Central Virginia Times

University of Virginia's Department of Athletics strives to assist student-athletes in their academic pursuits while remaining competitive in the Cavalier athletic programs.

The department's mission "is to enhance and support the intellectual purpose of the university and its exemplary academic standards and traditions," the athletic department's website states.

"Critical to the department’s mission are high academic achievement; nationally competitive and successful teams; comprehensive integration of student athletes within the university and local communities; a strict adherence to NCAA, ACC, and university rules and regulations; fiscal integrity, which is embodied through the generation and efficient use of resources; the attraction and retention of the highest quality student athletes and staff which includes equitable opportunities for women and minorities," the UVA site states.

The department pursues that mission "by uniting the varied constituencies of the university community through its intercollegiate and intramural programs," the page says. "These programs are designed to build support for and add value to the academic purposes of the institution while developing students with strong values of leadership, sportsmanship, equity, citizenship, physical fitness, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence."

University of Virginia student-athletes are required to enroll full-time to remain eligible to practice and/or compete for the Cavaliers. The department assists by developing and empowering the university's student-athletes "to become independent lifelong learners and productive citizens by providing comprehensive and collaborative academic support services," the department's page said.

UVA's student-athletes also are required to following NCAA rules regarding class absences, which dictates that no classes may be missed for practice except when a team travels to an away competition.

The university's Athletic Department "makes every effort to schedule a minimal amount of travel for competitions that affect student-athletes’ class time," the academic support page says. "Student-athletes are given official travel letters from the Athletic Department to notify their professors of their travel schedules. The Athletic Department encourages faculty to work with student-athletes in making up an assignment or exam missed while they are representing the university."