Special Student Populations Athletes   Athletes are the most visible student component of a university. • Student-athletes are closely scrutinized by the media   • Earn heavy press coverage when they are successful   • Get more intensive coverage when they find themselves in trouble • They devote many hours to practice, conditioning and training which are not required of all students • Contrary to popular opinion, not all athletes carry full scholarships and many are only partially funded Because of their time commitment and their high visibility, it is an obligation and in the best interest of the University to supply these students with services which will allow them to maximize their academic potential.   USA offers the following intercollegiate sports programs: • baseball (men only) • basketball (both) • cross country (both) • golf (both) • tennis (both) • track (both) • soccer (women only) • volleyball (women only)   Student-athletes are advised by their assigned advisor in the major department or college as well as by the academic advisors in the Department of Athletics. The major advisor must complete the USA Athlete Academic Advising Form for each prospective term. The form lists the courses the student has been advised to take, along with alternate courses, the total term hours, and projected graduation date. The form is given to the student to return to the Athletic Advising office. Students not advised each term will be blocked from registration.   NCAA Rules and Regulations • Must be full-time (12 semester hours) each term • Required Developmental Studies courses do count toward the 12 hour total • Must pass 24 semester hours in a year to be eligible for competition the next year • Developmental Studies courses count toward the 24 total only during the freshman year and only to a limit of 12 hours of the 24 • Restrictions exist for summer school hours counting toward eligibility - check with the Department of Athletics • Must declare a major prior to the fifth semester of enrollment • Student-athletes are responsible for knowing practice and travel schedule related to their sport.   The athletic advisors work with the Registrar's Office to priority register student-athletes to formulate schedules working around the demands of the sport. Student athletes must have permission from an athletic academic advisor before dropping a course(s) or withdrawing from the University. Also, the athletic advisors provide academic support through working closely with other academic offices on campus, a "study hall", tutoring, counseling, and close monitoring to help ensure academic progress towards a degree and maintenance of academic and athletic eligibility.