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02.08.07

Dear Sir/Madame:

I want to acknowledge receipt of your email.

Procedures for admitting scholarship student-athletes to Clemson are designed to support the university’s stated goals of fielding competitive, successful athletic teams while complying with NCAA Operating Principles of Academic Integrity.

These NCAA principles state, in part, that:
• The institution admits only student-athletes who have reasonable expectations of obtaining academic degrees.
• The responsibility for admission, certification of academic standing and evaluation of academic performance of student-athletes is vested in the same agencies that have authority in these matters for students generally.
* The University also observes the NCAA principle of providing adequate academic support services to meet the needs of the student athletes it admits.

Many scholarship athletes meet regular admission criteria and are admitted through traditional processes. Others prospective student-athletes and, in particular, those who rank in the bottom half of their high school classes, are reviewed by the Athletic Admissions Review Committee (AARC). This process has been in effect for at least five years.

The AARC is made up of people who are sensitive to the needs of student athletes. It reviews a prospect’s admission-related credentials, as well as references from high school personnel and information from Clemson coaching staff members. A recommendation is then made to the Director of Admissions who, along with the Provost, has final authority for all admissions decisions.

The AARC serves all 19 athletic teams at Clemson. It evaluates prospects to determine whether the student has a reasonable expectation to graduate. The AARC was set up to help coaches by allowing them to determine early on which recruits are admissible. Recruiting coaches submit information about prospects to the committee as early as possible in the recruiting cycle. The committee meets year-round; its schedule is published in advance and it also holds special meetings on short notice. It reviews information as it is received from coaches.

The AARC’s policies and procedures were developed with input from the Athletic Department and coaches, and are communicated frequently to coaches. The AARC was explained, along with the fact that some athletes who meet minimal NCAA requirements may not be admitted to Clemson, by the Athletic Director in his “Current Issues” messages dated April 3, 2006, and April 10, 2006. (http://clemsontigers.cstv.com/genrel/040606aaa.html)

The process for reviewing prospective student-athletes has been developed with significant input from the athletics department. The objective of the committee is to confirm that a prospective student-athlete has a reasonable expectation to earn a degree from Clemson. The committee is comprised of faculty members and staff who are familiar with NCAA requirements and university programs. The committee meets frequently and all coaches who recruit prospective student-athletes in the bottom half of their class provide materials to the committee. A schedule for meetings is provided at the beginning of each semester, and to date the committee has met 13 times and considered 71 prospective student-athletes. Of those 71, admission has been recommended for If the committee does not recommend admission, the coach may appeal the decision and provide more detailed information about the prospect’s likelihood to earn a Clemson degree. Clemson is committed to providing academic support services that will help student-athletes earn a Clemson degree. If you are on campus, please call ahead and I would be very pleased to show you how we are meeting the challenges of supporting student-athletes who want to earn a valuable Clemson degree.

Becky Bowman

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