Academic Counseling & Academic Support Services

Athletic Counseling Office

The Athletic Counseling Office for Student-Athletes was established to provide support services to ensure each student-athlete's personal and academic success.

Participation in athletics is important, but it represents only one aspect of the individual's college experience. Academic achievement is of prime concern. Since student-athletes are required to commit a large percentage of their time to athletic activities, the University realizes the need for a support program to assist student-athletes in achieving their individual, academic, personal and athletic goals. The University of Hartford is committed to its student-athletes as a total person.

The Athletic Counseling Program consists of the following: Study Hall; Tutors; Academic Progress Reviews; Academic Recognition Awards; Study Skills Training; Academic Orientation; Senior Exit Seminar; Newsletters; Career Services; Champs Life Skills Programs; Personal Counseling and various academic and sports-related workshops. Thus the student-athlete is provided with a variety of resources -- all aimed at academic, personal and athletic development.

Career Services

The University's Career Center is available to assist student- athletes in:

·         Identifying skills, interests and values

·         Defining career objectives

·         Planning educational goals

·         Planning a job-search campaign

·         Developing self-direction and personal responsibility in career/life planning

·         Resume writing

•       On-campus job recruitment procedures

•       Learning Skills Center

•       The University's Learning Skills Center provides academic support services for students in reading, writing and study skills.

The professional staff at the Learning Skills Center can assist individuals with:

•       Written composition and research

•       Reading comprehension

•       Studying and test-taking

•       Learning disabilities

•       English as a second language

In addition, athletics counselors work with academic high-risk student-athletes on an individual basis. A Study Skills Workshop is also provided.

New Student-Athlete Orientation to assist student-athletes in making the transition from high school to college, this workshop addresses the following areas:

•       Academic helpful hints

•       Review of study hall requirements

•       Review of on-campus and athletic department services provided

•       NCAA regulations

•       Panel of upper-class student-athletes

Study Hall

The Study Hall is designed to provide a programmed time for study compatible with the athlete's practice and competition schedule. Tutoring is available at no cost to assist student-athletes. For each study session, participants are encouraged to focus on specific goals.

The Study Hall program has been well-received by its participants and has helped increase individual grade-point averages. This program is mandatory for freshman and for any student who falls below a 2.2 semester average.

Academic Progress Evaluation

Each semester Progress Report Forms are circulated to the University of Hartford faculty. These forms provide faculty with an opportunity to comment on the student-athletes' attendance, class participation, class assignments and projected grades. Student-athletes who receive below passing grades are required to work with the academic counselor to design a program which will enable them to successfully complete the course requirements. This program may include tutorial assistance, student-professor conferences and personal counseling.

Tutors

Qualified tutors are available to student-athletes seeking assistance. The service is available, free of charge, through the Academic Counseling Office and Student Government.

Workshops

The University of Hartford offers the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills programs and services. These programs include but are not limited to: diversity, eating disorders, alcohol dependence prevention, hazing, violence, date rape and sexual harassment and speaking with the media.

Additional workshops offered throughout the year include stress management and study skills.

Personal Counseling

Counseling services are provided for all student-athletes who need help with personal, emotional and social problems. For those who require specialized or long-term services, appropriate referrals to other professional agencies off campus are available. All services are confidential.

Drug, Alcohol and Eating Disorders

The University of Hartford is committed to developing and maintaining an environment that encourages students participating in intercollegiate athletics competition to avoid the abuse of alcohol, controlled substances and performance-enhancing drugs. Weight control and eating disorders are also addressed. The program has several components:

•       Education (including guest speakers, films, and written materials)

•       Player awareness

•       Screening

•       Counseling

Student-Athlete Council

The Student-Athlete Council acts as a liaison between the student-athletes, student support personnel and the Department of Athletics. The Council has many responsibilities, including broadening the involvement of student-athletes, representing respective teams and special support groups, organizing studies of matters of concern in intercollegiate athletics and developing service programs to benefit the University and surrounding communities.

Academic Recognition Awards

Each year, during the post-season awards banquet, the Athletic Counseling Office recognizes those scholar-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point of 3.0 or better. In addition, exceptional distinction is bestowed upon student-athletes with a grade-point average above 3.5. One athlete is also selected as the Outstanding Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The majority of the awards presented are based on both athletic and academic excellence.

America East

The University of Hartford competes in the America East conference. In addition to supporting and recognizing success on the playing field, America East sponsors one of the most expansive programs in the country of citing academic successes by student-athletes.

Among the conference awards is the Academic Cup, honoring the institution whose student-athletes compile the highest composite team grade-point average of the nine member institutions over the course of the academic year. All varsity team members who earn Dean's List honors or a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher during their playing season receive America East recognition and awards. The conference annually determines the top Scholar-Athlete in each of its 18 championship sports, and from those 18 winners, the top male and female Scholar-Athlete are further honored by the league.