Updated as of November 12

UVM Student-Athletes, 

UVM Athletics has created this FAQ site for you and your families as a way to respond to the many questions that we know are out there. We will update this list as necessary. If you have specific questions that are not answered here, feel free to reach out to your coach or anyone from the UVM Athletics staff, or send to sportspr@uvm.edu. 

Please be sure to take good care of yourself and be in touch if there's anything that we can do to help.   

Jeff Schulman
Director of Athletics

Resumption of Varsity Athletics Activity Guidelines (Updated as of November 12, 2020)

Student-Athlete FAQs
Q: Why was the decision made to postpone fall sports competition?
A: The health and safety of our student-athletes, staff, campus and the broader community will always be our top priority. Given the continued risks associated with COVID-19, strict quarantine requirements, and the uncertainty of being able to complete our seasons, the most responsible course of action was to postpone fall sport competition and do so before the start of pre-season training. We feel strongly that our fall teams deserve an experience that is more certain than current conditions allow.  

Q: Will fall sports be played in the spring?
A: While it's impossible to answer this definitively, we are hopeful that the health and safety situation will improve later in the year so that we can identify a creative approach for our fall sports to have a competitive spring season.

Q: Will fall student-athletes be allowed to participate in team activities this fall?
A: The usual athletics activities including practices, meetings, strength and conditioning workouts and athletic training treatments for student-athletes this fall will be permitted in adherence with local and state health and safety guidelines and NCAA rules.

Q: Have any decisions been made on winter sports?
A: No decisions have been made yet about winter sports.  We are in conversations with our partners in America East, Hockey East and EISA.  Those decisions will be made ensuring our priority is the well-being and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and the community.

Q: Will spring sports be permitted to participate in competition during their non-traditional fall segment?
A: No. This decision also prohibits competition during the non-traditional segment for spring sports for the same health and safety reasons that led to the postponement of fall sports competition.

Q: What impact will there be on my eligibility if my team does not have a season?
A: If you do not participate in any contest during the year, for whatever reason, you do not use a season of eligibility. When the spring 2020 sport seasons were canceled, the NCAA granted a blanket waiver granting all spring sport student-athletes an additional season of eligibility and an additional year on their eligibility clock. No NCAA decisions have been made at this point for fall or winter sports for 2020-21.
 
Q: Where can I find more information about the University's Fall 2020 Return to Campus Plans?
A: All campus communication related to the University's Fall 2020 Return to Campus Plans can be found at https://www.uvm.edu/returntocampus. 

Q: Can I choose the "stay home" option for Fall semester and still participate in UVM Athletics?
A: No. The July 2 memo from the Provost outlines the expectation that those who choose to "stay home" will not be on campus until Spring semester. See Fall 2020 Election Form for details: https://www.uvm.edu/registrar/forms/home-option

Q: If I wish to choose "on campus" for the Fall semester, do I need to complete the election form?
A: No. Only those students who wish to select "stay home" need to complete the election form.

Q:  If I choose to "stay home" during the Fall semester, how will my scholarship be affected?
A: For students who choose to "stay home" and therefore will not be participating in their sport on campus, athletic scholarships will be honored up to the cost of tuition and comprehensive fee. As the Provost's message indicted, merit awards based on academic performance will not be affected.

Q: If I choose the "stay home" option, can I play or compete for an outside team during the Fall semester?
A: NCAA rules prohibit competition with an outside team during a semester while enrolled full-time.

Q: Can I compete for an outside team if I don't enroll at all during the fall semester (for returning students)?
A: If you are a returning student and take the semester off entirely (not enrolled in the fall), NCAA eligibility rules can allow for you to maintain your continuing eligibility as long as you DO NOT participate with an outside team.

Q: Can I compete for an outside team if I defer my initial enrollment and take a gap year (for new students)?
A: This depends on your initial eligibility status and your sport. If you compete in a sport other than skiing or men's hockey (which have different initial eligibility rules): If you have already taken a gap year, competing during the following year could impact your eligibility. If your sport is skiing or men's ice hockey, competing beyond your 21st birthday will impact your eligibility. Contact Joe Gervais in UVM Athletics compliance office with questions about individual circumstances.

Q: What are the quarantine requirements for returning to Vermont?
A: Those returning to Vermont from out of state via plane, train, or bus will need to complete quarantine requirements in Vermont. 

Visit UVM's Quarantine Assistance Tool - https://www.uvm.edu/returntocampus/quarantine-information for specific details based on where you are located and how you are returning to campus.
 
Additional information about Vermont quarantine requirements available at https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/documents/pdf/COVID19-Vermont-Visitors-and-Returning-Travelers-Step2.pdf
 
Q: Will student-athletes be required to undergo COVID testing?
A: The Athletic Department is working with the University and Center for Health and Wellbeing on testing standards and surveillance protocols. More information will be provided by Athletic Medicine.

Q: Is the varsity athletic performance center open? 
A: The Athletic Performance Center will be closed until further notice. Plans for return to activity are in process and will be communicated to student-athletes as appropriate.

Q: Will outdoor facilities/spaces/fields be "open" for student-led workouts and optional practices before the start of the semester?
A: Student-athletes should coordinate their facility requests through their respective coaching staff. All approved use of Moulton Winder Field and Virtue Field must be between the hours of 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The Frank H. Livak Track & Field Facility is open for general use throughout the day. Outdoor Recreational Activities are limited to 10 people or less and you must maintain social distancing of six feet as directed by the Vermont Department of Health. Drills/Competition or other activities involving person to person contact are strictly prohibited at this time.

Q: Will Athletic Medicine be open for student-athletes? 
A: The Athletic Medicine staff may be available by appointment only.  Treatment must be scheduled in advance with an Athletic Trainer. Please contact your Athletic Trainer with questions.

Q: Will Catamount Sport Psychology and Counseling (CSPC) services remain available for student-athletes?
A: We will continue to provide virtual mental health counseling & sport psychology consulting services for all student-athletes. We will not be using online scheduling for the time being, but you can reach us through https://mywellbeing.uvm.edu/ or in the following ways:  

• Kelly Thorne:  802-656-2619 kelly.thorne@uvm.edu
• Ari Shapiro-Miller:  ashapiro@uvm.edu      
• Student-athletes may also access mental health support through Counseling & Psychiatry Services (CAPS) by calling 802-656-3340
• After hours & weekend on-call counseling:  call the CAPS main line at 802-656-3340.
• Crisis Text Line – Text "VT" to 741741

Below are some resources related to caring for your mental health during this challenging time:
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/coping.html
- https://www.mcleanhospital.org/news/caring-your-mental-health-despite-coronavirus
- https://theconversation.com/7-science-based-strategies-to-cope-with-coronavirus-anxiety-133207

Q: Does the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct still apply?
A: Yes, our expectations of student-athletes at home or on-campus at UVM remain the same.

Q: Is there specific information available for international student-athletes?
A: Please access information from the Office of International Education on a regular basis. Specific questions regarding travel, visa, or immigration should be addressed to that office at InternationalStudents@uvm.edu. This FAQ may be useful:  https://www.uvm.edu/oie/international-community-covid19