Student Athlete Handbook 2020-2021 I. Quick Facts & Contact Information (3) II. Mission Statements (4) • University • Department III. Governing Bodies (5) • National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics • Champions of Character • California Pacific Conference • Student Athlete Advisory Committee IV. Academics (7) • Academic Requirements • Mid Semester Grades • Freshman Competition Travel Policy • Study Table • Tutorial Policy • Student Athlete Learning Assistant Program • Student Athlete Learning Center • Academic Advising • Priority Registration • Academic Standing • Library V. Student Athlete Eligibility (12) • Athletic Participation • Initial Eligibility • Freshman Eligibility • Continuing Eligibility • Transfer Eligibility • Release Policy • Terms of Eligibility • Eligibility Infractions • Important Eligibility Notes VI. Student Athlete Conduct and Ethics (15) • Student Athlete Conduct & Responsibilities • Social Media Policy • Sportsmanship • Dress Code • Drug and Alcohol Policy • Tobacco Products • Gambling Policy • Harassment UC Merced Student Athlete Handbook Page 1 of 30 • Hazing • Academic Integrity • Criminal Violation • Disciplinary Appeals Process • Student Athlete Hosts VII. Department Policies (21) • Athletic Equipment Policy • Travel Regulations • Selection and Dismissal of a Student Athlete • Attendance Policy • Procedure for Missed Classes Due to Competition • Media Guidelines VIII. Sports Medicine and Athletic Training (23) • General Information • Insurance Coverage • Procedures and Injury Management • Drug/Alcohol Education and Testing Policy • NAIA Banned Substances IX. Financial Aid (28) • General • Financial Aid Policy • Financial Aid Appeal • Athletic Grant in Aid • Federal Work Study X. Academic & Events Calendar (29) UC Merced Student Athlete Handbook Page 2 of 30 Section I: Quick Facts & Contact Information Founded…………………………………………………….……………………………………………………..………2005 Address…………………………………………………..…………5200 North Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343 Enrollment……….………………………………………………...……………………………………………………8,900 Chancellor…………………………………………………………...………………..………Dr. Juan Sanchez Muñoz Nickname…………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………Bobcats Colors…………………………………………………………………...……………………………………….Navy & Gold Department Phone/Fax…………………….…….…………………. (209) CAT-TEAM / (209) 228-4064 Athletics Email………………………………………………………..…………………[email protected] Campus website……………………………………………………….………….……………. www.ucmerced.edu Athletic website………………………………………………………….….………www.ucmercedbobcats.com Athletics Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter…………………………….…...@ucmercedbobcats Affiliation…………………….…….……..……National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Conference…………………………………….…….……………………………………California Pacific (Cal Pac) Cal Pac Conference Members………………………………………...……Benedictine University at Mesa …………………………………………………………………………………California State University, Maritime ………………………………………………………………………………Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..La Sierra University ………………………………………………………………………………………Marymount California University …………………………………………………………………………………………………………Pacific Union College …………………………………………...…………………………………………………………Park University Gilbert ……………………………………………………………………………………………..Providence Christian College ……………………………………………………………………………………………….....Sierra Nevada University …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Simpson University ……………………………………………………………………………………………….Soka University of America …………………………………………………………………………………………….University of Antelope Valley ……………………………………………………………………………….…………….University of Saint Katherine …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Westcliff University Men’s Varsity Programs……………………………….Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer & Volleyball Women’s Varsity Programs……………….…………Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer & Volleyball Athletic Facilities, Indoor……………………………...….….Hostetler Court (Basketball & Volleyball) Outdoor……………………………………………………………………………….………….. Bobcat Field (Soccer) Athletics Contact Information……………………………………………………...Full Athletics Staffing List UC Merced Student Athlete Handbook Page 3 of 30 Section II: Mission Statements University Mission Statement The University of California, Merced's mission is embodied in its proud claim of being the first American research university of the twenty-first century. As the tenth campus of the University of California, UC Merced will achieve excellence in carrying out the University's mission of teaching, research and service, benefiting society through discovering and transmitting new knowledge and functioning as an active repository of organized knowledge. As a key tenet in carrying out this mission, UC Merced promotes and celebrates the diversity of all members of its community. A research university is a community bound by learning, discovery and engagement. As the first American student-centered research university of the twenty-first century, UC Merced's strong graduate and research programs will mesh with high quality undergraduate programs. New knowledge increasingly depends on links among the disciplines, working together on questions that transcend the traditional disciplines. UC Merced fosters and encourages cross-disciplinary inquiry and discovery. Interdisciplinary practice in research will nourish undergraduate learning, building a foundation in connecting the ways that academic disciplines understand and grapple with society's problems. Undergraduates will experience education inside and outside the classroom, applying what they learn through undergraduate research, service learning and leadership development. As apprentice scholars, graduate students will build their understanding of and ability to do independent research in their chosen field, as the groundwork for entering professional life. Lifelong learners will continue to hone their knowledge and workplace skills. The twenty-first century has opened with the promise of new ways of connecting people to new knowledge and to one another. UC Merced opens as a network, not simply a single place, linking its students, faculty and staff to the educational resources of the state, nation and world. The idea of network extends to UC Merced’s relationships with neighboring institutions: educational, cultural and social. Born as a member of the distinguished network known as the University of California, UC Merced seeks strong and mutually supportive relationships with a variety of collaborators in its region: public and private colleges and universities; federal and state organizations that share UC Merced’s educational and research goals; and cultural and social institutions. The idea of network will also be realized through the physical and intellectual integration between UC Merced and its surrounding community. The campus is planned as a model of physical sustainability for the twenty-first century, inviting all members of the campus and surrounding community to think and act as good stewards of the environment that they will convey to future generations. UC Merced celebrates its location in the San Joaquin Valley, reflecting the poetry of its landscape, history, resources and diverse cultures, while capitalizing on and expanding the Valley's connections to the emerging global society. UC Merced recognizes that research that begins with the natural laboratory at home can extend what is known in the state, nation and world. UC Merced Student Athlete Handbook Page 4 of 30 Department Mission Statement UC Merced Recreation and Athletics Department provides recreational and athletic opportunities for our students to lead healthy, engaging lifestyles that enhance student success, promote individual wellbeing, and foster a commitment to lead and serve the community. Section III: Governing Bodies National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) The purpose of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is to promote the education and development of students through intercollegiate athletic participation. Member institutions, although varied and diverse, share a common commitment to high standards and the principle that athletics serve as an integral part of an education. The student, as the central focus of intercollegiate athletics, shall: accept the responsibility to become an effective, contributing member of society, perform as a positive role model on the campus and in the wider community, fulfill academic responsibilities while progressing steadily toward meeting the requirements for a degree and maintain eligibility for participation in every athletic contest. Champions of Character Champions of Character is a nonprofit organization with the mission to change the culture of sports. They seek to replace the current cycle of cheating, trash talking, taunting and out of control behaviors found in today’s sports culture with integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. These Five Core Values are defined as: • Integrity: Internal traits that guide behavior • Respect: Treating others the way you want to be treated • Responsibility: The social force that binds me to the good of the team • Sportsmanship: Following the rules, spirit, and etiquette of athletic competition • Servant Leadership: Serving the greater good while focusing on the team’s mission and purpose Champions of Character program instills an understanding of character values in sport and provides practical tools for student athletes, coaches and parents to use in developing exemplary character traits. The objectives include: • To provide opportunities