High-level student-athletes sign a student contract that binds them to their academic advisor, their athletic coach, and their high-level student-athlete coordinator. This contract allows them to receive support services in exchange for a committed effort toward their academic goals.
The Rights of High-Level Student-Athletes
High-level student-athletes can take advantage of various measures designed to help them stay on track with their studies.
Spreading Out the Curriculum
For many high-level student-athletes, the time devoted to sports is too significant to allow them to complete all the course units (UE) in the program within a single academic year. Spreading out the coursework must therefore be considered to ensure success in both academics and sports. This extension is stipulated in the enrollment agreement and is in no way considered a repeat of the academic year. It therefore does not penalize the student in the event of future admissions (to a specialized school, a Master’s 2 program, etc.).
Schedule Adjustments
Priority enrollment in certain tutorial (TD) and lab (TP) groups is intended to help reconcile, as much as possible, the demands of sports participation (training schedules, travel for competitions) with class attendance.
Leave of Absence Authorization
High-level student-athlete status does not, in principle, entitle a student to any absences. However, certain absences cannot be avoided: in the event of a foreseeable absence justified by the athletic schedule, the student may be granted permission to be absent. The student is required to notify their department advisor and provide a notice of the event issued by an official organization. Under these conditions, the high-level student-athlete may then be absent from lectures, tutorials, or lab sessions. If these absences result in difficulties understanding the course material, the student may, under certain conditions, receive individualized tutoring or support in very small groups.
Distance Learning Materials
Digitized resources (compiled by students who take notes), as well as ad hoc resources (audio recordings of lectures, scanned lecture notes) and long-term resources (screencasts), are created and made available to high-level student-athletes in the event of absences justified by athletic commitments.
Support Initiatives
Each high-level student-athlete is entitled to a potential amount of support of up to 20 hours per year. This support is provided subject to faculty availability and upon approval by the student’s academic advisor in the relevant department. The organization, nature, and amount of this support depend on the specific needs of each high-level athlete and are therefore not automatic. These amounts may be reviewed annually. High-level athletes may also receive academic and subject-specific tutoring from student employees hired for this purpose.
Assessment Criteria
Exam accommodations are available. Exam periods are key events in university life. As such, exceptions may be granted only in exceptional circumstances, if only to ensure equality among students. However, if the regular exam session coincides with a major athletic commitment (competition, national training camp, etc.), a special exam session may be scheduled by the academic advisor and faculty members in the program. Assessments during the course of study may also be adjusted to accommodate athletic commitments and academic requirements.
In addition, some high-level student-athletes may include a grade related to their preferred sport—as part of their participation in civilian athletics—in their academic record. This grade depends on the category to which they belong (primary or supplementary) and their athletic performance. It generally ranges from 15 to 20 out of 20.
Assistance from a tutor
Each high-level student-athlete is supported by an academic advisor from their academic program. The academic advisor tailors the various resources available to high-level student-athletes to each student’s individual needs and capabilities; academic support is therefore personalized. To this end, the academic advisor fosters a relationship between the high-level student-athlete and the entire relevant academic team.
The Responsibilities of a High-Level Athlete Student
In exchange for the accommodations made for their studies, high-level student-athletes commit to the following academic requirements:
- To work with their academic advisor and take an active role in ensuring the success of their academic endeavors.
- Follow the curriculum outlined in the program and take the assessments specified in the contract. If you miss any assessments, ask—possibly with the help of your tutor—to make them up.
- Respond promptly to any request from your advisor, program coordinator, or SHN liaison to discuss the progress of your studies.
- Students should anticipate and notify their advisor of any changes that could affect their academic success and/or require a revision of their academic contract (changes in training schedule, unexpected internships, qualification for other competitions, injuries, etc.).
