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University of the District of Columbia Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Mission Statement The University of the District of Columbia Athletics Department, as part of a public land-grant University providing broad opportunities for its degree-seeking students, is committed to high standards of achievement in both the educational and athletic experiences.  The Department offers intercollegiate, intramural and recreational programs that encourage the fullest participation of students whose physical, emotional and social welfare is primary in the educational experience of the University.  Athletics staff, student-athletes and institutional personnel are complementarily involved in a program promoting principles of character development, sportsmanship, rules compliance, amateurism and ethical conduct.  The Department will foster fair and equitable treatment of both, men and women as well as access and opportunities for minority students and institutional personnel; conduct its programs in compliance with Federal, District and NCAA regulations. Philosophy Statement The Intercollegiate Athletics Department, as an integral part of the University's educational mission, is committed to a comprehensive athletics program dedicated to educational and athletic excellence. The University has a sound athletic program which encompasses intercollegiate, intramural, instruc¬tional and recreational programs.  At each level the primary objective must be the development of the student-athletes, athletics staff, and institutional personnel who are complementarily involved in a program promoting principles of character development, sportsmanship, rules compliance, amateurism and ethical conduct.  Because intercollegiate athletics demands the most rigorous involve¬ment, it crystallizes the athletic exper¬ience and is its most intense form.  An intramural activity provides a competitive situation for those whose ability or priorities are differ¬ent from or whose time is more limited than intercollegiate athletes.  Instructional activities provide the opportunity for the develop¬ment of skills and habits that can be used throughout a lifetime.  Athletics on the purely recreation¬al level are informal and unstructured activities that primarily provide enjoyment, condi¬tioning and relaxation.  The degree of participation at this level is determined by the inter¬ests of the individuals. Successful implementation of the athletic program is contingent on an explicit University commit¬ment, visible support and provision of facilities which reflect the philosophy and mission that athletics are indeed a complementary and integral part of the educational program.  It involves the teaching of a variety of skills; emphasizing cooperation, enjoyment and competition with winning as a goal and not an end.  It includes an understanding of the special needs of the students and the Athletic Department and a desire to improve the overall athletic program and athletic facilities, most significantly, field space within the limits of the University's resources.  In particular, as enrollment increases and space demands become more critical, no contraction of athletic programs, facilities or field space should be undertaken without careful consi¬deration of the role of the Athletic Department as a participant in the University's primary function as educator.  The Department will uphold fair and equitable treatment of men and women as well as access and opportunities for minority students and institutional personnel and conduct its programs in compliance with Federal, District and NCAA regulations.