University of Connecticut Athletics
Resources for Student-Athletes During COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear UConn Student-Athletes,
Amid the many alterations to our normal routine, we wanted to put together a list of resources available to you for use in what can be a very challenging time. We believe these will help you in your transition away from campus. If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out. The UConn athletics staff directory can be found HERE and all of us are available to answer your questions.
Additionally, we will regularly be pushing relevant content from @fuelinghuskies, @uconnsportsmed & @uconnstrong. Please follow us!
Updates from the University:
University of Connecticut COVID-19 Update Page: Click Here
Medical Resources
For any student-athletes who are on-campus and experiencing respiratory virus symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath, please call us first rather than walking in without an appointment. Call 860-486-4700 and select option 1, then option 2. Additional information can be found on the SHaW-Medical website.
Mental Health Resources
Mental Health Guide During COVID-19
Now more than ever we could all use a reminder to Stay Calm, Stay Active and Stay Connected. Managing our stress and anxiety levels can be challenging during this time and staying active can be difficult when we are being forced to abandon our normal work out routines. However, just because we’re distancing ourselves physically, doesn’t mean we’re alone or disconnected. In fact, we can use this moment to become even more connected using technologies (both old and new). It’s OK to enjoy some solo time while we’re social distancing, but try to connect frequently with the important people in your life. It’s a powerful part of protecting our emotional health and supporting friends and family. Click on the link below for ideas on how to Stay Calm, Stay Active and Stay Connected!!!
Additionally, SHaW-Mental Health is operational and is a valuable option for anyone with questions about mental health. For more information, click THIS LINK or reach out to your athletic trainers for more information on how to setup an appointment.
Please know that we are here to provide support and answer any questions. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the athletic administration or directly to your coaching staff.
Student-Athlete Success Program (SASP)
Good luck on your finals, Huskies.
— UConn Huskies (@UConnHuskies) May 4, 2020
You got this! ?? #BleedBlue pic.twitter.com/vN0tkQKgfv
Information regarding of Pass/Fail and/or dropping a course
Please make sure you are working with your SASP counselor to put any of your courses on Pass/Fail. Please understand these decisions could have an impact on your future NCAA eligibility and graduation for current seniors. Please complete the brief form available here: https://forms.gle/52oBaxbRCo3KnoGu6 so SASP is able to review your specific scenario and evaluate how your decision may impact your eligibility or graduation for seniors in your final term.
Academic Integrity
As we look towards the last two weeks of the semester,especially in this new online environment, maintaining academic integrity is crucial. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the academic integrity statements in your syllabi from your faculty. Don’t assume you can work with a classmate on the assignments in the class. If you are unsure of how to cite a quote, ask for help. Your faculty members are the best resource to ask for clarification. SASP can also provide assistance to you. Please remember, for each SASP tutoring session, students will be asked to fill out an academic integrity form. The Writing Center and Q Center have online tutoring available as well. Use the resources you have and continue to make positive and ethical choices.
Final exams:
Make sure you are aware of when your final exams will be given and the format. If you have questions please reach out this week to your faculty. Please make sure you let your SASP counselor know when your final exams are.
We wish you much luck as the semester winds down! Keep working hard and if you need anything, please reach out! Be well! SASP Team
Housing (Message From Residential Life on March 26, 2020)
Your belongings will safely remain at UConn until the current COVID-19 crisis resolves and the University is fully operational.
The COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and has required us to rapidly change our plans. This means that we need to inform you that it is possible that the University may need to box and store your belongings in a secure facility at some point. This will only be necessary if and when medical and public health needs require additional bed space.
Students will be provided additional information on retrieving those items when the University is fully open again. We realize this is not an ideal situation and that the belongings in one room or apartment belong to more than one person, but it is very important for us to have empty spaces for quarantine/isolation if necessary for our students or others.
We realize that this message changes the anticipated move out process and we apologize for the very short notice, however, the university must move quickly as the situation rapidly evolves.
If you have questions please email livingoncampus@uconn.edu
Tax Information for International Students
For international students and scholars, ISSS offers Sprintax online tax preparation software. For more information, please visit their Tax Preparation Resources webpage then page down to "How do I file my tax forms? Which forms do I file?" and select "I have income and need to file my tax return. How can I do this?" PLEASE NOTE: if you are a nonresident alien, do not use Turbotax. That is only for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens, and will result in an incorrect filing. Sprintax is the nonresident alien version of Turbotax.
There are also options for all filers at the IRS website: Free File: Do Your Federal Taxes for Free. Once you have completed your federal return, you can file your state tax return online at the state of Connecticut’s Taxpayer Service Center.
Student-Athlete Development Resources:
Like the rest of the University community, the Office for Student-Athlete Development has transitioned to virtual programming for the remainder of the Spring Semester. SAD's goal is to continue to support you and promote your growth, development, and well-being even during this unprecedented time. Below you will find some departmental updates pertaining to the Spring semester (additional information on events will be provided):
- Virtual Workshops
- Life After Sport – What Now? – 4/22/2020
- Life After Sport – What Now? – 4/22/2020
- Virtual Office Hours (via WebEx)
- Office hours will be provided prior to the 30th
SAD will be utilizing GradesFirst to continue to send email and text reminders to student-athletes. Be sure to check out the Office for Student-Athlete Development’s Instagram (@uconnsadev) and SAAC Instagram (@uconnsaac) for important information and updates. If you have any questions or need anything please feel free to reach out to any Student-Athlete Development staff member by clicking the associated link below:
Program Coordinator – Alexyss Scott
Program Coordinator – Aubrey Norris
Intern – Rachel Signor
We wish you all the best in this new online environment. Stay encouraged, stay focused, stay connected, stay well, and please be safe!
Eligibility/NCAA Rules and Regulations (Update from March 31, 2020)
Eligibility
The NCAA Division I Council voted to allow institutions to provide spring sport student-athletes an additional season of competition and an automatic extension of eligibility.
Please see below for a summary of the adopted recommendations:
- Seasons of Competition – Spring Sports
- Institutions may self-apply a season of competition waiver for all spring sport student-athletes (SAs) provided the criteria below are satisfied:
- SA used a season of competition in a spring sport during the 2019-20 academic year;
- SA was eligible for competition when he or she competed during the 2019-20 academic year;
- SA’s season was ultimately canceled for reasons related to the COVID-19 outbreak; and
- The institution retains documentation on file demonstrating that the relevant criteria were satisfied.
- Institutions may self-apply a season of competition waiver for all spring sport student-athletes (SAs) provided the criteria below are satisfied:
- Extension of Eligibility – Spring Sports
- Institutions may self-apply a one-year extension of eligibility for all spring sport SAs who were eligible for competition during spring 2020.
- Institutions may self-apply a one-year extension of eligibility for all spring sport SAs who were eligible for competition during spring 2020.
- Financial Aid Limitations – Spring Sports
- Institutions may permit SAs who would have exhausted eligibility at the conclusion of the 2019-20 academic year to return to the same institution and exempt athletics aid up to the same amount received during the 2019-20 year from the 2020-21 team financial aid limitations provided they received a COVID-19-related season of competition waiver or extension of eligibility.
- Any reduction or cancellation for 2020-21 for those that qualify for an exemption is not subject to hearing opportunity legislation.
- Not applicable to transfer SAs.
- For baseball SAs, the 25% minimum equivalency requirement for SAs is waived and SAs who receive the financial aid exemption do not count towards the 27 counters.
- Institutions may permit SAs who would have exhausted eligibility at the conclusion of the 2019-20 academic year to return to the same institution and exempt athletics aid up to the same amount received during the 2019-20 year from the 2020-21 team financial aid limitations provided they received a COVID-19-related season of competition waiver or extension of eligibility.
- Baseball Roster Limitations
- Institution may exempt any SA who would have exhausted eligibility at the conclusion of the 2019-20 academic year from the 2020-21 varsity squad size limitation of 35 provided the SA received a season of competition waiver and/or an extension of eligibility based on COVID-19 and the SA is participating on the same team as he was in 2019-20.
- Not applicable to transfer student-athletes.
*Please note that spring sports sponsored by UConn include baseball, softball, men’s golf, men’s/women’s tennis, women’s lacrosse, men’s/women’s outdoor track & field, and women’s rowing.
The following information was also confirmed:
- Winter Sports
- Each institution’s authority to self-apply season-of-competition waivers does NOT include winter sport student-athletes.
- Each institution’s authority to self-apply season-of-competition waivers does NOT include winter sport student-athletes.
- Transfer SAs
- SAs who satisfy the criteria for a season-of-competition waiver and/or extension of eligibility based on COVID-19 are permitted to transfer and use the additional eligibility at another institution only if they meet all transfer eligibility requirements.
- The receiving institution must include transfer SAs in all relevant institutional financial aid limits.
COVID-19 Athletics Activities
Student-Athletes Policy
NCAA Eligibility Center Information for Incoming Student-Athletes
All incoming student-athletes should visit the following link for more information from the NCAA Eligibility Center. Please check the email on file with the NCAA frequently for any pending requests for additional information.
Financial Aid
Due to the changing circumstances, final summer athletics aid approvals are still pending and will be communicated in the coming weeks. All student-athletes will receive their athletics aid renewal information prior to July 1, 2020.
- Please note that all decisions regarding financial aid are at the discretion of each institution.
