Athletics Diversity Statement
Saint Martin’s University Athletics strives to create and promote a diverse and inclusive environment.  Inspired by our Benedictine Catholic tradition, we   foster the intellectual, cultural, and physical abilities of each student athlete. We create a thriving and diverse community of students, staff, and coaches from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds.

Recognizing and welcoming the differences of our student-athletes, athletics serves as a common thread for student-athletes.  As a department, we   encourage understanding and acceptance of those from diverse backgrounds.  Through the education of our student-athletes, we   instill and promote social and ethical responsibility in our community. Our Benedictine Catholic values of hospitality, respect for person, and the dignity and worth of each person speak true to promoting   diversity and social responsibility at the highest level within Saint Martin’s Athletics.

Diversity and Equity Team
The mission of the Diversity and Equity Team of Saint Martin's University is to support students from diverse backgrounds throughout their educational path at SMU. This advisory group, comprised of faculty, staff, and students, recommends actions/initiatives to create awareness and advocacy around issues that students from marginalized groups face in order to help develop a network of support to foster student success.
 
As a Catholic, Benedictine institution, Saint Martin's University recognizes diversity as an important element of community life, educating students within a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students that values cultural differences and honors the dignity of the human person. Recommendations from the Diversity and Equity Team could include: curriculum diversification, inclusive hiring practices, educational programming and training for faculty and staff, student support programs, assessments of SMU demographics and campus climate regarding diversity, and diversity resources for faculty, staff, and students.
 
The chair of this committee is John Hopkins.  He can be contacted at: JHopkins@stmartin.edu or by calling: (360) 486-8847.
 
School Resources:
For great information on what Saint Martin's University is doing to help promote diversity on campus and educate, please see the diversity website.  The link can be found below.
https://www.stmartin.edu/student-life/diversity
 
 
   
Saint Martin's University Athletics has made a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion for all student-athletes. We strive to provide a safe and respectful climate for all student-athletes in which they can achieve their academic and athletic goals free from sexual harassment or discrimination of any kind.
 
Resources:
 
Diversity and Equity Team
The mission of the Diversity and Equity Team of Saint Martin's University is to support students from diverse backgrounds throughout their educational path at SMU. This advisory group, comprised of faculty, staff, and students, recommends actions/initiatives to create awareness and advocacy around issues that students from marginalized groups face in order to help develop a network of support to foster student success.
 
As a Catholic, Benedictine institution, Saint Martin's University recognizes diversity as an important element of community life, educating students within a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students that values cultural differences and honors the dignity of the human person. Recommendations from the Diversity and Equity Team could include: curriculum diversification, inclusive hiring practices, educational programming and training for faculty and staff, student support programs, assessments of SMU demographics and campus climate regarding diversity, and diversity resources for faculty, staff, and students.
 
The chair of this committee is John Hopkins.  He can be contacted at: JHopkins@stmartin.edu or by calling: (360) 486-8847.
 
LGBTQ Club
Advisor: Heather Nicole Saladino, (360) 486-8875
 
Athlete Ally
www.athleteally.org
Founded by Hudson Taylor. A nonprofit organization with the mission of educating, encouraging and empowering athlete allies to combat homophobia, transphobia and anti-LGBTQ bullying in sports.
 
You Can Play
www.youcanplayproject.org
You Can Play is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation.
 
Go! Athletes
www.goathletes.org
GO! (Generation Out) Athletes is a national network of current and former LGBTQ student-athletes and allies at high school, collegiate, and post-graduate levels that serve to educate and empower, while connecting LGBTQ student-athletes with other LGBTQ student-athletes.