Policies for Missed Class Time Due to Athletic Contests

The following information is being provided to students, head coaches and faculty members and is intended to summarize College policies on missed class time due to athletic contests.

   NCAA and Colby Rules
  • NCAA and Colby rules state that students are not permitted to miss a class for a practice.  
  • Colby rules state that students are permitted to miss a class for a contest but only at the discretion of the professor of that class.
Professor’s Obligations
  • Individual professors determine whether students may be excused from classes or scheduled course events.
  • The professor’s policy on missed classes must be stated on the syllabus and/or web site for that class at the beginning of the semester.
  • Professors are permitted to schedule up to four required class sessions within the “zone” of 4-7 p.m.  The zone is generally reserved for extra-curricular activities (lectures, meetings, rehearsals, practices, events etc).  All required classes (dates and times) must be included on the course syllabus.
  • The following is a link to the staff directory of all head coaches in the athletic department. Faculty are encouraged to contact the head coach with any questions or issues that arise. http://www.colby.edu/athletics_cs/staff/
   Student’s and Coach’s Obligations
  • Students should obtain their practice and game schedule from the head coach at the beginning of each season.
  • This schedule should include departure times for all “away” contests.  
  • The student should compare her or his athletic schedule with class schedules and identify any conflicts.  
  • Once conflicts are identified, students should review their professors’ policies on missed class time.  
  • If a professor permits missed classes, the student needs to communicate with the professor directly and as soon as possible about any class sessions he or she is seeking permission to miss.  
  • Students on academic probation cannot be excused from any class for extracurricular events, including athletic contests.
  • Head coaches are encouraged to contact the professor with any questions or issues that arise.