2007 LMU
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ACADEMIC SUPPORT ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE The Student-Athlete Academic Center exists to support all student-athletes in their goals of getting a degree on time, maintaining athletic eligibility, and preparing for life after LMU. The Academic Center provides guidance and counseling from the moment a recruit first walks on to the campus to the moment a student-athlete graduates. TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE LMU has a proud reputation of academic excellence among its student-athletes. In the past few years the LMU Athletics Department has been in the highest percentile of the APR (Academic Performance Rate) scale among all schools in NCAA Division I. According to the 2005 NCAA Graduation Rate, the LMU Athletics Department posted a rate of 88 percent for all student-athletes who exhausted their eligibility and a rate of 71 percent for those student-athletes who received athletics aid.
Examples from the 2005-2006 academic year of the excellence LMU student-athletes epitomize: • 148 National Scholar-Athletes (minimum 3.0 GPA in 15 units or more) • 13 WCC All-Academic selections • 2 LMU Presidential Citation winners • 2 first-team CoSIDA District VIII All-Academic selections • 2 second-team CoSIDA District VIII All-Academic selections
ACADEMIC SERVICES The Academic Center and support staff are housed in Gersten Pavilion, providing academic support for the 350-plus athletes in 21 sports. The Academic Center includes a study area and desktop computers for student-athlete use. The staff consists of the academic coordinator and academic assistant, who monitor the progress of student-athletes, ensure timely graduation, and assist in degree preparation. In addition, the academic support staff offers a variety of other services, including: • • • • • • • •
Major Requirements Priority Registration Study Hall Tutorial Services Laptop Checkout for Team Travel Information about Awards/Scholarships Life skills and Developmental Workshops/Speakers Leadership and Mentoring opportunities
STAFF
The Athletics Department is committed to ensuring every student-athlete reaches their full potential in the classroom. Each student-athlete is required to be enrolled in 15 units per semester and is asked to keep a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Each team can increase the department standard depending on the philosophy of the coach. AT-RISK STUDENTS If a student falls below a 2.5 GPA during a given semester they are required to meet weekly with a member of the academic support staff and attend study hall the following semester. To help students in need, tutorial services through the Learning Resource Center (LRC) may be recommended by the advisor or requested by the student. FIRST YEAR STUDENTS All first semester student-athletes are required to meet weekly with a member of the academic support staff to ensure they get off on the right track at LMU. In addition, they are expected to attend study hall for a minimum of 4 hours weekly, in 2 hour blocks. Students are encouraged to form study groups here with fellow student-athletes. Finally, first year students are required to take a one-unit class, LIBA 125, Foundations of Academic Achievement. Taught by the Academic Coordinator, Matt Casaña, this class serves to foster important lessons in students such as time management, college nutrition, and study skills.
Matt Casaña Academic Coordinator mcasana@lmu.edu
Chris Hatch Graduate Assistant chatch@lmu.edu
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