Part 3 - Student-Athlete Conduct Code
- Participation in intercollegiate athletics at Fort Lewis College is a privilege not a right. There may be times when these responsibilities involve sacrifice which might not be necessary if you were not a student‑athlete. As a student‑athlete, you benefit from athletics by having the opportunity to develop your potential as a skilled performer; to grow emotionally, socially and intellectually; to travel and represent Skyhawk Athletics; and to learn the art of being a productive team member. Intercollegiate Athletics is pleased that you are a student‑athlete and proud to have you represent the College in athletic competition.
- The College expects you to train and strive for your highest degree of athletic excellence, to demonstrate academic honesty and integrity and to conduct yourself as a responsible citizen.
- You are responsible for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) regulations regarding your eligibility for intercollegiate athletic practice, competition and financial aid. You are also subject to the rules and regulations of the NCAA governing unsportsmanlike behavior, non‑therapeutic drug use, gambling and bribery, and the acceptance of non‑permissible awards, benefits and expenses, as well as other forms of misconduct.
- Team rules for student‑athletes are established by each head coach within parameters of the Director of Athletics, the Faculty Athletic Committee and the College. The head coach informs team members of the established team and training rules.
- Being a student-athlete carries with it certain expectations, many that you would not experience if you were not a student-athlete. Because of the public nature of competition, you are more visible to the community than a non-student-athlete. Through your participation on an athletics team, you become a representative of Fort Lewis College and Intercollegiate Athletics. As such, it is expected you will conduct yourself in a manner that brings pride to your team, the department and the campus.
- The use of alcohol can impair your ability to make good judgments and can result in unbecoming behaviors. If witnessed by others, it can reflect negatively not only on yourself, but on your team, the department and the College. Therefore, it is the policy of Skyhawk Athletics that during the period of time that you are representing FLC in competition, the abuse of alcohol is prohibited by all team members. This includes home contests, away contests and the travel time to and from away competitions. Further, underage drinking is illegal and is prohibited at all times. Violations of this policy could result in suspension from the team, loss of athletics aid or being withheld from participation for a period of time.
- Coaches may adopt stricter alcohol use policies for their individual programs. Finally, being a student‑athlete at Fort Lewis College presupposes a commitment to the principles and policies embodied in the Student‑Athlete Conduct Code which follows:
3.1 Standards of Conduct
- As a student‑athlete at Fort Lewis College, you are a public figure responsible for representing the College in the most positive way. Your behavior must be exemplary at all times and befitting the expectations of your teammates, coach, the College and community. You must also conduct yourself so as not to impair the welfare or educational opportunities of others in the College community. Past student‑athletes have learned that their actions are scrutinized more closely by the press. You should conduct yourself with that knowledge.
- The following misconduct is subject to disciplinary action(s):*
Violation of civil or criminal laws
- Violation of NCAA or RMAC rules and regulations
- Violation of Fort Lewis College Student Conduct Code
- Repeated and persistent violation of team rules, including but not limited to:
- conduct reflecting negatively on the team, athletic program and College;
- absenteeism from practices, conditioning, meetings and competition;
- tardiness for practices, conditioning, meetings and competition;
- use of abusive language and swearing during team practice and competition;
- noncompliance with team dress and grooming policies;
- noncompliance with prescribed treatment for athletic injury;
- lack of effort to improve as a player;
- noncompliance with expected conduct during team travel;
- noncompliance with team policies regarding use of drugs/alcohol/tobacco products;
- gambling on collegiate or professional athletic events or participation in bribery involving intercollegiate competition.
*Disciplinary regulations for intercollegiate athletes are set forth in writing to give student‑athletes general notice of prohibited conduct. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, those specific actions listed in this Code. The regulations should be read broadly and are not designed to define conduct in exhaustive terms.
3.2 Disciplinary Sanctions
Sanctions for violation of the Student‑Athlete Conduct Code may include any one or more of the following:
Reprimand - the student‑athlete is warned that further misconduct may result in more severe disciplinary sanctions.
Restitution ‑ the student‑athlete may be required to make payment to the College or community for damage incurred as a result of misconduct.
Probation ‑ the student‑athlete continues as a member of the team but may be precluded from specific activities or must abide by other restrictions or conditions imposed during the probation period.
- Suspension ‑ separation of the student‑athlete from the team for a specified period of time. Suspension may also include withdrawal or reduction of the student-athlete’s scholarship subject to NCAA and the College’s policies regarding financial aid.
- Expulsion ‑ permanent separation of the student‑athlete from the team and intercollegiate athletics at the College. Expulsion may also include withdrawal of the student‑athlete’s athletic scholarship subject to NCAA and the College’s policies regarding financial aid.
- A student who violates civil or criminal law, the FLC Student Conduct Code, or repeatedly violates team rules risks expulsion or suspension from participation in intercollegiate athletics unless specific and mitigating factors are present. Factors to be considered may include the present demeanor and past disciplinary record of the offender, as well as the nature of the offense and the severity of any damage, injury or harm resulting from it.
Intercollegiate Athletics reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety and wellbeing of the College community. A student‑athlete may be temporarily suspended from a team or team activity by the Head Coach pending disciplinary proceedings, such suspension to be immediately effective without prior notice whenever there is evidence that the student‑athlete’s continued presence would constitute a threat to himself/herself or others or the normal team operation. In cases of temporary suspension, the student‑athlete has an opportunity to meet with the Athletic Director or Associate Athletic Director upon his/her request.
In all cases the Athletic Director retains the authority to impose sanctions as deemed appropriate.
3.3 Disciplinary Procedures
- The Head Coach has the authority to impose sanctions for violations of team rules, except for sanctions involving suspension, expulsion or withdrawal of athletic financial aid which shall be governed by specified procedures.
The following procedures shall be followed in adjudicating a charge of misconduct which may result in suspension, expulsion or withdrawal of athletic financial aid:
- The Head Coach shall notify the athletic director whenever it appears that a student‑athlete may have violated (a) civil or criminal law, (b) NCAA or RMAC rules and regulations, (c) Fort Lewis College Student Conduct Code or (d) team rules. Appropriate personnel shall investigate and recommend to Athletic Director disciplinary actions. Local authorities shall be notified if civil or criminal law might have been violated.
- The student-athlete shall have the opportunity at his/her request to meet with the Athletic Director to respond to charges or disciplinary sanctions imposed.
The decision of the Athletic Director regarding suspension or expulsion is final. Withdrawal of an athletic scholarship may be recommended by the Athletic Director, but only the Office of Financial Aid may impose that sanction (see Financial Aid Policy).
- Whenever disciplinary proceedings under this section are pending, the student‑athlete, unless temporarily suspended, shall continue to have the same rights and privileges as other student‑athletes are accorded.
- The focus of inquiry in disciplinary proceedings shall be the guilt or innocence of those accused of violating the Student‑Athlete Conduct Code. Formal rules of evidence shall not be applicable nor shall deviations from prescribed procedures necessarily invalidate a decision or proceeding unless significant prejudice to the student‑athlete or College may result.
3.4 Ethical Considerations
The purpose of intercollegiate athletics is to provide an opportunity for the student‑athlete to attain a college education and degree and to develop his/her potential as a skilled performer, in an educational setting. By virtue of becoming a member of an athletic team, however, you become subject to certain responsibilities and obligations which could include the acceptance of the loss of some individual rights and privileges. It is important that your personal conduct demonstrates sound moral and ethical judgment. The following ethical considerations must be kept in mind at all times:
- Adherence to the spirit as well as the letter of the rules throughout all games and practices.
- Respectful and courteous treatment of all players, officials and coaches.
- Maintaining control during emotionally charged situations. Reacting in a positive manner to an aggressive action by an individual or group.
- Respecting the decisions of the coach. Direct questions about such decisions to the coach, in private and following appropriate channels to voice concerns.
- Exerting maximum effort to attain the highest degree of excellence in all games, practices, and in the classroom.
- Exhibiting dignity in manner and dress when representing the team and College.
- Maintaining personal habits which enhance healthful living. Refraining from the use of drugs and/or alcoholic beverages that would affect performance, modify mood or behavior. (Exception would be therapeutic drugs prescribed by a physician.)
- Placing primary responsibility to the team rather than self.