Academic Facilities

Stratton Foster Academic Center
Vanderbilt’s Department of Athletics believes that student-athletes are Vanderbilt students first. The department has developed numerous measures to support your academic endeavors. Located in the heart of the McGugin Athletic Center is the Stratton Foster Academic Center, a multi-level facility that houses the academic support staff and provides study space, tutorial rooms, and a fully equipped computer facility.

The Assistant Provost of Academic Affairs in Athletics (i.e., Academic Center Director) administers the center and oversees all issues related to the academic affairs of student-athletes. All academic matters related to student-athletes, including those that arise prior to a student’s entering Vanderbilt and continuing through the graduation of such individuals, are of direct concern to the director.

Each student-athlete works directly with an Athletic Academic Counselor to maintain satisfactory academic progress while at Vanderbilt. Academic advice from the Athletic Academic Counselor is meant only to support, not replace, the guidance of the student-athlete’s Faculty Advisor. All student-athletes must meet with the Athletic Academic Counselor a minimum of once per semester to update their progress in their program of study. Most student-athletes who use the
center’s services will meet weekly with the counselor.

The role of the academic support staff is to assist student-athletes with developing and implementing an academic plan, which will help the student meet both University and NCAA requirements. Again, the relationship between the student-athletes and their Athletic Academic Counselors is not intended to supersede, in any way, the faculty advisor and student-athlete relationship.