Educational Efforts In order to promote an atmosphere of compliance, the Warhawks' athletics compliance office conducts educational sessions with all departments in athletics, coaches, support staff and student-athletes. The educational sessions focus on NCAA, WIAC and UW-Whitewater rules. During the sessions, the individuals involved are encouraged to ask questions on the topics discussed and we welcome feedback on the information discussed to improve our educational efforts. It is important to note educational meetings are mandatory and attendance will be tracked. If you are unable to attend an educational session, it is the individual’s responsibility to schedule a make-up time with the Warhawks' compliance office and complete it in a timely manner. Additionally, all educational sessions, whether mandatory or optional, will be documented in the Warhawks' compliance office. If any individual, department, coach or team wishes to participate in additional educational sessions to progress their compliance knowledge, they are welcome to contact the Warhawks' compliance office to schedule a time.
The following is a list of topics covered in the educational sessions scheduled on a monthly basis:
- Sexual Harassment
- Recruiting Activities
- Financial Aid
- Benefits and Expenses
- Continuing Eligibility
- Proposed Legislation, NCAA and WIAC
- Adopted Legislation, NCAA and WIAC
- Gambling
- Transfers
- Camps and Clinics
- Playing and Practice Seasons
- Fundraising
- Add-drop and full-time enrollment
- Title IX
Monthly coaches’ educational sessions: occur monthly during the academic year and all coaching staff members (head coaches, assistant coaches, volunteers, graduate assistant coaches and undergraduate assistant coaches), are required to attend. These sessions will provide legislative updates, education on select bylaws and other relevant updates.
New staff member educational session: occurs prior to or early on in their new role as a head coach, assistant coach, graduate assistant coach, undergraduate assistant coach, volunteer coach or manager. These sessions will cover NCAA, WIAC and UW-Whitewater rules relevant to their role in intercollegiate athletics, as well as the Warhawks' athletics compliance office philosophy, policies, procedures and expectations in regards to promoting an atmosphere of compliance.
Representatives of athletics interest: sent an annual email reminding them of NCAA rules applicable to their connection with Warhawk intercollegiate athletics.
Student-athlete beginning of the year eligibility meeting: occurs at the beginning of the academic year. Incoming student-athletes, returning student-athletes, coaches, select team support staff and select athletic administrative support staff are required to attend. There will be other representatives from athletic training and strength and conditioning in attendance to discuss their roles with the team during the student-athletes' time at UW-Whitewater. Topics discussed include the athletics department philosophy, athletics department policies and procedures, drug testing procedures for both the NCAA and UW-Whitewater, concussion information and NCAA rules and regulations.
UW-Whitewater Intercollegiate Athletics Total Program Meeting: occurs at the beginning of the academic year. Incoming student-athletes, returning student-athletes, coaches, select team support staff and select athletic administrative support staff are required to attend. Topics vary from year to year, but some topics covered have been:
- Drinking and Driving
- Sexual Harassment
- Reaching your full potential as a student-athlete
- Balancing Academics and Athletics
- Social Media
Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC): The UW-Whitewater Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a group made up of student-athlete leaders from each of the 20 varsity sport teams. The committee is assembled to enhance the educational experience of the student-athlete, provide community service activities to the University and the city of Whitewater and gather on a regular basis with the director of athletics and the senior woman administrator to discuss and address issues involving participants in intercollegiate athletics. The UW-Whitewater SAAC has a president and vice president who represent the institution at Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) SAAC meetings. The primary purpose of this group is to provide student-athletes with an active role in the governance of the conference.
