2023-2024 Student-Athlete Handbook
Introduction
Resources

1. Introduction

The Yale Student-Athlete Handbook provides important information and guidance for student-athletes and contains essential NCAA and Ivy League rules and regulations. It is the responsibility of each student-athlete to adhere to the policies, rules, regulations, and guidelines in this Handbook. Like all Yale College students, student-athletes must also adhere to the policies detailed in the Yale College Undergraduate Regulations. While the Handbook and Regulations are updated annually, they may change at any time, and it is the responsibility of each student-athlete to stay informed of such changes, which will be reflected in the online versions of these documents. The Student-Athlete Handbook may be found on the Yale Athletics website www.yalebulldogs.com.  Yale College Regulations may be found on the Yale College Dean’s website http://catalog.yale.edu/ycps/.

2. Mission and Values
   1. Yale College

The mission of Yale College is to seek exceptionally promising students of all backgrounds from across the nation and around the world and to educate them, through mental discipline and social experience, to develop their intellectual, moral, civic, and creative capacities to the fullest. The aim of this education is the cultivation of citizens with a rich awareness of our heritage to lead and serve in every sphere of human activity.

3. Commitment to Sportsmanship

Respect for the game in which the student-athlete participates also demands respect for the opponent. Student-athletes at Yale are expected to treat opposing student-athletes, coaches, officials, staff, and spectators with respect and refrain from taunting, baiting of opponents, or other negative behaviors directed towards the opposition, officials, or other attendees of the competition. Yale student-athletes must honor the responsibilities that accompany the privilege of representing the university by behaving in a manner that reflects positively upon themselves, their team, and Yale.

4. Yale College Regulations 

All Yale student-athletes are expected to review, understand and adhere to the Yale College Undergraduate Regulations as outlined in the Yale College Catalog and Website.  Should a student-athlete fail to adhere to the Yale College Undergraduate Regulations, they may be subject to Executive Committee disciplinary action according to procedures outlined within those regulations. The athletic administration and the respective head coach may be notified of any Executive Committee case involving a student-athlete. Further, Yale Athletics will consider a student-athlete’s disciplinary history in making roster determinations. 

1. Academic Integrity

Yale Athletics strongly encourages student-athletes to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity and review academic integrity resources available through the Yale Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning (https://poorvucenter.yale.edu).

2. Hazing and Team Bonding

Yale College strictly prohibits any form of hazing, including hazing in connection with team bonding activities or other team-related activities.  When warranted, Yale will take appropriate disciplinary action against an athletic team, its leadership, and any individuals directly involved in acts of hazing. Hazing includes any action that violates Connecticut hazing law (CT General Statute, Section 53-23a, Hazing) as well as additional violations spelled out in the Yale College Undergraduate Regulations (Offenses, V. Hazing).  Student athletes should carefully review their responsibilities under Connecticut law and the Regulations and bring any questions or concerns to the attention of the Dean’s Office.

5. Yale College Academic Resources   
   1. Academic Resources
      1. Advising

Incoming first-year students are automatically assigned a college adviser. The residential college dean makes these assignments based on a variety of shared interests, including academics, extracurriculars, hometown, etc. College advisers are Yale faculty members, staff members, or administrators affiliated with a student’s residential college who have volunteered to help their advisees think through their academic interests and aspirations. College advisers help their advisees think through constructive ways of getting the most out of their first year at Yale. They can also help with constructing a sensible and well-balanced course schedule.
 
Yale College allows students to remain with their college adviser throughout their first four terms of enrollment (i.e., through the end of the sophomore year). Beginning in their second term of enrollment, students may also select a new college adviser. Students switching from one college adviser to another may choose any member of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences faculty.
 
Declaring a major prompts a change from pre-major adviser (college adviser) to major adviser (director of undergraduate studies, or “DUS,” in the major). In fact, once a student declares a major, the DUS or the DUS’s designee becomes the student’s adviser, replacing the student’s college adviser. This is because an undergraduate student may have only one adviser at a time. (The DUS is the faculty member in a department responsible for undergraduate instruction and the contents and structure of the major.)
 
Students interested in majoring in a STEM field are encouraged to declare their major by the end of their first year to get advice on course sequences and other matters; students interested in majoring in engineering, in particular, are strongly advised to declare their major by the end of their first year. Students majoring in subjects other than the STEM fields generally declare their major at the end of their sophomore year.
 
Additional information on advising may be found on the Advising Resources website, especially in the Your Adviser and Advising section (including Your Primary Advisers, Your College Adviser, and Selecting an Adviser).
 

2. Tutoring

Any student enrolled in Yale College and experiencing academic difficulty is eligible for free tutoring. The Center for Language Study (CLS) provides tutoring for the languages taught at Yale, while the Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning provides tutoring in the humanities, social sciences, STEM, and writing. The Residential College Math and Science Tutors, course-based tutors, and Residential College Writing Tutors are all administered by the Poorvu Center.
 
Language tutoring from the CLS is available for up to ten hours per term. If more than ten hours are needed, the student may request additional time from the program coordinator. A typical extension is five additional hours.
 
Students apply for a language tutor through the CLS’s Language Tutoring page. Students seeking other kinds of tutoring will find links in the Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning’s Undergraduates section. Students balancing co-curricular responsibilities, such as athletics, with their academic obligations have found the Poorvu Center’s Academic Strategies Program workshops to be especially helpful.
 
After applying for a tutor, you will receive an email confirmation of your tutoring assignment; it is important that you contact the tutor as soon as you receive that message. Sessions are scheduled by the tutor and student at a mutually convenient time.
 
Tutors are advanced undergraduate, graduate, or professional school students with demonstrated expertise in the subject area they teach and experience in communicating relevant material.
 

3. Missed Class Time

It is the student’s responsibility to notify instructors in advance when they must miss their classes.
 
Student-athletes should inform their instructors of any known class absences at the beginning of the term. Student-athletes should also compare their competition schedule with their class schedule and identify any known conflicting dates. If there are conflicts, notify the instructor(s) as soon as possible and explain the need to be absent in those instances. We recommend that you secure such permission from instructors in writing (since a conversation in early September may be forgotten by early November); your dean can assist you in drafting that request.
 
Class absences are the sole responsibility of the student-athlete. The residential college deans are authorized to extend deadlines but cannot issue Dean’s Extensions for absences; only instructors have the authority to excuse attendance and participation. While many faculty members may be willing to allow flexibility for class absences due to varsity competition, they are not obliged to do so.
 

4. Obtaining a Dean’s Extension

Requesting a Dean’s Extension from a residential college dean is the responsibility of the student-athlete. Deans are authorized by the faculty to issue a Dean’s Extension to postpone exams, quizzes, and other in-class assignments if that work conflicts with varsity athletic competitions or travel. But such decanal authority is limited. For instance, college deans are unable to issue Dean’s Extensions for class attendance or class participation, since such work cannot be postponed. And decanal authority to extend deadlines for co-curricular obligations is largely confined to exams, quizzes, and other work that requires a student-athlete’s presence on campus. Deans normally are not permitted to postpone papers, problem sets, and other assignments on the grounds of either a heavy work schedule or varsity competition, unless material critical to the completion of an assignment is missed because of absence from class because of travel or a competition. While mindful of the considerable time that student-athletes devote to their sport, the expectation of Yale College is that varsity athletes manage their time and submit such work by the deadline. That means that in some cases, you may have to complete papers, problem sets, and other assignments ahead of schedule. Deans can, however, connect you with resources, such as the Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning, to help you get organized and plan ahead. As always, instructors can excuse any assignment and any component of a course prior to the last day of classes on their own authority and without needing a Dean’s Extension.
 
Once classes end, however, faculty authority to postpone work is itself limited. As one important example, instructors are not empowered to postpone final exams; only the residential college dean may postpone a final exam. Be sure to review the Yale College Programs of Study, Section H., “Work Complete at the End of Term” and “Postponement of Final Examinations.”
Again, for essays, problem sets, and other assignments where a Dean’s Extension is unavailable, student-athletes must work ahead or work out alternative arrangements directly with their instructors. It is the expectation of Yale College that students anticipate possible conflicts with problem sets, papers, and other assignments and contact their instructor directly, well in advance of those conflicts, to request accommodations. For class absences, student-athletes should identify, at the beginning of the term, which classes may be missed and discuss any conflicts with their instructors as soon as possible.
In cases where a team is scheduled or forced to arrive back on campus after midnight, and a student-athlete has an in-class assignment (e.g., a midterm or quiz) that day, they may request a Dean’s Extension to postpone that assignment. In all other cases, the in-class assignment must conflict with athletic competition or travel to qualify for a Dean’s Extension.  
 
Only residential college deans may grant a Dean’s Extension, and it is the responsibility of the student to request such accommodations. Student-athletes should make such requests well in advance of an anticipated conflict, or as soon as they are aware of a problem (e.g., an unanticipated late return from a competition). The residential college dean will then determine whether the student-athlete qualifies and confirm that the student-athlete is on the Athletics Department’s Notification of Class Absence list. If they qualify, the dean will complete the Dean’s Extension form, which states when the work will be completed. Upon the dean’s approval, the instructor of record will automatically be notified.
 
For more information regarding Dean’s Extensions and other policies concerning missed coursework, student-athletes should consult the Yale College Programs of Study, Section H., “Completion of Course Work.” The residential college websites also contain pertinent information, including a link to the online form that students must use to request the Dean’s Extension.
 

5. Additional Academic Policies

Student-athletes may not miss class or any other academic obligation to attend practice. If you have an academic obligation that conflicts with practice, be sure to discuss the conflict with your coaches. They understand that your academics must come first.
 
All students at Yale must take at least one, and up to three language courses. Most language courses at the beginning and intermediate level meet five days per week. 
 
Yale College expects all students to complete their degree requirements within eight terms of enrollment. In exceptional circumstances, a student may petition the Yale College Committee on Honors and Academic Standing for permission to enroll for an additional term. Approval for this exception is rare and can be granted only for a narrow range of academic or medical reasons.  
 

2. Financial Aid – 246 Church Street, 203-432-2700

The Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid administers need-based financial aid for all Yale College students. Student-athletes with questions regarding their financial aid package, including federal and institutional grants, low-interest student loans, and other outside or need based resources should contact the Undergraduate Financial Aid for assistance. Students may call (203) 432-2700, schedule a zoom appointment at finaid.yale.edu/appointments, or stop by the office at 246 Church Street (1st floor).
 

6. . Yale College Athletics Resources and Policies

1. Compliance - This section reflects standard policies and procedures.  These policies and procedures reflect NCAA, Ivy League, and Yale regulations at the time of publishing.  Please confirm these policies if necessary. 

Every student-athlete is subject to NCAA, Ivy League, and Yale University rules and requirements that can affect their collegiate eligibility. Coaches, the Compliance Office, Yale’s NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative, and the Director of Athletics work together to ensure adherence to all NCAA, Ivy League, and Yale rules and regulations regarding eligibility. These policies, some of which are outlined in this section, may change on a yearly basis. The Athletic Department’s Compliance Office typically meets with student-athletes in the fall to discuss NCAA rules and regulations. It is the student-athlete’s responsibility to be knowledgeable of the rules and regulations, and to maintain compliance with them.
 
The easiest way to avoid an NCAA rules violation is to ask the Compliance Office, a coach, or staff member before accepting any sort of potential benefit or entering into any situation that potentially violates a rule. Involvement in a rule’s violation can have serious effects on eligibility to practice and compete. Talk to coaches, sport administrators, or the Compliance Office staff members whenever a question arises.
 
i. NCAA Orientation Meeting
Before the first day of practice each year, an NCAA orientation meeting will typically be held for all teams. This meeting is mandatory to attend. At this time, rules and procedures are explained and any questions concerning eligibility are answered. Student-athletes will also be asked to complete and sign NCAA, Ivy, and Yale forms.
 
Yale Athletics uses the ARMS Roster Management Software to distribute eligibility forms. All Yale student-athletes must read, complete, and submit all NCAA, Ivy League, and Yale eligibility forms on ARMS prior to participation in practice or competition. 
 
ii. Full Time Enrollment
NCAA rules require student-athletes to be a full-time degree seeking student in order to represent Yale in athletics practice and competition. This means student-athletes must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 credits of coursework at Yale. Student-athletes are NOT eligible to practice or compete, if at any time:

• They withdraw from Yale;
• Their registration or admission is canceled; or
• Their registration at Yale falls below 3 credits.

 
Additionally, during the first week of a term, student-athletes may be enrolled in less than a full-time program of study and continue to practice, but not compete.  Thereafter, student-athletes must be enrolled in 3 credits in order to practice and compete including during the remaining days of shopping period.
 
                        iii.  Yale College Academic and Distributional Requirements
A Yale student normally takes four or five credits per term, during a total of eight terms. Yale students normally graduate within eight terms of enrollment. 
 
Satisfactory Progress Requirements for Yale

• To be promoted to sophomore standing after two terms of enrollment, a student must earn at least eight credits or the equivalent and have fulfilled the distributional requirements for the first year.
• To be promoted to junior standing after four terms, a student is expected to earn at least sixteen course credits or the equivalent and have fulfilled the distributional requirements for the sophomore year.
• To be promoted to senior standing after six terms of enrollment, a student must earn at least 26 course credits or the equivalent and have fulfilled the distributional requirements for the junior year.
• Eighth term -- 36 course credits, graduating senior.

 
iv.  NCAA Progress Towards Degree Regulations
In addition to the requirements at Yale, the NCAA also requires student-athletes to make satisfactory progress towards their degree to maintain eligibility for competition.  Student-athletes must: 

• Pass 6 NCAA credits per term (equivalent to 1.5 Yale credits);
• Pass 18 NCAA credits per academic year of enrollment (equivalent to 4.5 Yale credits);
• First-years must pass 24 NCAA credits prior to the start of their sophomore year (equivalent to 6 Yale credits);
• Declare their degree prior to the start of their Junior year;
• Earn 40% of their degree prior to the start of their Junior year; and
• Earn 60% of their degree prior to the start of their senior year.

 
v. Eligibility Clock
Division I student-athletes have five calendar years in which to complete four seasons of competition in a sport.  The five-year clock begins when the student-athlete first enrolls as a full-time student at any collegiate institution and is continuous until the clock expires.  There are few exceptions to this rule – the clock could pause with time spent in the armed services, an official church mission, study abroad program, cooperative educational work experience for credit, or pregnancy. 
 
The Ivy League further restricts a student-athlete’s clock to the four years immediately following their initial full-time enrollment at a collegiate institution.  If a student-athlete does not utilize a season of competition during their initial four years of enrollment, they can elect to pursue that additional year of competition at a non-Ivy League institution.  In some circumstances, a student-athlete may be granted a fifth year of eligibility at an Ivy League institution when they were unable to compete during a season for reasons outside of their control. Most commonly this occurs due to a medical condition that prevented a student-athlete from competing.  Student-athletes who wish to pursue a fifth year of competition should contact the Compliance Office for guidance on filing an Ivy League fifth year waiver and/or a NCAA Hardship waiver for the year of eligibility.
 

1. Hardship Waivers

A student-athlete may be granted a waiver to gain back one of four seasons of eligibility for reasons of medical hardship. Hardship is defined as an incapacity resulting from an injury or illness that has occurred under the following conditions:

• The incapacitating injury or illness occurs in one of the four seasons of intercollegiate competition;
• The injury/illness occurs prior to the completion of the first half of the regular season; and
• The student-athlete has not participated in more than three contests or dates of competition or 30 percent (whichever is greater) of the total number of contests that Yale actually played that season.

2. Leaves of Absence

The Presidents of the Ivy League, as well as the Yale community, have emphasized the importance of broadening students’ academic experience should they elect to take a leave from Yale or plan to participate in athletics beyond the normal four-year calendar. If a student-athlete elects to take time off and intends to re-engage in the sport later, it is expected that the student-athlete will use that time to enrich their academic and other life experiences.
 
There are many examples of ways student-athletes can enrich this experience while taking time off:  work related to future employment interests; work, along with academic study (learning a new language, for example); travel abroad; or paid work combined with volunteer work, in this country, or abroad, are only a few of the many excellent possibilities. Leaves of absence may affect eligibility status.  Student-athletes must contact the Compliance Office if thinking about taking time off from Yale.
 
If a student-athlete takes a leave of absence from Yale, they may NOT engage in any countable athletic-related activity with a Yale team, including strength and conditioning workouts, team meetings, practices, or competition.  The student-athlete also may not use Yale’s athletic facilities without paying the regular published fees for use of the facility.
 
                        vi. Transfer
If a student-athlete plans to transfer to another institution or wishes to speak to another institution’s coach regarding a possible transfer, they must notify Yale of their intent to transfer in writing. This notice can be provided to the Compliance Office. The head coach will be informed of any student-athlete that has provided notification of intent to transfer. Once a student-athlete has provided a notification of intent to transfer, their name will be entered into the NCAA transfer database within two business days. Their name will not be removed from the database unless requested by the student-athlete. 
 
The athletic department will assume upon Receipt of a Notification of Intent to Transfer that the student-athlete has opted to cease participation in athletics at Yale unless the coach notifies the athletic department otherwise. Student-athletes should expect to no longer have access to athletic facilities once a notification of intent to transfer has been received. This includes, but is not limited to, access to locker rooms, practice/competition facilities, varsity awards, student-athlete programming, and the sports performance facilities.  Access to the Athletic Training Room will also be discontinued with the following exception.  Should a student-athlete require treatment for an injury sustained while participating in their sport, the student-athlete may have access to the Athletic Training Center through resolution of the injury or the end of their full-time enrollment, whichever occurs first. 
 
Student-athletes may utilize the one-time transfer exception to be immediately eligible at their next institution provided the student-athlete notifies Yale of their intent to transfer during their team’s applicable transfer windows. Intent to transfer as a graduate student is exempt from NCAA transfer windows, and therefore can enter the NCAA transfer portal at any time.  
 
vii. Financial Aid
Ivy League rules do not permit the award of athletics-based merit scholarships. All scholarships are administered by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid.  The Yale Department of Athletics encourages all student-athletes to annually complete necessary financial aid documents (e.g., FAFSA) and apply for institutional financial aid.
 
viii. Student-Athlete Assistance Fund
The NCAA provides funding to Division I institutions to assist with certain student-athlete expenses.?To qualify for this grant, students must receive a Pell Grant or receive 75% of the cost of attendance from need based financial aid. Expenses will be distributed according to the below chart:



 
If a student-athlete receives funding for an expense as part of their financial aid package (e.g., health insurance, flight home), the SAF will only consider funding those expenses if the student-athlete can show their funding from financial aid for those expenses has been exhausted. 
 
Expenses that may be covered by this grant include, but are not limited to:

• health insurance
• emergency medical expenses
• purchase of expendable academic course supplies
• clothing
• travel home
• other essential expenses

 
Receipts must be submitted with the application. For more information, contact the Compliance Office.
 
ix. Amateurism
The NCAA requires student-athletes to be amateurs in their sport.  The following situations may impact amateur status:

• Acceptance of any prize money or merchandise based on place or finish in an athletic event (e.g., road race, beach volleyball, golf tournament) in excess of actual and necessary expenses for that event. Expenses qualifying as actual and necessary expenses on an outside amateurism team or competition include items such as travel, room and board, and meals. A form must be on file with the Compliance Office documenting all prize money.
• Agreeing orally or in writing to be represented by an agent or anyone associated with an agent for present or future representation for the purpose of pursuing a professional athletics career.

 
x.  Name, Image, and Likeness
Student-athletes that wish to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL) are responsible to familiarize themselves with the State of Connecticut law and Yale’s institutional policy on NIL activities.

• Student-athletes must submit all executed NIL contracts to the compliance office.
• The Compliance Office in conjunction with the Office of General Counsel will review contracts for compliance and Yale policy purposes only.
• Yale coaches, faculty, and staff are not permitted to assist in the arrangement of NIL opportunities.
• NIL opportunities may not constitute pay for play or be contingent on athletic performance while representing Yale (e.g. no payment for number of goals scored).
• NIL may not interfere with academic or official team activities.

 
Per Yale policy, student-athletes cannot use university names, marks or logos or use university facilities or property for NIL activities. Please reference Yale’s NIL policy on the Yale Athletics website.
 
                        xi. Promotional Activities
It is permissible for student-athletes to participate in institutional, charitable, educational or nonprofit promotion provided that the activity does not involve corporate advertisements or promotions, that the use of the student-athlete’s name and picture is approved by the athletics department and is not used by a commercial entity, that the student-athlete does not miss class, and that all monies derived from the activity go directly to the institution or charity.
 
xii. Player Agents
Yale student-athletes who have the opportunity to continue their athletics career on the professional level must be aware that the Ivy League and NCAA have strict rules with regard to agents. The rules do not allow representation by an agent for pursuing professional athletics unless the student-athlete has made the decision to forfeit all remaining eligibility.  Student-athletes should contact their coach and/or the Compliance Office if they are ever contacted by an agent, advisor, or an employee of an agent for the purpose of pursuing professional athletics.
 
Yale student-athletes are permitted to have NIL agent representation. Student-athletes must disclose NIL agent representation to the athletics Compliance Office. Professional representation must be for NIL opportunities only and not for future professional athletics contract negotiations.
 
xiii. Extra Benefits
The Yale Department of Athletics is responsible for the control and conduct of the intercollegiate athletics program. Once an individual has been identified as an athletic representative or booster, the individual retains that identity forever and is governed by the same NCAA, Ivy, and Yale rules and regulations as Yale athletic staff members. A booster is anyone who has promoted Yale, is a season ticket holder, is a member of an associated booster groups, has made financial contributions to Yale, has assisted in the recruitment of prospective student-athletes, is a former student-athlete, or provided benefits to enrolled student-athletes at Yale.
 
If at any time a student-athlete has a question concerning benefits, gifts, or services that have been offered, please check with the Compliance Office immediately. Boosters or institutional staff members are not permitted to provide a student-athlete with an extra benefit. The term “extra benefit” refers to any special arrangement by an institutional employee or booster to provide the student-athlete (or to a relative/friend of the student-athlete) with a benefit not expressly authorized by NCAA legislation.
 
Examples of “Extra Benefits” NOT PERMITTED by the NCAA:

• Receiving any special discount, payment, arrangement, or credit on a purchase (e.g., airline ticket) or a service (e.g., car maintenance) that is not available to the general public;
• A professional service without charge or at a reduced cost;
• The use of an automobile, cell phone, or credit card without charge or at a reduced rate;
• Services from commercial establishments (e.g., restaurant) without charge or at a reduced rate;
• Free or reduced-cost admission to professional athletic contests from professional sports organizations;
• Free or reduced-cost rental or housing agreements;
• A loan of money or guarantee of a bond that is not available to the general public;
• Preferential treatment, benefits, or services based upon athletics reputation, skill, or potential to later re-pay for the benefit;
• The selling/bartering of designated complimentary admissions in exchange for products or services; and
• The selling/bartering of any issued Yale athletic apparel or equipment in exchange for products or services.

 
xiv. Outside Competition
In Division I, a student-athlete who participates during the academic year in outside competition as a member of any non-collegiate amateur team becomes ineligible for competition in that sport for the remainder of the year and for the next academic year unless restored by the NCAA.
 
It is permissible for student-athletes in sports other than basketball to participate in outside competition during an official vacation period.
 
Student-athletes in basketball may participate only in NCAA sanctioned leagues and must receive prior written approval from the Compliance Office to participate in these leagues. 
 
There are exceptions to the outside competition regulation for national team competition and tryouts. All students who utilize such exceptions must complete paperwork with the Compliance Office prior to the competition. The Outside Competition form is available on ARMS.
 
 xv. Employment
All student-athletes who hold employment during their time as a student-athlete, both during the academic year and the summer, must complete the Student-Athlete Employment form and provide it to the Compliance Office through ARMS.  General NCAA regulations regarding student-athlete employment include the following:

• A student-athlete may only be compensated for work actually performed;
• A student-athlete may only be compensated at a rate similar to the “going rate of pay” in the locality for similar services;

 
It is permissible for a representative of Yale’s athletics interests to help student-athletes find employment provided all of the above outlined conditions are met and the appropriate form is on file with the Compliance Office. 
 
xvi. Fee for Lesson Employment
A student-athlete may receive compensation for teaching or coaching sport skills or techniques in their sport on a fee-for-lesson basis, provided:

• Institutional facilities are not used;
• Playing lessons shall not be permitted;
• The institution obtains and keeps on file documentation of the recipient of the lesson(s) and the fee for the lesson(s) provided during any time of the year;
• The compensation is paid by the lesson recipient (or the recipient’s family) and not another individual or entity;
• Instruction to each individual is comparable to the instruction that would be provided during a private lesson when the instruction involves more than one individual at a time.

 
If interested in teaching lessons on a fee basis, please contact the Compliance Office to discuss these regulations and complete the necessary paperwork.
 
                        xvii. Sports Camps and Clinics
A student-athlete may be employed by their institution, by another institution, or by a private organization to work as a camp counselor.  The general rules surrounding such employment are as follows:

• The student-athlete must perform duties that are of a general supervisory nature.
• Compensation shall be commensurate with the going rate for camp or clinic counselors.
• A student-athlete’s name or picture shall not appear on a website, brochure, or other document advertising the camp, unless it is in the camp/clinic counselor section of the document.
• A student-athlete who only lectures at a camp or clinic shall not receive compensation for his/her appearance.
• A student-athlete with eligibility remaining is not permitted to conduct their own camp or clinic.
• Student-athletes who intend to work a camp outside of Yale should file an employment form with the compliance office.

 
                         xviii. Tobacco
The use of tobacco products is prohibited by all game personnel (e.g. student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, managers and officials for all sports) during practice and competition.
 
xix. Sports Gambling
The NCAA and the Yale Department of Athletics oppose all forms of legal and illegal sports wagering. Sports wagering has the potential to undermine the integrity of sports contests, and jeopardizes the welfare of student-athletes and the intercollegiate athletics community. NCAA Bylaws prohibit student-athletes and athletics department staff members from engaging in gambling activities on any NCAA sponsored sport regardless of level of participation, including intercollegiate athletics and professional athletics. Student-athletes and staff members shall not knowingly:

• Provide information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition;
• Speak about injuries (a student-athlete’s own or a teammates) on social media sites; or
• Solicit or accept a wager, defined as anything in which something of value is used as collateral towards the opportunity to win something of value.  Wagers include bets made through a bookmaker, parlay card, fantasy sports, and NCAA tournament bracket games.

 
xx. Time Limits for Athletically Related Activities
The NCAA and Ivy League have established rules and regulations regarding time limits for practice and competition activities.
 
Time Spent on Athletically Related Activities (Countable Hours)
During the academic year, coaches are limited in the number of hours they can require a student-athlete to participate in mandatory countable activities. The limits for the academic year are:
 
Championship Season (maximum 4 hours/day, maximum 20 hours/week)
During the playing and practice season, a student-athlete’s participation in countable athletically-related activities shall be limited to a maximum of 20 hours per week and 4 hours per day. Coaches are mandated to provide one day a week off from any required athletically-related activities.  A travel day may be considered a day off. 
 
Note: Daily and weekly hour limitations may apply differently to countable athletically related activities occurring during institutional vacation periods (e.g., summer, winter, and spring breaks) that overlap with the Championship season.
 
Countable athletically-related activities include but are not limited to the following

• Practice;
• Competition (always counted as 3 hours regardless of total time spent at competition);
• Required conditioning and/or weight training;
• Skill-related instructional activities;
• Required individual workouts;
• Athletically-related meetings initiated by a member of the coaching staff; and
• Required film sessions.

 
Non-countable athletically-related activities include the following

• Voluntary, non-required individual or team workouts (not supervised by a coaching staff member unless your sport has a safety exception);
• Physical rehabilitation;
• Medical exams or treatments;
• Compliance meetings;
• Dressing, showering, taping;
• Organized team promotional activities;
• Study hall or required tutoring sessions.
• Recruiting activities, including student-host duties;
• Meetings with coaches for non-athletics matters;
• Public relations activities (e.g., media interviews);
• Community service events;
• Team-building activities;
• Fundraising events; and
• Travel to and from away-from-home competition.

 
Non-Championship Season (maximum of 12 hours/week)
During the Non-Championship playing season, a student-athlete’s participation in countable athletically-related activities shall not exceed 8 hours of skill instruction per week and 32 hours of skill instruction during the entire non-championship segment. An additional four hours of strength and conditioning activities are permitted per week.  Coaches are mandated to also give every student-athlete on the team two days off from required athletically related activities during this period.
 
Out of Season (maximum of 6 hours/week)
Outside the playing season and during the academic year, a student-athlete’s participation in countable athletically-related activities shall not exceed six hours per week. No more than four hours may be spent on skill instruction.  In addition, coaches are mandated to also give every student-athlete on the team two days off from required athletically-related activities during this period.
 
Voluntary Athletically-Related Activities
Any athletically-related activity that a student-athlete participates in that occurs outside of the in-season practice period, or the out-of-season practice segment, can only be done in a voluntary capacity. A coach may not be present unless the below “Safety Exception” is applicable. 
 
Safety Exception
In the sports of fencing, gymnastics, rowing, swimming and diving, sailing, and field events for track, a coach may be present during voluntary workouts, and the coach may spot or provide safety or skill instruction but cannot conduct the individual’s workout.
 
Team Rest Periods
The Ivy League mandates 49 rest days for each varsity team during the academic year. These days shall have no required athletic activity, no voluntary activity under the supervision of a team coach, no team athletics activities (e.g., captain’s practices), and no team or team member athletically-related activities resulting from encouragement by the coaching staff to engage in such activity.  The use of the safety exception is not permitted in applicable sports on rest days.  Under no circumstances will any athletically-related activity involving team members be supervised by a team coach, nor will facilities be reserved for team activities. The one required day off per week during the championship season may not count as a rest day. Other required off days may overlap with the 49 rest days.
 
xxi. NCAA Banned Substances and Drug Testing
The list of banned substances is available on the NCAA website. It is the student-athlete’s responsibility to check this list against any substance, including prescriptions that they take and to talk to their sport’s athletic trainer if they have any questions.
 
The NCAA has instituted a year-round drug testing program administered through the National Center for Drug Free Sport organization. If selected to drug test, including during the summer months, it is the responsibility of the student-athlete to complete the drug test. Not showing up to a drug test jeopardizes student-athlete eligibility. 
 

2. Student-Athlete Services
   1. Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) – The Yale SAAC is a committee made up of student-athlete leaders representing all 35 of Yale’s athletic teams.  SAAC members provide the athletic administration with insight on the Yale student athlete experience, create community among the student-athlete population, and offer input on Yale, Ivy League and NCAA rules, regulations and policies that affect student athletes' lives. Additionally, the SAAC contributes to a positive campus climate by hosting social events, promoting attendance at competitions, and participating in community outreach activities.
   2. Other Student-Athlete Affinity Groups – Several other student-athlete affinity groups exist within the student-athlete population. Student-athletes interested in joining these affinity groups or interested in starting their own affinity group are encouraged to do so.  Contact saac@yale.edu for more information.
   3. Captains

Yale Athletics has a time-honored tradition that each Yale varsity team has one captain at any time. Captains are elected by their teammates. The role of the captain is to act as the on-field student-athlete leader of the team during practice and competition.
 

3. Sports Medicine

1. Intro

The Yale University Athletics Sports Medicine Department is dedicated to promoting and providing comprehensive health care for all Yale student-athletes and to promoting their physical and mental wellbeing according to current professional standards. 

2. Clearance Process

A pre-participation medical evaluation is required by the NCAA upon a student-athlete’s entrance into an institution’s intercollegiate athletics program.This is conducted under the direction of the Yale team physician with the help of the athletic training staff and the athletic medicine staff at Yale Health. This initial evaluation includes a standardized medical history, an immunizations records review, a mental health screening, and cardiovascular, neurological and musculoskeletal evaluations.
 
After the initial medical evaluation, an updated medical history is obtained annually, prior to the competition season.The team physician is ultimately responsible for the clearance to participate and the return-to-play decisions for Yale’s student-athletes.
 
In addition to a medical evaluation, Yale Sports Medicine requires each student-athlete to sign an informed consent/assumption of risk agreement and an acknowledgements of Yale Athletics health insurance policy.
 
Student-athletes who sustain injuries or have other medical problems that may limit participation may be placed on the medical disability list, as determined by the Sports Medicine staff.Student-athletes will be permitted to return to participation as quickly as is safely possible. Close cooperation of the student-athlete with the team physician and athletic training staff is essential during this time. Student-athletes may be permitted to participate in supervised conditioning or modified practices while on the disability list, as determined by the team physician and athletic trainer.
 

3. Health Insurance

Yale University Athletics does not provide secondary or supplemental medical insurance coverage.All student-athletes are required to have insurance covering athletic-related injuries per rules adopted by the NCAA institutions.Once claims or expenses for such an injury reach $90,000, the NCAA’s catastrophic insurance plan may cover the costs for an injured student-athlete. Student-athletes should review the NCAA’s insurance plan documents for additional information about this insurance.
 
At Yale University, all degree candidates are automatically enrolled in the Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty coverage.Details of this plan can be found on the Yale Health website or by calling Yale Health Member Services at 203-432-0246.If you elect to use other coverage, you must give notice each academic year and provide proof of insurance plan.
 

4. Medical Expenses

All medical expenses incurred (including premiums, deductibles, co-payments and other charges) for treatment of athletic-related injuries are the responsibility of the student-athlete. This includes all expenses related to x-rays, MRIs, bone scans, lab tests, hospitalization, physical therapy, surgery, emergency room services, emergency transport service and professional fees associated with those services.  This applies even if an injury is sustained in a practice or competition while representing Yale.
 

5. Yale Health Insurance Coverage and Options

The Yale Health Insurance Basic plan provides primary care services to all degree candidates enrolled at Yale at no additional charge. Primary care services and departments include: athletic medicine (varsity student-athletes only), student medicine, internal medicine, mental health and counseling, urgent care, inpatient care facility, gynecological and on-site laboratory tests. All degree candidates have the option of purchasing additional coverage which includes hospitalization and specialty services (Yale Heath Hospitalization/Specialty Care Plan) or maintaining private insurance. Specialty services include allergy, audiology, dermatology, ear, nose and throat, general surgery, off-site lab testing, neurology, obstetrics, ophthalmology, orthopedics, physical therapy, radiology and urology. These services are fully covered by the Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Plan if purchased for the selected fiscal year.
 
Yale Athletics recommends student-athletes purchase the Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care Plan at their own expense; however, Yale Athletics understands this is a family decision and encourages each student-athlete to review their current insurance coverage policy prior to making this important decision.
 

6. Personal Insurance Coverage

If a student-athlete chooses to waive the Yale Health Hospitalization/Specialty Care coverage and to rely on a personal insurance plan instead, the student-athlete will be responsible for all expenses, including premiums, deductibles, co-payments, out-of-network charges, etc. If the student-athlete is a member of an HMO or PPO, the insurance may not provide coverage out of their prescribed service area. Student-athletes should determine if they have higher co-payments for services rendered outside of the service area.  Additionally, student-athletes and their families should investigate whether they need a referral form from their primary care physician at home in order to see a specialist (e.g., orthopedist, cardiologist, etc.), which may be required by their insurance company.
 
Student-athletes should also have a clear understanding of the policies and procedures maintained by their insurance for expensive services such as MRIs, bone scans, dental injuries, knee braces, and other common sports medicine services.
 

7. Other Services

The Yale Department of Athletics will not reimburse or cover any expenses related to physical therapy rendered outside Yale Health Center, chiropractic care, acupuncture, or other alternative treatments, lost corrective lenses or medications to treat injuries, illnesses, or other medical conditions.

8. Injury Management and Treatment of Illness

It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to report all injuries and illnesses to a staff athletic trainer as soon as possible. Open and honest disclosure of injury and illness by the student-athlete is the only way to deliver the highest level of care to the student-athlete. Athletic trainers will help the student-athlete by coordinating timely access to Yale Health physicians. The physician will make evaluations, direct treatment, referrals, and consultations. The student-athlete will receive available medical coverage only if these procedures are followed.
Should a student-athlete seek medical attention without a referral from an athletic trainer or team physician or outside of the framework above, the student-athlete must inform a staff athletic trainer that outside medical care has been sought. 
Student-athletes who wish to obtain an additional medical opinion regarding treatment or clearance may do so in conjunction with communication to the treating physician. In all cases, the clearance for practice and participation in competitions can only be issued by the Yale Sports Medicine and Yale Health Athletic Medicine physicians.

9. Emergency Action Plan

It is extremely important for all student athletes to be aware of emergency procedures. Quick action should be taken to provide the best care for a student-athlete during an emergency. If an athletic trainer or coach is not present at a captain’s practice, work out, or conditioning session, a student-athlete should do their best to manage the injury and initiate the emergency system.
 
Student-athletes should always have access to emergency communication of some type. This may be an emergency call box, a university phone, or cell phone. Student-athletes should know the nearest location of an emergency callbox or university phone when practicing or working out.
 
There are two general types of situations student-athletes may encounter. In an emergency, responders should stabilize the individual as best possible and call 911. Responders should then attempt to reach an athletic trainer on a university or emergency call box. It is important to contact the Yale Health Services Acute Care Department at 203-432-0123 for proper coordination of the student-athlete’s care.
 
For non-urgent injuries, responders should attempt to contact an athletic trainer for instructions and assistance. If responders are unable to reach an athletic trainer, responders should assist the student-athlete as needed from the practice area. If the student-athlete needs immediate attention, responders should go to Acute Care at Yale Health Services at 55 Lock Street. Responders should contact an athletic trainer as soon as possible to help coordinate care.


There are posted emergency action plans posted at athletics venues to help provide details to carefully manage each situation.Each plan identifies physical addresses, access roads, phone numbers, and outlines the chain of command.
 

10. Concussion Management

Concussion management at Yale is a coordinated effort by the athletic training staff and the athletic medicine team at Yale Health.Yale makes NCAA concussion fact sheets and other applicable educational materials available to its students-athletes. In addition, student-athletes must agree to report any signs and symptoms of concussion to a member of the sports medicine staff at Yale.
 
Pre-participation assessment
Prior to an individual’s participation in varsity athletics, a baseline concussion assessment will be conducted as part of their medical evaluation.This will include a brain injury/concussion history, symptom evaluation, balance, and cognitive assessment.The Yale team physician will determine clearance and/or the need for additional testing.
 
Recognition and diagnosis of concussion:
All student-athletes who experience signs and/or symptoms consistent with a brain injury will be removed from participation and a medical professional will conduct an evaluation.Until the student-athlete is cleared for return by the medical staff, they will be placed on the medical disability list and not eligible for participation.
 
Management of concussion:
The team physician may prescribe student-athletes that have been diagnosed with a concussion a rehabilitation plan to be performed under the direction of an athletic trainer.The Yale athletic trainers will work in conjunction with the team physician during the student-athlete’s graduated return to sport.
 
If the team physician deems academic accommodations necessary, a medical note to the student-athlete’s Dean will outline what modifications are recommended. The student-athlete should contact the Resource Office on Disabilities (203-432-8250) for additional information about requesting academic accommodations.
 

11. NCAA Banned Substances and Drug Testing

Please see the sections on NCAA Banned Substances and Drug Testing for information. 

4. Sport Performance and Innovation Regulations - This section reflects standard policies and procedures.  Some adjustments may have been made to these policies and procedures to account for the COVID-19 pandemic.  Please confirm these policies if necessary. 

The Yale Athletics Sports Performance & Innovation Department operates the strength and conditioning programs across facilities. All current and eligible student-athletes have the opportunity to train in these facilities. Each student-athlete who works with a S&C certified staff member must abide by the following regulations:

1. Consult the posted schedule for team weight room times and contact the strength & conditioning staff in advance if unable to attend a scheduled workout. Student-athletes may work out during their team’s scheduled times, but not during another team’s scheduled time (unless prior arrangements have been made).
2. Proper team-issued attire, including shirts and shoes, are required at all times.  No spikes, cleats, bare feet, or open toe/unlaced footwear are permitted.  Each team’s policies regarding apparel and appearance (as well as conduct), as set by respective head coaches, are in effect in the weight room.
3. No hats or head wear covering the head are allowed in the weight rooms. Athletic headbands to keep hair out of athlete’s eyes are acceptable.
4. Safety first! Treat platforms and power racks as workstations, and always be aware and respectful of another student-athletes’ training environment.  Use equipment correctly; use collars and spotter(s) on free weight exercises; use proper form; and never sacrifice technique for weight.
5. Take pride in the weight room and keep it in order.  It is each student-athlete’s responsibility to pick up after themselves.  Keep equipment in its proper location (do not rearrange or remove).  Strip bars, rack weights correctly and replace all items when done.  Equipment is to be kept off the floor (except for the platforms) and properly racked when not in use.
6. Food, open beverage containers, gum, or glass of any kind are not permitted in the weight room. Sport bottles may be used throughout the weight room, but cups are not allowed.
7. The stereo is to be controlled by the strength & conditioning staff only. Music with profane or obscene lyrics is not permitted in the weight room. Headphones are not permitted at any time.
8. Consult with the strength & conditioning staff regarding any questions, concerns, or suggestions. Failure to observe posted regulations and schedules may result in suspension or termination of weight room privileges at the discretion of the staff through the course of the semester or school year.

5. Varsity Awards

Student-athletes in good standing with their team and the athletic department will be awarded a Varsity Y sweater at the conclusion of their sophomore season and a framed Varsity Y at the conclusion of their senior season.    
 

6. Interview Policies

Do not agree to interviews of any kind (telephone, Zoom, written, or personal) unless it is coordinated through Yale Athletics’ Strategic Communications Office. Please find your designated media contact. If any media outlet, including the Yale Daily News, reaches out directly via text, email, or in person, immediately forward that request to the Strategic Communications team. From there, they will advise you on the appropriate response.
 

1. Be calm and level-headed during the interview.  Cooperation with the media allows you to give your side of the story, positive statements, and messages.  You cannot go wrong complimenting a teammate or the opposition in an interview.
   1. Ex: “Really happy with the way the team competed today.” Or “We didn’t get the result we would have liked, but we really battled and gave it all we could.”
2. Control the interview – DO NOT answer any questions that make you uncomfortable or if you are unsure of the appropriate answer.  The proper way to respond to a question is, “I’d rather not discuss that subject at this time” or “I’d rather not make a comment on that question right now.”
3. Never say anything that you may regret to see or hear online, in print or on your TV.  You can always tell the media member to speak with the Strategic Communications office.
4. From the NFL Media Relations Handbook:

“Fans judge you as an athlete according to how you perform during competition.They judge you as a person according to how you perform with the media.If fans develop a good impression of you through the media, especially when things are not going well in competition, the benefits to you can be significant.”

7. Social Media Guidelines

Every student-athlete should remember that playing and competing for Yale University is a privilege. Student-athletes represent Yale University and are expected to portray themselves, their team, and the university in a positive manner always.
 
Below is social networking and online activity guidelines for social media and online site usage:
 

1. Nothing Is Private - any text or photo placed online is completely out of your control the moment it is placed online – even if you limit access to your page. Information (including pictures, videos, and comments) can be accessible even after its removal. Once a photo or comment is posted online, it becomes subject to the user agreement of the host company and may appear in the public domain even after removal from the website. Further, online postings can be captured by viewers of that information and redistributed without the original posters consent.

 

2. Think About the Future -Employers and graduate school admissions officers review social networking sites as part of their overall evaluation of an applicant. Student-athletes must give careful consideration of how they want to be perceived before posting information online that may be misinterpreted (including pictures, videos, comments, etc.).

 

3. Yale Athletics will not tolerate disrespectful comments and behavior online, such as: 
   1. Derogatory language or remarks that may harm classmates or coaches; other Yale University students, faculty, staff, or coaches; and student-athletes, coaches, or representatives of other schools, including comments that may disrespect opponents.
   2. Incriminating photos or statements depicting violence; hazing; sexual harassment; full or partial nudity; inappropriate gestures; vandalism, stalking; underage drinking, selling, possession, or use of controlled substances; or any other inappropriate behaviors as outlined in the Yale College Regulations and state and federal Law.
   3. Creating a danger to the safety of another person or making a credible threat of serious physical or emotional injury to another person.
   4. Indicating knowledge of an unreported NCAA, Ivy League, Yale University, or team violation—regardless if the violation was unintentional or intentional.

Behavior of this nature may jeopardize a student-athlete’s place on the team’s roster.

8. Under Armour

Yale Athletics is proud to be sponsored by Under Armour. All student-athletes are expected to always wear Yale-issued Under Armour apparel when representing Yale.
 
All issued apparel and equipment are the sole property of the Yale University Athletic Department and must be returned upon request and within the time frame stated. Failure to do so can result in financial holds with the University

1. Athletics Directory
   

                           
        VI. Other Important Yale College Resources      
        a. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
            

        b. Wellness Resources
                  

3. Sexual Misconduct Resources
   i. Sexual Harassment and Assault Response & Education Center (SHARE)
   
   
   ii. Title IX Coordinators
   
   
   iii. University-Wide Committee on Sexual Misconduct (UWC), 203-432-4449
   
   
   iv. Communication and Consent Educators (CCEs)
   
    
4. Campus Safety – 101 Ashmun Street, 203-432-4400