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Office of the Provost

Authorized and Sponsored Activities

It can be challenging to balance academic rigor with extracurricular opportunities that contribute to a student's holistic development. To address this challenge, many institutions have established clear guidelines distinguishing between "Authorized Activities" and "Sponsored Activities." These classifications provide clarity for both students and faculty and ensure that educational objectives are met while recognizing the value of experiences outside the traditional classroom setting.

Authorized or Sponsored Learning Activities Request Form

Complete the Authorized or Sponsored Learning Activities Request form.

Note: This program is being piloted with the schools and colleges listed below. Please reach out to Lara Lomicka Anderson at LOMICKA@mailbox.sc.edu with any questions.

  • College of Arts and Sciences - School of Earth, Ocean and Environment
  • College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
  • Darla Moore School of Business
  • School of Music
  • South Carolina Honors College

For a list of activities designated as Authorized or Sponsored, please refer to this SharePoint list.

 
According to the academic bulletin, the University requires that absences from class should be considered excused for students participating in an authorized university activity in which the student plays a formal, required role. Such activities include, but are not limited to, musical performances, varsity athletic events, as well as academic competitions, conferences, and research activities sanctioned by the university.

Any instructor or university organizer who is planning an outside-the-classroom (OTC) activity should complete and submit the form below to determine if the OTC is an Authorized Activity or a Sponsored Activity. "Authorized Activities" are mandatory course components directly contributing to academic goals. These activities create excused absences requiring make-up opportunities. "Sponsored Activities" enhance student learning but are not mandatory course requirements. Instructors may, at their discretion, excuse absences for these activities. 

This framework supports students in pursuing enriching experiences while maintaining academic progress. We recognize the importance of academic classwork in our students' educational experience. Therefore, we encourage faculty to minimize the amount of class time that students are required to miss for mandatory extracurricular activities, ensuring that students can fully engage in both their academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Definition of Authorized Activities (must include one or more of the following) 

  • Instructor-required activity outside of the classroom that is mandatory for students and required to fulfill the educational objectives of a course
  • Special campus programs authorized by an appropriate administrator sponsoring the activity
  • Student participation is required on specific dates to represent the university or by virtue of scholarship responsibilities (varsity athletics, music/dance performances, etc.)

Definition of Sponsored Activities (must include one or more of the following)

  • Important to the overall development and education of a student, but is not a requirement for a course
  • Participation in activities or competitions based on voluntary participation in a student organization
  • Any other activity not specifically mentioned in the undergraduate or graduate attendance policy

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