DEPARTMENT FUNCTIONS

GOALS  

CSU Athletics has worked diligently to create a strategic plan that will guide our athletic department, as part of #OurChampionshipEra, including a Student-First Approach, Personal Investment, and Innovation
and the following objectives:

1. Graduate 100% of our student-athletes who exhaust their eligibility
2. Promote a culture of high academic expectations
3. Immerse first-time CSU student-athletes into university academic life by developing a targeted, comprehensive support program
4. Led by the Office of Student Services and the BAA (Board of Athletic Advisors (BAA), develop a collaborative campus and athletic department partnership program.

CORE FUNCTIONS
The Office of Student Services is the core area of support for all student-athletes who come to Chicago State University. Using innovation, the department takes a student-first approach and focuses on developing student-athletes’ personal investment to establish a graduation plan for each student, and provide the comprehensive support necessary to meet this plan. Office of Student Services staff members are dedicated to supporting and providing leadership to student-athletes, as well as communicating with the coaching staff of the designated sport. The Office of Student Services staff is also responsible for communicating with campus advisors, faculty, and staff. Student-athletes are closely monitored from their initial enrollment until graduation, but it is our expectation that student-athletes are actively engaged in the progression of their academic programs from enrollment to graduation, so they eventually become independent learners.

SPECIALIZED LEARNING SERVICES (SLS)
The Specialized Learning Services (SLS) Program is a function that supports the Office of Student Services. The SLS Program focuses on assisting students with diagnosed learning challenges. Additionally, our office works with licensed professionals to conduct educational screening to determine if an undiagnosed learning challenge exists. Student-athletes can receive study skills and learning strategies throughout the academic year, and all student-athletes have access to academic advising and subject-specific tutoring to support their academic coursework. Subject-specific tutors focus on specific course content while the Office of Student Services staff assists student-athletes with improving organizational and planning skills as they adjust to becoming college student-athletes.

COUGARS LEAD
Student-athlete leadership encompasses a developmental model within the Cougars LEAD Program. The Cougars LEAD Program is a selective leadership and career development program which prepares student-athletes to be professionals by fostering the development of skills and competencies that will assist them in their current academic programs and future careers. Leadership involves a commitment to understanding the impact of decisions and the ability to influence others. A graduate of the Cougars LEAD Program will complete an annual core of programming which focuses on leadership skills, community engagement, personal development, and career readiness.

OFFICE OF STUDENT SERVICES STAFF
The Office of Student Services staff collaborates with college academic advisors to provide the following academic services to all student-athletes:
● Student guidance and academic schedule planning
● Course planning
● Major selection
● Degree Progress
● Academic and career advising

The Office of Student Services staff also:
● Serve as liaison with faculty (travel letters, grade reports & proctoring services)
● Meet with prospective student-athletes and families during recruiting
● Report academic progress to coaches and administration
●Collaborate with the University Registrar on the determination of CSU and NCAA Eligibility

Each incoming student-athlete is assigned to a Student Services staff member, with whom the student-athlete meets at least once a week throughout the first year. Together, the advisor and student complete a semester planner and a weekly planner; deadlines are noted and goals are set for the semester. During these weekly appointments, students are encouraged to discuss how classes are going, report test and quiz grades they've earned, look ahead to approaching deadlines for papers or presentations, whether they need tutoring, etc. The advisor may look over a student's class lecture notes and ask questions about the assigned readings. Advisors are expected to keep notes on every meeting and meet with the coach every two weeks to report on the team/student-athlete overall academic progress.

All student-athletes meet with Student Services staff after meeting with their respective college academic advisor to ensure the student-athlete is meeting all NCAA eligibility requirements. It is also sometimes necessary to maintain academic support for sophomore, junior and occasionally, senior student-athletes. This usually involves additional study time at the Learning Assistance Center, increased tutoring sessions, and additional weekly meetings with Student Services staff. All upperclassmen are encouraged to continue working with tutoring staff to prepare for tests, review class work that has been graded, go over homework assignments, etc.

STUDY HALL PROGRAM FOR INCOMING STUDENT-ATHLETES

All freshmen, first-year transfers and walk-on student-athletes will be required to complete a minimum of six hours of mandatory study hall per week for the entire fall semester. The grade point averages offer new student-athletes will be reevaluated after their first semester to determine the number of required study hall hours for the subsequent semester.

CONTINUING STUDENT-ATHLETES
Continuing student-athletes who achieve a cumulative GPA below 3.0 will also be required to complete weekly mandatory study hall. The following scale details the number of study hall hours per week each student-athlete must complete based upon their cumulative GPA:
● 3.00 or above = 0 study hall hours
● 2.99 – 2.75 = 4 study hall hours
● 2.74 – 2.00 = minimum of 6 study hall hours

Study hall hours are recorded each week beginning on Monday and ending on Friday. Coaches will receive an official copy of the study hall report on Friday by the end of business. It is IMPERATIVE that each student-athlete complete the required study hall hours each week. Coaches will be required to structure organized study sessions while on the road unless provisions are made (hotel room and travel) for the Academic Coordinator(s) or Advisor(s) to set up study sessions.

STUDY HALL RULES AND REGULATIONS
● Arriving with books, notebooks, or other materials needed
● Loud talking, yelling, PROFANITY or horseplay is unacceptable.
● Browsing on social media or on internet sites not related to your class assignment is unacceptable.
● Headphones/ear-pods must be used. The music level must be kept to a minimum so as to not disrupt fellow students.
● Usage of cell phones is strictly prohibited during study hall hours.
● You must attend all scheduled appointments with tutors, mentors, or advisors.
● No sleeping or eating is allowed during study hall.
● Upon entering and exiting the study hall, you must sign in and out, using your student ID card. You will not be allowed to enter or leave without notifying the study hall monitor.
 
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Click here for The Office of Student Services' full policies and procedures.