Alcohol Policy

Bates Student-Athlete Alcohol Policy

Alcohol Policy

All Bates College student-athletes will comply with all NCAA policies and programs related to alcohol.  Additionally, all student-athletes are expected to abide by the civil laws regarding alcohol use and possession.  The illegal or irresponsible use of alcohol is against the College alcohol policy.  This departmental policy does not supersede or replace the College alcohol policy.  Where an alcohol case involving a student-athlete has been adjudicated by Office of the Dean of Students, the Athletic Department Alcohol Policy will not be used to affect any decision that has been rendered.  However, the Athletics Policy may still be used to pursue the case in light of the expectations cited above and below as well as those contained in the Student-Athlete Code of Ethics, and may be utilized for the imposition of Athletics Department sanctions in addition to any  judgement coming from the College judicial process.

1. The consumption of alcohol by student-athletes, or being under the influence of alcohol, is prohibited at any and all Athletics Department sponsored activities.  A sponsored activity includes, but is not limited to, a contest, practice or team meeting, travel to or from a site of practice or competition, and camps/clinics.  If a student-athlete violates the alcohol prohibition at an Athletic Department sponsored activity, a sanction(s) from among the following range of possibilities will be applied by the head coach with notification to the Director of Athletics.
2. If a student-athlete is involved in an alcohol-related college violation, a sanction(s) from among the following range of possibilities will be recommended by the head coach with the approval of the Director of Athletics.
3. If a student-athlete is involved in an alcohol violation that results in a civil citation and/or arrest, the sanction(s) as agreed upon by the head coach and the Director of Athletics will be applied from the following range of possibilities.

*Any possible sanction(s) will be tempered by whether or not the student-athlete self-reports the incident to the head coach before it is brought to the attention of the Coach, Director of Athletics or Dean of Students office.

Sanctions

A.  Verbal warning;
B.  Written warning;
C.  Probation;
D. Community Service;
E.  Suspension from activity for a specified length of time;
F.  Suspension from a specified number of events;
G.  Suspension for an entire season;
H.  Dismissal from the team.

4.  Repeated violations of this policy, or suspicion of serious alcohol abuse problem, may result not only in stronger sanctions but the student may also be referred to counseling services for evaluation, education, and counseling sessions as a condition for further participation in athletics.

5.  Any additional behavioral issues resulting from an alcohol-related incident that violate the Student-Athlete Code of Ethics will be adjudicated by the Student-Athlete Advisory Council.

Appeal Process

Purpose: To provide recourse for a student-athlete who disagrees with the imposed sanction(s).

1. A student-athlete appeal request must be submitted in writing to the Director of Athletics within two class days of receiving the sanction.
2. The grounds for appeal include the following: A. Sanction(s) imposed is grossly inappropriate. B. New evidence has come to light which would have been sufficient to alter the decision regarding the sanction(s).
3. The appeal will be heard by the College’s Athletic Committee, comprised of four faculty members including the Faculty Athletics Representative.
4. The student-athlete may choose to be present at the appeal hearing and may be accompanied by a representative of his/her choosing.  However, only the student-athlete will be permitted to address the Athletic Committee.
5. The Athletic  Committee will hear the appeal and may agree with the original sanction(s), impose a different sanction(s), or dismiss the original sanction(s).
6. The decision of the Athletic Committee will be communicated in writing by the Director of Athletics to the student-athlete and the decision of the Athletic Committee is final.