Compliance Questions
(as of Feb. 18, 2021):

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

Q: What type of athletics activity is permitted for spring sports for the remainder of this academic year?

A: In January 2021, the Ivy League updated the phased athletics activity plan for the winter/spring term. This updated plan starts with a virtual Phase 0 before building through four phases and eventually culminating in the ability to participate in limited outdoor competition. Progression from one phase to the next will be approved by local campus authorities and will vary from campus to campus, and in some cases from program to program at an institution.
• Phase Zero: Campus Arrival/Virtual Team Activities – no in-person meetings or training
• Phase I: Socially Distant, Small Group Activities – socially distant (6+ feet) small group conditioning, weight training, and sport-specific activity
• Phase II: Mid-size Group and Additional Activities, With Restrictions – Practice activities may include on-field play and/or strength and conditioning activities, though limited or subject to some remaining restrictions; contact, close drills, and intra-squad scrimmaging may take place as permitted by campus policies.
• Phase III: Practice – sport-specific practice activity is permitted by campus policies and is no longer subject to social distancing or group size restrictions
• Phase IV: Practice and Competition – institutions have modified or relaxed restrictions on travel and/or visitors to campus for comparable activities and student-athletes are now permitted to participate in intercollegiate athletics competition

Q: What are the daily and weekly hour limitations for spring teams as they move through the phased athletics activity plan?

A: Teams in their declared playing and practice season may participate in a maximum of 12 hours per week of in-person, physical athletics activity. In addition, teams may participate in up to 8 hours of countable team meetings. Subject to local approval, spring teams will be permitted to use any of the allowed 20 hours for physical activity beginning three weeks prior to the date on which competition is approved to begin.

Q:  If my campus advances to Phase IV, what type of competition will spring sports be permitted to engage in?

A: Institutions are permitted to schedule limited, outdoor, local non-conference competition subject to a series of stipulations agreed to by the Council of Presidents. The exact nature and timing of such competition is subject to approval by local campus authorities and must be consistent with what is permitted for other similar co-curricular activities on that campus.

Q: Are any spring sports excluded from the opportunity to participate in competition this term?

A: Indoor sports (Men's Volleyball, Women's Water Polo) and sports categorized by the NCAA as high risk for the transmission of COVID-19 (Women's Rugby) will not be permitted to engage in intercollegiate athletics competition in Spring 2021. These sports may continue to participate in practice activities on their respective campuses, as permitted by local policy.

Q: Will sports like tennis, that are intended to be played outdoors but sometimes are conducted indoors due to weather, be permitted to participate in competition?

A: Yes, but only if such competition occurs outdoors.

Q: Requirements for participation in any Harvard Athletics sponsored activities, including virtual team activities?

A: Only full-time enrolled students living in the residential cohort on-campus will be permitted to participate in competition and in-person practice opportunities. Full-time enrolled students learning remotely will be permitted to engage in virtual team activities but will not be permitted to engage in any in-person athletic activities.

Q: Will spring sport student-athletes who participate in intercollegiate athletics competition in 2020-21 use an Ivy League and/or NCAA season of competition?

A: As of February 18th, the NCAA has not granted blanket season of competition or clock extension waivers for spring sport student-athletes in 2021. Understanding that competition, if possible, will be greatly limited this spring, the Ivy League is working with NCAA staff to explore the possibility of a blanket waiver for Ivy League spring sport student-athletes who wish to participate in competition. It is our intent to have a clear answer for student-athletes well ahead of any planned athletics competition. The Ivy League will provide a blanket Ivy League non-participation waiver for all spring sport student-athletes for the 2020-21 academic year if your team is unable to participate in local competition. If your team does compete, an Ivy League non-participation waiver will be granted if the NCAA season of competition waiver discussed above is granted.

Q: If a student wishes to train with their team, but elects not to participate in competition, will they use a season of competition?

A: In this scenario, the student would not use an NCAA season of competition and would be able to take advantage of the blanket Ivy League non-participation waiver applied to all spring sport 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.

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: If my spring sport team does not compete in Spring 2021, will I receive an automatic extension of eligibility waiver?

A: No - as of February 18, 2021. This would require a NCAA blanket waiver which has not been issued at this time. 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: 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.

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: What if a student-athlete started the Spring semester, and then decides 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-athlete leaves 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-to-degree requirements will not be met. However, there are opportunities for waivers if the situation warrants relief. Waivers are not guaranteed and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students should 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 the student's Resident Dean. 

Q: If a student-athlete has eligibility remaining for a 5th year and is approved to use that season at their current institution, may they complete their undergraduate degree and pursue graduate work while competing in their 5th year?

A: Normally, intercollegiate athletics participation in the Ivy League shall be limited to those enrolled as undergraduates.  In light of the pandemic's impact on athletics competition across the entire 2020-21 academic year, the Ivy League Council of Presidents recently approved a waiver permitting specific and limited exceptions to this rule for 2021-22 only. Current senior student-athletes should consult with the athletics compliance office to explore their eligibility for this waiver.

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: May spring sport student-athletes participate in outside competition during the 2020-21 academic year?

A: With few exceptions, student-athletes in team sports may not normally participate as a member of a team in outside competition during the academic year. For the 2020-21 academic year, the NCAA approved an exception for any students on teams that have canceled their season and will not participate in competition. This exception currently applies to all Women's Rugby, Women's Water Polo, and Men's Volleyball student-athletes and members of any other individual teams that declare they will not participate in intercollegiate athletics competition this year. 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: May fall or winter sport student-athletes participate in outside competition during the 2020-21 academic year?

A: Yes - for the 2020-21 academic year, the NCAA approved an exception for any students on teams that have canceled their season and will not participate in competition. 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: 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.