Intramural Sports Handbook

League Divisions / Competition Levels / Registration / Looking for a Team? / Eligibility / Sports Rules/Rule Changes / Team Captain Duties / Sportsmanship / Participant Conduct / Forfeits and Concedes / Protests / Schedule Information / Injuries and Liability / Equipment / Officiating / Evaluations / Questions, Comments or Suggestions

LEAGUE DIVISIONS:
Intramural competition is offered in three (3) divisions:

• Men’s ‑ Composed of individual men or men’s teams which may, but are not required to represent the various residence halls, clubs and organizations, or independent groups of the university community.
• Women’s ‑ Composed of individual women or women’s teams which may, but are not required to represent the various residence halls, clubs and organizations, or independent groups of the university community.
• CoRec ‑ Composed of teams consisting of a minimum number of players of each gender.  Teams may, but are not required to represent the various residence halls, clubs and   organizations, or independent groups of the university community.

COMPETITION LEVELS:
Intramural Sports competition is sometimes divided into two (2) different leagues.  Each team or individual is encouraged to select the level which best suits their abilities and interests. The Intramural Sports Coordinator reserves the right to move teams to a more appropriate level when necessary.   Team captains are encouraged to aid this process prior to the beginning of playoffs.  The following leagues are offered for some Intramural Sports:

• “A” league is designed for teams/individuals with high skill levels, seeking intense competition.
• “B” league is available for those with prior experience in the sport seeking a moderate level of competition and skill and those playing “just for fun”.

REGISTRATION:
Registration for all Intramural Sports activities will take place at the Intramural Sports Captain’s meetings.

• Sport Entry Forms may be obtained outside the Intramural Activities Board’s Office.
• Entry Forms are due at the Captain’s Meeting for that sport. 
• There is no Registration Fees, but a twenty dollar ($20) deposit is required and due at the Captain’s meeting. This deposit will be refunded in full at the end of the season as long as the team has not forfeited.
• Entry Forms must be complete in order for them to be accepted by the Intramural Sports Staff prior to the announced deadline.  The following is a list of information that is required for an entry form to be complete:  team name, sport selected to play, desired days and time of play, division of play, players full names, ID numbers, two different phone numbers & email addresses of the captain and co-captain with Banner ID numbers and the Forfeit fee deposit. 
• It is the responsibility of the team captain to submit a proper team name for their Intramural Sports team.  The following restrictions are enforced:  team names should only consist of two (2) to three (3) words (no Greek letters), no vulgar language, no reference to alcohol or other drugs and no discriminatory references (race, religion, color, national origin, or sex). 
• The Intramural Sports Coordinator reserves the right to censor and change team names accordingly

• Entries will be taken on a first‑come, first serve basis.  Space is limited in many activities therefore Captain’s meetings are mandatory.  Once the meeting is over, there is no guarantee that additional teams will be let into the league.
• Late entries will be accepted only if time and space allow.  Occasionally, teams entering a sport late will be inserted if another team drops out of competition, due to forfeits or sportsmanship issues.  At this point the teams on the “waiting list” will be inserted in the order of entry.
• In individual/dual sports and meets, individuals entering late may show up at the activity site and assume a position left open by a forfeit.

LOOKING TO GET ON A TEAM:
No team?  No Problem!  Simply come to the Captain’s meeting and sign up as a free agent for that sport.  Often individuals who are put on the “free agent list” are picked up from teams who attend the sport specific captains’ meetings.

ELIGIBILITY:
The following eligibility regulations have been established to protect the intramural athletes and to insure them ample opportunity to participate.  It is important that all participants observe the rules equally so that no team or individual may gain an advantage over those abiding by the rules.  Each participant is responsible for the verification of his/her own eligibility. Each team captain is responsible for the eligibility of his/her team members.

• In order to be eligible to participate in Intramural Sports, an individual must fall into one (1) of the following categories:
• • All participants must present a valid Providence College ID in order to gain access to the playing area, as well as participate in the seasons, NO EXCEPTIONS. No I.D., No Play!
  • Providence College Undergraduate student
  • Faculty/Staff members
  • Graduate or S.C.E. students who have purchased and have a current Peterson Recreation Center Activity Card.
• Before participation in an Intramural Sport, individuals must be registered on an entry form filed in the Intramural Sports Office.  This entry form becomes the official team roster.
  • For each Intramural Sport(s) there is a maximum and minimum number of players allowed.  These numbers vary per intramural sport/activity and they are known as roster limitations.  At no time will the Intramural Sports Office accept an entry form that does not fit within the roster limitations.
  • Roster additions and deletions may be made throughout the sport season in the Intramural Office, or they may be completed at the game site.
    • During scheduled contest(s), new players’ full names may be added at the game site up to the roster limitations.
    • If there is no space remaining on the team roster, names must be deleted and the new name of the team member(s) inserted into that roster spot.
    • The full names and Banner ID numbers MUST be clearly written on the appropriate score sheet for the new team member to be added to the permanent roster.  Players are not eligible until this occurs.
    • If this procedure is completed properly the Intramural Sports Office will add and delete the player(s) to the permanent team roster.  Note: Roster deletions are permanent.  The deleted player will not be eligible to compete unless she/he is added back to the roster.
    • For all intramural activities the final opportunity to add/delete a player(s) is during the last contest played in regular season.
  • No roster additions/deletions will be taken over the phone.
  • Substitutions in individual/dual sports must be made before a player’s first scheduled game/match.  The original player cannot re-enter the tournament after the substitution is completed.
• An individual may not participate for more than one team within a division in a given sport.  For example: a male may not play in Men’s A league and Men’s B league, or on two (2) Men’s A teams, but is allowed to play on a Men’s team and a CoRec team.
  • If a player wishes to change from one team to another, he/she must do so in the Intramural Sports Office before their current team’s first contest.
  • A player listed on two rosters will be considered a member of the team he/she first plays for.  *Any player signed in on a game score sheet will be considered to “have played.”
  • Any person playing under an assumed name or ID number shall be barred from intramural competition during that season and the team penalized with Forfeits for all the games in which the violator participated.  Players playing on two (2) teams will also be bared from intramural competition for the rest of the season, and the second team for which he/she played will receive a forfeit for all games that the violator participated.
  • Any individual violating these rules must meet with the Intramural Sports Coordinator if they wish to participate in any future intramural sport.
• Any person who is a member of a varsity or junior varsity squad shall not be eligible to participate in that sport or corresponding sports until the lapse of one (1) year from the end of the season in which he/she last competed. 
  • Member of varsity or junior varsity sport squads will be defined as: those on scholarship, walk-ons, or “red-shirts”.
  • Any person who has earned an Athletic Letter at any four year institution which gives college credit, regardless of size and level of competition shall not be eligible to participate in that sport, or corresponding sport(s) until the lapse of one (1) year from the end of the season in which the player last competed. 
  • Any person who tries out for, or is cut from a team after the second contest of the season shall be ineligible to participate in that sport or corresponding sport(s) until the lapse of one (1) year from the end of the season in which he/she last competed.

Corresponding sports are defined as follows:
o        Baseball/Softball        Softball, Wiffle Ball
o        Basketball                   Basketball, 3-on-3 Basketball, 3 point contest
o        Football                      Flag Football
o        Ice Hockey                 Floor Hockey, Ice Hockey
o        Golf                             Golf Tournaments
o        Soccer                        Soccer (Indoor/outdoor)
o        Volleyball                  Volleyball,  Wallyball

• Only two (2) sport club members are eligible to play on a team in their sport or corresponding sports.  In individual/dual sports, sport club members must play in “A” League in their sport, and may only have one (1) sport club team member per team.
• Any person who has competed as a professional in a sport shall not be eligible to participate in that sport or corresponding sport(s) until the lapse of seven (7) years from their last season on a professional roster.
• Minimum Consequences for using an ineligible player(s):
  • The team shall forfeit all contests in which the ineligible individual(s) played.
  • Players participating illegally are referred to the Intramural Sports Coordinator for further disciplinary action.

SPORTS RULES/RULE CHANGES:
General rules and regulations for each sport will be made available to students before competition begins.  In addition to the general rules, there are certain specific regulations, which will take precedence.  These rules are issued to participants before the start of competition.  The Intramural Sports Office reserves the right to put into immediate effect any new sport rule changes or modifications regarding participant eligibility.  Before doing so the Office will notify participants through team captains.

DUTIES OF TEAM CAPTAIN:
Each team entering an intramural activity must appoint a Team Captain.  The Captain is the official liaison between the team and the Intramu­ral Sports Program.  The Captain must be listed as a member of the team on the official team roster.  Specific responsibilities of the Captain include:

• Attending (or sending another team representative) to the Captains’ Meetings.
  • Captains’ Meetings are held at the beginning of all team sport seasons, and maybe before playoffs (see sport specific information for dates and times).
  • Any team not represented at the required captains’ meeting(s) for a team sport will not be allowed in the league. NO EXCEPTIONS!
• Individual/dual sports may or may not require a meeting.  The Intramural Sports Office will have schedules and rules available as specified on the sport flyer sheet (schedules and rules are available for pick-up at the Intramural Sports Office, they are also posted on both the intramural kiosk and online @ http://www.providence.edu/Student+Life/Intramurals/Rules/
• Notifying team members of playing rules, playing schedules and schedule changes, eligibility policies and procedures and ensuring that their team is in compliance to all intramural policies and procedures.
  • Submitting complete and correct team/player information on all Entry Forms.
  • Representing the team in the case of protests.

• During a contest the team captain is expected to cooperate fully with the Intramural Sports Staff in regards to: signing team members in on the official score sheet, lineups, scores, protests, injuries, player ejections, team conduct, spectator conduct, and any other situations that might arise throughout their participation in the sport/activity.
• Serving as a leader at contests by promoting fair play and helping create a positive atmosphere.

SPORTSMANSHIP:
A part of the philosophy of the Intramural Sports Program is that good sportsmanship is vital to the conduct of every contest.  Clearly, sporting contests are important to participants, but the importance should not become so overriding that players lose sight of appropriate behavior.  The playing field is not a venue for physical or verbal abuse for players or spectators.  In order to encourage proper conduct before, during and after the scheduled contest, officials, supervisors and administrative personnel will make decisions on whether to warn, penalize, or eject players, teams and/or fans for unsportsmanlike conduct.

• The current sportsmanship policy was created to place the responsibility of good behavior on the captains and teams themselves. 

• Team Ratings:  Each team will be rated on their sportsmanship behavior for every contest they play.  The official(s) and supervisor(s) responsible for the contest issue the ratings.  Each rating has a defined and specific behavior that must be attained by the team.  Ratings are 4,3,2,1,0 with 4 being perfect sportsmanship and 0 being totally uncontrollable behavior.  Teams must maintain a 3 average over the course of the regular season to be eligible for playoffs regardless of their win/loss record.  Any team falling below the 3 average at the conclusion of the regular season will be automatically eliminated from any playoff opportunity.  The average is calculated by taking the total of all ratings and dividing that by the number of games.
• For specific unsportsmanlike behavior sport by sport, yellow and red cards will be issued by the official(s) working the contest.  Any player receiving a red card or ejected from a game for any reason must see the Graduate Assistant or Intramural Sport Coordinator.  All ejected and red carded players will be ineligible for at least one (1) game and cannot return to the playing area until they have met with the Graduate Assistant or Intramural Sport Coordinator.  All cards are also part of the ratings that are received each night.  (See section, Suspension and Rules of Conduct, below for more details).
• There is a complete set of guidelines available in the Intramural Sports Office detailing the Sportsmanship Policy.  Please consult this policy for specific information.  Any questions regarding this policy can be directed to the Intramural Sports Coordinator or to the Intramural Sports Graduate Assistant.
• The Sportsmanship Policy includes special penalties that are enforced during playoffs so please consult the explanation contained within the guidelines available in the Intramural Sports Office.
• Good sportsmanship and fair play are always encouraged

PARTICIPANT CONDUCT:
Any player who commits any of the following acts of misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary procedures by the Intramural Sports Program:

§         Any player that verbally abuses or threatens an Intramural Sports staff member (including supervisor(s), scorekeeper(s) and official(s)) will be suspended a minimum of one (1) game and will be subject to further disciplinary action upon review of the incident by the Intramural Sports Coordinator.

§         Any player that hits, strikes or attempts to hit or strike an Intramural Sports Staff member (including supervisor(s) and official(s)) will be suspended from the Intramural Sports Program for a period of one (1) calendar year and will be subject to further disciplinary action upon review of the incident by the Intramural Sports Coordinator.Such violation may also be turned over to the Dean of Discipline and be subject to prosecution under the terms of the College Student Conduct Policies.

§         Any player that hits, strikes or attempts to hit or strike another player will be suspended a minimum of two (2) games and will be subject to further disciplinary action upon review of the incident by the Intramural Sports Coordinator.  Any severe incident will warrant suspension of that individual from the Intramural Sports Program for one (1) calendar year.Such violation may also be turned over to the Dean of Discipline and be subject to prosecution under the terms of the College Student Conduct Policies.

§         Any team that is involved in a team fight will forfeit that contest in which the fight occurred and may be suspended from that sport for the remainder of the year (season or tournament).  All team members will be subject to further disciplinary action upon review of the incident by the Intramural Sports Coordinator.Such violation may also be turned over to the Dean of Discipline and be subject to prosecution under the terms of the College Student Conduct Policies.

§         Ejected players, coaches and/or fans must remove themselves immediately from the playing area (out of sight and out of sound) immediately.  Failure to comply within one (1) minute will result in a team forfeit.  It is the captain’s and/or co-captain’s responsibility to assist the Intramural Sports staff in this process.

§          Alcoholic beverages and drugs (including tobacco products) are not permitted on or within the playing confinement of the Intramural Sports playing areas.  If a team is suspected to be under the influence, the contests will not played and could  result in forfeits or more sever penalties. 

• The Intramural Sports Staff assigned to the playing contest have the authority and responsibility in making decisions regarding students who are not permitted to participate based on:
  • A student's is suspected of being under the influences of alcohol or drugs.
  • A student's actions and language are unacceptable.
• Teams and/or individuals guilty of alcohol or drug use will be asked to leave the playing area and may be barred from further competition for the remainder of the year.
• Such violation may also be turned over to the Judicial Affairs and be subject to prosecution under the terms of the College Student Conduct Policies.

FORFEITS & CONCEDES:
Part of the philosophy of the Intramural Sports Program is to involve all eligible participants in the PC community.  If a team forfeits a contest the objectives of the Intramural Sports Program are not met, therefore participants are deprived of active involvement.  This procedure is designed to eliminate forfeits.

 THERE IS A TEN (10) MINUTE GRACE PERIOD.  If a team is scheduled to play at 7pm, they must be signed in, jerseys on and ready to BEGIN playing at 7pm. They will be given a grace period of ten (10) minutes to have the correct number of players there ready to play or a forfeit will be declared. Within this ten (10) minute grace period, the team that is completely here and ready to play will receive a given number of points (different for each sport) for every minute that the other team is late and unable to field a team.   It is recommended that teams arrive at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start time to ensure they are ready to play on time.

• In team sports, a forfeit fee of $10.00 will be charged to the team for any forfeited contest.
  • Team forfeit fees will be deducted from the team’s twenty dollar ($20) deposit put down prior to the start of the season.
• In individual/dual sport tournaments a $5.00 forfeit fee deposit is required. Any person who is signed up and does not show up to compete at any time during their scheduled contest throughout the tournament will not receive their money back at the end of the tournament.  This is to discourage players from causing byes in tournaments.  The person responsible for the fee is the person who is signed up for the sport, not the person who turned in the entry form.  If you are signed up, be sure you recognize your responsibility for the fee.
• All forfeits, regardless of cause, will result in the Forfeit Fee being assessed (i.e. forfeiture due to contest being cancelled because of sportsmanship issues, or illegal player(s)).
• In order to claim a forfeit, the opposing team must have the minimum starting number present and ready to play.  Otherwise a double forfeit will be declared if neither team has the minimum number of participants.
• Conceding: A team may concede a game (no forfeit fee will apply) by notifying the Intramural Sports Office (xt. 2340).  Only the team captain may concede a contest by contacting the office prior to 12-noon on the day they are to compete or by 4pm on Friday for all weekend contests.
• If a team forfeits and/or concedes two (2) contests during a sport season they will be dropped from further competition in that sport.
  • All teams scheduled to play that team will automatically receive a win unless another team is inserted in its place.
  • Members of a team that have forfeited out are not eligible to participate for another team.  Exception: a team that did not show up for any contests prior to forfeiting out.

PROTESTS:
The Intramural Sports Program realizes that on occasion an official may incorrectly interpret and/or enforce a rule.  The purpose of a protest is to insure an equal opportunity for victory.  A protest can be avoided through intelligent and constructive conversation among the team captains and the Intramural Sports Staff.

 The team captain must file all protests with the intramural site supervisor at the time a question occurs (protests that are recorded after one (1) or more subsequent plays have elapsed are not accepted).  Teams must be eligible to participate in additional contests in order to file a protest.  Once a team has been eliminated from play (too many forfeits, a protest renders them ineligible, losing a game that knocks them out of playoffs or for some other reason is no longer competing) they are not able to file a protest of any kind.

• Protests may be filed concerning rule interpretations, policies, or procedures.
• Protests that challenge the accuracy of a judgment call by the officials’ or intramural supervisors’ will not be accepted.

Protests will be settled at the game site by the site supervisor.  All protests that are filed will be recorded on a protest form by the site supervisor and a decision will be made at this point.  The contest will continue under protest.  All protest forms will be reviewed by the Intramural Sports Coordinator to determine that the proper ruling was made.  (In order for the coordinator to have all the needed information, the written protest must include the time remaining in the contest, the score, period of play, and all the events surrounding the protest).  In the event the ruling was incorrect, the contest will be replayed from the point of the protest.  Otherwise, the ruling made at the time of the protest will be upheld.  Special arrangements for replaying protested games will be made by the Intramural Sports Coordinator.  All protest(s) decisions made by the Intramural Sports Coordinator will be final. 

• REGULAR SEASON, PLAYER ELIGIBLITY PROTEST:  A written protest concerning a player’s eligibility can be filed with a supervisor before, during, or immediately after a contest.
  • If a protest is filed before a regular season contest and it is known by the site supervisor that the player is ineligible, the player and captain will be notified before the game begins and given the choice of whether or not the player will participate.  If the ineligible player plays, the contest is a forfeit.
  • If a protest is filed before a regular season contest begins and it is NOT known by the site supervisor that the player is ineligible, the player and captain will be notified that the contest is being played under player eligibility protest and the Intramural Sports Staff will contact the captains the following business day.  If the player choices not to participate then the protest will not affect the team.
  • If an eligibility protest is filed at another time during regular season, the player in question will be reviewed and a determination will be made as soon as possible.
• PLAYOFFS, PLAYER ELIGIBILITY PROTEST:  All eligibility protests must be filed prior to the clock starting any contest.  The player and captain will be notified that the contest is being played under player eligibility protest and the Intramural Sports Staff will contact the captains the following business day.  If the player choices not to participate then the protest will not affect the team.
  • If the protesting team wins the contest, the protest filed will be negated.
  • If a protest is filed in writing with a site supervisor before the playoff contest begins, the Intramural Sports Staff will make a determination the next business day on the validity of the protest.  If the eligibility protest is found to be valid, the guilty team will forfeit and the protesting team will advance, with all previous rounds remaining the same.
  • If an eligibility protest is filed during or after a contest, the team wanting to earn a win by forfeit and advance will not be eligible because they failed to protest prior to the start of the contest.
  • Therefore in playoffs, to ensure a team will advance if the opposing team is playing with an ineligible player, there must be a protest filed in writing with the supervisor prior to the start of the contest.Exception: If a player enters the game after the start of the game, the opposing team may protest his/her eligibility at that time.

SCHEDULE INFORMATION:
All Intramural Sports schedules (both for regular season and playoffs) are available and updated daily outside of the Intramural Sports Office in the Kiosk and online @ http://www.providence.edu/Student+Life/Intramurals/Info+Schedules/  For all of the major team sports and most minor team sports captains’ meetings are held and copies of rules are distributed.  All team schedules, following the mandatory captains’, are posted the by the end of the week.

 On days when weather is questionable, please call the Intramural Sports Rec. Check line @ 401-865-2340.  Players should not assume that games will be cancelled, as the weather is very unpredictable.  It is the responsibility of the team captain to call the Rec. Check line for weather cancellations and then to notify team members.    

 Weather decisions are made by the Intramural Sports Staff by 3pm prior to the first game scheduled for that day (Monday thru Thursday).  Decisions regarding play are never announced before 3pm (except on Sundays if games are schedules earlier).  For on site postponements or cancellations due to weather/field conditions the intramural sports site supervisor will be responsible for the decisions.  Once the field lights are turned off for the evening, the games are to be considered cancelled for the rest of that day.  The Intramural Sports Department is not responsible for forfeits suffered by assumed rainouts or contests rescheduled due to weather cancellations.

Rescheduling for other reasons is not possible due to limited resources (fields, courts, staff).  Once playoffs have begun, there will be no rescheduling of any games, unless weather causes cancellations.

  Intramural policy forbids office personnel to give team schedule information over the phone.  Information given over the phone is easily misunderstood and could be misinterpreted causing unnecessary forfeits.

INJURIES & LIAB ILITY:
PARTICIPATION IN INTRAMURUAL SPORTS ACTIVITIES IS COMPLETELY VOLUNTARY.  These activities intrinsically involve risks of physical injury greater than those encountered in daily life, and by taking part in sports and other activities; participants acknowledge and assume risks inherent therein.  Understand that the Intramural Sports Office, the IAB, Providence College , and all its agents do not assume any responsibility for payment of medical treatment or services not covered by an individual’s health insurance or not offered through the Student Health Center .  Therefore, all students are strongly urged to have personal health insurance, through personal or family policies. 

 All injuries should be immediately reported to the on site Intramural Sports Staff.  All accidents are recorded and kept on file for participant insurance purposes and for the program’s statistical records.

EQUIPMENT:
The Intramural Sports Department provides most equipment for all the intramural sporting activities.  Equipment is available for participants to check out, either at the game site, Intramural Equipment Room, or the Peterson  Recreation Center front Desk (PC ID required).

• If equipment is broken, lost or not returned, the individual who checked it out will be held responsible for paying the replacement cost.
• Personal athletic equipment may be used for activities provided the equipment meets the sports specific standards and Intramural Sports standards.

 For all intramural activities, participants are required to wear athletic attire (where sport specific rules also apply).  The following proper equipment for all intramural sporting events is required to participate:

§          ID Policy:All students must present a valid Providence College ID in order to gain access to the playing area, as well as participate in the 5 on 5 seasons, NO EXCEPTIONS. No I.D., No Play!

§         Footwear Policy: Regulation tennis shoes or basketball shoes are required to be worn in all gymnasiums.  Any kinds of marking shoes are not to be worn in the gymnasiums.  Pliable rubber cleated shoes may be worn on the Outdoor Intramural Fields.  No metal spikes or plastic cleats with metal tips will be permitted.  Turf cleats or running shoes are the only footwear allowed on the new turf field. The Intramural Sports Staff will declare the player ineligible to participate until he/she changes shoes and proper requirements are met.

§         Headgear Policy: Headgear is not allowed to be worn by any participant during an intramural event, except for one-piece head/sweat bands that do not have to be tied or do not have any form of knot(s).  Illegal headgear consists of any hats, bandannas, baseball caps, and any other such similar headgear.  For outdoor sports, winter/wool hats are allowed.  Baseball-like hats are allowed only during Intramural Softball.

§         Jewelry Policy: Jewelry is not allowed to be worn by any participant during any intramural event.  Jewelry consists of any rings, watches, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and any other such similar jewelry that can be seen. Exception: Medical alert bracelets and necklaces may be worn but must be taped down.

In all of the above equipment policies the Intramural Sports Staff on duty have the authority to disallow any participant from participating if they feel their equipment would endanger themselves or his/her opponents.

OFFICIATING:
The Intramural Sports Program is constantly in need of qualified sports officials.  Opportunities available include officiating the five (5) major team sports: Basketball, Flag Football, Soccer, Softball, and Volleyball.  Opportunities are also available to officiate the following team sports:  Field Hockey, and Ice Hockey.    

EVALUATIONS:
Throughout the year, Intramural Sports Staff Members will ask participants to fill out questionnaires about the quality of the Intramural Sports Program.  Please take the time to fill out the evaluations so that we can better serve your needs of a program that is designed to accommodate you.

QUESTIONS or PROBLEMS:
The Assistant Director of Intramural Sports, Chris Schmidt, is ultimately responsible for running all aspects of the Intramural Sports Program.  If you have any questions, concerns, or problems, please contact the Assistant Director by visiting the Intramural Sports Office, Room 108 (lower lobby) of the Peterson Recreation Center , by calling 865-2340 or by emailing cschmid4 @providence.edu for clarification.