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St. Cloud State University
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Athletes may get priority
By Kory Ellingson
Published:
Thursday, February 27, 2003
Student athletes could soon be "playing" the registration game before regular students can sign up for classes.
A current proposal is in circulation that would allow priority registration for student athletes.
At the monthly MSUSA meeting, it was brought up that student athletes might deserve priority registration and that some universities throughout the state have already implemented this system.
"Some universities have no minimum GPA for their athletes with priority registration, but that's not right," said student government president Brett Sween. "We originally had it at a 3.0 but an amendment passed to lower it to a 2.75."
This was proposed to Sween at the meeting and he presented the resolution to Academic Affairs to be discussed. As with all resolutions, it came to the senate where, by majority vote, the senate decided that this issue should be looked into more.
The University of Minnesota has priority registration and the process is underway for Minnesota State University-Mankato to have it as well. This will not come without guidelines; GPA and secured credit requirements must be met for athletes to use this privilege.
"The university asks athletes to come here and to play for us," Sween said. "They are a service to the university and bring in a lot of money as well as getting the community involved."
Student athletes, whether playing Division I hockey or competing in Division III track, are forced to work their class schedule around practice times. In track's case, athletes have practice 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. A three hour block, five days a week, in the middle of the afternoon, can result in frustration with the current registration format. Finding out classes are full while registering can be a bit too much for these students.
"In talking with student athletes, we found that it is really hard for some to get into the classes they need as well as fitting them around their schedule," said Academic Affairs committee member Chad Sivertson. "This could also be a good way of networking out to other student athletes and get people in here."
Some argue that this would give student athletes special treatment, but the student government does not believe that. The government exists to put the issue on the table and let all who are involved discuss it and give explanations. Student government doesn't have much direct influence in such decisions.
"We do what the students want us to do," Sween said about student government. "If a student brings up an issue, we act as a liaison among all parties. We force conversation and do what students say or ask."
There are also hopes that this resolution could encourage student athletes to earn better grades. According to the student government, current graduation rates among student athletes are below the university's desired level.
The proposal was sent to the Provost of Academic Affairs Michael Spitzer, Athletic Director Morris Kurtz and President Roy Saigo among others. Student government is trying to reach all of those who the proposal will possibly effect.
The resolution, if voted for by university officials, would authorize the same priority registration window to student-athletes as students with disabilities, Honors Program students and others who already receive priority registration privileges.
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