The University of San Diego Athletics Department reaffirms its commitment to inclusive excellence and a welcoming and supportive environment for all. As a Catholic university, human dignity is one of USD’s core values and the university affirms the dignity of every person and strives to create a culture of respect and appreciation of each other’s differences.

We believe that diversity — in people, ideas, beliefs, languages, learning styles, and more — is essential to education and competition. We strive to cultivate an athletics community where every scholar-athlete, coach, and staff member feels valued, respected, and empowered to thrive.

Consistent with USD's non-discrimination policy (PDF), we welcome and support student-athletes, coaches and staff regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, age, physical disability, mental disability, or other characteristic protected by federal or state law.
 
University Resources
 
Code of Ethics
In support of its mission as a Catholic university, the University of San Diego has developed standards of conduct and has implemented processes designed to hold students accountable to these standards of conduct. These standards and processes are set forth in the Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities (the "Code"). A purpose of the Code is to maintain a safe environment for the campus community, one that supports the academic mission and provides a productive living and learning environment. The Code is also designed to foster the personal development of students and emphasizes students' personal understanding of the impact of their behavior as well as their responsibilities to the community. 
 
Discrimination Policy (PDF)
prohibits and does not tolerate unlawful discrimination against or harassment of its employees, students or applicants for employment or admission on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, age, physical disability, mental disability, or other characteristic protected by federal or state law, unless a particular characteristic is a bona fide requirement of the position. All members of the university community are expected to uphold this policy. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the university.
 
Equal Opportunity (PDF)
The University of San Diego is dedicated to advancing academic excellence and creating a diverse and inclusive community. As an institution with a Catholic identity, the university is committed to creating and maintaining a work and educational environment that recognizes the dignity of each university community member. The university is an equal opportunity educational institution. All student-related programs and services, including but not limited to admissions, financial aid, academic programs, housing, athletics, and other extracurricular activities, will be administered without regard to the student's or applicant's race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, age, physical disability, mental disability, or other characteristic protected by federal or state law. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities in all such programs and services, unless the accommodation would create an undue hardship for the university.
 
Title IX Office
USD's Title IX Coordinator monitors and oversees the university's compliance with Title IX and related laws in the prevention of sex harassment and discrimination, including the coordination of education and training activities and the response to Title IX complaints. Students, faculty, administrators, staff, or others who participate in USD's education programs and activities with questions, concerns, or complaints about sex discrimination, sex harassment or sexual misconduct are encouraged to contact the Title IX Coordinator.
 
USD LGBTQ+ & Allies Commons
is a student-run space, our work is informed and carried out by student coordinators and volunteers. The LGBTQ+ & Allies Commons seeks to create affirming spaces for queer and trans folks while educating the entire campus community about inclusive strategies through an anti-oppression framework that is explicitly pro-Black, queer and feminist. With this goal in mind, we provide an LGBTQ+ student lounge, host identity-specific community groups, and offer educational programs around LGBTQIA+ culture and concerns.
 
NCAA LGBTQ Resources
As a core value, the NCAA believes in and is committed to diversity, inclusion, and gender equity among its student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. We seek to establish and maintain an inclusive culture that fosters equitable participation for student-athletes and career opportunities for coaches and administrators from diverse backgrounds. Diversity and inclusion improve the learning environment for all student-athletes and enhances excellence within the Association.  NCAA LGBTQ resources can be found here.

Sexual Misconduct Policy

USD Athletics fully endorses the USD Sexual Misconduct and Relationship Violence Reporting and Response Standards and Protocols.
The University of San Diego is committed to upholding standards that promote respect and human dignity in an environment that fosters academic excellence and professionalism. Sexual misconduct and relationship violence in any form are antithetical to the university's mission and core values, violate university policy, and may also violate federal and state law.
In support of that commitment, the University of San Diego responds to allegations of sexual harassment, including sexual misconduct and relationship violence, through one of two processes:

1. Allegations that meet the threshold of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681 et seq., as updated in May 2020 ("Title IX"), specifically allegations of sexual harassment and sexual misconduct that occurred on University of San Diego owned or managed property or at a University of San Diego sponsored event, in the United States of America where the complainant and the respondent are registered students, will follow the protocols outlined in the Title IX Sexual Harassment Grievance Process (PDF).
2. Allegations that do not meet the Title IX threshold, but nevertheless may violate the University policy, are responded to using the procedures outlined below and in The Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities.

 
Nicole Schuessler Veloz, Ph.D. serves as the University's Director of Title IX, EEO Programs and Employee Relations. As the University's Title IX Coordinator, she is available to provide information and advice regarding Title IX for students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors. In addition, she will be available to respond to complaints and concerns relative to USD's compliance with its own sex discrimination policy and federal, state, or local regulations.

Transgender Inclusion Policy

USD is dedicated to fair and inclusive practices for all student-athletes, coaches, and staff including those who identify as transgender. Transgender athletes may be permitted to compete in any varsity sports activities under conditions consistent with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) policies.
 
If a student-athlete identifies as nonbinary, gender nonconforming, or not female or male, we realize current policies do not address their situation. We will continue to stay abreast of the evolving NCAA policies as well as advocate for all students to have the opportunity to be athletes regardless of gender identity.

Fan Code of Conduct

The University of San Diego seeks to create a safe and comfortable experience for our scholar-athletes, coaches, staff and fans at all events held on campus. As a part of that experience, we expect that guests will:

• Respect and appreciate each other.
• Treat all individuals in a professional and courteous manner.
• Refrain from disruptive or unruly behavior, including foul or abusive language and obscene gestures. 
• Never display signs with symbols, images, or language that are in poor taste, profane, discriminatory, or for commercial purposes, electioneering, campaigning or advocating for or against any candidate, political party, legislative issue, or government action.
• Never use language or make gestures that are threatening, abusive, or discriminatory, including on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, ability, and/or sexual orientation.
• Never engage in fighting, throwing objects, or attempting to enter any restricted area, including the playing area.
• Comply with requests from venue staff regarding venue operations and emergency response.

Guests who choose not to adhere to this code of conduct are subject to penalty including, but not limited to, ejection without refund, revocation of season tickets, and prevention from attending future events. They may also be in violation of local ordinances resulting in possible arrest or prosecution.
 
USD thanks you for creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all scholar-athletes, coaches, staff and fans. 

Other Resources
NCAA Office of Inclusion
Athlete Ally
Return of Inclusion