Compliance

NCAA Compliance and the Principle of Ethical Conduct
To participate in intercollegiate athletics, student-athletes must maintain athletic and academic eligibility. Your coach, academic counselor, the Compliance staff, the Academic staff, the Athletic Director, the Faculty Athletics Representative, and the Chancellor work together to ensure adherence to all NCAA and Big Ten Conference regulations regarding your eligibility.

Though NCAA and Big Ten Conference rules may seem complicated, they ensure that all teams and student-athletes play according to the same rules, with no team having an unfair competitive edge. Great effort is made by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) administration to see that you and all staff members are familiar with these rules and understand that any deviation from them, whether knowingly or through ignorance, is not condoned by the Athletics Department or UNL.

All student-athletes are required to conduct themselves in an ethical manner in compliance with NCAA and Big Ten Conference regulations, and risk losing eligibility to compete if he or she evades or violates those regulations. Unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to, withholding information, providing false information, and providing misleading information.

The following sections are intended to reinforce the rules and requirements that have been discussed during your meetings with the Compliance staff. These sections are not intended to be all-inclusive. If you have any questions regarding NCAA, Big Ten, or UNL rules and regulations, please contact a member of the Compliance staff.

Academic Integrity
All institutional staff members and student-athletes are expected to act with honesty and integrity in all academic matters and must adhere to UNL Standards of Academic Integrity and Responsible Conduct. Examples of Academic Integrity violations include, but are not limited to:

1.    Plagiarism;
2.    Fraud;
3.    Alteration or falsification of an academic record; and
4.    Institutional staff members or individuals outside of the institution (e.g. donors, fans) providing student-athletes with impermissible academic assistance.  

Academic Eligibility
Eligibility for Competition and the Six-Hour Rule
A student-athlete, enrolled as an undergraduate student or as a graduate student, is required to complete a minimum of six semester hours of degree-applicable academic credit in the previous full-time regular academic term to be eligible for competition. To be eligible to compete in a postseason event (e.g., conference tournament, bowl game, NCAA Championship) that occurs between regular terms, a student-athlete must have completed 6 semester hours of degree-applicable credit in the previous academic term.

Eligibility for Competition in Football and the Nine-Hour Rule
Student-athletes must pass nine hours of degree-applicable credit in the fall semester. If not, the student-athlete will be ineligible for the first four games of the following season.

Academic Redshirt - Freshmen Student-Athletes
If the NCAA has certified you as an Academic Redshirt, you must pass nine hours in the fall semester to gain access to practice in the spring semester.

Full-Time Enrollment
NCAA and UNL rules require that a student-athlete is a full-time, degree-seeking student in order to represent UNL in athletic practice and competition. This means you must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours if enrolled in an undergraduate program and at least nine credit hours if enrolled in a graduate program.

Full-Time Enrollment Exception
A student-athlete is not required to be enrolled full-time to participate in practice and competition if he or she meets both of the requirements below:
1. The student-athlete is in the last semester of his or her undergraduate degree; and
2. The student-athlete is in the final hours for the completion of his or her degree.

Enrollment Changes
Changes in your enrollment (e.g. petitions to add/drop courses, late enrollment, instructor drops) should be submitted prior to the published deadlines to ensure that your records are accurate and complete. You must have approval from your academic advisor to drop a class. This policy is designed to prevent you from making changes in your academic schedule that may jeopardize either your academic or eligibility status.

NCAA Progress Toward Degree Requirements for Competition Eligibility
1. Before third semester of full-time enrollment
a. Completed/passed 24 credit hours that count toward your degree (all hours must be taken at UNL).
b. 1.8 GPA minimum.

2. Before fifth semester of full-time enrollment
a. Declare a degree.
b. From the previous two terms, pass a minimum of 18 credits that go toward your degree.
c. Must have completed 40% of your degree requirements.
d. 1.9 GPA minimum.

3. Before seventh semester of full-time enrollment
a. From the previous two terms, pass a minimum of 18 credits that go toward your degree.
b. Must have completed 60% of your degree requirements.
c. 2.0 GPA minimum.

4. Before ninth semester of full-time enrollment
a. From the previous two terms, pass a minimum of 18 credits that go toward your degree.
b. Must have completed 80% of your degree requirements.
c. 2.0 GPA minimum.

UNL Grading System
UNL uses an A through F grading system. The letter grades with point values in parentheses are:
• A+ (4.0), A (4.0), A- (3.67)
• B+ (3.33), B (3.0), B- (2.67)
• C+ (2.33), C (2.0), C- (1.67)
• D+ (1.33), D (1.0), D- (.67)
• F (0)
Grades of W (withdrew), I (incomplete), P (pass/C or better) and N (no pass) may also be given. These grades are not assigned grade points and are not used in computation of a student’s grade-point average.

Amateurism
Only amateur student-athletes are eligible to compete at the NCAA level. Participating in any of the impermissible actions below jeopardizes your amateur status and negatively impacts your eligibility.

Agents for Professional Sports Representation
1. Accepting any benefit from an agent is not permissible. It is also impermissible for your family and friends to accept benefits from agents. Please see section titled Name, Image, and Likeness Employment for regulations related to the use of marketing agents.
2. Agreeing to have an agent represent you , verbally or in writing, before your eligibility is exhausted is not permissible.
3. The State of Nebraska requires agents to register and maintain good standing with the Secretary of State. If you have any agent questions, please contact the Compliance staff.

Employment
A student-athlete is permitted to earn legitimate employment income at any time, as long as the following requirements are met:
1.  You are only compensated for the work you actually perform and the hours you actually work.
2. Your rate of pay is proportionate to the rate of pay that other individuals are being paid for similar work in the locale in which the work is being performed.
3. You are not being paid in advance of the work you perform.
4. You are receiving the same benefits as all other similarly situated employees. For instance, it is not permissible for your employer to provide you with transportation if transportation is not available to all employees.
5. If you are an international student-athlete, you may not work off-campus.
6. You register all employment with the Compliance staff.

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Employment
During the summer of 2021, the NCAA provided new guidance related to student-athletes being able to use their names, images, and likenesses during employment opportunities. Please see the UNL NIL policy at the following link:
UNL NIL Policy

Impermissible Actions with Professional Teams
1. Entering into a verbal or written agreement to compete in professional athletics.
2. Negotiating a verbal or written professional contract.
3. Participating on a professional athletic team.
4. Requesting to have your name be put on a draft list for professional sports.
5. Trying out with a professional sports organization. For exceptions regarding the draft or tryouts, please see the Compliance staff.

Impermissible Forms of Payment
1. Accepting payment or the promise of pay (e.g. cash, prizes, travel) for competing in a sport.
2. Accepting gifts, money, impermissible meals, loans of cars or money from Athletic Department staff, donors, or fans.
3. Receiving more than actual and necessary expenses to compete.
4. Receiving any benefit that is not available to other students at UNL.
Outside Competition
Participating in any competition or practice where you are participating as an individual or on a non-UNL athletic team, without prior approval from the Compliance staff and Faculty Athletics Representative is not permissible. Examples of outside competition include, but are not limited to, national team tryouts, practices, and competition, participation on club teams, and participation on summer league teams. If you plan to miss class for an outside competition, you are required to submit the proper documentation to the Compliance staff at least two weeks before the event is to take place.

Complimentary Admissions
Complimentary Admissions in Your Sport
NCAA rules allow each student-athlete to receive a maximum of four complimentary admissions per regular-season event in his or her sport. You may receive a maximum of six complimentary admissions for conference championships, NCAA championships, or bowl games. It is not permissible for you to sell or exchange for anything of value your complimentary admissions. It is also not permissible for your guests to sell or exchange anything of value for the complimentary admission.

Complimentary Admissions for Other Sports
Student-athletes may attend other sporting events and receive one complimentary admission with a UNL ID. Student-athletes who serve as a host for a recruit on an official or unofficial visit and student-athletes who are being honored at an event may receive a complimentary admission.

Guest Information
1. All guests must present valid photo IDs in order to obtain admission. Children who do not have a photo ID may present other forms of identification (e.g. birth certificate, social security card, school ID, health insurance card).  
2. The designated gate for complimentary admissions will open 90 minutes before the game and remain open until the end of the first half (or halftime.)
3. Once guests are admitted, they will sign for a seat location pass.
4. Admission is through a pass list. Hard copies of tickets are not distributed.
Extra Benefits
A student-athlete or prospective student-athlete may not accept any benefits that are not offered to the general student body. It is not permissible for a student-athlete or his or her family or friends to receive a benefit that is the result of a “special” arrangement by an institutional employee, donor, employer or fan.

Non-permissible benefits include, but are not limited to:
1. Free or reduced-fee housing/rent, including the use of vacation or seasonal homes;
2. Free or reduced-fee meals;
3. Free or reduced-fee merchandise and tickets;
4. Loans or cash advances in pay or salary;
5. Gifts or presents of any type regardless of the occasion or purpose;
6. Use of telephone for long distance or use of telephone cards and cell phones;
7. Free transportation;
8. Free use of any motor vehicle, boat or recreational vehicle;
9. Free use of services (e.g., automobile repair, laundry, copying, faxing, etc.); and
10. Free or reduced-fee memberships at golf courses, health clubs, gyms, etc.

Financial Aid and Scholarships
It is permissible for student-athletes to accept the following forms of financial assistance to help pay for expenses associated with attending UNL:
1. Financial support from parents and relatives;
2. Aid awarded for non-athletic abilities (e.g., academic achievement);
3. Aid from a UNL or non-institutional source that meets NCAA requirements; 
4. Athletic-related grant-in-aid from UNL (i.e. athletic scholarship); and
5. Aid from outside scholarships that meet NCAA requirements.

Any financial assistance outside of an athletics scholarship  must be approved by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to ensure that the aid is in accordance with NCAA and Big Ten Conference regulations. All financial assistance, including grants and loans must also be reported to the Compliance staff and your coach. Student-athletes have the opportunity to document this information when completing the Beginning of the Year Compliance forms that are completed on an online portal. Failure to report all such income could jeopardize your eligibility.

The Compliance Staff is responsible for ensuring that conduct and operations of Nebraska’s 24 varsity sports are in compliance with NCAA and Big Ten Conference rules and regulations. The staff oversees the monitoring of recruiting activities, camps and clinics, student-athlete employment, and playing and practice season limitations. Further, they help set policy, develop goals and objectives, and assist in creating strategic plans for the compliance unit.

• Jamie Vaughn -  Executive Associate Athletic Director for Compliance
• Jena Johnson - Associate Director
• Patty Peterson - Associate Director
• Kalyn Doyle - Associate Director
• Jonathan Bateman - Associate Director
• Patrick Kelly - Compliance Assistant/Security
• Holly Glenn - Compliance Secretary

Athletic Grant-in-Aid (Scholarship) Information
Teams are provided with a specific number of grants-in-aid (scholarships) to provide per academic year, in accordance with budgetary restrictions and NCAA regulations. These grants are awarded by the University’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid upon the recommendation of the head coach and the approval of the Athletics Director. A scholarship is not reimbursement for services performed, but is instead provided to help student-athletes with educational expenses. An athletic grant-in-aid (scholarship) is restricted to covering the following educational expenses:

1. Actual cost of tuition;
2. Required institutional fees;
3. Cost of room, based on the allowance for a room as listed in the institution’s on-campus housing catalog;
4. Cost of board, which consists of three meals per day;
5. Actual cost of course-related books; and
6. Miscellaneous expenses up to cost of attendance.

Athletic Grant-in-Aid (Scholarship) Reduction or Cancelation
A student-athlete’s athletic scholarship may be reduced or canceled at any time if:
1. You render yourself ineligible;
2. You misrepresent any information on an application, financial aid agreement or Letter of Intent;
3. You engage in serious misconduct warranting substantial disciplinary penalty from UNL’s regular student disciplinary authority;
4. You voluntarily withdraw from the team;
5. You provide the compliance office with written notification of transfer;
6. You violate team rules set forth by the head coach;
7. You violate any state and/or federal laws; or
8. You violate any non-athletically related conditions included in your athletics scholarship.

Athletic Grant-in-Aid (Scholarship) Reduction and Cancelation Process and Procedures
If at any time a student-athletes’ athletic scholarship is reduced or canceled, you have the right to an appeals hearing. The procedures for this hearing are outlined below. 
1. The student-athlete must submit in writing a request for an appeals hearing with the Athletic Scholarship Appeals Committee within 10 calendar days of the notification of the action.
2. The request should be submitted to:
    Director of the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
    17 Canfield Administration, City Campus
3. A meeting date will be established by the Appeals Committee, which consists of: (1) the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs; (2) the Director of the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid; (3) the UNL Faculty Athletics Representative to the NCAA and Big Ten Conference; and (4) the Chair of the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee.
4. Minutes will be kept of the meeting, and the student-athlete will have the opportunity to explain his or her situation and express his or her concerns.
5. The Athletic Department/coach will be asked to prepare a written and/or verbal report indicating basis for the reduction or cancelation.
6. The Athletic Appeals Committee will caucus following the hearing to determine the outcome of the appeal.
7. The decision of the Athletic Appeals Committee will be submitted to the Athletic Department for appropriate action.

Monthly Stipend
You will receive a monthly stipend if your athletic scholarship is allocated to pay Other Expenses Related to Attendance, Room and/or Board. The amount of your stipend will vary depending on your scholarship and if you live on or off campus. The stipends are direct deposited into your personal bank account (as you entered on MyRed) or the US Bank Card for international student-athletes.

Post-Injury Grants in Aid
In the event of a career-ending injury or illness as a result of UNL athletic participation, the Athletic Department will renew the award, per Nebraska State Law, Section 85-9, 110 R.S. Supp., 1984 which declares: “No public postsecondary educational institution in the State of Nebraska shall, prior to graduation, reduce, cancel, or refuse to renew an athletic grant-in-aid to a student during his or her period of eligibility to compete in intercollegiate athletics solely because of an injury which prevents the student from participating in athletics.”

Student Assistance Fund
The NCAA Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is intended to assist student-athletes in meeting financial needs that arise in conjunction with participation in intercollegiate athletics and enrollment in an academic curriculum. For examples of permissible use of SAF, please contact the Compliance staff.

Eligibility
The following individuals are eligible to receive the SAF:

• Scholarship student-athletes.
• Walk-on student-athletes who have completed one full semester.
• Student-athletes must be listed as a current squad member on the date of the request and the date refund is ordered.

Amount
Amount each student-athlete will be able to access in SAF will be communicated to student-athletes at the beginning of each academic year.

Gambling
NCAA rules strictly prohibit Athletic Department staff members and student-athletes from engaging in sport wagering activities.

We hope that you will never be approached in an attempt to involve you in a gambling or bribery situation. However, on some campuses in the past, student-athletes have become involved with organized gambling operations. The results of this involvement have been both severe and tragic, not only for the individual but for the entire Department of Athletics.

Although some states have legalized sports betting, it remains impermissible under NCAA legislation. Be aware that the gambling industry is constantly seeking sources of information because operators use inside information to set the betting line or odds. It is possible that you may be approached and questioned about the condition and attitude of teammates. As a student-athlete, you may be asked to alter a game in some manner and be offered favors or gifts for doing so. If this occurs, you are required to report the incident to your coach or the Compliance staff immediately. UNL and the Athletic Department are committed to combating all forms of gambling and bribery. An attempt to procure information through bribery of a sports participant is a felony. You should keep in mind that participation in gambling interests, even in the most minor fashion, may jeopardize your athletic career.

NCAA Gambling Restrictions
1. It is not permissible for you to place or accept a wager on any sport, at any level (e.g. professional, college, high school, amateur), in which the NCAA hosts a championship, in bowl subdivision football, and in emerging sports for women. 
2. Impermissible gambling occurs when you place a wager or accept a wager of money or anything of value for a chance to win something. 
3. Gambling prohibition includes sporting events at the professional, college, and amateur (e.g. high school, youth team) levels.
4. It is not permissible for you to knowingly provide information concerning intercollegiate athletic competition to individuals involved in organized gambling activities. 
5. It is not permissible for you to accept any benefits from individuals (e.g. meals, presents, money), in exchange for supplying information or for attempting to alter the outcome of any contest.

NCAA Gambling Examples
1. It is not permissible to enter an NCAA Tournament Bracket Challenge that requires an entry fee.
2. It is not permissible to enter a Super Bowl pool that requires an entry fee.
3. It is not permissible to participate in an online fantasy league that requires an entry fee.
4. It is not permissible to use sites like Draft Kings or Fan Duel.

Gambling Penalties
Impermissible gambling under NCAA rules will result in a loss of eligibility. It is also important to be aware of the legalities of gambling from an institutional, state and federal level. Understand that the consequences at the institutional level may be expulsion, and that UNL will assist with the enforcement of any and all federal, state and local gambling and anti-bribery regulations.

Practice and Competition
Seasons of Competition and the Five-Year Rule
Student-athletes have five years to complete four athletic seasons in a sport. The five-year clock begins when you first become a full-time student at any collegiate institution. These years are continuous. You do not regain the time when you are not enrolled in school.

Daily and Weekly Limits: Inside the Playing Season
During the season in which you are participating in competition, the following requirements apply:
1. No more than four hours of required athletically related activities in one day;
2. No more than 20 hours of required athletically related activities in one week; and
3. At least one day off.

Daily and Weekly Limits: Outside the Playing Season
During the season in which you are not participating in competition, the following requirements apply:
1. No more than eight hours of required athletically-related activities in one week; and
2. At least two days off.

Eligibility for Practice and Competition
Student-athletes are ineligible for practice or competition if any of the following events occur:
1. You become enrolled in less than 12 credit hours (less than 9 credit hours if in graduate school), unless you are in the last semester of your undergraduate degree and in your final hours for the completion of your degree;
2. Your registration or admission is canceled; or
3. You withdraw from UNL.

Medical Hardship
A medical hardship is defined as an incapacitating injury or illness that occurs during the first half of the season before you have participated in more than three events or 30 percent of the events in your sport, whichever number is greater. Medical hardship waivers are reviewed by the Big Ten Conference medical subcommittee. The Compliance Staff will work with the Athletic Trainer from the respective sport to file the medical hardship application on behalf of the student-athlete.

Recruiting
Hosting Recruits (Prospective Student-Athletes)
Student-athletes serving as hosts for recruits are an official representative of UNL, as well as the Athletic Department. As such, the student host is expected to exhibit appropriate conduct and behavior at all times. It is the responsibility of the student host to know and to understand the following guidelines. The student host should consult his or her coach and the Compliance staff when questions or concerns arise while hosting a recruit.

Donors, Alumni and Fans
A recruit may have contact with former student-athletes on campus, but may not have any contact with a donor, alumni or fan of any UNL athletic team. It is the responsibility of the student host to ensure that such contact does not occur when entertaining a recruit.

Contact and Communication with Recruits
Student-athletes may be involved in the following activities with recruits at any time, provided it is not done at the direction of a coach or staff member.
1. In-person, off-campus contacts; and
2. Any form of communication. .

Entertainment
A maximum of $75.00 per day may be provided to the student host to cover the entertainment expenses of the host, multiple hosts, the recruit and up to four family members accompanying the recruit. The cost of meals and admission to campus athletic events is excluded from this allowance. These funds may not be used to purchase or otherwise provide the recruit with gifts (e.g. clothing, souvenirs or memorabilia items). No cash may be given to the recruit or anyone else accompanying him/her on the visit. 

All entertainment of a recruit must occur within a 30-mile radius of campus. It is the responsibility of the student host to ensure that the recruit abides by this limitation. Never allow a recruit to use a vehicle during a campus visit.

Recreational Activities
Recruits may participate in physical workouts or other recreational activities during a campus visit provided such activities are not  observed by the coaching staff. Student-athletes may not report back to coaches or staff about the athletic ability of the recruit.

Prohibited Activities
A student host should report the occurrence of any of the activities listed below to the head coach. The following activities are strictly prohibited: 
1. Alcohol and drug use, including underage consumption of alcohol or any other activities that violate federal, state or local laws;
2. Gambling or sport wagering activities;
3. Sexually related activities, including the use of escorts, exotic dancers or strippers; and
4. Sexual harassment, including verbal slanders or physical improprieties.

Penalties
Serving as a student host is a privilege and has several benefits that complement the duties and responsibilities of being a host. Actions or incidents that are contrary to the Student Host Guidelines may result in a decision by UNL to deny the admission of or financial aid award to a recruit. Additionally, a student host may be penalized in ways that include dismissal from his or her team or loss of scholarship.

Transferring
The NCAA and Big Ten have rules regarding transfer eligibility. Consult a member of the Compliance staff to obtain information about transfer rules.

Transferring from UNL
If you would like to transfer from UNL, your name must be entered into the NCAA’s transfer portal. Follow these steps:

1.    Speak with your head coach; and
2.    Meet with the Compliance Staff to complete Notification of Transfer documents.

Please note: Once a student-athlete makes a Notification of Transfer, his or her aid may be reduced or cancelled at the end of the academic term. 
NU Athletic Communications