Colby College

For Practice
It is an NCAA rule that students may not miss class because of practice sessions unless the practice is in conjunction with an away contest. (see NCAA Bylaw 17.1.4.2 and 17.1.4.2.1)
Missed Class Time. A student-athlete shall not miss class for the following:
(a) Practice activities in any segment; and
(b) Competition in the nontraditional segment.
Exceptions. A student-athlete may miss class for practice activities in the following circumstances:
(a) When a team is traveling to an away-from-home contest and the practice is in conjunction with the contest; and
(b) Student-athletes representing the host institution shall be permitted to miss class time for practice activities scheduled in conjunction with an NCAA championship.
 
For Competition
The following information is intended to summarize college policies and guidelines on missed class time due to athletic contests.
• Colby rules state that students are permitted to miss a class for a contest but only at the discretion of the professor of that class.
• Individual instructors determine whether students may be excused from classes or scheduled course events.
• Coaches are instructed to provide practice and game schedules, including departure times for away contests, to all members of the team prior to the start of each season. For fall sports, students should have this information by the Friday of the first week of classes. For winter and spring sports, students should receive this information as soon as possible after tryouts are completed.
• Once students obtain their game schedules and departure times for away contests, they should compare their athletic schedule with their class schedule and any other scheduled class events to identify any overlapping commitments.
• After reviewing the professor’s attendance policy and, if any, class participation policy, the student needs to communicate with the professor directly and as soon as possible about any scheduled class events he or she is seeking permission to miss. It is recommended that students speak to their professor(s) in person and not initiate these discussions through, for example, email. These conversations should occur during the first several days of the semester.
• Students are responsible for any work missed.
• Students on academic probation cannot be excused from any class for extracurricular events, including athletic contests.
(see Appendix VII/Colby College Faculty Handbook, p. 118)