About Pacific Lutheran University Athletics

 The mission of Pacific Lutheran University is:

"to educate students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership and care – for other persons, for their communities and for the earth."

PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MISSION STATEMENT

Developing life long leaders through athletics united in teamwork, excellence, and service.  Each program strives toward these common goals while working together as one. 

Our core values and guiding principles make up who we are as Lutes:

Leadership
         Creating a climate where we seek only the best for those around us
Unity
         Embracing and respecting others across the campus community
Teamwork
         Working together to achieve common goals
Excellence
         Being the best we can be in all facets of life
Service
         Giving back and making an impact in the lives of others

PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS VISION STATEMENT

Pacific Lutheran University Athletics creates lifelong leaders through a competitive sport environment making us a premiere NCAA Division III program in the Pacific Northwest.  We develop strong global citizens by fostering a student-athlete experience elevated by academic achievement, commitment to community involvement, and ongoing personal development.

PLU STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAAC)
The Pacific Lutheran University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is comprised of an elected executive board (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and two at-large positions); and representatives from each of our 19 varsity sport teams. The committee meets bi-weekly for the purpose of enhancing the overall student-athlete experience in the arena of competition, in the classroom, and across our campus community.

The mission of the PLU SAAC is to:

1. Uphold the foundational principles of the NCAA Division III philosophy 
2. Protect the rights and welfare of all PLU student-athletes and their experience; recognizing the need to stay current and adaptable
3. Promote an inclusive, non-discriminatory, anti-racist culture where all student-athletes feel welcomed and are able to thrive
4. Advance the reputation of the PLU athletic community; bridging cross-campus and community wide partnerships 
5. Elevate initiatives, provide input, and help shape future university regulations and policies
6. Support and contribute to the NCAA SAAC and the Northwest Conference SAAC initiatives and events

NCAA DIVISION III PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

Colleges and universities in Division III place highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of all students' academic programs. They seek to establish and maintain an environment in which a student-athlete's athletics activities are conducted as an integral part of the student-athlete's educational experience. They also seek to establish and maintain an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity among their student-athletes and athletics staff.

To achieve this end, Division III institutions:

• Place special importance on the impact of athletics on the participants rather than on the spectators and place greater emphasis on the internal constituency than on the general public;
• Award no athletically financial aid to any student;
•  Encourage the development of sportsmanship and positive societal attitudes in all constituents, including student-athletes, coaches, administrative personnel and spectators;
• Encourage participation by maximizing the number and variety of athletics opportunities for their students;
• Assure that the coaches and administrators exhibit fairness, openness and honesty in their relationships with student-athletes;
• Assure that athletics participants are not treated differently from other students of the student body;
• Assure that athletics programs support the institution's educational mission by financing, staffing and controlling the programs through the same general procedures as other departments of the institution;
• Assure that athletics recruitment complies with established institutional policies and procedures applicable to the admission process;
• Provide equitable athletics opportunities for males and females and give equal emphasis to men's and women's sports;
• Support ethnic and gender diversity for all constituents;
• Give primary emphasis to regional in-season competition and conference championships; and
• Support student-athletes in their efforts to reach high levels of athletics performance, which may include opportunities for participation in national championships, by providing all teams with adequate facilities, competent coaching and appropriate competitive opportunities.

NORTHWEST CONFERENCE PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

Consistent with the NCAA Division III philosophy, the purpose of the Northwest Conference is to promote intercollegiate athletics as an integral part of the educational experience, with the student-athlete as an integral part of the student body. The members of the Northwest Conference are committed to:

• Promoting participant's character development, enhancing the contribution of higher education to society and the world and promoting sportsmanship among and respect for all student-athletes, coaches and others associated with intercollegiate athletics.
• Proving broad-based sports programs, ensure equitable athletic opportunities for males and females and giving equal emphasis to all men's and women's sports.
• Sponsoring and promoting competitively excellent varsity intercollegiate sports programs in a fiscally sound and educationally rich environment.
• Upholding the principle of institutional control, in conformity with the constitution and bylaws of NCAA Division III, through regular presidential involvement in the conference governance of intercollegiate sports programs.
• Protecting student-athletes' welfare, and providing a safe environment for participants and spectators.
• Maintaining a strong presence in NCAA Division III governance at a national level.

PLU NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Pacific Lutheran University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by law in the educational programs or activities which it operates. Numerous federal, state and local laws, including but not limited to the following federal laws, prohibit discrimination in educational programs, activities, admission to and employment at PLU: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

TRANSGENDER POLICY

In accordance with the principles of equity and inclusion, the Pacific Lutheran University Department of Athletics and Recreation confirm the following policies in order to facilitate and encourage transgender and gender non-binary students, staff, faculty, and visitors to fully participate in PLU’s sport and recreational programs and related experiences. These policies encompass participation in club sports, intramural sports, and recreation; and accommodation for those who attend and participate in athletic activities that are hosted/sponsored by Pacific Lutheran University.

For more information contact: Title IX Coordinator, Student Rights and Responsibilities, 253-535-7462, titleix@plu.edu