UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

FACULTY SENATE

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON WAIVERS FOR ATHLETIC EVENTS DURING THE FINAL EXAM PERIOD

During the fall semester, it was brought to the attention of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee that athletic events had been scheduled during the final examination period. See Senate Bill #01-02--30, Report of the Committee on Scheduling Athletic Competitions during the Final Exam Period or Designated Reading Days: Amendment to Sections 8.51.30-31:

8.51.30 Final Examinations and Athletic Events. Intercollegiate athletic contests at the University of Rhode Island shall not be scheduled so as to require travel or competition during either the final exam period, on designated reading days, or on Sunday of the intra-exam weekend. Games may be scheduled on Saturday of an intra-exam period weekend provided it is not a designated exam day and that all off-campus travel, if necessary, is limited to that day. Compulsory practice sessions shall not be scheduled on designated reading days, final exam days, or Sunday of the intra-exam period weekend.

8.51.31 No waiver shall be required for participation in conference-scheduled competitions, conference championships, and NCAA championships; however, the Athletics Advisory Board must be notified in advance on a timely basis when such participation, or associated off-campus travel, is scheduled to occur during the final exam period, on designated reading days, or on Sunday of the intra-exam period weekend. Issues regarding special tournaments and other major athletic competitions not controlled through University scheduling that occur, or require associated off-campus travel, during the final exam period, on designated reading days, or on Sunday of the intra-exam period weekend shall be forwarded to the Athletics Advisory Board for their recommendation to waive the above policy and permit participation. The board's recommendation shall be forwarded to the University President for final action.

There was considerable discussion at the December 11, 2003 Faculty Senate Meeting relative to the appropriateness of the Athletics Advisory Board's action.Those faculty members who believed the waiver was an infraction of the regulations noted that the reason for the Faculty Senate?s approval of a more liberal policy in 2002 was to reduce the need for the Athletics Advisory Board to recommend waivers. The new legislation limited waivers to clearly specified situations. The majority of members of the Athletics Advisory Board believed that the Board has retained under the legislation the option to recommend waivers under extenuating circumstances. The Faculty Senate Executive Committee agrees that waivers should be granted only under exceptional circumstances. Understanding that the two positions with regard to the regulations have some merit, the Faculty Senate Executive Committee recommends that the Faculty Senate adopt the following resolution:

RESOLVED: the Athletics Advisory Board agrees to issue a request to the President to waive the provisions of sections 8.51.30-31, then the Board shall also provide the Faculty Senate Executive Committee with appropriate documentation and explanation as to its reasons for making the request. The explanation to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee should be forwarded simultaneously with the request to the President.