Athletic Department Inclusive Excellence
Mission, Vision and Action:
The mission of the Quinnipiac Athletic Department is to build an environment of inclusive excellence.
Quinnipiac University Statement of Inclusive Values:
At Quinnipiac University, we believe excellence is inclusive and built upon equity, so all groups feel welcome to fully participate in and contribute to our mission.
Achieving this level of excellence requires creating a sense of belonging for all individuals by affirming the worth, dignity, legitimacy and equality of everyone in the Quinnipiac community and beyond, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, national origin, political viewpoints, veteran status, or socio-economic background.
Our university-wide culture is not built on any single program, initiative or action. Rather, it blossoms when guided by heartfelt care for the well-being of fellow community members. This is what inclusive excellence looks like at Quinnipiac:
We bring our “whole selves” to our work and study, which means we bring our hearts as well as our minds.
We stand for the quest for knowledge, encourage the vigorous exchange of ideas, and foster honest, courageous conversations about sometimes uncomfortable subjects.
We aim to always think and act with kindness to create a safe, respectful environment for these dialogues, with particular sensitivity to fellow community members’ individual or collective experiences.
Reasoned, academic and rigorous debate requires us to hear viewpoints with which we may disagree. However, those disagreements must not question the worth, dignity, legitimacy and/or equality of our fellow community members.
We affirm our belief in the ideals of inclusive excellence as a way to continue nurturing Quinnipiac as a university full of people who care deeply about each other and the communities around us.
Nondiscrimination Statement:
As an athletics department that respects and celebrates inclusion, Quinnipiac prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
Quinnipiac University has a strong commitment to the principles and practices of diversity throughout the university community. Women, members of minority groups and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to consider and apply for admission. Quinnipiac does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, or disability status in the administration of its educational and admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs or other university-administered programs. For further information, please go to https://catalog.qu.edu/statements-nondiscrimination-compliance/
Transgender Inclusion Policy:
Quinnipiac University and the athletic department welcome and value students of all genders. The purpose of this guide is to provide Trans-Identifying and Transitioning students with information and resources that promote an inclusive campus experience. For an institutional resource guide, see the link below:
https://catalog.qu.edu/university-policies/titleix-policy/#transgenderresourceguidetext
The NCAA Transgender Participation Policy:
Application
The policy outlined below applies to all practice and competition in NCAA sports in which the NCAA conducts championships separated by gender. This includes all NCAA competition (regular season, conference championships, post-season, scrimmages and exhibitions).
As with all other NCAA eligibility criteria, member schools remain responsible for certifying student-athlete eligibility for practice and competition. The application of this policy may not be waived.
Additionally, schools are subject to local, state and federal legislation and such legislation supersedes the rules of the NCAA.
Policy:
NCAA Men's Team. Regardless of sex assigned at birth or gender identity, a student-athlete may participate (practice and compete) with a men’s team, assuming they meet all other NCAA eligibility requirements.
A. Medical Exception Process. Please note, student-athletes taking a banned substance (e.g., testosterone) must complete the medical exception process.
NCAA Women's Team.
A. Student-athlete assigned male at birth.
- Competition. A student-athlete assigned male at birth may not compete on a women’s team.- Practice. A student-athlete assigned male at birth may practice on the team consistent with their gender identity and receive all other benefits applicable to student-athletes who are otherwise eligible for practice.
B. Student-athlete assigned female at birth.
- Competition. A student-athlete assigned female at birth who has begun hormone therapy (e.g., testosterone) may not compete on a women’s team. If such competition occurs, the team is subject to NCAA mixed-team legislation, and the team will no longer be eligible for NCAA women’s championships.
- Practice. A student-athlete assigned female at birth who has begun hormone therapy (e.g., testosterone) may continue practicing with a women’s team and receive all other benefits applicable to student-athletes who are otherwise eligible for practice.
The participation policy for transgender student-athletes adopted by the Board of Governors and effective February 6, 2025, does not permit competition by an individual assigned male at birth to compete on a women’s team. The policy is clear that there are no waivers available, and students assigned male at birth may not compete on a women’s team with amended birth certificates or other forms of ID. Student-athletes assigned male at birth may not receive athletic scholarships that are otherwise designated for women. If competition occurs, the team will be considered a mixed team and not eligible to compete against women’s teams. This also applies to a student-athlete assigned male at birth competing as an individual against women. Such individual competition is not permitted under the policy. Any previous policies that permitted mixed team competition against a women’s team are rendered moot and not applicable as the BOG policy adopted in February 2025 supersedes all previous policies.
https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2022/1/27/transgender-participation-policy.aspx
Sexual Harassment / Misconduct:
Notice of the Title IX Coordinator
The university’s Title IX coordinator manages the university’s compliance with Title IX. The Title IX coordinator is a resource available to anyone seeking information or wishing to file a complaint. When a student, faculty or staff member, or other participant in the university’s programs and activities feels that they have been subjected to discrimination on the basis of sex in any university program or activity, including without limitation being subjected to sexual harassment, they may contact the Title IX coordinator or utilize the Title IX grievance procedures to bring concerns forward for the purpose of obtaining a prompt and equitable resolution.
Fan Code of Conduct: MAAC Sportsmanship Statement:
The NCAA and Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference promote good sportsmanship by student-athletes, coaches and spectators. We request your cooperation by supporting the participants and officials in a positive manner. Profanity, racial, sexist or abusive comments or intimidating actions directed at officials, student-athletes, coaches or team representatives will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal from the venue. The use of homophobic and transphobic language will not be permitted.
LGBTQ+ Educational Resources and Trainings:
Guided by the principles of inclusive excellence, we continue on a path to create a safe, supportive and welcoming campus for all community members, embracing all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions. We seek to create a community where everyone expresses their full selves and is supported through an intersectional approach guided by an understanding of how identities combine, resulting often in various forms of discrimination and privilege.
Quinnipiac University aims to provide educational programs, community-building initiatives and advocacy for LGBTQ+ students, staff and faculty. Visit here for more details about trainings, events and other offerings: https://www.qu.edu/student-life/diversity-and-inclusion/lgbtq/
