Roger Williams University Athletics

Recreational Services

Behavior Standards

Being a varsity student-athlete brings with it the responsibility and privilege of serving as a representative of your team, the Department of Athletics, and Roger Williams University. Your behavior, both on and off campus and in and out of season, creates an image that is a direct reflection on yourself, your team, and the University. It is expected that student-athletes know, understand, and honor the University Standards for Varsity Student-Athletes; treat all members of the University community with respect and civility; and demonstrate sportsmanship, honesty, and integrity during competition. The University’s Civility Statement is as follows:

Roger Williams University maintains that upholding the highest standards of civility, respect, and understanding of others is key to thriving in an increasingly global world. The University believes that reasoned and respectful discourse is the most enduring and beneficial way for us to learn from each other. Therefore, in joining the Roger Williams University community, you are expected to practice civility and respect in all aspects of teaching, learning, and living.

These standards are set forth to clearly define the Department’s position on student-athlete behavior. Student-athletes are responsible for following all federal, state, University, and Athletic Department guidelines. The Standards for Student-Athletes are considered to be minimum guidelines and each coach may set higher standards in a separate team policy.

The Department of Athletics is clear in its position concerning use of drugs, alcohol and chewing tobacco, and gambling, hazing and civility both on and off campus, as stated below. Student-athletes are representative of their team, the Athletic Department, and the University; the activities defined below fall into the categories of illegal activities, NCAA rule violations, or simply poor forms of behavior. In addition, student-athletes should serve as role-models by demonstrating healthy lifestyles and sound decision-making. It is expected that student-athletes will:

Adhere to city, state and federal laws
Adhere to NCAA regulations, University and Department of Athletics rules and team policies
Treat all members of the community with respect and civility.
Act in accordance with the Commonwealth Coast Conference Code of Ethics.

There are three categories of offenses, but many offenses could fall into more than one category:

Legal

Legal offenses include but are not limited to any violation of local, state, or federal law.

Examples: drug distribution, drug possession, hazing, sexual assault

University

University offenses can include but are not limited to any violation of campus policy, (i.e., personal conduct or incivility, judicial-alcohol, academic — plagiarism, cheating). Please check the University’s Code of Conduct.

Examples: alcohol issues, fighting, plagiarism

Internal

Internal offenses include but are not limited to any violation of RWU Athletic Department policies related to the conduct expected of student-athletes:

Any NCAA violation
Alcohol
- No underage drinking in accordance with state law
- Purchasing, providing, or consuming alcohol while hosting a prospective student-athlete
- Use of alcohol while on an Athletic Department sponsored trip (including spring trips)
- In-Season: Student-athletes age 21 and older – rules determined by coach
- Out-of-Season: Student-athletes age 21 and older – abide by University and state policies and laws
- Coaches may set more restrictive policies with approval by the Director of Athletics
Hazing – Zero tolerance for hazing activities as defined by Rhode Island law, Chapter 11-21.
Gambling – Participation in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate athletics or professional athletics is prohibited.
Chewing Tobacco – The use of chewing tobacco is prohibited during practice, competition, while traveling with team, or at University-sponsored athletic events. The use of chewing tobacco is prohibited in the Campus Recreation Center.
Personal conduct infractions such as verbal abuse and incidents of incivility and intolerance
As per the NCAA, all student-athletes are expected to conduct themselves with honesty and sportsmanship at all times.

Unsportsmanlike conduct includes, but is not limited to:

Physical or verbal abuse of officials, coaches, opponents, teammates, or spectators
Inciting players or spectators to negative actions or to any behavior which insults or demeans an opponent’s traditions
Use of obscene or otherwise inappropriate language or gestures
Participation in any action which generally violates recognized standards of intercollegiate athletic participation (Examples: hazing, sportsmanship, tobacco use)

Failure to comply with the above could result in, but is not limited to, the following sanctions. These could be in addition to University sanctions.

Removal from team permanently
Suspension from team temporarily
Game suspension
Practice suspension
Probation
Counseling
Unable to attend banquet/receive or be nominated for awards
Written warning
Verbal warning

The Department of Athletics communicates regularly with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, and incident reports involving student-athletes are forwarded to the Director of Athletics, but it is expected that all infractions will be self-reported within 24 hours by the student-athlete to their coach or the Director of Athletics. This obligation is in effect year-round, including semester and summer breaks.

The Department of Athletics disciplinary process is independent of, and supplements, the University judicial process. Sanctions levied by Athletics may occur in addition to those levied by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

Process

The Director of Athletics is made aware of an incident by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards or through self-reporting by coaches or student-athletes.
The situation is turned over to the Department of Athletics’ Standards Committee, comprised of four staff members. If a staff member is also the coach of the student-athlete(s) involved, they will be excused from the Committee for this situation.
The Committee members will review the incident and if necessary interview student-athletes, coaches, or others involved. The Director of Athletics has discretion to also be involved in this process.
After review and interviews, the Standards Committee will recommend a sanction to the Director of Athletics based on the facts of the case. Severity of infraction and previous infractions will be taken into consideration when determining sanctions.
The Director of Athletics will review the recommended sanction(s) with the Committee members and then make a final decision.
The Director of Athletics and involved coach will meet with the student-athlete(s) involved to discuss the process and the final sanction(s) decision. Written documentation of the infraction and sanction decision will be given to the student-athlete(s) at this time.
The student-athlete(s) will begin serving their sanction.

Offenses & Recommended Minimum Sanctions

Alcohol Related:

Underage Drinking

1^st Offense: Verbal warning
2^nd Offense: Suspension for a minimum 5% of dates and probation for semester or 10% if there are more than 20 dates of competition

Drinking with Uncivil Behavior

1^st Offense: Suspension from team activities and practice
2^nd Offense: One-game suspension

Alcohol Transport to Hospital

1^st Offense: Written warning and practice suspension
2^nd Offense: One-game suspension

Attendance at a Party – Not Participating

Verbal warning

Drug Related:

Drug Possession/Drug Use

1^st Offense: Student-athletes on teams with less than 20 dates of competition – Suspension for a minimum of 5% of dates OR Student-athletes on teams with more than 20 dates of competition – Suspension for a minimum of 10% of dates
2^nd Offense: Suspension for a minimum of 1 year

Intent to Distribute Drugs

Immediate suspension from team indefinitely (including all team activities)

Behavior:

Poor Sportsmanship

1^st Offense: Written warning and probation
2^nd Offense: Unable to attend Athletics banquet

Poor Conduct/Incivility

1^st Offense: Written warning and probation
2^nd Offense: Unable to attend Athletics banquet

Defying of Authority:

Individual

1^st Offense: Suspension from team
2^nd Offense: Dismissal from team

Team

1^st Offense: Unable to attend Athletics banquet
2^nd Offense: Forfeit dates of competition

Use of Tobacco:

1^st Offense: Written warning and probation
2^nd Offense: Student-athletes on teams with less than 20 dates of competition – Suspension for a minimum of 5% of dates of competition OR Student-athletes on teams with more than 20 dates of competition – Suspension for a minimum of 10% of dates of competition

Hazing (Zero Tolerance):

Minimum – No Athletics banquet, forfeit dates of competition
Maximum – Permanent suspension from team