Radford University Athletics

Academic Support Staff
Alix Guynn | Assistant Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Support Services
mguynn2@radford.edu | (540) 831-6717

Academic Advising
The Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) office reports directly to the Director of Athletics.  The Dean of Students Office plays a vital role in assisting the SASS office in maintaining the academic integrity of Radford University. The Assistant Athletic Director and the Director of Student-Athlete Support Services are responsible for the day-to-day operations.
 
Each college and department assigns an advisor for the student-athlete. The primary purpose of the academic advisor is to assist the student-athlete in planning their academic career at Radford University. Successful academic advising occurs when the student-athlete and advisor work together as partners in a relationship that focuses on collaboration and shared responsibility.
http://www.radford.edu/content/radfordcore/home/academics/colleges-and-departments.html
 
Responsibility of Student-Athlete 
Although it is the University and Department of Athletics goal to create an academically supportive environment, it is the student-athlete’s responsibility to become familiar with Radford University academic policies. The student-athletes academic advisor will advise the athlete on all matters related to his/her program of study and will aid in the interpretation of policies whenever necessary. Participation in athletics is not to be considered an “extenuating circumstance” for not completing coursework. Upon acceptance of an invitation to participate on an intercollegiate team, each student-athlete also accepts the responsibility for managing all areas required to be an athlete and a student at Radford University. Responsibilities and rules of the student-athlete are specified in the Student-Athlete Handbook.

CLICK HERE to view the Student-Athlete Handbook

Responsibility of Coaches
Coaches are asked to support the efforts of the Student-Athlete Support Services office and to impose logical consequences for those student-athletes who are not fulfilling their academic obligations.  Coaches are asked to be flexible with practice or travel requirements that may place a student-athlete at an academic disadvantage.
Policy for Coaching Staff Contacting Faculty and Academic Officials

Academic Load
Student-athletes must register for at least fifteen (15) hours of credit work each semester. Exceptions to this rule must be cleared by the Student-Athlete Support Services office. Registering for as few as 12-14 credits will prevent a student from withdrawal from a course. A student-athlete is immediately ineligible if they drop below twelve (12) credit hours.

Class Attendance
Regular class attendance is the responsibility of the student-athlete. Class attendance policies are determined by the instructor and should allow for a reasonable number of absences which are required due to documented official university-sponsored activities. All student-athletes are provided with a travel itinerary to share with course instructors. The travel memo does NOT excuse absences, nor does it guarantee that the student-athlete will be permitted to make up exams, quizzes or other missed assignments.  Only the instructor can make those decisions. It is imperative that the student-athlete reviews all course syllabi for attendance policy guidelines during drop/add week. If the student-athlete is registered for a course in which the syllabus states a specific number of absences will result in the lowering of a grade, then the student-athlete needs to see the Assistant Athletic Director of Student-Athlete Support Services to discuss their options. Student-athletes are encouraged to deal directly with faculty regarding missed class time due to team travel.

Study Hall
The Learning Enhancement Center (LEC) is a monitored academic environment where student-athletes engage in quiet time, tutoring, or computer lab work. An hourly expectation is given to all student-athletes required to attend study hall. Study hall requirements are for new and transfer students and for those underclassmen with less than a 2.5 GPA. Any student-athlete, at the discretion of his/her coach, may be required to attend the LEC for additional study hours.
 
In addition to the services offered within the LEC, The Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC) strives to help all Radford University students achieve academic success in all disciplines.  In individual or group tutoring sessions, students acquire support from College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) certified trained tutors.  Additionally, students can improve and maximize their learning skills, reading comprehension, and test taking strategies through one-on-one consultations and in workshops offered throughout the semester.  With a learner-centered approach, the LARC staff and tutors seek to meet each Radford University student’s academic needs. The Learning Assistance and Resource Center (LARC) is located in Walker Hall, Room 125. For more information, please call 831-7704.