Student Life
Programs and Policies
The University expects each student to act maturely and to exercise good citizenship and good judgment in conducting his/her personal life in both on and off-campus environments and should realize that this University is a unique institution in terms of its traditions, policies, goals, and regulations. In becoming part of this institution, the student agrees to uphold these characteristics. While at Hardin-Simmons University, the student is expected to obey the laws of the United States and Texas, Abilene city ordinances, and the rules and regulations of the University. The student is responsible for being aware of university policies.
The HSU Student Handbook covers information and expectations for students in the areas of Student Activities, Clubs and Organizations, Residence Life, Ethics, Code of Conduct, Athletics, and Student Ministries. All students taking classes affiliated with HSU, regardless of location, are under the policies set forth in the student handbook, which is available at www.hsutx.edu.
Refer to the student life web page for information on programs and services www.hsutx.edu/student-life.
Athletics
State and national recognition has come to HSU because of her athletic teams. Intercollegiate athletics are sponsored in eight sports for men and eight for women. Men’s sports include football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, track, cross country, and golf; whereas sports for women include volleyball, basketball, softball, soccer, tennis, track, cross country and golf.
For the eleventh consecutive semester the overall student-athlete grade point average was over a 3.0. as HSU student-athletes recorded a 3.15 GPA for the Fall, 2022 semester. Twenty of the last twenty-three semesters our student-athletes have had an overall student-athlete GPA over a 3.0. Close to 60 % of our student-athletes earned over a 3.0 GPA for the Fall, 2022 semester.
Athletic Participation Requirements
All students who represent the University in must be concurrently enrolled in at least 12 semester credits and making satisfactory progress toward graduation. They must have attained at least a 1.60 GPA if they have attempted 12-32 semester credits, a 1.80 GPA if they have attempted 33-48 semester credits, or a 2.00 GPA if they have attempted 49 or more semester credits.
In order for a student to continue to represent the university in Athletics, a student must have completed 21 hours in the last academic year. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all students involved in school activities are also making satisfactory progress toward a degree. Hours that are taken during May Term, Summer I and Summer II will be counted toward the calendar year. A list of all athletes is required to be turned into the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar will approve all athletes for participation.
Student-athletes who qualify for championship-level play which conflicts with finals week should be given the option of taking their final exams either before or after completion of the athletic event. It is the student-athletes responsibility to notify their professors of the conflict, to work with their professors to schedule an alternate date for the exam, and to complete any necessary university-related paperwork prior to leaving for the athletic event.
Convocations
All students and academic personnel are expected to attend all official convocations of the University.