Should the athletic GPA be lowered?

By: Emily Lougee

Staff Writer

The athletics department is currently trying to lower the GPA requirement to help student-athletes who are struggling academically.

“For anyone who falls below a 2.0 they will have the opportunity to enroll in an academic retention program that will allow them to continue with their team in all events and activities, provided they are meeting their weekly requirements.” Michael Muehling, head football coach, said.

According to Muehling, this program will give student-athletes a second chance instead of letting them on their own when they are at risk academically.

“If every student were to apply themselves academically like they do athletically, we would be in good shape,” Muehling said. “Unfortunately, not all do, so it is up to us to help them to understand that and to continually work to do that.”

“Not only will this be beneficial in maintaining more oversight over these academically at risk students and get them the help they may need, but it will impact more student-athletes since we will be looking at that semester’s midterm grade and not just their overall cumulative GPA.” Muehling said.

Not only the people in the athletic department think this program is a good idea.

“Academic Affairs (faculty, department chairs, deans and staff) is very supportive of the new GPA requirement policy for athletes,” Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, MaryAnn Janoski said. “Student success is the top priority for everyone on campus and finding positive ways to help Hudson Valley Community College athletes secure the academic support they need while remaining connected to their chosen sport has the potential to be a win-win for all.”

“Under the current policy, any student-athlete that falls below a cumulative 2.0 GPA at midterms is dismissed from their respective team,” Justin Hoyt, the athletics director, said. “This is an institutional policy that has to be met in addition to being in compliance with [National Junior College Athletic Association] eligibility standards.”

“Having this kind of policy, I felt unnecessarily punished them and it had no effect on the rest of the student body,” Mike Long, men’s basketball coach, said. “I think [the change] was necessary as I felt it was unfair to take away a young student-athletes’ athletic eligibility that early in the semester.”