19 Sport Clubs

19.1 Membership and/or Eligibility for Sport Clubs

1. Eligibility requirements for membership:

a. Clubs are open to full-time matriculating students without respect to race, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, or disabilities. Some clubs, however, due to guidelines for intercollegiate competition, must limit their membership to full-time undergraduate students for competition.

b. Faculty and staff must have a recreation pass. Benefits-eligible faculty and staff may purchase their pass at the Service Desk in the Whittemore Rec. Center.

c.  All aquatic-oriented clubs (i.e., Sailing & Crew) require members to pass a swimming skills test administered by the Department of Campus Recreation and receive hypothermia training.

d. Limitations may be imposed on membership due to lack of facility space and time, funding, etc.

2. Intercollegiate eligibility rules will apply to all sport clubs competing on an intercollegiate basis. In-season varsity athletes will not be allowed to compete on Sport Club teams.

3. Club members should be mindful that the public tends to judge the University by the conduct of its members. All individuals are expected to conduct themselves as responsible members of the academic community and to respect the rights of their fellow citizens. Clubs affiliated with the Sport Club Program will be held responsible for the compliance of their group with the University regulations. When it is felt that any club or club member(s) does not have the proper attitude and cannot represent the University of New Hampshire in an outstanding manner, the Director of Campus Recreation can withdraw that club's (or club member's) authorization until such time as certain conditions are corrected.

19.2 Procedures for Starting a New Sport Club.

1. It is the responsibility of students interested in initiating a specific activity into the Sport Club Program to file a Request for Sport Club Program Affiliation and meet with the Asst. Director of Campus Recreation to outline their proposed club, and to review the process.

a. Type of club or team, i.e., bowling, karate, crew, etc.

b. Purpose of club or team, i.e., competitive, instructional, etc.

c. Facilities and time needed for activities.

2. Groups desiring recognition as a Sport Club must satisfy several requirements before their acceptance into the program:

a.  Formation of a written proposal which should include the following:

          (1) Statement of purpose and objective.

          (2) Value of the activity to UNH students.

          (3) Risk Management/safety concerns.

          (4) Membership requirements and dues.

          (5) Procedure for maintaining continuity-established officer election dates.

          (6) Leadership duties and responsibilities.

b. Sufficient membership interest of at least 15 (fifteen) members must join to receive group sponsorship by the Sport Club Program.

c. Suggested operating funds needed.

d. All clubs must have either an advisor or a coach. All advisors/coaches must be approved by the Asst. Director of Campus Recreation. The coach/advisor will need to be 3 years removed from college.

e. Newly recognized sport clubs will be required to have a completed Constitution on file prior to any competition or by the end of the first year, whichever is first.

THE APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL OF THE INCLUSION INTO THE SPORT CLUB PROGRAM OF ANY ACTIVITY OR GROUP IS MADE BY THE DIRECTOR OF CAMPUS RECREATION.

For complete policies and procedures, see current Campus Recreation Sport Club Manual.