This Policy applies when a report comes to the attention of the Associate VP/Director of Athletics, Sports Administrator, or Head Coach that alleges that a student-athlete has committed an offense that violates the Team Rules and Expectations, NCAA Rules, the University Student Code of Conduct, University Honor Code, or federal or local law (“Report of Student Misconduct”).
All employees of the Department of Athletics are required to report allegations of misconduct made by a student or others, to a Head Coach, Sports Administrator, or to the Associate VP/Director of Athletics. Any individual may report allegations of student-athlete misconduct to a Head Coach, Sports Administrator or Associate VP/Director of Athletics.
When a Report of Student Misconduct is received by the Associate VP/Director of Athletics, Sports Administrator, or Head Coach, all allegations and other relevant information will be reviewed to determine whether to issue interim or permanent “Athletics Sanctions” as defined below. The Associate VP/Director of Athletics and Sports Administrator may consult with other University Departments as appropriate during this process.
The following protocols will be followed:
- The Department of Athletics will impose a suspension from all team activities in the following circumstances:
- A student student-athlete is arrested and charged with a criminal offense; and
- A student-athlete is found guilty by a court of a criminal offense;
- The Associate VP/Director of Athletics, in consultation with Sports Administrator, and Office of Student Affairs, after an individualized review of the circumstances, determines a student-athlete appears to pose a significant disruption to the team or the broader university community.
The length of the suspension from all team activities will be determined based on a review of the circumstances of the conduct.
- . The Department of Athletics will impose a suspension from all team activities where the Office of Student Conduct finds a student-athlete responsible for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and the student is suspended. The Department of Athletics may impose Athletic Sanctions, in other cases where a student-athlete is found responsible by the Office of Student Conduct for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct.
- An interim Athletics Sanction may be imposed at any time during an investigation based on an individualized review of allegations and circumstances. The Associate VP/Director of Athletics, Head Coach, and Sports Administrator will review and determine whether the conduct warrants an interim athletics sanction.
Types of Athletics Sanctions
The Department of Athletics may impose a variety of interim and permanent sanctions in response to a Report of Student Misconduct, including, but not limited to:
Verbal Reprimand
Verbal or Written Warning
Interim Suspension from Athletic Contests
Interim Suspension from All Team Activities
Suspension for Athletic Contests
Suspension for All Team Activities
Dismissal from Team
Termination of All Athletic Privileges and Resources
Non-Renewal and/or Cancellation of Athletic Grant-In Aid
Sanctions issued by the Department of Athletics are separate, and may be in addition to, any sanctions imposed criminally, by coaches, by the Office of Student Affairs, or elsewhere.
Appeal
A student may appeal a sanction imposed under this Policy to the Associate VP/Director of Athletics. A student must make an appeal in writing within seven days of a sanction being imposed. All supporting material must be submitted in writing by the student with the request for review. Any Athletics Sanctions imposed will remain in place during an appeal.
Communication
Student-athletes are required to inform the Associate VP/Director of Athletics, Sports Administrator, or Head Coach of any complaints reported about them to the Office of the Student Affairs, and of any criminal arrests, charges, or convictions, as soon as possible after the incident. The withholding of information in an attempt to avoid sanctions is subject to further penalties as appropriate.