Code of Ethics

Student-Athlete Code of Ethics

Purpose

The purpose of intercollegiate athletics at Bates College is to provide the opportunity for students to develop their full potential in a rigorous academic setting that values varsity sport participation and the keenest competition as a key component of the educational process.  However, it is considered a privilege rather than a right to be a student-athlete and with that privilege come certain responsibilities.  Foremost among these responsibilities is the adherence to a Bates College Student-Athlete Code of Ethics.

Bates College supports a prominent Division III NCAA intercollegiate athletic program.  Your representation of the College, involving public exposure in the competitive arena and the media, makes you one of the most visible groups in a number of “communities”:  the College, local municipalities, Androscoggin County, and the State of Maine.  As an athlete, what you do and the way in which you do it are often highlighted, placing you in a public position not experience by other Bates students; a position that requires exemplary conduct.  Your behavior has a most definite impact on the reputation of your particular team, the Athletic Department, and also on the attitude that the others not involved in intercollegiate athletics have toward you and your fellow athletes.  Lastly, whether or not you so choose, you will be looked upon, particularly by younger children, as a role model and as a leader.

Definition

The Student-Athlete Code of Ethics is meant to provide behavioral guidelines consistent with the responsibilities of participation, representation, and public exposure outlined above.  The Code applies to any and every Bates student who is considered to be a member of an intercollegiate team(s), WHETHER THAT SPORT IS IN SEASON OR NOT.

Under the Code of Ethics, you are expected to obey the laws, rules, and regulations of the “communities” already cited:  the College (specifically, see additional alcohol and hazing policies listed in the website), local municipalities, Androscoggin County, and the State of Maine.  Furthermore, you are expected to conduct yourself at all times with honor, integrity,, good sportsmanship, honesty, and dignity.  Conduct that brings dishonor to a team and/or the Athletic Department is considered a breach of the Code.

The Code of Ethics does not supersede or replace the College judicial process.  Where a case involving a student-athlete has been adjudicated by the College judicial process, the Code of Ethics will not be used to affect any decision that has been rendered. However, the Code may still be used to examine the case in light of the expectations cited above and could be utilized for the imposition of sanctions in addition to any judgment coming from the College judicial process.

Code of Ethics Judicial Process

Whether or not a particular incident constitutes a breach in the Code of Ethics, and the subsequent degree of sanction that is to be applied to a breach of the Code, will be decided by the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC- comprised of at least one representative from each intercollegiate sport sponsored by Bates College).  The SAAC will be convened by the Director of Athletics to hear cases of student-athlete misconduct that potentially constitute a breach in the Student-Athlete Code of Ethics and have not already been addressed by the Athletic Department.  The SAAC will be convened as soon as possible to hear the case and in so doing will employ all of the applicable general standards of due process outlined in the Bates Student Handbook.  Note:  the SAAC will take into account previous Code violations when considering a case and repeat-offenses may encourage a recommendation for heavier sanctions.

After hearing the case, the SAAC will make its recommendation for the sanction(s), if any, to the Director of Athletics.  The Director will convey this decision, in writing, to the student-athlete.

Sanctions

Conduct or behavior that deviates from the expectations cited in the “Definition” section will be considered a breach of the Student-Athlete Code of Ethics.  Response by the Athletic Department to a breach in the Code may include any of the following sanctions, combinations of these sanctions, or other sanctions as recommended by the SAAC.  In cases involving multi-sport athletes, the SAAC may recommend a sanction(s) in one or more of the individual’s sports, depending on the situation and the violation.

• Verbal Reprimand.
• Official letter of Reprimand.
• Probation – official notice that further breach of the Code of Ethics will result in that individual receiving a more severe sanction such as a community service assignment, suspension, or dismissal.
• Community Service Assignment – the individual will be given a specific community service project or will be mandated to perform a prescribed number of hours of community service.
• Suspension from participation.
• A.  Term – revocation of the privilege of participating in intercollegiate athletics for a specified period of time.
• B.  Conditional – participation in intercollegiate athletics will be restored when specific mandated requirements have been fulfilled.
• Dismissal – permanent expulsion from the team(s).

Any and all sanctions will be kept confidential.  The imposition of a sanction will be made known only to the individual and his/her head Coach(es).

Appeal

Any student-athlete receiving from the Athletic Director, a judgment of the SAAC, may appeal such decision by notifying the Director of Athletics, in writing, within seven (7) days of receipt of the decision.  Notification must specify, in detail, the grounds for the appeal.  If a student-athlete fails to file his/her written statement, he/she waives his/her right to appeal.

Appeals will be arranged by the Director of Athletics and the student will be notified in writing of the time and place of the appeal hearing.  A student-athlete shall have the right to appeal on any of the following grounds:

1. Evidence of procedural irregularity;
2. Evidence of mitigating circumstances (additional evidence);
3. Evidence of undue severity of sanction(s);
4. Evidence of bias on the part of the SAAC;
5. Evidence that the decision is arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable and that the charges are not supported by the evidence.

The appeal will be heard by the College’s Athletic Committee which consists of four faculty members appointed by the Committee on Committees and Governance.  The Director of Athletics will present the findings of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council to the Athletic Committee.  The student-athlete may be assisted by an advisor of his/her choice during an appeal.  On any appeal, the Athletic Committee must first determine the validity of the grounds for appeal.  If so determined, the Athletic Committee may then proceed to hear the substance of the case, if deemed relevant.  The Athletic Committee may sustain the decision of the SAAC, or conduct a new hearing.  Following the hearing of an appeal, a written copy of the decision will be sent to the student-athlete from the Athletic Committee.