University Staff & Faculty
The NCAA has strict guidelines regarding faculty and staff interaction with current student-athletes, as well as prospective student-athletes. It is very important that university faculty and staff be aware of these rules to ensure no violations occur that might affect the integrity of NIU and jeopardize any student-athlete's educational and athletic endeavors.
Extra Benefits
As a basic principle, enrolled student-athletes are not permitted to receive any extra benefits from faculty or other university employees. The NCAA defines an extra-benefit as any special arrangement by an institutional employee provided to an enrolled student-athlete (or a student-athlete's relatives or friends) that is not available to the general student body of that institution.
Examples of extra-benefits include:
- Allowing student-athletes to miss class if such arrangements are not offered to the rest of the class
- Special arrangements for late assignments or make-up exams if such arrangements are not available to the rest of the class
- Preferential grading for student-athletes
- Providing transportation or the use of an automobile to a student-athlete
Pre-Existing Relationships with Current or Prospective Student-Athletes
While faculty and staff are generally prohibited from providing extra benefits to student-athletes or inducements to prospective student-athletes, there is an exception if a clear pre-existing relationship exists between the faculty/staff member and the student-athlete or members of the student-athlete's family. If such a pre-existing relationship exists, please contact the Huskie Athletic Compliacne Office (HACO) before providing a benefit of any kind to a current or prospective student-athlete.
Role of University Faculty and Staff in Recruiting Prospective Student-Athletes
Many NIU faculty and staff members are asked to help out in the recruiting efforts of prospects due to their academic proficiency and enthusiasm for NIU athletics. The HACOÂ has the responsibility to educate faculty and staff to ensure NCAA compliance and avoid any further recruiting violations.
Please take a moment to review the various rules pertaining to faculty and staff and their involvement in recruiting:
- May only have on-campus contact with prospects. Unavoidable and incidental off-campus contact is permissible as long as no discussions relevant to NIU athletics take place.
- May write prospects following September 1 of the PSA's junior year in high school (exception: following September 1 of the PSA's sophomore year for men's basketball recruits).
- May send pre-enrollment information related to orientation and academics after the PSA has signed a National Letter of Intent with NIU or has officially been accepted for enrollment by NIU.
Academic Advisors: It is permissible for academic advisors to make calls to a PSA (or the PSA's parents or legal guardians) related to admissions or academic issues, subject to applicable limitations on the number of telephone calls an institution may place to a PSA.
Representatives of Athletics Interest: Representatives of an institution's athletics interests are prohibited from making telephone communications with a PSA or the PSA's relatives or legal guardians.
PSA Initiated Call: An athletics representative from NIU may speak to a PSA via the telephone only if the PSA initiates the telephone conversation and the call is not for recruiting purposes. Under such circumstances, the representative must refer questions about NIU's athletics program to the athletics department staff.
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What Should I Do If I Suspect a Violation of NCAA Rules?
All Northern Illinois University faculty and staff have an obligation to report any violation or possible violation of NCAA rules. Any individual can report in person, over the phone, in writing, or anonymously. Alleged violations may be reported to the HACO or the Faculty Athletics Representative (Courtney Hughes).
