Wayne State University Athletics

The Department of Athletics wants you to succeed in the classroom as well as on the playing field. The athletics department has developed a comprehensive approach to academic support for our student-athletes. The department’s goal is to assist student-athletes in pursuing their designated course of studies and receiving their undergraduate degree by providing appropriate academic advising, major selection, tutorial assistance, and more. Athletics academic support strives to increase the department’s graduation rate and emphasize the success of Wayne State’s student-athletes in the community. 

Tutorial Services, Structured Study, & Academic Monitoring  

To ensure academic success and the development of consistent study patterns of student-athletes, the academic services staff and coaches may organize supervised study sessions for each team. The university also provides free peer tutoring in most subject areas either on a drop-in or by appointment basis at the Academic Success Center located in the Undergraduate Library. Please visit www.success.wayne.edu for more information. If a specific course is not listed and/or the Academic Success Center cannot provide tutoring for a specific class, please contact Athletics Tutor Coordinator, Trina Girty (trina.girty@wayne.edu) for assistance in finding reasonable alternatives. As in all other services, the office works in a proactive manner to assist before academic problems arise. 

Student-Athlete Academic Success Tips 

• Start off the semester strong: Carefully review your course syllabus for every class. Write down all of your assignment deadlines, exam dates, and homework in your planner. Be sure to also write down your game days, practice schedule, and travel dates! 

• Don’t skip class: Nobody can explain the course content better than your professor- and research shows that going to class boosts academic success. 

• Communicate with your professors: If you have to miss class for an athletic obligation, always email your professor ahead of time to let them know you will be absent. Ask your professor for the class notes, PowerPoint, or any class materials you will miss so you can stay up to date. 

• Build a consistent weekly routine: Build a consistent routine that balances your academics, athletics, sleep, social life, and self-care. 

• Find dedicated study time in your weekly schedule: Set recurring time blocks throughout the week for studying, completing assignments, and homework. Treat these study blocks as mandatory. 

• Take advantage of your support system: Take advantage of the Student-Athlete Support Services (SASS) resources, the Academic Success Center’s free tutoring and course study groups, and your Professors and Teaching Assistants (TAs) office hours. 

Academic Probation Policy  

If a student’s GPA falls below 2.00, they are considered to be on Academic Probation. The University Advising Center notifies the student in writing of the University’s policies governing probation. A student’s opportunity to participate in intercollegiate athletics and various university activities and/or to receive financial aid may be affected by being on probation. A Probation Status or Mandatory Advising Hold preventing a student from registering for the next term without first seeing an advisor is placed on all students with a GPA below 2.00.  

The university-wide minimum standard states that a student must return to regular academic status by the end of the second term for which he or she registers following the initial probationary status. If the student remains on probation at the end of that term, the student’s record will be reviewed to determine whether he or she should be excluded. A student who is excluded may appeal against the exclusion decision. Whether or not the appeal is granted depends on the grades he or she earns that term or on the substance of the grounds for appealing. A student who returns to Regular status will have the probation status lifted for the following term. A student who does not return to regular status but who reduces his or her deficiency points and does not earn any grade below a C may be given a one-term extension by a member of the probation committee. The exclusion stands for a student whose current grades do not reduce the total deficiency and do not meet the C or better standard.  A student in that situation may file an extension appeal for the term following his or her initial exclusion if there are documented extenuating circumstances.  

A student’s exclusion is otherwise effective for one calendar year during which he or she may not register for classes at WSU. The student may apply for reinstatement, the deadline being two weeks prior to the registration period in which the student hopes to participate. Any term missed for academic reasons will adversely affect the student’s ability to participate in intercollegiate athletics.   

Academic Misconduct Policy 

Consistent with the WSU Student Code of Conduct, WSU Athletics prohibits all forms of academic misconduct. Academic misconduct is subject to disciplinary action when it occurs on University or Housing premises, or in connection with a University course or University documents, or at a University-sponsored activity. Academic misconduct is any activity that tends to compromise the academic integrity of the institution or undermine the education process. Such activity may result in failure of a specific assignment, an entire course, or, if flagrant, dismissal from WSU. Examples of academic misconduct include but are not limited to: plagiarism, cheating, and fabrication. Definitions and additional examples of academic misconduct can be found here:  Academic misconduct - Dean of Students Office - Wayne State University