From Provost Julie Ross: Best Practices for Supporting Student-Athletes During Travel, Competition

Virginia Tech student-athletes routinely travel from campus to represent the university and raise Virginia Tech’s visibility nationally and internationally. When in-season, student-athletes balance a full-time academic load with 20 hours per week of athletic-related practice, competition, and other intercollegiate activities.

Student-athletes are expected to communicate their travel schedule with instructors at the beginning of the semester and to update instructors if schedules change. Student-athletes are expected to work collaboratively with instructors to develop strategies to complete missed work due to university-sanctioned competition and travel.

In order to support these student-athletes while ensuring continuity of instruction and academic standards, rigor, and expectations are maintained, the Provost’s Office encourages faculty and course instructors to consider the following practices: 

• Maintain regular communication with student-athletes throughout the semester to develop mutually acceptable arrangements for completing missed coursework.
• Arrange exam proctoring in collaboration with the student using the option that best fits the course and travel schedule. Student-Athlete Academic Support Services (SAASS) staff can help proctor before or after the scheduled exam, or coordinate proctoring with staff at a peer institution.
• Include in the course syllabus dates and times of all exams, including those held outside of regular class meeting times.
• Clearly describe the procedure for requesting exam accommodations when a scheduling conflict arises, including for exams held outside of regular class times.
• Assist student-athletes in identifying options for obtaining notes or course materials when class attendance is missed due to university-sanctioned travel.
• Work with student-athletes to develop reasonable alternative arrangements for attendance-based coursework that is missed because of competition or travel.

Through faculty/instructor support and guidance, about ten percent of Virginia Tech student-athletes earned a perfect 4.00 GPA this past academic year, while over two thirds earned a 3.00 GPA or higher.

While these recommendations are intended to support student-athletes, many also help in the academic success of all Virginia Tech students - especially those balancing work, internships, family responsibilities, or other significant commitments. 

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the mentorship, progress, and success of Virginia Tech students across all of our campuses and communities.

In the spirit of Ut Prosim,
Julie