Indiana University Implements Bill of Rights for Student-Athletes

The Indiana University athletic office has done something that is unprecedented in college sports: guarantee rights to its athletes.

IU will be implementing its so called Bill of Rights for all student athletes this fall. Athletic Director Fred Glass spoke about the move this week in an official release.

“We are proud to be the first higher education institution ever to publish a Student-Athlete Bill of Rights,” said Glass. “We developed the Bill of Rights to identify not only what we were currently doing for our student-athletes but what we should be doing.

“We have committed to this extensive set of benefits and set it out transparently in writing, so that we can be held accountable for them by our student-athletes and other stakeholders such as our faculty and trustees. While no other school has done this, we hope that others will follow for the betterment of the student-athlete experience.” 

While student-athletes can generate a lot of income for their school, they typically don’t receive any guaranteed rights. Scholarships are simply season to season and don’t always look out for the students best interests.

IU Bill of Rights

• Cost of Degree. This will cover all expenses of student-athletes on full scholarship. Everything from tuition to room and board. They will also allow for miscellaneous expense accounts for players, pending approval from the NCAA.
• Four Year Scholarship Commitment. All players receiving a scholarship will have a four year commitment from the University. It can only be broken by a transfer, ineligibility, or by breaking a department or University rule. They can’t lose their scholarship due to injury, illness, or due to ability or performance.
• Lifetime Degree Guarantee. If a player goes to IU, they are a Hoosiers for life. This means that a player like Noah Vonleh, who was at IU for a year, can come back to earn his degree with tuition covered. Basically, any player can come back to complete their degree provided they didn’t transfer or leave IU in bad standing.
• Comprehensive Academic Support. This allows student to pick their degree program (didn’t think that was an issue) and allows all students the use of the academic center. They also have access to tutors and other support services and receive priority registration. Hopefully this won’t be abused a la North Carolina.
• Comprehensive Health, Safety, Wellness. This gives all athletes full medical care, even those who are not on full scholarship. This includes doctors visits, trainers, and access to extra food services. This is especially important considering all the attention paid to issues like concussions lately.
• Comprehensive Athletic Support. Assures the athletes that they will have the best coaching, training, and facilities. At least according to the the athletic office.
• Comprehensive Leadership and Life Skills Development. This one is…odd. It gives the players “social media skills” so they won’t embarrass IU. Every athlete will also receive a blazer to keep and wear for some reason. They’ll also get career counseling to help them find jobs after they graduate.
• A Culture of Trust and Respect. This basically ensures that no one (i.e. coaches, trainers, or administration) will be verbally or physically abusive to the athletes.
• A Collective Voice. Gives the athletes a means to address concerns via the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. This ensures the SAAC’s place within the athletic department.
• Cutting Edge Technology. Athletes get an iPad. Seems like bribery to me and I bet the average student doesn’t get a free tablet when they enroll. Tell me again how student-athletes are equal to regular students? It also ensures that athletes have access to the internet and all online IU support, just like every other student.

Most of these thing were implied, but now the athletes have it in writing. Here is a link to the PDF of the official Bill of Rights.