Compliance Question Of The Week - Indiana University Athletics

Compliance Question Of The Week
For the week of: September 19, 2005

Question:

Are coaches or athletics department staff permitted to reserve hotel rooms (either in Bloomington or other locations) for parents of student-athletes?

Answer:

No. Reserving hotel rooms for parents under most circumstances (including for away-from-home competitions, Big Ten Championships, NCAA Championships) can be viewed as an extra benefit because of the arrangements made by the institution for the parents of the student-athletes. (NCAA Bylaw 16.02.3)

In many cases the parents may not have access to the hotel rooms if not reserved by IU because all the rooms are sold out for many weekends, or an IU athletics department staff member may receive a special discount or room rate that would not otherwise be available to parents of student-athletes. Therefore, even if the parents pay the published, full cost rate of the room upon checkout, we still cannot reserve the room.

Additionally, similar rules apply during unofficial visits to campus. We cannot reserve hotel rooms for prospects or parents of prospects during unofficial visits.

We can provide parents of student-athletes, prospects, and parents of prospects with hotel contact information so that they may contact the hotel of their choice and make their own reservations, but remember we are not permitted to email or send prospects written correspondence until after September 1 of a prospect's junior year in high school.

CLARIFICATION
In regards to last week's question of the week, Bylaw 16.6.1.2 permits institution's to reserve or secure lodging for all postseason events (other than conference tournaments) and at a reduced or special rate for parents, legal guardians and other immediate family members of a student-athlete who is a participant in the event. It is not permissible for IU to cover any portion of the cost of the lodging, including any cost associated with reserving or securing lodging.