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Expectations Student-Athletes
can have of the Western Sports
& Recreation Department
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Safe & Inclusive Environment: Student-athletes should expect an environment that is welcoming and inclusive, where they feel valued, empowered, and free from discrimination or harm.
Supportive Resources for Well-being: The department should provide comprehensive resources that foster student-athletes' physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. This includes access to quality training facilities, mental health resources, and sports medicine.
Holistic Development & Career Support: Beyond athletic excellence, student-athletes should anticipate comprehensive support from the department, encompassing leadership, training, and personal development programs. This includes assistance in career planning, mentorship programs, and fostering connections to alumni and other professionals in their field of interest.
Diverse Engagement: The department should be expected to engage with diverse and equity-deserving student groups, ensuring that all student-athletes, regardless of their background, are represented and their needs addressed.
Transparent Communication: Expect regular and transparent communication from the department about decisions, developments, and other matters that affect their sports and academic experience.
State-of-the-art Resources: From facilities to training equipment, athletes should expect access to first-rate resources necessary for high-performance in their sport.
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Expectations the Department can have of Western University Student-Athletes
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Commitment: The department would expect student-athletes to show dedication and commitment to their sport, maintaining a consistent training regimen and being present for all team activities and commitments.
Academic Responsibility: While sports are a significant part of their lives, student-athletes should also prioritize their academic responsibilities, maintaining satisfactory grades and attendance.
Uphold Values: Student-athletes should be expected to uphold the guiding values of the department, including Learning and Sharing, Accountability, Inclusion and Equity, and Modeling the Way.
Community Engagement: As representatives of the Western Mustangs, student-athletes should actively engage in community and outreach programs, embodying the spirit and mission of the department.
Feedback and Participation: Student-athletes should be active participants in giving feedback, contributing to the betterment of the sports programs, and being involved in various department-driven initiatives.
Respect and Inclusivity: The department would expect all student-athletes to treat their peers, coaches, and staff with respect, fostering an environment of inclusivity and equity.
I agree to do my best to uphold the above expectations of me.
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Western Mustangs Sports & Recreation Policies & Waivers
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Travel Policy: Sports and Recreation coordinates travel arrangements for all varsity athletic teams and all team members are expected to travel with the team to and from all events. If you are not planning on traveling with the team, you are required to complete a TRAVEL RELEASE FORM to be approved by your head coach and filed with the Travel Coordinator mustangstravel@uwo.ca.
Social Media Policy: As a Western Mustangs student-athlete, you're constantly in the public eye, both on and off the field, including in media and social media. Please avoid posting content that may negatively impact you, your teammates, or the University. This encompasses images or comments involving alcohol, smoking, profanity, criticism of coaches or referees, and any content that is racist, sexist, pornographic, exploitative, discriminatory, threatening, harassing, defamatory, or illegal. Remember, even on your personal accounts, everything you post can be scrutinized by the public and media.
Team Social Media Policy: If a team wishes to create a public team account on any social media platform, with the purpose of promotions and/or dissemination of information related to Western University and the Mustangs, and in doing so, use the brand, likeness or name of the University, the Mustangs, or the specific team, they will need to meet with Ryan Robinson, Sports Information Coordinator, at rrobin68@uwo.ca and Deb Coward, Manager, Communications, at dlcoward@uwo.ca for approval and set-up.
All new and existing team-managed social media accounts are considered property of Western University, and the Sports and Recreation department must maintain administrative access to all accounts. |
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Our Guiding Policies
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The safeguarding polices below guide us in ensuring a safe and positive environment by making all individuals aware of the expectations of appropriate and respectful behaviour consistent with Western Mustangs' values.
Safeguarding Policies
The Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) was created to advance a respectful sport culture that delivers quality, inclusive, accessible, welcoming, and safe sport experiences. Western Mustangs have adopted common principles, standard definitions, and the list of prohibited behaviour.
Although it is a lengthy document, we urge all Mustangs to thoroughly review the code. This will help everyone understand the expectations of Western Mustang culture.
UCCMS
Western's Non-Discrimination / Harassment policy applies to all members of the Western Community, including students, employees and volunteers. We all have a responsibility to ensure and promote a safe and respectful environment.
Western's Non-discrimination / Harassment policy
The Western Human Rights office can provide advice and support. Should you want to get help or request a consultation, please visit https://www.uwo.ca/hro/discrimination/help/index.html
Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP)
As a member of OUA and U Sports, student athletes are governed by the anti-doping policies of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES). As a condition of eligibility, all student athletes must complete an annual online drug education program prior to the start of the season.
Student athletes and coaches should note that they are subject to random no-notice drug testing according to the CCES guidelines.
For information on safe vs. banned substances, medical exemptions and general FAQ please visit CCES
Western University Student Code of Conduct
As a member of the Western University student community, you are expected to abide by the Code of Student Conduct. This defined the general standard of conduct expected of students, examples of behaviour that constitutes a breach and provides samples of sanctions that may be imposed.
OUA
Ontario University Athletics (OUA) is the provincial sport conference in which Western Mustangs participate.
As a student-athlete within this conference we abide by the OUA governance and policies. Those policies can be found here; OUA Governance Policies
U SPORTS
For the sports that compete within the U Sports structure, policies are present when participating in a U SPORTS event, those can be found here; U SPORTS By-Laws, Policies & Procedures
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