Frequently Asked Questions for Athletic Coaches
What non-academic support do SAS Liaisons provide to student athletes?
Are students required to meet with SAS Liaisons?
When do SAS Liaisons partner with Skidmore coaches?
What other types of academic support does SAS provide?
How are Liaisons assigned to individual teams?
How does SAS support students experiencing academic difficulties or personal crisis?
How can SAS support students who suffer an injury?
How can Skidmore coaches and SAS Liaisons partner in support of students?
How does confidentiality apply to the work of SAS Liaisons?
Q. How do Student Academic Services (SAS) Liaisons support the academic development of student athletes?
A. SAS Liaisons work with student athletes interested in strengthening their academic performance by offering assistance in developing a wide range of academic skills and practices. Students are welcome to meet individually with professional staff for one-on-one support. These meetings are meant to meet the needs of each individual student and often focus on improving problem solving and time management skills, exploring test taking strategies, strengthening note taking skills, providing writing support, and offering guidance regarding specific assignments. In some cases, students will meet with an SAS staff member on a bi-weekly or weekly basis. In other cases students will request appointments as needed, and coaches are always welcome to refer students to us as needed.
Q. What non-academic support do SAS Liaisons provide to student athletes?
A. SAS Liaisons often meet with students to provide guidance for adjusting to college life, transitioning into Skidmore community, and managing academic schedules. SAS staff members assist students to address questions about living with roommates, working with faculty members following absences or missed deadlines, time management, and navigating academic demands and personal stressors. While SAS consultations and support will typically focus on students' academic lives and goals, staff members in SAS can also help students connect with other relevant campus resources including the Counseling Center, Spiritual Life, and Health Services.
Q. Are students required to meet with SAS Liaisons?
A. No. Following an initial introductory meeting, we encourage students to access our services on an as needed basis and per their individual needs. We do, however, monitor the academic progress of all student athletes and proactively reach out to students when the need arises. In the event a student athlete receives an Unsatisfactory Work Notice from a faculty member, the student’s Liaison will reach out to the student to remind him/her of the supports available through SAS and offer to set up a meeting to discuss their progress. If students experience severe academic difficulty we will encourage them to discuss their situation with their coach or to facilitate a discussion by reaching out to the student’s coach directly.
Q. When do SAS Liaisons partner with Skidmore coaches?
A. Typically, SAS Liaisons will begin or reinitiate work with coaches at the start of each new academic year. Depending on the preferences of each coach, Liaisons will meet with first year students either individually or in small groups to introduce themselves and the nature of the Liaison relationship. Coaches are also welcome to work with their individual Liaison or the Director of SAS for assistance establishing team specific study groups, information sessions, or academic workshops as needed.
Q. What other types of academic support does SAS provide?
A.
- Individual content based peer tutoring across the curriculum is available to all Skidmore students and student athletes. Students can sign up for a tutor online through the SAS web site.
- Drop-In tutoring, a form of peer lead group study, is also available to students in a variety of academic areas. Typically, drop-in tutoring is proactively coordinated for more challenging and popular courses such as Biology, Chemistry, Exercise Science, and Management and Business. Schedules are posted at the beginning of each semester.
- English Language Support is also provided by SAS via individual and group formats.
Q. How are Liaisons assigned to individual teams?
A. There is no specific method for assigning team Liaisons. We do try our best to maintain consistency from year to year, but at times changes in personnel, work schedules, or other work duties within SAS will impact team assignments. Coaches are welcome to contact the Director of SAS with any questions or concerns about team assignments.
Q. How does SAS support students experiencing academic difficulties or personal crisis?
A. Due to the scope of our work, SAS staff members are often serve point for coordinating and monitoring student academic and personal intervention efforts. During times of severe difficulty or personal crisis SAS liaisons seek to open and maintain communication with faculty members and other support offices in both Student and Academic Affairs. We do our best to inform coaches when we become aware of student athletes who are facing academic or personal difficulties and to partner with coaches in support of students.
Q. How can SAS support students who suffer an injury?
A. If an injury leads to limitations in a student's ability to take notes or perform other required classroom activities students, are encouraged to consult with the Coordinator of Student Access Services. Short term accommodations such as note taking services and testing accommodations may be provided. If necessary, SAS will communicate with faculty regarding the nature and extent of short term accommodations. SAS will also assist to coordinate additional supports through Health Services, Residential Life, and the Office of Academic Advising (OAA). While SAS Liaisons can and do advocate for students, SAS does not possess the authority to waive or alter attendance requirements or assignment due dates. We encourage students to work directly with their individual faculty members to address concerns regarding specific course requirements, and we will provide students with guidance regarding self-advocacy skills and strategies.
Q. How can Skidmore coaches and SAS Liaisons partner in support of students?
A. Skidmore coaches are welcomed and encouraged to contact their team Liaison with any questions or concerns they have about a student’s academic development or personal adjustment to Skidmore. SAS Liaisons are available to both consult with coaches and to serve as a direct referral for students. Observations and knowledge coaches have about individual student athletes often help inform our intervention strategies and/or those of coaches.
Q. How does confidentiality apply to the work of SAS Liaisons?
A. In some instances students who are facing charges of violating Skidmore’s honor code, standards of academic integrity, or sexual and gender based misconduct policy will seek guidance, advisement, or support from SAS staff. By College policy, these cases require strict confidentiality and no information regarding such violations would be shared with Skidmore coaches without express consent from an involved student or students. Coaches are welcome to discuss specific course grades, overall academic performance, and Unsatisfactory Work Notices with SAS Liaisons as necessary.