William & Mary Athletics

I. Introduction
This Student-Athlete Code of Conduct is designed to alert you, the student-athlete, to the behavior expected of you, and to the potential consequences that your behavior may have on your status as a student-athlete.

All student-athletes are members of William & Mary's student body. Accordingly, you must comply with the Honor Code and all University policies governing student conduct at all times. In addition, your participation in the University's intercollegiate athletics program is governed by policies and procedures put into effect by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), and the State of Virginia. Your participation in William & Mary intercollegiate athletics is also governed by all of William & Mary's Department of Athletics' rules and procedures as set forth in the Student-Athlete Handbook, including the Department of Athletics' Substance Abuse Policies, and Recruiting and Student-Host Guidelines.

The Department of Athletics may take action under this Code of Conduct regarding your participation in William & Mary's intercollegiate athletics program, and also regarding the awarding, renewal, and modification of a scholarship that you may now have. This Code of Conduct is intended to complement, not replace, conduct rules that your sport team has adopted, including consequences for violating those sport team rules.

II. Policies on Misconduct for William & Mary Student-Athletes
There are three types of misconduct that may affect your ability to fully participate in the university's intercollegiate athletic program:

A. Category I
Any of the following acts by a student-athlete is Category I misconduct:

• Violation of a criminal law that is classified as a felony by the State of Virginia;
• Violation of a term of probation or other condition imposed by a court in a criminal proceeding; or
• Serious violation of a term of probation or other condition imposed by a University official or the Department of Athletics Administrator.

B. Category II
Any of the following acts by a student-athlete is Category II misconduct:

• Violation of a criminal law that is not classified as a felony by the State of Virginia, including laws pertaining to alcohol (e.g., Operating While Intoxicated -OWI; Possessing Alcohol Under the Legal Age);
• Violation of a term of probation imposed by a College official or Department of Athletics Administrator that does not constitute Category I misconduct;
• Violation of a Department of Athletics policy; or
• Violation of College policies, rules, and/or regulations, including: William & Mary Honor Code;
  • Academic dishonesty in violation of University, college, school, or department standards;
  • Athletic Training Room Policies;
  • Academic Study Hall Rules; or
  • Willfully giving false and malicious information to a William & Mary official.

C. Category III
Any of the following acts by a student-athlete is a Category III misconduct:

• Insubordination: any actions that willfully disobey instructions from your coach, athletics department staff members, or College employees.
• Social Networking: Participation in social network sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other digital platforms and distribution mechanisms that facilitate communication has both positive appeal and potentially negative consequences. William & Mary supports and encourages the use of social network sites as a platform for individual expression and free speech. Student-athletes are not restricted from using any on-line social network sites and digital platforms. However, users must understand that any content they make public via on-line social networks or digital platforms must comply with all policies, rules and regulations of the University and the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules and regulations, as well as with federal, state and local law. Student-athletes must recognize the power of public media domains and the potentially negative image that they can portray about student-athletes, coaches, the athletic program and institution. Student-athlete violations of university policy (e.g., harassing language, College drug or alcohol policy violations, copyright infringement, etc.) evident in the content of on-line social networks or digital platforms are subject to investigation and sanction under this Code of Conduct and other university policies, and could be subject to the authority of law enforcement agencies. Student-athletes must be aware of these consequences and exercise appropriate caution if they choose to participate in social networking platforms.
• Regarding illegal substances: The Athletic Department will support all local, state, and federal laws as they pertain to illegal substances. Student-athletes must understand and abide by these laws. The use, purchase, intent to sell, or distribution of illegal substances is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate action by the Athletic Department. Student-athletes in violation of local, state, or federal law may also be subject to further measures.
• Regarding NCAA banned and/or regulated substances: As with professional athletes, the Athletics Department recognizes that each athlete is solely and unwaveringly responsible for the substances in his/her body. While the Department is responsible for providing information regarding banned and/or regulated substances, the responsibility for a clean body lies solely on the shoulders of the individual athlete. Athletes are encouraged to discuss any concerns they have regarding use of medications, or consumption of foreign substances, with the Athletic Trainers, the Head Coach, and/or the Compliance Officer.
• Regarding the consumption of alcohol by minors: Athletic Department recognizes the consumption of alcohol by any person under the age of 21 as an illegal act. All student-athletes are expected to act in a manner consistent with local, State, and Federal Law.
• Regarding the consumption of alcohol at team and/or athletic related events: The Athletics Department maintains that Athletic events and alcohol consumption may not be commingled. Student-athletes who are of legal age to drink must never drink at practice, competition, or team functions, whether home or away.
• Regarding the use of tobacco products: The NCAA prohibits the use of tobacco products by student-athletes, coaches, and game officials during practice and competition in all sports. Student-athletes who use tobacco products during practice or competition shall be disqualified for the remainder of the practice or competition.
• Regarding recruiting: Student-athletes hosting an athletic recruit or prospect must complete the Student Host Guidelines on hosting a recruit and comply with all regulations described in the Guidelines. Under no circumstances may a recruit be offered alcohol, tobacco products, or drugs, whether legal or illegal.
• Compliance: All student-athletes must abide by the NCAA and CAA regulations. It is the duty of the student-athlete to make sure all proper and official papers have been signed and approved by the compliance coordinator before the date of the first competition. Failure to do so will render the student-athlete ineligible to complete the season.
• Team Travel: Team members will utilize only university sponsored transportation to all intercollegiate athletic activities unless prior approval has been given from the director of athletics or his/her designee. Athletes may be released to the custody of a parent or legal guardian by the head coach with written or digital documentation by the parent.
• Hazing: Team members may not participate in any form of hazing or initiation. This is an illegal activity and will be treated in accordance with the disciplinary actions of any other violation of federal law.
• Ethical Behavior: It is expected that all student athletes will conduct themselves in an ethical manner at all times. As stated in the NCAA manual, unethical conduct includes fraudulence in connection with entrance or placement, engaging in athletic competition under an assumed name, dishonesty in evading or violating NCAA regulations, or knowingly furnishing William & Mary or the NCAA with false information.
• Class Attendance: Student athletes are expected to attend all academic classes. In the event a practice session conflicts with a class students must attend the class session.  In the event an athletic contest conflicts with a class the student athlete is expected to inform the faculty member of the conflict prior to the absence. 

III. Failure to Comply

Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct could lead to a range of repercussions, including but not limited to the following:

Coaches retain the right to manage their teams as they see fit within the guidelines of both William & Mary and the Athletics Department. Coaches' responses to failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may include, but are not limited to:

• Loss of practice time
• Loss of playing time
• Suspension from competition
• Suspension from the team for a period of time

In the most serious of cases, cases of multiple violations by an individual, or in cases involving multiple team members, the Athletics Director may also respond to failure to comply with this Code of Conduct, and the Athletics Director's responses may include, but are not limited to:

• Cancelation or non-renewal of athletic aid
• Suspension of team or individual teammates for a disclosed amount of time
• Forfeiture of competition or multiple competitions
• Expulsion of a student-athlete or group of student-athletes from a team
• Forfeiture of the remainder of the season

The Athletics Director, in consultation with members of university Administration, may also decide to discontinue university support of any athletics team. Further, as with all student Honor Code violations, the university will consider disciplinary action under the procedures set forth in the Undergraduate Student Handbook for actions by a student which violate the rules and/or policies of the university.