Athletics

In compliance with the NCAA policy, and The Violence Against Women Act, all Athletic Department employees and student-athletes are trained on Sexual Violence Prevention and University Policy and Procedure annually.

See Worcester State’s Sexual Violence Prevention Plan under the “Worcester State athletics sexual violence prevention task force” tab for more information.

Sexual Violence Prevention Plan

In an effort to demonstrate the commitment of Worcester State Athletics and the Title IX Office to addressing sexual violence on our campus, we have collaboratively developed a multi-year comprehensive education program to educate all student athletes, coaches and staff about sexual violence prevention, intervention and response. This education will empower student athletes, coaches and staff through education, training and involvement to effect positive culture change with their peers, co-workers, athletes and teammates.

Strategic Plan

1. 1. Implement Ever-fi Sexual Assault Prevention for Student Athlete on-line program for all upper class student athletes. (Freshmen student athletes are already required to complete the Sexual Assault Prevention: Undergraduate prior to matriculation). Beginning Jan. 15, 2019 the Ever-fi program has been required annually for all student athletes. Participation in athletics is dependent upon completion of the course.
      • Ever-fi’s product provides proven-effective training that ensures impact and legislative compliance and addresses NCAA Policy on Campus Sexual Violence. Key contents in the program are:
        • Explore role in creating and maintaining a culture free of sexual violence and other misconduct.
        • Learn how language choices impact team culture.
        • Explore what positive relationships look like and gain an understanding of the consequences of hazing and bullying.
        • Understand the concepts of agency, consent, coercion and sexual assault.
   2. Sexual Violence and Title IX training and education will be provided annually to all athletes by team to encourage dialog among students and expand upon knowledge gained with on-line program.
   3. Continue Title IX and consent education presentation at yearly mandatory athletic compliance meeting.
   4. Implement Ever-fi Sexual Assault Prevention for Athletic Staff on-line program for all coaches and athletic staff.
      • Since 2019 all coaches and staff are required to complete Ever-fi training annually. In addition, the Title IX Coordinator speaks to all coaches at the coaches meeting regarding Title IX.
   5. The Director of Title IX, Athletic Director, Assoc. Deputy Director of Athletics, Assoc. Athletic Director/SWA, Athletic Life Skills Coordinator and Sexual Assault Response Counselor utilize the NCAA Sexual Violence Prevention Toolkit; its checklists and educational resources to guide and assure continued education, compliance, accountability and collaboration at Worcester State.

All participating NCAA institutions Presidents, Athletic Directors and Title IX Coordinators must attest annually to compliance with policies and processes regarding sexual violence prevention and proper adjudication and resolution of acts of sexual and interpersonal violence. See the document policy for more information:

Policy on Campus Sexual Violence
NCAA: VIOLENCE PREVENTION

The following resources are available for pregnant and parenting student athletes:

NCAA: Pregnant & Parenting Student Athletes
SCI: Pregnant Student-Athlete Participation Under Title IX
Title IX and Pregnant & Parenting Students and Employees

The Final Rule allows universities discretion in determining which employees are considered required reporters, meaning employees who have an obligation to report any allegations of sexual assault or harassment to the school’s Title IX Coordinator. To that end all Worcester State athletics staff, coaches, administrators and trainers are deemed required reporters and have been trained annually on Title IX policy offenses, how to report and how to accept student disclosures. For more information on Worcester State Athletics please head to wsulancers.com.

Please refer to the NCAA’s information on gender equality and Title IX:

NCAA: Gender Equity / Title IX Important Facts

Title IX applies to all sports at all educational settings receiving federal funding. The enforcement regulations specifically state: “no person, on the basis of sex shall be excluded from or otherwise be discriminated against in any interscholastic, intercollegiate, club or intramural athletics offered by a recipient.”

All colleges and universities should be aware of potential Title IX violations when it comes to intramural and club sports. Institutions need to be aware of the requirements to provide equal access and equal opportunity in terms of funding and facilities to intramural and club sports. Institutions should be responsive to their students’ interests and abilities and be sure that they are providing adequate intramural leagues with comparable scheduling and equipment provision. Institutions should be acutely aware of the need to be equitable when it comes to funding club sports and not to inadvertently fund on the basis of history or other traditions that might result in inequitable funding for women’s club sport.

Worcester State University’s intramural program has a variety of activities offered. Students can request additional activities through the intramural sports office at any time. All activities in the intramural program are offered to all participants who are current students, faculty and staff members of Worcester State. All activities are considered ‘open’ leagues and have no gender provisions. Participants have the ability to request scheduling requests and equipment provisions through the intramural office as dictated by the Worcester State Intramural Handbook. For more information or questions please contact Jennifer Quinn.

Worcester State University Club Sports is run through the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Development. Students have the opportunity to participate in club sports based on the requirements set forth by the club bylaws. Students have the opportunity to propose any club sport to introduce to the university in the same way any other club would be proposed to the Student Government Association. For more information or questions please contact the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership Development (studentinvolvement@worcester.edu).

NCAA Life Skills is a collaboration between the NCAA and member institutions that are committed to the total development of student athletes, preparing them with “life skills” that are useful throughout the college experience and after graduation. NCAA Life Skills philosophy stemmed from the belief that excellence is a result of a balanced life including academic achievement, athletic success, and personal well-being. Core values that life skills bring to student athletes.

Worcester State’s Lancers Student Athlete Life Skills is a collaboration between The Office of Title IX and Alcohol and Drug Prevention Education, Athletics, Residence Life, Counseling Services and Wellness & Recreation.

SA Life Skills programs are programs or events that are hosted for all student athletes. Typically student athletes attend two program/presentation or trainings per academic year, one as a team and one as an individual. The topics vary significantly and are often requested by student athletes but very often these topics are based around sexual misconduct awareness.

The Life Skills program has been in place since 2011 and has been well received by our student athletes on campus.