SPORT CLUBS PHILOSOPHY:

The philosophy of the Sport Clubs program is to promote health, physical well being and the acquisition of physical skill development.

The Sport Clubs program is part of the Physical Education, Athletics and Recreation Department (P.E.A.R). Sport Clubs are designed to serve individual interests in different competitive sports and recreational activities. These interests can be competitive, recreational or instructional in nature. Clubs may represent the college in competition
and/or may conduct intraclub activities such as practice, instruction, social and tournament play.

SPORT CLUBS OBJECTIVES:

To make available to students opportunities for the instruction and participation in a wide range of recreational and competitive programs which can develop sound lifelong leisure values and skills. Staff, faculty and alumni may attend practices and instructional classes but not participate in organized competition.

To provide an avenue for camaraderie in the college community through common interests; to develop a feeling of belonging among individuals in the shared pursuit of leisure interests.

To develop leadership by providing opportunities for students to organize, administrate and problem solve for individual clubs and to become officers thereof.

DEFINITION OF A SPORT CLUB:

A Sport Club is a group of students organized for the purpose of furthering their common interests in an activity through participation and competition. A Sport Club must have a minimum number of active participants(10) to be eligible to be recognized as an active Sport Club. (A club becomes ineligible for active status if they are unable to fill the required club officer positions or field enough players to compete in a regional or state competition).

Sport Clubs are meant to be a learning experience for the members through their involvement in fund raising, public relations, organization, administration, budgeting, and scheduling, as well as, through the development of skills in their particular sport. Involvement in a group and team situation helps enhance the student’s overall education
while living in the college setting.

ORGANIZATION:

Sport Clubs are ranked on a 2-tier system.

This system is necessary in part due to the large increase in demand of groups wanting to develop new Sport Clubs. The 2-tier system gives clubs that qualify under the guidelines presented in Forming a new Sport Club a chance to demonstrate that there is support for such a club amongst the community. Further, this policy allows for a grace period in order that the Sport Clubs Program can better prepare to allocate its limited resources. The Sport Clubs Program recommends a maximum of 27 clubs (dependent on CSA funding and approval) per year based on space availability.

RELATIONSHIP OF THE SPORT CLUBS TO THE COLLEGE:

Tier System:

(1) Conditional: Receive no representation on Sport Clubs Council.

All new clubs, regardless of Sport Clubs Classification

(2) Active Club: Allowed one representative per team to vote on the Sport Clubs Council. To be eligible to vote
the representative must be present at the council meeting.

Team Sport Clubs:
1) Indoor/Outdoor (Rugby, Ice Hockey, Rugby, Lacrosse, etc.)

Individual Activity Sport Clubs:
Martial Arts (Aikido, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, etc.)
Indoor (Fencing, Table Tennis, etc.)
Outdoor (Equestrian)

Active clubs are classified by Team Sport Clubs or Individual Activity Sport Clubs (as above). This will allow clubs with similar facility and administrative needs to be represented on the Sport Clubs Council by a representative(s) elected from within the club executives of each particular group. (i.e., who is the best person in that group to represent the group)?

Conditional Status:
-All new clubs are assigned Conditional Status for the first year of operation.
-Each club has one year to demonstrate viability in terms of club administration, student interest, and support in terms of club members.
-Conditional clubs have lowest priority for facilities bookings and reservations.
-Financial assistance is not available for Conditional clubs. A club assigned Conditional status must be a completely self-supporting organization.
-Upon successful completion of Conditional status, a club will be automatically elevated to Returning status and as such be eligible for such support as deemed suitable (at the discretion of the Sport Clubs Director as recommended by the Sport Clubs Executive Council, subject to available funding).
-Conditional clubs are not eligible to serve on the Sport Clubs Council.

Returning Status:

-Returning status is the normal operating mode for a previously recognized club.
-Be primarily instructional, competitive or recreational with limited travel to competitions.
-Each club will be allocated the financial, promotional, administrative and resource support deemed appropriate for each clubs needs. CSA allocated funding is reserved for administration costs, facility rentals, equipment costs, travel expenses and fees.
-Returning clubs have normal priority for facilities booking and reservations (facilities booking and reservations shall be at the discretion of the Sport Clubs Director and the council). Sport Clubs may have facility bookings and reservations superseded by Physical Education classes, Varsity Teams, Recreational Instructional Programs or Intramural Programs if and only if no other facilities exist, or no other arrangements can be made, and that such an arrangement be deemed to be in the best interests of the college and PEAR.
-Returning clubs that have been found, through a disciplinary meeting of the Sport Clubs Council, to be in violation of the rules and regulations may, at the discretion of the Sport Clubs Director, be reduced to Conditional clubs status at any given time.
-Eligible to serve on the Sport Clubs Executive Council.

SPORT CLUBS COUNCIL:

Definition:
The Sport Clubs Council aids and advises the club representatives in administering the Sport Clubs Program. It exists to promote participation in the Sport Clubs Program and has as its primary objective to provide a medium for the exchange of information regarding the Sport Clubs guidelines and procedures.

Each Individual SPORT CLUB shall elect an officer to attend periodic Sport Clubs Council meetings and report back to the club. Others may attend as guests, but shall not have voting rights.

Sport Clubs Executive Council Structure:

(1) Name: Sport Clubs Executive Council

(2) Charge:

(a) to recommend and monitor the CSA Recreational allocation of funds and resources for the maintenance of the Sport Clubs, including a non-allocated emergency fund based on 10% of the total Sport Clubs budget.

(b) To review applications for clubs desiring Sport Clubs Status and to determine appropriate status for each club completing the application process.

(c) To serve as an appeal board and rule on club appeals regarding decisions made by the Sport Clubs Executives and the Sport Clubs Director.

(d) To review each club’s adjusted budget request, and to make recommendations for allocation amounts.

(e) To formulate and enforce procedures which facilitate the development of the Sport Clubs Program.

(f) To make recommendations, offer advice, and assist in the decision-making process in other matters when requested to do so by the Sport Clubs Director.

(3) Membership:

Council Executives:

Chair

Safety Coordinator

Co-Chair

Marketing/Publications Officer

Secretary

The Sport Clubs Executives will also assist the Sport Clubs Director in the following ways:
-Administrative assistance and guidance.
-Budget preparation assistance.
-Assistance and supervision with finances.
-Field and facility reservations assistance.
-Equipment storage, checkout, and purchase.
-Assistance with transportation arrangements – limited basis.
-Consultation on publicity and promotion.
-Administrative record keeping.

Council Representatives from each club

-The Sport Clubs Executives and club representatives will serve on the council.
-Executive Council will serve as Co-Chairs for all regular meetings.
-The Secretary will serve as recorder for all meetings.
-Any Carleton club officer who is an active member of a Returning Sport Clubs may apply for a position on the Sport Clubs Executive Council.
-Only one member per club may serve on the Sport Clubs Council.

(4) Quorum:

A quorum is set at 8 members.

(5) Meetings:

The Sport Clubs Council shall meet as necessary throughout the course of the academic school year. Any Sport Club can petition the Sport Clubs Executives to convene a meeting of the Sport Clubs Council.

Executive Council Responsibilities

Chair/Co Chair: responsible for conducting council meetings, reviewing budget requests for additional funding, responsible for sanctions against clubs who commit minor and major infractions affecting the organization of Sport Clubs.

Secretary: record the minutes of each meeting and post these on the Sport Clubs web site. Responsible for informing the council of previous business and decisions made concerning the management of clubs. Help the Sport Clubs Director to review policies based on decisions ratified by the Sport Clubs council.

Safety Coordinator: responsible for the issuing and maintenance of first aid kits to all competition or high risk clubs. Has to organize the safety training schedule for the club safety officers (includes American Red Cross certification and the sports injury clinic). Create a safety check list for traveling teams. Ensure that teams who compete at home and away are aware of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP).

Marketing/Publications Officer: responsible for collecting schedules and results from competing teams and ensuring that the Carletonian has this information for publication. Responsible for updating individual club web sites to stay current with season schedules and results.

RIGHTS AND EXPECTATIONS:

As a member of the PEAR Department at Carleton, each Sport Club is obligated to obtain the approval of the Sport Clubs Executive Council prior to acting on items, issues or ideas that are not covered in this handbook. If a Sport Club chooses to act independently, that club will risk losing its Sport Clubs status, and all the rights and privileges associated with that status.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT:

The basic concept underlying the college’s standards of conduct is that students, by enrolling in the college, assume an obligation to conduct themselves and their organizations in a manner compatible with the college’s function as an educational institution. Individuals must always act in a manner that does not detract from the reputation of the college. This includes behavior in game situations. When involved in off-campus events or when traveling, be aware that you still represent the college, even though you are not on campus for the event.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY:

As per Carleton College policy, illegal drugs and alcohol are not allowed in or on any Carleton athletic/recreation facility. Furthermore, illegal drugs and alcohol are prohibited at club sponsored activities, on or off campus. It is the responsibility of the club to see that visiting teams and its own members adhere to this policy.

**ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT PERMITTED ON ANY RECREATIONAL SPORT OR ATHLETIC FIELDS BY PARTICIPANTS OR SPECTATORS.

**THERE WILL BE NO CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES WHILE TRAVELING TO AND/OR FROM COLLEGE SPONSORED EVENTS. ANY DEVIATION FROM THIS POLICY WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL FROM THE SPORT CLUBS PROGRAM.

INSURANCE: MAJOR CHANGE—READ!!!!

NEW this year, Carleton College will assume NO responsibility for the payment of medical expenses resulting from injuries that occur while participating in Sport Clubs. Individuals are responsible for reviewing their current health insurance policy to see if you are covered. If you require additional coverage you may purchase it through the College by completing the form at: http://www.cirstudenthealth.com/carleton. The basic Carleton student
health insurance policy cost $637 and only covers the first $500 of a Sport Club injury. Carleton College students who are not varsity athletes but participate in Sport Clubs may purchase additional coverage for per Sport Clubs premiums as follows: $399.00— Aikido, Alpine Ski, Equestrian, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Rugby, Nordic Ski, Karate, and Tae Kwon Do and $199.00— all other lower risk clubs.