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
