Joyner Holmes out for Texas until December

[BigBird]

The UT WBB fan board is reporting that it is an academic matter. If there is a second source to confirm or deny, I haven't found it.

It may be interesting or useful to outline how an "academic" violation can result in a suspension from enrollment. I have NO specific knowledge of Ms. Holmes situation, but I have much experience generally with college internal judicial processes, etc.

I have heard student disciplinary cases based on these principles...

1) Academic dishonesty often results in the giving of failing grades and hence, loss of credits. The student is typically given a second chance to put things right.
2) Dropping too many courses/credit hours to remain a full-time student, where that is a pre-requisite to varsity participation. Note: Where failing grades or lack of credits bar the student-athlete from participation, the school might prefer to call it a "rules violation" to preserve the student's privacy.
3) A student may execute a "learning contract" to remove deficiencies (poor grades, missing credits, etc.). Subsequently violating such a contract could be viewed as a rules violation. An example would be promising your coach (in writing) you would do better, and not ultimately doing so.
4) Any offense that, upon a university hearing, would otherwise be a misdemeanor if heard in a court. An example would be stealing an answer key to a test, etc. This kind of offense would typically result in a permanent dismissal, however. Students almost always want these cases to be heard on campus. Courts can sometimes have short fuses for this stuff.

I thought I might be able to give a glimpse into a process that most will never see, if they are lucky. As for Ms. Holmes, I join others here who wish her a speedy and successful recovery from her adversity.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I am purely speculating here, but she wouldn't get kicked out of school for academic problems unless it was something like cheating or plagiarism. I think she would be ruled academically ineligible before she was kicked out simply for poor grades.

Actually, in the Rutgers case, the student failed to meet the requirements to remain enrolled - the requirements that every student has. I don't know - obviously - whether she didn't attend classes, didn't take exams, or what, but in her case, she attended a Junior College to regain admission to the university.

It was quite public in a general sort of way - perhaps to counter all those other speculative possibilities - plus it was in the time frame of the film about the Rutgers program that was done in the early 2000's.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

The UT WBB fan board is reporting that it is an academic matter. If there is a second source to confirm or deny, I haven't found it.

I have heard student disciplinary cases based on these principles...

Dropping too many courses/credit hours to remain a full-time student, where that is a pre-requisite to varsity participation.

As I posted (at the same time as you) this, or something like it, was the situation with the RU student. Of course one has to be a full-time student to participate in sports, and, obviously, there are requirements to being a full time student. Like most schools, I assume, Rutgers requires you to receive so many credits each semester and make a certain amount of "academic progress" towards your degree.

 

[jonson]

At Oregon, a student who has a dismal academic record (whatever "dismal" may be) is required to compile an "acceptable" academic record at a community college for a designated period of time (this varies from case to case) before being allowed to resume taking courses at the university. Perhaps this is the case at Texas.

 

[triaddukefan]

Kendall Cooper at Duke went through the same thing not enrolled for an entire semester of her Junior season.

Proud graduate of the Class of 2017 Cooper is the tall one.

 

[Vowelguy]

Nope, the announcement calls it "due to a university violation." Low grades are not a "university violation."

First, the statement was not a legal document. There is no reason to assume "university violation" is a 100% accurate or correct statement.

Second, "academic" means more than low grades.

Third, others have already noted that low grades -can- be a reason.

 

[DefenseBB]

Nope, the announcement calls it "due to a university violation." Low grades are not a "university violation." Further, Holmes writes, "I take full responsibility for my mistakes and I am disappointed in my actions. I understand what a great privilege it is to be a student-athlete at The University of Texas and that is not something I take lightly."

Taking responsibility for one's "actions" is entirely different from not maintaining a minimum GPA.

Very sorry to read this. She is a rare talent. Hope things work out for her. Though her team is a rival of UConn's, no one wants to see any of these young ladies suffer, or see their careers suffer. Young people make lots of mistakes. It's why Governor Malloy in Connecticut has proposed prosecuting young people up to and including the age of 21 as juveniles. Their brains simply aren't fully formed yet, and they suffer from lack of impulse control. Have no idea what the university violation was for this young lady, but as a society we need to show leniency and understanding toward youth.

Actually, as a scholarship athlete, she could have violated the University code by not attending class and/or reporting to study halls and not maintaining a required academic progress requirement. I am not saying she did this, I am just saying your interpretation is incorrect. As with all these things, the truth will eventually come out.

 

[CajunHusky]

First, the statement was not a legal document. There is no reason to assume "university violation" is a 100% accurate or correct statement.

Second, "academic" means more than low grades.

Third, others have already noted that low grades -can- be a reason.

First let me say I have no idea what happened, everything that follows is pure conjecture ....

Academic can mean failure to maintain a minimum GPA (Grade Point Average), or failure to meet APR (Academic Progress Rate)

How missing a semester helps a student athlete correct either situation is beyond me. Plus if it is in effect a "suspension" for a non-academic reason then what does the student athlete do to maintain APR? Transfer of credits from a JUCO or CC is by no means a given.

 

[Charliebball]

According to Kenny Kalina's sidekick (taken with a double grain of salt) it was an academic issue but not a grade issue..........I think I know where he's leading on that

 

[Vowelguy]

How missing a semester helps a student athlete correct either situation is beyond me. .

[** STATEMENT ABOUT HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION NOT THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION **]

Suppose an athlete was already on probation and then did even worse the next semester? Then I think it's legit for the school to say: "We think you need a semester away to figure out if you really want to be here."

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

First let me say I have no idea what happened, everything that follows is pure conjecture ....

Academic can mean failure to maintain a minimum GPA (Grade Point Average), or failure to meet APR (Academic Progress Rate)

How missing a semester helps a student athlete correct either situation is beyond me. Plus if it is in effect a "suspension" for a non-academic reason then what does the student athlete do to maintain APR? Transfer of credits from a JUCO or CC is by no means a given.

Addressing your comment about transfer of credits - in the case of an athlete being sent away for (lets say) not attending classes or whatever - you can be sure that the academic advisory part of the athletic department will make sure they are before hand. She isn't (so far as anything indicates) being banished with a whipping and told never to come back - so it is same to assume that there is a plan "in place" to ensure (as much as anyone can) that if she does what she needs to, she can come back.

 

[BroadwayVa]

First, the statement was not a legal document. There is no reason to assume "university violation" is a 100% accurate or correct statement.

Second, "academic" means more than low grades.

Third, others have already noted that low grades -can- be a reason.

Whatever reason the University may have had---I wonder how many would want their name --with speculation broadcasted?
I'm a big fan of WCBB game/player speculation--it's fill the summer--for me this is a bit too personal--because of the volume of choice possible for this young KID to take time away from Basketball. I'm no higher than thou---I wondered how this speculation may have effected me at age 20 --just spread across dispersed family--if that were me then--I may avoid them now.