Current Student-Athletes - Code of Conduct - Murray State University Athletics

CODE OF CONDUCT - POLICY STATEMENT

Student-athletes at Murray State University are expected to represent themselves, their team and the University with honesty, integrity, and character whether it be academically, athletically or socially. Participation on an intercollegiate team is a privilege, not a right, and should be treated as such. It has many benefits and brings with it a responsibility to be positive and effective members of the team, department, university and broader community.

The Department of Athletics, along with the student-athletes who represent our intercollegiate programs, is a window to the University. Student-athletes often are in the spotlight and, fair or not, their behavior is subject to scrutiny by their peers, members of the campus, local and national communities and by the media. The actions of one student-athlete may result in a generalization to all student-athletes and reflects on the individual, team, department and University, whether it be positively or negatively. It is expected that all student-athletes abide by team, department and University policies. A written copy of the Department of Athletics Student-Athlete Code of Conduct will be provided to all student-athletes on an annual basis.

Student-athletes who do not conform to this code may be subject to consequences for their actions that may include but are not limited to: a warning, dismissal from the team, reduction or withdrawal of athletically related financial aid, and suspension from the University. In addition to all University policies, student-athletes are responsible for following the standards in the NCAA student-athlete behavior statement and the Ohio Valley Conference Sportsmanship Statement as well as all city, state and federal laws.

CONDUCT GUIDELINES

Student-Athletes Are Expected To:

1. Be respectful of all persons and treat people with respect, dignity, and consideration.

2. Communicate with their teammates, coaches, faculty, and other members of the campus community with honesty and timeliness.

3. Follow all Team, Department of Athletics, University, OVC, and NCAA rules and guidelines.

4. Attend all classes as scheduled unless the appropriate authority approves absences. See Class Attendance Policy for complete guidelines.

5. Complete their academic coursework in a timely fashion and make progress towards a degree each semester.

6. Give their best effort academically, athletically and in life.

7. Represent the University, Department and Team with the highest level of integrity, honesty, good sportsmanship, character and dignity at all times.

8. Not engage in any conduct detrimental to the team, department or university.

Local, State and Federal Laws

Student-athletes who are alleged (including arrested or charged) to have broken local, state and federal laws will be subject to team and department sanctions upon a case by case review. Violations involving physical and/or sexual violence or use of illegal weapons will be subject to immediate suspension from team activity pending further investigation. The head coach, in consultation with the Director of Athletics (or his/her designee), will impose sanctions.

Department or team disciplinary sanctions may be imposed in advance of any campus disciplinary and/or criminal actions. Disciplinary sanctions may include, but are not limited to: admonishment; written reprimand; suspension from the team; reduction, cancellation or non-renewal of athletics scholarship aid; and dismissal from the team. Additional sanctions may be imposed by the broader University, including probation, suspension from school, or expulsion.

For the purposes of this code of conduct, suspension from the team means that student-athletes may not compete with any Murray State University Intercollegiate Athletics team. However, suspended student-athletes may, with the approval of the coach and designated sport administrator, attend team meetings, practice, travel, and retain privileges to the athletic training room, academic support services and individual use of weight training. Exceptions to any of these terms may be made by the Director of Athletics or his/her designee.

Alcohol Consumption/Drug Use

The use of alcohol by student-athletes while involved in any team-related practices, competitions, banquets, travel or other activities is prohibited, regardless of age. Student-athletes under the legal age to consume alcohol (21 years of age) are expected to abide by city, state and federal laws. Consequences may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Verbal and written warning and participation in educational sessions,

2. Required dependency assessment and/or treatment,

3. Suspension from the team,

4. Loss of eligibility and dismissal from the team,

5. Loss of athletically related scholarship aid, or

6. Suspension from the University.

Additionally, it is expected that the consumption of alcohol by student-athletes who are of legal age will be within the parameters of team rules, all department and University policies, and will be handled responsibly. Consequences for underage alcohol use or inappropriate alcohol use by student-athletes of legal age to consume will be determined on a case-by-case basis. The head coach and the Director of Athletics (or his/her designee) will be involved in determining the sanctions for violating this policy with the Director of Athletics having final approval.

The use of illegal drugs by student-athletes is strictly prohibited and is subject to all department, university, and NCAA policies, and all city, state and federal laws. See the Intercollegiate Athletics Drug Testing Policy for specific and complete guidelines.

Sexual Harassment Policy

The Department of Athletics is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all of its student-athletes. Sexual harassment is unlawful and unethical and may subject those who engage in it to department, University and legal sanctions. Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, sex-based conduct that is intimidating, hostile or offensive, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is prohibited by the University. Complaints of sexual harassment by a student-athlete will be promptly addressed and should be reported to the Department of Athletics or the MSU Office of Equal Opportunity (phone # 809-3155).

Consequences for harassment may include:

1. Verbal and written warning and participation in educational sessions,

2. Suspension from the team,

3. Loss of eligibility and dismissal from the team,

4. Loss of athletically related scholarship aid, or

5. Suspension from the University or other university sanctions.

Examples of prohibited conduct:

a. Unwelcome sexual flirtation, advances or propositions,

b. Continued or repeated verbal abuse of a sexual nature,

c. Sexually degrading language to describe an individual,

d. Unwelcome remarks of a sexual nature to describe a person’s body or clothing,

e. Display of sexually demeaning objects or pictures,

f. Offensive physical contact, such as unwelcome touching,

g. Coerced sexual intercourse,h. Sexual assault, or

i. Rape, date or acquaintance rape, or other sex offenses either forcible or non-forcible.

Hazing Policy

Hazing by any member of the University community is prohibited at Murray State University. Hazing is prohibited whenever it occurs on University premises or in connection with any University-affiliated group or activity. Student-athletes who violate the prohibition against hazing are subject to discipline. Any criminal complaints will be reported to law enforcement.

Hazing is an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of an individual (including, without limitation, an act intended to cause personal degradation or humiliation), or that destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation in, admission to, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization.

Such activities and situations include but are not limited to:

1. Physical punishment, contact, exercise, or sleep deprivation that causes excessive fatigue and/or physical or psychological shock;

2. Forced or coerced consumption of food, drink, alcohol, tobacco, and/or illegal drugs;

3. Forced or coerced transportation of individuals;

4. Public humiliation, ridicule, indecent exposure or ordeal;

5. Coercing or forcing illegal acts;

6. Coercing or forcing acts that are immoral or unethical;

7. Blocking an individual’s academic, athletic, health or personal success;

8. Personal servitude;

9. Mental harassment;

10. Sexual harassment;

11. Deception;

12. Threat of social exclusion;

13. Any activity that involves the use of alcohol or any controlled substance; or

14. Any activity that is not in accordance with the University’s established policies.

A person commits a hazing offense if the person:

1. Engages in hazing;

2. Solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in hazing activities;

3. Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly permits hazing to occur;4. Has firsthand knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing incident involving a student and fails to report the plan to the Department of Athletics to prevent the hazing;

5. Has firsthand knowledge that a specific hazing incident has occurred, and knowingly fails to report it to the Director of Athletics or other appropriate official of the institution.

Typically, hazing has occurred in connection with initiation activities. Even if an initiation activity is optional, an individual may not feel empowered to refuse participation. Individuals involved in any form of hazing (including prospects on campus for an official visit) will be held accountable for their actions and will be subject to disciplinary action by the Department of Athletics as well as the University. Disciplinary action may include immediate suspension from the team, withdrawal or cancellation of financial aid, permanent dismissal from the team, or suspension from the University.

If a student-athlete chooses to file a hazing grievance against an individual or group, it should be reported to the Director of Athletics or a sport administrator. If requested, every effort will be made to protect the identity of the person reporting the grievance, where permissible under the law. It is possible that a student-athlete may initially voluntarily agree to participate in an initiation activity, and that he or she may later decide within a reasonable period of time that it was an unacceptable hazing activity. A grievance need not be filed for a disciplinary action to occur.

Gambling Policy

Student-athletes are expected to abide by the NCAA rule (Bylaw 10.3) which prohibits student-athletes from knowingly:

a. Providing information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition;

b. Soliciting a bet on any intercollegiate team;

c. Accepting a bet on any team representing the institution;

d. Soliciting or accepting a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item (e.g., cash, shirt, dinner) that has tangible value; or

e. Participating in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, a parlay card or any other method employed by organized gambling.

Furthermore, a student-athlete who is involved in any activity designed to influence the outcome of an intercollegiate contest or participates in a wager involving a Murray State University contest, the student-athlete shall lose all remaining regular and post-season eligibility in all sports.

Social Networking Policy

While the Department of Athletics does not prohibit student-athlete involvement with internet based social networking communities (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.), all comments and postings madeto internet sites (written or pictorial) are held to the high standards of Racer Athletics. The Department of Athletics reserves the right to take action against any currently enrolled student-athlete, or any person receiving athletically related aid, engaged in behavior that is deemed unacceptable or inappropriate or violates University, Department, or team rules, including such behavior that occurs in postings on the internet. This action may include education, counseling, and team suspension, termination from the team and reduction or non-renewal of any athletic scholarships. All student-athletes are required to identify which social media networking sites that they are members of at the beginning of each semester. Any student-athlete with a Facebook account must accept the Murray State Student-Athletes profile as a friend for notification and monitoring purposes. Failure to do so will result in team disciplinary action.