University of Guelph Athletics

Parents, guardians and supporters of University of Guelph varsity student-athletes…
 
Congratulations on your student’s admission to the University of Guelph and their selection to a Gryphon Varsity program!
 
The student-athlete experience at the University of Guelph, is one of great opportunity to be a part of a proud and storied athletic history. During the first year in particular, you can expect your student to experience challenges associated with adapting to a new academic challenge, social changes and a new competitive sport environment. The University and the Department of Athletics recognizes that such challenges may at times be stressful but, ultimately, they result in new learning, personal growth and development. The University and the Department of Athletics understands the challenges your student-athlete may encounter and has taken measures to establish resources, policies and protocols designed to support them throughout their time here. As a Department of Athletics we have significant resources in place from Academic mentorship to mental health initiatives to support your varsity student-athlete.
 
What you need to know…
 
Irrespective of age or experience we regard all students as adults and, as such, it is important for interactions and engagement with the Department of Athletics to be through them. It is our expectation that students will initiate any correspondence, action, request or meeting with our Department staff and, if required, they will invite a support person to accompany them. In these instances, the presence of a support person can help the student feel confident to express their own opinions and to advocate for their own needs.
 
The University, including the Department of Athletics, is bound by the Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA); provincial legislation that governs the University’s collection, use and sharing of personal information. Under this legislation, University staff are prohibited from discussing, changing or divulging a student’s personal information. This means that we will not provide you with information on their varsity sport status, experience in sport or with grades, academic progress, financial status, disciplinary history, etc. Your student is always welcome to discuss their student-athlete experience with the appropriate Department of Athletics staff or administrative resource. 
 
While you may have concerns for the well-being of your student-athlete we have extensive resources in place while they are at the University of Guelph. From academic mentorship programs, to counselling services with an embedded counselor 2 day/week with the Department, athletic therapy, career development, and many other services to support student-athletes. As a department we strive to provide resources for our student-athletes to support their well-being, academic experience, and athletic performance.  Additionally, we have staff working directly with our student-athletes to help them navigate the services through the Department and on-campus. The Department provides information sessions to teams, mandatory first-year orientation programming and have both a survey and team meetings for feedback around the student-athlete experience.
 
 
How you can help your student…
 
As a University and Department of Athletics, we will hold students accountable for their actions and help them to understand their rights and responsibilities as members of our community, this includes our Student Athlete Code of Conduct.  Here are some ways that you can support your student’s growth and development at University:

• Allow your student to speak on their own behalf. If necessary, you can help by coaching them in advance, so they feel more confident when expressing their question or concern. This includes encouraging them to speak up and come forward if they need help immediately so we can assist in a timely manner.
• Help your student become aware of the resources that are available to them on campus and encourage them to take advantage of the many services that are provided to support their needs and address their concerns. Assure your student that the University wants to hear from them and wants to provide the support they need.
• Review our Guidebook for Parents, Guardians and Supporters that we developed to support you: https://studentlife.uoguelph.ca/information/families.