Converse University Athletics is committed to the fair treatment and well-being of all student-athletes. Should a student-athlete feel they have been treated unfairly, received improper treatment, or a policy or procedure has been administered in a manner that is detrimental to the student-athlete, student-athletes are encouraged to bring concerns about such actions to our attention through the three-step grievance process outlined below. Converse has additional resources available that provide other supportive measures and informal and formal conflict resolution pathways, including specific protocols on how to report sex and gender discrimination and harassment or bias.
Submitting an Athletics Complaint via Guardian:
https://converse.guardianconduct.com/incident-reporting/new?incident_type=Athletics%20Complaint
Student-Athlete Conflict Resolution Procedures
Step One: Student-athletes are encouraged to contact the head coach of his/her sport to discuss any concerns the student-athlete may have about playing time, playing performance, coaching strategy, treatment of and/or coach behavior toward the student. These decisions are only subject to review pursuant to this process if the student-athlete alleges that the coach’s decision was based on an improper motive. Student-athletes who want to meet with the coaching staff should request a meeting with the head coach before or after practice, or they should call, text, or email the coaching staff to set up an appointment. Note: Student-athletes who are not comfortable raising an issue or complaint with the coaching staff member should communicate with the appropriate sport administrator. The sport administrator list can be found on the Converse Athletics Staff Directory: https://govalkyries.com/staff-directory?path=general.
Step Two: If the student-athlete and the member of the coaching staff cannot resolve the issue, the student-athlete should make an appointment with the appropriate sport administrator. The sport administrator will work with the student-athlete and the member of the coaching staff to attempt to resolve the issue.
Step Three: If the student-athlete and the sport administrator cannot resolve the issue, the student-athlete should request a meeting with the Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics. The Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics will work with the student-athlete, sport administrator, and head coach to attempt to resolve the issue. The decision of the Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics is final and will be provided to the student-athlete, sport administrator, and head coach in writing within a reasonable amount of time.
Either the sport administrator or the Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics may recommend to the student-athlete that he or she continues working with the relevant coach to resolve the conflict informally.
For questions regarding the Student-Athlete Conflict Resolution Procedures, please contact the Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics, Deputy Director of Athletics, or Director of Compliance and Student-Athlete Success.