all students.
Scheduling Conflicts
- Class Attendance: Academics are a priority. Regular class attendance is essential to academic success. Clarify any class attendance requirements when the semester begins with your professors for each class you are enrolled. Most attendance policies are specific to each class. Keep in mind that some professors include attendance as part of the final grade. It is important to consult professors ahead of time when a class is going to be missed. If a class will be missed because of competition, do not assume that you will be excused. Consult with your professor directly. If you must miss classes due to a competition, curtail any additional absences.If you miss class due to competitions, be aware that you may have forfeited additional absences in the class.
- Competition Conflicts with Class: Student-athletes must review competition and travel schedules with coaches at the beginning of each semester. This review should include potential post-season play through the last possible play date. Once travel schedules have been discussed with coaches, it the responsibility of student-athletes to meet professors in the classes where there is a conflict. Scheduling conflicts must be addressed with professors immediately in a face-to-face meeting. It is the professor’s prerogative to decide whether or not the competition is an acceptable excuse to miss class, or not. You must make arrangements to obtain class notes and make up any work that was missed from that class. If the student-athlete has made repeated efforts to meet with the faculty member to no avail, the athlete must notify the coach who will then meet with the Assistant Director for Academic Services and the Faculty Athletics Representative. Ultimately, attendance policies are at the discretion of the professor and they have the final word.
Class Registration
- Returning Athletes: Coaches need to remind student-athletes that scheduling classes around potential athletic conflicts, when possible, is important to academic and athletic success. The following steps should be followed in order to obtain the best possible academic schedule in light of athletic competition. Know your faculty advisor and meet with him or her regularly throughout the semester. Please note students cannot register for classes for the upcoming semester until a meeting with their faculty advisor has taken place during the advising period. Therefore, it is recommended that student-athletes have an appointment set up with faculty advisors as soon as the advising period starts for each semester. Student-athletes should explain to faculty advisors that it is important to craft a schedule, which allows for athletic competition without interfering with academics.
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