Compliance Questions (Update November 12, 2020):

Contact: Ali Hemminger (ahemminger@fas.harvard.edu), Assistant Director of Compliance

Q: Will athletic competition be held during the Spring 2021 semester?
A: Harvard will not compete in any winter or fall season varsity sports in Spring 2021. Spring varsity sports will not compete at least through the end of February 2021. A decision on potential spring varsity competition will be made before the start of the Spring 2021 term to allow for proper planning for student-athletes.
 
Q: How many seasons of competition am I permitted under NCAA/Ivy League rules?
A: Under both NCAA and Ivy League rules, student-athletes may utilize four seasons of competition. In the Ivy League, a 5th year waiver is required for any student-athlete whose enrollment pattern has extended beyond 4 calendar years, beginning with initial full-time collegiate enrollment. Under NCAA rules, student-athletes may utilize their four (4) seasons of competition within a five (5) year period without a waiver. Student-athletes that were on a spring sport roster in spring 2020, a fall sport roster in fall 2020, and a winter sport roster in fall 2020 have all been granted an automatic 6^th year on their clock. Additional NCAA waivers for an extension of eligibility beyond 5 calendars years will be considered on a case by case basis with the appropriate supporting documentation.
 
Q: Can you explain the difference between a student-athlete's 4 seasons of competition and their 5-year eligibility clock?
A: Season of competition – Each student-athlete is able to use of 4 seasons of competition. In the Ivy League, a student-athlete uses a season of competition when they are enrolled in courses during their season. Outside of the Ivy League under NCAA rules, a season of competition is used once a student-athlete competes in a contest. For Fall 2020, the Ivy League has granted a waiver to their rule to be consistent with the NCAA, so student-athletes do not use a season of competition even if they are enrolled.

5-year eligibility clock – Student-athletes are permitted 5 years to complete 4 seasons of competition. The 5 year eligibility clock begins when a student-athlete first begins initial full-time enrollment. Your 5-year eligibility clock cannot be "paused" for any reason. There are specific circumstances that allow student-athletes to extend their 5-year clock to a 6^th year. In order to extend the 5-year clock an NCAA waiver (or Ivy League for non-NCAA sports) must be filed. Student-athletes that were on a spring sport roster in spring 2020, a fall sport roster in fall 2020, and a winter sport roster in fall 2020 have all been granted an automatic 6^th year on their clock.
 
Q: Will I retain a season of competition if my sport does not compete in Spring 2021?
A: Winter sport student-athletes will not use a season of Ivy League or NCAA eligibility, whether or not they enroll. Student-athletes who wish to pursue competition during a 5th or 6^th year will need to work with the Compliance staff in accordance with Harvard policy to determine their options beyond their current anticipated graduation date. For spring sport athletes, no decisions have been made regarding competition or retaining eligibility at this time.
 
Q: Will Harvard allow students to enroll in more than eight (8) semesters given the circumstances?
A: Currently, the eight (8)  semester policy outlined in Harvard's academic policies will remain in place. Please reference the Harvard College handbook for more information: https://handbook.fas.harvard.edu/book/welcome
 
Q: Will the Spring 2021 semester count as one (1) of a student's eight (8) even if they are learning remotely?
A: Under current Harvard academic policies, students who are enrolled in remote classes would use one (1) of their eight (8) semesters at Harvard.
 
Q: Will students receive an extension of eligibility due to the canceled season?
A: Student-athletes that were on a spring sport roster in spring 2020, a fall sport roster in fall 2020, and a winter sport roster in 20-21 have all been granted an automatic 6^th year on their clock. This does not negate Harvard's 8 semester policy. If a student-athlete still has eligibility remaining after completing 8 semesters at Harvard, they may use their remaining eligibility outside of the Ivy League as a graduate student-athlete.
 
Q: What if I decide to take a leave of absence prior to classes beginning in the spring 2021 semester?
A: Please refer to Harvard College's Leave of Absence policy for guidance regarding an official Leave of Absence. All leaves should be discussed and communicated with your Resident Dean. Student-athletes who take a leave of absence prior to the start of the academic term will retain eligibility upon their return, provided they are within their five (5) year eligibility clock and are approved for an Ivy League 5th year waiver. Further extensions of eligibility will be dependent on additional circumstances and will be assessed by the NCAA or Ivy League on a case by case basis.
 
Q: What if I start the term, then decide to take a leave of absence?
A: Starting the academic term triggers responsibility for the corresponding academic credits under NCAA and Ivy League rules and regulations. If a student takes a leave of absence from Harvard during the semester, even as early as after attending the first day of classes, they will be ineligible to compete upon their initial return to Harvard because progress-towards-degree requirements will not be met.

Additionally, in line with the Council of Presidents statement from Spring 2020, a student who starts classes and then later withdraws from the institution because of a disruption in the season and for the sole purpose of preserving a season of eligibility should not presume that the option to use that season in the 5th year at their institution will be available.
 
Q: Can a student take 2 non-consecutive spring semesters off?
A: Continuing eligibility rules associated with a leave of absence are based on the student-athletes specific enrollment pattern, use of their 5-year eligibility clock, and other individual circumstances. Please reach out to the Athletics Compliance staff to assess your individual eligibility situation. Students should refer to Harvard College's Leave of Absence policy for guidance regarding an official Leave of Absence. All leaves should be discussed with your Resident Dean prior to a final decision being made.
 
Q: If I take a leave of absence, can I enroll in another institution for a semester?
A: Full-time enrollment at another institution would cause a student-athlete to be considered a transfer upon their return to Harvard. Therefore, all NCAA transfer rules, including a potential year-in-residence and progress-toward-degree implications are applicable. Additionally, a student should consult with their Resident Dean regarding Harvard College's credit transfer policy.
 
Q: Requirements for participation in any Harvard-Athletics sponsored activities, including virtual team activities
A: All student-athletes who engage in any Harvard-sponsored team activities, including practice, conditioning, team meetings, or other team activities must be a current, full-time student at Harvard (12 credits). This includes participation in virtual activities as well as any in-person activities that may be permitted.
 
Q: Participation in Team Activities/Facility Use:
 
A: Student-athletes that are in the residential cohort:

• We plan to continue our phased return to sport in Spring 2021. This includes starting at Phase 0 and progressing through other phases when possible. Additionally, our extracurricular policies are dependent on Harvard College's policy for extracurriculars, group sizes, and other campus guidelines for all students.

Student-athletes who are enrolled in remote classes, but not in the residential cohort:

• Consistent with Harvard College's current guidelines regarding extracurricular activities, students who are not in the residential cohort will not have access to athletics or other institutional facilities.

Student-athletes who are on leave of absence or defer admission:

• Per Harvard College policy and NCAA rules, students who are not enrolled full-time (on leave of absence or deferral) at Harvard College will not be permitted to participate in any team activities, including practice, skill instruction, team meetings, or team entertainment. This includes both virtual and in-person activities.

Q: How many hours of practice will be permitted during the fall semester? Will this be different for in-person training vs virtual training?
A: Under Ivy League legislation, teams that are in-season will be permitted to participate in 12 hours of athletically related activities per week and out-of-season teams will be permitted to participate in 6 hours of athletically related activities per week. This includes both virtual and in-person training.
 
Specific parameters for in-person training hours will be dependent on Harvard campus guidelines and the phased return to sport plan.  

Q: Could Harvard loan/rent out equipment for training purposes during the fall semester?
A: Currently, it is not permissible under Ivy League rules for coaches or any institutional staff member to send student-athletes equipment, apparel, or other items that are not previously approved by the Athletics Compliance Staff. As flexibility to this rule is considered, we will communicate any changes.
 
Q: Can a student-athlete train/compete with an outside team? Does this answer differ whether we are enrolled in classes or on a leave of absence?
A: Currently, under NCAA rules, students-athletes are permitted to train with an outside noncollegiate amateur team, but they are not permitted to compete. During the fall 2020 semester, the NCAA granted a waiver to allow student-athletes in sports other than football and basketball to compete on outside noncollegiate amateur teams. We are working with the NCAA to see if flexibility will be extended based on the current circumstances and will communicate this information when available. Student-athletes should consult with the Athletics Compliance staff before participating in any outside athletics activities, including training, as some rules are sport specific.
 
Q: Can a student-athlete compete unattached in individual competitions? Does this answer differ whether we are enrolled or on a leave of absence?
A: It is permissible for a student-athlete to compete as an individual and not as a member of a team during the academic year, regardless of whether they are enrolled or on a leave of absence. However, student-athletes are not permitted to represent Harvard or wear any Harvard-issued athletic gear. Additionally, student-athletes are not permitted to receive expenses as a member of an outside team. Please contact the Compliance staff prior to engaging in any outside competition to ensure it is in line with NCAA, Ivy League, and Harvard rules.
 
Q: Do these rules change at all if I train/compete in a sport other than the one I am affiliated with at Harvard?
A: Ivy League rules state that a student-athlete must retain amateur status in all sports to be eligible to participate in any Ivy League sport. Therefore, if a student-athlete trains/competes in a different sport, they would be held to the same standards as are applicable to training/competing in their sport.
 
Q: When will a decision be made for spring sport competition for the spring semester?
A: We expect a decision from the Ivy League Presidents regarding spring sport competition before the start of the Harvard's spring 2021 semester.
 
Q: If a student does not have the opportunity to compete in 2020-21 and wishes to take advantage of a 5th year at Harvard, may they complete their undergraduate degree and pursue graduate work while competing in their final season of competition in the Ivy League?
A: No – per Ivy League rules, intercollegiate athletics participation shall be limited to those enrolled as undergraduates.
 
Q: Do NCAA and Ivy League rules regarding amateurism and extra benefits continue to apply to student athletes while they are on leave from an institution?
A: Yes – student-athletes on a leave of absence who intend to return and represent Harvard or any other NCAA member institution in intercollegiate athletics should continue to comply with all NCAA and Ivy League rules while not enrolled.
 
Q: When will Harvard announce their residential cohort plan for the Spring 2021 semester?
A: We expect Harvard to announce residential cohort plans for the spring 2021 semester in early December. We will communicate sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and other athletic guidelines for the spring 2021 semester at that time.