Intercollegiate Athletics and U.S. Olympic Training Site Student-Athlete Code - Northern Michigan University

Philosophy

It is a privilege for a Northern Michigan University (herinafter the University) student to participate in intercollegiate athletics or the U.S. Olympic Training Site. Student-athletes represent the University, therefore, their behavior is expected to reflect high standards on all levels: social, academic, and athletic.

Purpose

1) To outline a process to evaluate unacceptable student-athlete behavior; and

2) To allow for the imposition of disciplinary action against a student-athlete whose behavior is unacceptable.

Definitions

1) The Student-Athlete Code Violation Review Committee will consist of the Director of Athletics, the Director of Public Safety, and the Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students and Student Services, or their designee(s).

2) Criminal Activity is defined as Felony level offenses; or serious Misdemeanor level offenses which include, but are not limited to, criminal activity that involves violence, assaultive behavior, stalking behavior, sexual harassment, and alcohol or other drug offenses.

3) Student-athletes as defined in this document refers to those students participating in intercollegiate athletics (per NCAA squad list) or the U.S. Olympic Training Site at Northern Michigan University.

4) Team activities are defined as any association with other team members for the purposes of furthering the interests of a team, including, but not limited to, team practices and/or competition, team travel, team meetings, or participation in the recruitment of student-athletes.

Scope

Student-athletes whose behavior does not comport with the acceptable standards expected of Northern Michigan University student-athletes will be subject to review by the Student-Athlete Code Violation Review Committee.

1) All student-athletes will be given a copy of the Intercollegiate Athletics and U.S. Olympic Training Site Student-Athlete Code (hereinafter, “Student-Athlete Code”).

2) All student-athletes will be required to acknowledge that they are under obligation, as a condition of their participation in intercollegiate athletics or the U.S. Olympic Training Site at Northern Michigan University, to immediately self-report any violations of the Student-Athlete Code to their coach or the Director of Athletics. Failure to self-report any violations of the Student-Athlete Code may subject the student-athlete to additional disciplinary action by the Student-Athlete Code Violation Review Committee.

3) Any action taken pursuant to the Student-Athlete Code will be considered separate and distinct from any action that may be taken by the Dean of Students Office, other administrative action taken by the University (including, but not limited to, action taken under the Northern Michigan University Student-Athlete Drug Education and Testing Policy), or any action taken by law enforcement or criminal justice agencies against a student-athlete.

4) All student-athletes will be subject to review under the Student-Athlete Code if the student-athlete:

• Is in violation of Northern Michigan University’s Student Code;
• Is in violation of the Northern Michigan University Student-Athlete Drug Education and Testing Policy;
• Is suspended from team activities by their coach for violating team rules; and/or
• Has committed criminal activity that consists of an act or acts prohibited under municipal, state, or federal law as defined in this document.

Procedures 

1) The Student-Athlete Code Violation Review Committee will either confer or hold a meeting to review and investigate all alleged violations of this code. 

2) Coaches shall notify the Director of Athletics of all alleged violations of the Student-Athlete Code upon becoming aware of the alleged violation. 

3) The Student-Athlete Code Violation Review Committee should receive input from the coach or any other party who has relevant information that is pertinent to the alleged violation of the Student-Athlete Code.

4) The Student-Athlete Code Violation Review Committee shall determine, based upon the seriousness of the alleged violation, whether a student-athlete will be suspended from team activities pending the resolution of the alleged violation. 

5) The Student-Athlete Code Violation Review Committee shall determine the disciplinary action or penalty to be imposed on the student-athlete, including, but not limited to: (1) permanent or limited suspension from team activities; and/or (2) partial or permanent revocation of athletic scholarships.

6) In the event that the Student-Athlete Code Violation Review Committee cannot reach consensus as to what action to take on an alleged violation of the Student-Athlete Code, the matter will be referred to the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost (or designee) to determine what action, if any, should be taken against the student-athlete.

7) The Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students shall provide notice of disciplinary action taken by the Student-Athlete Code Violation Review Committee to the Director of Athletics, the Director of Public Safety, the Associate AD for Compliance, the student-athlete’s coach, and the student-athlete. The Director of Athletics will be available to the Athletic Council to provide a briefing on the action(s) taken by the committee.

8) Student-athletes may appeal disciplinary action taken by the Student-Athlete Code Violation Review Committee within 72 hours to the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost (or designee) or in cases decided by the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost (or designee), to the President.