On November 26, 2013, Fordham University was found responsible for a major violation of NCAA rules pertaining to the distribution of athletically-related financial aid in the summer prior to initial full-time enrollment. The violation was specifically of Bylaw 15.2.8.1.4 (b), which requires student-athletes who are receiving athletically-related financial aid in the summer prior to initial full-time enrollment to be enrolled in a minimum of six hours of academic coursework. A March 2012 Academic Performance Program data review conducted by the NCAA discovered the fact that 87 prospective student-athletes in the summer sessions from 2008-2011 were enrolled in only three hours of academic coursework. The institution met NCAA legislation for several summers until the institution’s academic advisors for athletics and school deans felt that completing two courses in one summer session proved to be difficult for many prospective student-athletes. The institution continued to meet NCAA legislation by having prospective student-athletes enroll in two courses and withdraw from one course. However, a breakdown in intra-campus communication led to the failure of enrolling prospective student-athletes in two courses for the summer school periods of 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011.
 
The institution immediately self-reported the violations and sought reinstatement for 52 affected student-athletes, who were all reinstated for the Fall of 2012. Although the violation was secondary in nature, the number and duration of violations make this a major infractions case. Since these violations were permitted to occur for a prolonged period of time prior to detection, the athletic department was found to have failed to adequately monitor the awarding of athletically-related financial aid to prospective student-athletes in the summer prior to initial full-time enrollment.
 
As a result of these violations, the institution has been placed on probation for two years, from November 26, 2013 to November 25, 2015. Additional penalties include a fine of $20,000 to be paid to the NCAA and a comprehensive compliance review to be conducted by an outside agency with athletics compliance expertise.
 
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