By Alyson Lawrence, Staff Writer
A new rule this year requires all freshmen and first-time athletes to check in for six hours of study hall time each week in the Student Success Center in Dugan Library.
In previous years, study hall requirements had been up to the coach of each team, so they varied depending on the sport and the coach.
Lawna Kurtyka, the director of the Navigator program in the Student Success Center, keeps track of study hall hours for athletes and sends reports to coaches.
“This year, the Student Success Center and athletic department had conversations about finding a consistent way for first-time student athletes to get to know Student Success and all the services we offer,” Kurtyka said.
The Student Success Center also offers mental health, tutoring and career services.
Kurtyka said that students can earn their six hours in a couple of different ways.
“I’m really encouraging students to learn how to use professors’ office hours,” Kurtyka said, “So if they come see me first and get a sign- off sheet for that, then that counts towards hours”
First time athletes who keep their grades up with the new study hall requirement have a chance to decrease their hours, she said.
“After midterms, we can sit down and look at the whole picture to see how students are performing in classes. Then we will see what (the) coach is requiring of everyone else and adjust, she said.
The purpose of study hall is to help give students the tools they need to be successful and manage their time.
The Student Success Center doesn’t issue consequences if students don’t complete their study hall hours. They simply report attendance to coaches.
“Students who skip study hall or don’t meet their study hall requirements are ultimately just hurting themselves,” Kurtyka, said
Freshman softball player Taylor Chrisp said that not all first-time athletes necessarily benefit from the new six-hour requirement.
“I feel like six hours is beneficial to students who need it and are falling behind,” Chrisp said. “Most people just come to sit and don’t really do homework because after hour three, there's not much to do.”
PHOTO: Jacob Brown, Editor-in-Chief
