Cougars Athletics and Recreation Student-Athlete Handbook
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COUGARS ATHLETICS AND RECREATION STUDENT-ATHLETE HANDBOOK 1 2018-2019 TEAMWORK We maximize our impact through collaboration. INTEGRITY We are true to our word. FUN We work and play in a creative and innovative way. PERSONAL GROWTH We pursue development and learning experiences. 2 RESPECT We care for our people and place. 3 INTRODUCTION 4 COUGARS ATHLETICS and RECREATION 5 STUDENT AFFAIRS AND CAMPUS LIFE 5 DEPARTMENT EXPECTATIONS AND GUIDELINES 6 DISCIPLINARY ACTION 9 ACADEMIC POLICIES & PROCEDURES 12 ACADEMIC APPEALS AND GRIEVANCES 16 ATHLETE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (AFA) 17 STUDENT-ATHLETE INSURANCE 19 STUDENT-ATHLETE RESPONSIBILITIES 20 ATHLETIC THERAPY CLINIC 24 DIRECTORY 26 APPENDIX - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 29 4 Welcome to Mount Royal University and Cougars Athletics and Recreation! You have made that important decision (and the right one) in becoming a MRU student and a Cougars student-athlete, congratulations. We are so excited that you are part of our family and look forward to being involved in the next years of your life. Demands and expectations are placed on you as a student-athlete who represents a varsity program with Cougars Athletics and Recreation and a student of MRU that competes in the CWUAA and U Sports. This handbook provides extremely useful information to help you understand and adhere to the policies and procedures that exist. This handbook assists with the required orientation and includes a plethora of knowledge that may assist you in this understanding. As a student-athlete for our institution it also means added responsibility and accountability. Please be aware that the students and staff at the university are a vital part to our success. Take every opportunity to let them know how your program is going and when you are competing so that they may come out to support you and help cheer you on to victory. The years as a Cougar student-athlete will go by quickly. Enjoy this journey, and time you have at MRU. If there is anything that you need to assist, please ask. We are here to provide an environment that allows YOU to succeed academically, athletically and socially. We look forward to the year unfolding as you and your teammates pursue excellence in the classroom and in sport. 5 Karla Karch Director, Cougars Athletics and Recreation 6 COUGARS ATHLETICS AND RECREATION Cougars Athletics and Recreation is one of seven departments within Student Affairs and Campus Life (SACL). Student success, both inside and outside of the classroom is the Divisions prime objective. The services provided promote academic and personal success and each area works together with faculty to meet these goals. The Division also focuses on supporting employees of Mount Royal University in their personal pursuit of wellness. Each Department of the Division is staffed with experienced, committed Student Affairs professionals who use and develop best practices to deliver programs/services and host events that meet the needs of community members. Overview of the Services Areas: Office of the Student Affairs and Campus Life Vice President Steve Fitterer 403-440-6506 Accessibility Services - website http://www.mtroyal.ca/AcademicSupport/ResourcesServices/Accessibili tyServices/index.htm Career Services - website http://www.mtroyal.ca/employmentcareers/CareerServices/ind ex.htm Campus Equity and Meaningful Inclusion - website http://www.mtroyal.ca/CampusServices/CampusResources/CampusEq uityMeaningfulInclusion/index.htm Student Learning Services - website http://www.mtroyal.ca/AcademicSupport/ResourcesServices/StudentLe arningServices/index.htm Cougars Athletics and Recreation - website http://www.mrucougars.com/landing/index http://www.mtroyal.ca/CampusServices/Recreation/ 7 Residence Services - website http://www.mtroyal.ca/campusservices/livingoncampus/index.htm Wellness Centre - website http://www.mtroyal.ca/CampusServices/WellnessServices/index.htm DEPARTMENTAL EXPECTATIONS AND GUIDELINES http://www.mtroyal.ca/CampusServices/CampusResources/StudentC onduct/GuidelinesForms/index.htm As a member of Cougars Athletics and Recreation, all student- athletes are required to abide by the following principles and guidelines at all times: The Code of Student Conduct Guide for MRU http://www.mtroyal.ca/cs/groups/public/documents/pdf/student_con duct_guide.pdf Consistent with its aim of fostering student academic success and satisfaction, the university’s primary purpose for governing academic and other university related behavior is to promote personal, educational and social development of our students. Student members of the university with special responsibilities established by Mount Royal (e.g. student-athletes, students participating in international exchanges) may also necessarily be governed by additional policies. In each case, those policies may govern additional behaviors and be administered through processes, and with resulting sanctions, other than those outlined in the Code. Any misconduct review process followed will not encroach on the fundamental rights afforded to a student member of the Mount 8 Royal community. The Code of Student Conduct shall supersede all other policies, rules or regulations in the event of any overlap. Behavior that is subject to disciplinary action under the Code includes violations of established civil and criminal statutes; conduct that threatens the safety or well-being of members of the university community; and any other behavior that seriously and adversely affects the university or its educational mission. Mount Royal reserves the right to apply the Code to off-campus conduct that has a real and substantial link to the university and where: ●the conduct gives rise to a reasonable belief that the individual(s) poses a substantial danger to themselves or others in the university or community; or, ●the conduct gives rise to a reasonable belief that the presence of the individual could seriously disrupt, or adversely affect the university; or, ●the conduct is prejudicial or likely to be prejudicial to the interests or to the reputation of the university. Guidelines for Student-Athletes Student-athletes are expected to conform to a higher standard of behavior by exhibiting the following qualities while involved in competitive situations: ● Integrity - respect the rights of other athletes, coaches and the public. ● Competence - strive to perform to the best of your abilities. ● Respect for the rules - play fair and display respect for your sport. ● Respect for officials - exhibit respect for referees’ and officials’ judgments and decisions. ● Refrain from directing criticism towards game officials when speaking to the media. 9 Student-athletes are expected to adopt the following personal attributes and priorities: ● Athlete’s interests - act in the best interests of the team foremost. ● Personal conducts - expect and present the best of one’s self at all times. ● Academics - place academic pursuits ahead of athletic ambitions. MRU Behavioral Requirements Mount Royal University expects all varsity programs along with their coaching staff, to establish team rules. The department requires that all student-athletes conduct themselves in accordance with CWUAA and U Sports rules and regulations, as well as following the behavioral requirements set out by the department and Mount Royal University. ● You are committed to behavior that will reflect well on the reputation of Mount Royal University, your teammates, opponents, coaches and officials. ● You abide by the rules and regulations set out by the CWUAA and the U Sports. ● You conduct yourself in all situations in a manner that would maintain and enhance positive student-athlete / Coach relationships. ● You do not willfully damage the property of others which would include, but is not limited to, facilities at MRU and other Universities, transportation vehicles and accommodations. ● You treat yourself and others with respect and dignity. ● Refraining from sexist, racist, or discriminatory language and/or behavior as prohibited by the Human Rights Code. ● Refraining from the consumption / use of alcohol or illegal / banned substances while on route to the site of athletic events / contests, hotels, competitions or practices. The consumption or possession of these substances while on MRU team transport is strictly prohibited. 10 ● Refraining from hazing / initiation activities of any type. MRU Cougar Athletics and Recreation definition of hazing is any action taken or situation created as part of initial or continued membership on a team which 1) produces or could be expected to produce mental discomfort, harm, stress, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule or 2) violate the MRU Student Code of Conduct, the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct or law. MRU Harassment Policy Discrimination and harassment are prohibited by law in Alberta by the Alberta Human Rights, Citizenship and Multiculturalism Act. In keeping with efforts to establish and maintain an environment in which the dignity and worth of all members of the university community are respected, it is the policy of Mount Royal University that discrimination/ harassment of students and employees is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. At Mount Royal University the prohibited grounds of discrimination and harassment currently are: race color family status ancestry place of origin source of income religious beliefs gender age physical disability mental disability sexual orientation marital status For more information, please contact the office of Campus Equity and Meaningful Inclusion. 11 Social