Roger Williams University Athletics

NCAA Forms & Mandates

Student-Athletes must complete all required NCAA forms and programming in order to be eligible to participate. Forms will be located on the Teamworks platform, and all student-athletes will be given a unique link directing them to log in and complete the documents. NCAA Forms must be completed prior to participation. To access Teamworks, prospective student-athletes should reach out to sport coaches to be added to the pre-season roster.

Additionally, the NCAA requires student-athletes and staff to receive annual Title IX/Sexual and Violence Prevention education. Student-athletes must complete the Athletics Vector course before the published deadline. Included in the required compliance former administered on Teamworks, student-athletes will need to complete the NCAA Policy on Campus Sexual Violence Annual Disclosure Form annually, which alerts the Roger Williams University Title IX Office and Athletic Department of prior discipline related to Title IX cases at previous institutions.

Academic Eligibility

In order to participate in athletics, all students must be enrolled in a full course of studies (12 credits minimum,) be in good academic standing, and be making satisfactory progress as defined by the University. Seniors and graduate students may be enrolled in less than 12 credits per NCAA waiver policies, but this MUST be approved in advance by the Compliance Coordinator.

Satisfactory Academic Standing

Students must meet the following minimum criteria to be eligible to participate in athletics:

End of Semester	Min. Credits	Min. GPA
1	12	1.7
2	24	1.8
3	36	1.9
4	48	2.0
5	60	2.0
6	72	2.0
7	84	2.0
8	96	2.0

Any student who falls below 12 credits will become immediately ineligible (with the exception of approved seniors/graduate students carrying less than 12 credits); participation as an ineligible athlete may cause the team to forfeit the game and can hold further consequences.

A student who falls below the academic standards will become ineligible to practice or compete at the start of the following semester (i.e., A student-athlete who becomes ineligible after the Fall semester can continue to compete at the coach’s discretion until the start of the Spring semester)

Amateurism

In order to be eligible for NCAA competition, an individual must have amateur status in the sport he/she is competing. An individual loses amateur status if the individual:

· Accepts money for participating or competing in that sport (There are few exceptions to this rule, so please double-check before accepting anything.)
· Enters into an agreement with an agent or enters a professional draft more than once.
· Competes on a professional athletics team, even if no pay or remuneration of expenses was received (i.e., if any player on the team is receiving money or expenses, the team is classified as professional.)

Hazing

The term ‘hazing’ as it applies to RWU athletics is defined as:

Planning, directing, or committing acts which willfully or recklessly endanger the physical or mental health of a student, or subjects the person to ridicule, embarrassment, or unlawful activity for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, a group or organization.

Any individual and/or teams taking part in any initiation or hazing will be subject to State Law, Department of Athletics, and Student Conduct penalties which would be determined on a case-by-case basis.

From NCAA/StopHazing.org

The following are some examples of hazing divided into three categories: subtle, harassment, and violent. It is impossible to list all possible hazing behaviors because many are context-specific. While this is not an all-inclusive list, it provides some common examples of hazing traditions.

A. SUBTLE HAZING
Behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance between new members/rookies and other members of the group or team. Termed “subtle hazing” because these types of hazing are often taken-for-granted or accepted as “harmless” or meaningless. Subtle hazing typically involves activities or attitudes that breach reasonable standards of mutual respect and place new members/rookies on the receiving end of ridicule, embarrassment, and/or humiliation tactics. New members/rookies often feel the need to endure subtle hazing to feel like part of the group or team. (Some types of subtle hazing may also be considered harassment hazing).

Some Examples:

· Deception
· Assigning demerits
· Silence periods with implied threats for violation
· Deprivation of privileges granted to other members
· Requiring new members/rookies to perform duties not assigned to other members
· Socially isolating new members/rookies
· Line-ups and Drills/Tests on meaningless information
· Name calling
· Requiring new members/rookies to refer to other members with titles (e.g. “Mr.,” “Miss”) while they are identified with demeaning terms
· Expecting certain items to always be in one's possession

B. HARASSMENT HAZING

Behaviors that cause emotional anguish or physical discomfort in order to feel like part of the group. Harassment hazing confuses, frustrates, and causes undue stress for new members/rookies. (Some types of harassment hazing can also be considered violent hazing).

Some Examples:

· Verbal abuse
· Threats or implied threats
· Asking new members to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire
· Stunt or skit nights with degrading, crude, or humiliating acts
· Expecting new members/rookies to perform personal service to other members such as carrying books, errands, cooking, cleaning, etc
· Sleep deprivation
· Sexual simulations
· Expecting new members/rookies to be deprived of maintaining a normal schedule of bodily cleanliness.
· Be expected to harass others

C. VIOLENT HAZING

Behaviors that have the potential to cause physical and/or emotional, or psychological harm.

Some Examples:

· Forced or coerced alcohol or other drug consumption
· Beating, paddling, or other forms of assault
· Branding
· Forced or coerced ingestion of vile substances or concoctions
· Burning
· Water intoxication
· Expecting abuse or mistreatment of animals
· Public nudity
· Expecting illegal activity
· Bondage
· Abductions/kidnaps
· Exposure to cold weather or extreme heat without appropriate protection

Sports Wagering

It is against NCAA regulations for student-athletes to become involved in gambling activities related to intercollegiate or professional athletics. This includes:

· Providing information to individuals involved in gambling concerning intercollegiate athletics competition.
· Soliciting or accepting a bet on any intercollegiate competition.
· Engaging in activities designed to influencing the outcome of an intercollegiate contest or to affect win-loss margins (i.e., ‘point shaving’).
· Fantasy leagues, Superbowl/March Madness pools in which an entry fee is required and/or there is an opportunity to win a prize.

Use of Banned Drugs

The NCAA requires all student-athletes to submit to random drug testing. A student-athlete who is found to have used a substance on the banned drug list will be ineligible for one calendar year (or 50% loss of season for cannabis and narcotics) following the positive drug test. The student-athlete will lose at least one year of eligibility in all sports.

The list of banned drugs includes all illegal and ‘street drugs,’ stimulants, steroids, and all performance enhancers, and can be found in the Athletic Training Room or on the NCAA website. Additionally, the NCAA advises against ingesting nutritional/dietary supplements:

“All nutritional/dietary supplements carry some risk of containing an NCAA banned substance because they are not well regulated and may be contaminated. Failure to check out any supplement with your sports medicine staff prior to use may result in a failed appeal for a positive drug test. Student-athletes are responsible for anything they ingest.”

Any student-athlete who participates in these activities will become ineligible for all intercollegiate competition for a minimum of one year from the date of the violation and will lose at least one year of eligibility in all sports. After this time, the student can apply for reinstatement but it is not guaranteed.

Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) Policy

As of July 1, 2021, the NCAA permits NCAA student-athletes to earn compensation from the use of their name, image, and likeness (“NIL”).

Consistent with the NCAA’s Policy, Roger Williams University (“RWU”) has developed the following NCAA Student-Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness Policy for all NIL activities of RWU student-athletes. If the NCAA’s Policy or Rhode Island state laws are updated, this Policy will be updated.

All student-athletes, coaches, other University athletics staff members and representatives of athletics interests are governed by this Policy.

Rules Relating to NIL Compensation

Compensation for the use of a student-athlete’s NIL must be (a) for fair market value; (b) for work actually performed by the student-athlete; and (c) in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

Compensation for use of a student-athlete’s NIL cannot be (a) provided or arranged by RWU or RWU employees; (b) provided in exchange for athletic performance or achievement; or (c) provided for admission to or continued attendance at RWU.

Impermissible Name, Image, Likeness Activities

Student-athletes are prohibited from entering into an NIL Agreement with the following entities:

· Any tobacco company, product or brand
· Any alcoholic beverage company, product or brand
· Any marijuana company, product or brand
· Any seller or dispensary of a controlled substance, as defined by state or federal law
· Any adult entertainment company, product or brand or any inappropriately sexually suggestive products, services or imagery
· Any product, substance, or method that is prohibited in competition by an athletic association, athletic conference, or other organization governing intercollegiate athletics (e.g., NCAA banned substances)
· Any casino or entities that conduct, provided data or information to, sponsor, or promote gambling activities
· Any other company, product, brand, service, or industry that RWU determines, in its sole discretion, conflicts with or is contrary to RWU’s educational mission, any other institutional agreement, or any applicable laws, regulations, or policies

Use of University Branding Elements

RWU’s logos, marks and uniforms are all intellectual property that is licensed. Student-athletes may not use RWU, conference or NCAA logos, symbols, or other branding elements in conjunction with NIL activities. This includes any aspect of an RWU uniform or RWU facilities for any NIL activity.

RWU Disclosure Requirements

The Roger Williams University Athletics Compliance Office will continue to apply and report potential violations of NCAA legislation that remain applicable, including prohibitions on pay-for-play and improper inducements, and will exercise due diligence on the appropriateness of the name, image, and likeness activity. Student-athletes are required to disclose all NIL arrangements to the Athletics Compliance Office via RWU’s Opendorse Portal, including those that were not procured through Opendorse directly.

Questions about the Opendorse Portal can be directed to Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance, Kelly Thompson, kmthompson@rwu.edu.

Use of Professional Service Providers, Agents, etc.

Student-athletes may enter into agreements with professional service providers (agent, tax advisor, marketing consultant, attorney, brand manager, etc.) for the sole purpose of securing NIL agreements.

Student-athletes may not enter into agreements with professional service providers (e.g., athlete agents) who work to secure future representation in professional sports on behalf of the student- athlete.

Financial Aid, Tax, and Visa Implications

RWU student-athletes should be aware that income from NIL activities may be taxable and may affect eligibility for need-based financial aid. Student-athletes should consult with a tax professional to determine any implications associated with new sources of income.

International student-athletes at RWU should consult with International Student & Scholar Services, international@rwu.edu, to determine if NIL compensation could impact their visa status.

Enforcement

Violation of this Policy will result in appropriate action by RWU’s Department of Athletics and/or the NCAA and may result in loss of eligibility and/or disciplinary measures up to and including suspension or dismissal from applicable RWU athletic team(s).

Contact Information

All questions regarding NIL, the Opendorse Portal, or this Policy can be directed to Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance Kelly Thompson, kmthompson@rwu.edu