Functions Of WAC
NCAA Eligibility and Satisfactory Progress Verification
Academic Progress Reports
Registration Advisement
Liaison with the Admissions and Records Office
Team Outreach
Referrals to other University Programs
AS 110 (First Year Experience Course)
NCAA Eligibility and Satisfactory Progress Verification
To become eligible for practice, competition, and/or athletic aid, each student-athlete's academic history is evaluated and verified by WAC. For student-athletes arriving at Nevada directly from high school, paperwork from the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse is received and evaluated on a sliding-scale formula to determine their eligibility status. A student-athlete will be categorized into three levels; non-qualifier, partial-qualifier, and qualifier. These levels are determined by selected courses taken in high school and ACT/SAT scores. Depending on the assigned level, student-athletes will be notified of any limitations that will be enforced upon them. For others attending a junior college or four year institution prior to Nevada, official transcripts and documentation of academic absence are required to evaluate any remaining eligibility. Each transfer student's situation is different so an appointment with WAC is required. After the initial procedure is completed, a student-athlete's eligibility will then be based on academic work accomplished at Nevada.
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WAC has developed a proactive system that allows all student-athletes to know where they stand regarding eligibility and graduation issues. This system is founded on a valuable instrument call the projection letter. The projection letter is a personally addressed letter delivered to all student-athletes explaining their academic progress in regards to NCAA eligibility rules. It projects a student-athlete's future eligibility concerns based on their current coursework and identifying additional NCAA requirements that are activated as they progress through their academic program. Each requirement is explained as it pertains to the individual. It is based on the adage "your eligibility for next year is determined by the academic work that you do this year". Therefore, the letter will address any potential concerns that may arise in the next two to three semesters. This gives everyone involved enough time to plot a course of action to resolve the issue before it ever becomes a problem. The letters are sent out every October and March, with the WAC staff available to answer any questions or concerns. As eligibility issues are addressed and resolved, graduation concerns become limited and a graduation date becomes possible to predict.
To monitor the progress made in each class, WAC assists student-athletes in other functions by sending academic progress reports to all of their professors.
Academic Progress Reports
Academic progress reports are mailed to professors that have student-athletes on their class roster. They are sent out twice a semester, one following your first exams and another prior to finals. The reports address attendance issues, participation concerns, and current grades in areas of assignments, quizzes, and exams. WAC has a policy that anyone receiving a C- or lower on the first set of progress reports is required to set up an immediate appointment with a WAC staff member and explain their performance. It is at this time that a determination will be made, based on input from the student-athlete, professor and WAC staff member, for additional assistance. This assistance may include requiring one-on-one tutoring, participating in study groups, assigning constructive study in the Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) Study Center, and/or organizing more consistent communication between the student-athlete, professor and WAC representative. As student-athletes become actively involved in the decisions being made, they will become more invested in their academic and career goals. This investment continues into WAC's next function, registration advisement.
Registration Advisement
Prior to registration, student-athletes are strongly recommended to meet with an advisor. These meetings should discuss current program changes, prerequisites that still need to be met, career options with their selected program, and courses to be taken the following term. Many professors serve as an advisor in addition to their teaching responsibilities. This can create time restrictions that are not conducive to student-athletes' schedules. Therefore, WAC has been able to advise when other options are not available.
WAC representatives are trained by various university departments to understand prevalent programs within the student-athlete population. This does not replace the academics advisor's meeting but allows student-athletes to respond to registration demands in a timely manner. When the advising is performed by the academic advisor, student-athletes are still encouraged to review their schedules with WAC to ensure their eligibility requirements are being met as well. Graduation and eligibility requirements usually go "hand-in-hand" but exceptions do occur. All student-athletes are advised to bring in their projection letter, their DARS report, and an outline of possible course selections for a productive meeting to occur. During the course of the meeting, additional paperwork may be required. If so, the paperwork will generally be available at the Admissions and Records Office. A student-athlete's eligibility is determined by the right paperwork going to the right person. WAC, therefore, acts as liaison to ensure that happens.
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Liaison with the Admissions and Records Office
The Admissions and Records Office is responsible for collecting and documenting all the information WAC uses for advisement and athletic certification. Any deficiencies recorded in this office will effect information relayed to the WAC staff. Therefore, all paperwork required will be sent or brought to WAC for review and photocopy purposes. The paperwork includes: the major/minor declaration form, course withdrawal procedure, repeat adjustment request, course substitution request/waiver, and sealed official transcripts. Since many student-athletes are not aware of the forms, deadlines, and procedures, WAC representatives communicate, on a daily basis, with Admissions and Records to review any missing information. It is always the student-athlete's responsibility to know pertinent university information. This can be achieved by understanding the General Catalog and frequently visiting WAC. WAC representatives respond proactively through team outreach.
Team Outreach
Team outreach was developed as a way for the WAC staff to visit student-athletes in practice or in the team meeting setting. The coaching staff allows the WAC staff member to announce upcoming university and WAC deadlines, the names of student-athletes required to visit WAC, and additional highlights taken off the monthly memorandum given to the coaching staff. In addition, the WAC representative will stay through practice and try to be accessible to student-athletes in that environment by answering questions and discussing general concerns. A solid rapport is developed to create a trusting and personal relationship with many of the student-athletes. As the relationships evolve, other personal and social concerns are discussed that may need additional assistance beyond WAC. WAC representatives are competent to identify problem areas and refer student-athletes to appropriate university personnel.
Referrals to other University Programs
In addition to the other central functions of WAC, the staff is also knowledgeable about university support services. These are programs that serve specific needs that cannot be addressed adequately by WAC. These support services include, but not limited to: tutorial assistance, career counseling, testing services, substance abuse education, internship opportunities, personal counseling, computer training, and graduate school advising. WAC, therefore, serves as an "information booth" to inform student-athletes of programs being offered and the name of a reference person to contact. WAC has met with numerous departments to create a network of general information that will assist the student-athletes in making the right contacts and solving their needs before it becomes an eligibility and/or graduation concern.
AS 110 (First Year Experience Course)
AS 110 is planned to introduce first-year student-athletes to the skills and knowledge necessary to excel academically and with personal challenges in the collegial setting. The curriculum is designed to assist student-athletes in learning strategies and developing skills that will enable them to be successful. In addition, the class is also intended to provide student-athletes with the occasion to explore their academic majors and career objectives. Student-athletes will become acquainted with campus tools and resources which are available to enhance, support, and assist in their success on campus as well as a student-athlete. The course will provide individuals with the knowledge to make educated decisions regarding substance and alcohol abuse. AS 110 meets the NCAA drug education requirement.
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