reduced course load

[Gage E Paine]

We have been recommending course load reductions on a case by case, semester by
semester basis for some time now. What the new NCAA ruling did for us, was
move us off the mark to put our decision-criteria in writing so it was clearer
to all concerned on what basis the decision was being made. This works to
everyone's advantage, but is especially important in regard to NCAA athletes
to make it certain that are not being given special treatment as athletes.

It seems to me that the NCAA has in effect stopped discriminating against
athletes with disabilities, since prior to their new rule, an athlete who had
a justifiable reason for taking a reduced course load had to choose between
using that accommodation and retaining eligibility for their sport. I agree
with whoever wrote, if the NCAA rule is what it takes to get the discussion
about the accommodation of reduced course started on some campus, so what, the
discussion is valuable regardless of the impetus.
Gage Paine
Services for Students with Disabilities
University of Texas-Austin
ds...@utdxp.dp.utexas.edu

[Diane Perreira]

Could someone please clarify the criteria NCAA uses to determine if the
athlete reqesting reduced course load is an individual with a learning
disability? Is the athlete expected to produce documentation? What
type? Is the college or university required to produce the
documentation? Does NCAA ask only for letters of request for exception?
How do they know the athlete has a disability?

Diane Perreira
SALT Center
University of Arizona

[Matthew F Tominey]

The NCAA regulations are:
NO.5 (NO. 2-55)
Full time enrollment and satisfactory progress requirements - Learning
disabled and handicapped student athletes.

Intent: To permit the academic requirements committee to waive the 12-hour
enrollment requirement and satisfactory-progress requirements when objective
evidence demonstrates that the institution has defined full-time enrollment
for a learning disabled or handicapped student athlete to be less than
12 hours to accommodate for the student's learning disability or handicap.

Waivers will be granted to the minimum 12 semester or 12 quarter hour
enrollment as follows:
Bylaws (A & B)
Learning disabled and handicapped student athletes. The NCAA academic
requirement committee may waive the 12 hour requirement and the satisfactory
progress requirement for learning disabled and handicapped student
athlets when objective evidence demonstrates that an institution defines
full time enrollment for that student athlete to be less than 12 hours
to accommodate for the student's learning disability or handicap.

Rationale: This propodsal will help ensure that the administration
of the Association's full time enrollment and satisfactory progress
requirements is consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The
association's legal counsel and the Office of Civil Rights of the
U.S. Department of Education recommended its adoption.

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The University is responsible for determining the need for reduced
course load and supplying evidence to the NCAA so the student athelete
may receive a waiver to the 12 hour and satisfactory progress rule.

Time has come to come up with a formalized policy that is in the best
interest of all students.

Matt Tominey
University of Texas, Austin
ds...@utxdp.dp.utexas.edu

[Joe Dasilva Jr.]

Matt,
Thanks for posting the NCAA bylaw. Tha lang. changes the debate just a
little. From the lang. it appears that the debate is now in our court
once more.
Joe DaSilva Jr.
Grad Asst for DSS
Western CT State Univ.
Danbury CT