SMC STUDENT ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT

As a valued member of the Spartanburg Methodist College Athletics Department, I will use my talents to attain a quality education and earn a degree. Although time commitments are demanding during my athletic season, I will remain academically eligible, attend class, inform professors of unexpected absences due to official athletic events, and maintain academic honesty.

Participating in Intercollegiate athletics is a privilege and honor.  Student athletes are in the public view and serve as models and examples of excellence as they pursue their sport.  Spartanburg Methodist College has strong traditions of success in athletics, but we are prouder still of the high traditions of character, leadership, and scholarship shown by our athletes.  Therefore, all athletes are expected to subscribe to, and adhere to, this code of conduct for athletes.

1.     You are subject to the rules and regulations of the NJCAA governing unsportsmanlike behavior, non-therapeutic drug use, gambling and bribery and the acceptance of non-permissible awards, benefits and expenses, as well as other forms of misconduct.

2.     Team rules for student-athletes are established by each individual sport’s head coach and his/her staff within the parameters set by the Director of Athletics and the College.  The head coach informs team members of the established team and training rules at the beginning of each academic year.  Failure to comply with team, Athletics Department, or College policies may result in suspension, probation, or dismissal from the squad and non-renewal of athletic financial aid.

3.      Athletes must set an example in campus life by strictly following the Standards of Conduct and Honor Code as written in the Spartanburg Methodist College Student Handbook, as well as state and federal laws.  Athletes must especially refrain from the following:

·       Academic dishonesty, including all forms of cheating, plagiarism, and fabrication in the process of completing academic work;

·       Discrimination on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, creed, age, sex, marital status, and disability;

·       Sexual offenses of any kind, including acquaintance rape, harassment, indecent liberties and assault of sexual nature;

·       Actual or attempted abuse of any person or conduct which threatens or endangers the health and safety of a person or which intentionally causes a reasonable apprehension of harm to any person;

·      Hazing.  Hazing is defined as intentionally or recklessly engaging in acts that have a foreseeable potential for causing physical or emotional harm to any person for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization, team or group, whether formal or informal.  Depending on the circumstances, such actions may include, but are not limited to, paddling, consumption of alcohol or gross mixtures, causing excessive fatigue, physical or psychological shock, blindfolding, road trips, morally degrading or humiliating games or events, and work sessions which interfere with scholastic requirements;

·      Illegal use, possession, consumption, or sale of alcohol or other intoxicating beverage;

·      Illegal use, possession, consumption, or sale of any narcotic, non-prescribed medication, or dangerous drugs;

·      Illegal possession, carrying, or discharge of any explosive, firearm, or other weapon and

·      Computer abuses such as the unethical posting of pictures and messages on public websites.

4.     Athletes must set high examples in refraining from alcohol and drug use.  Specifically, Spartanburg Methodist College supports programs of the various intercollegiate athletic associations (NCAA and NJCAA) opposing drug use by athletes and by requiring their agreement to participate in a drug-screening program supervised by the Director of Athletics.  Elements of the education and screening program are included in the SMC STUDENT ATHLETE DRUG EDUCATION AND TESTING POLICY. This policy will be signed separately from the CODE OF CONDUCT FOR ATHLETES. 

5.     If a student-athlete is arrested on or off campus, the student-athlete involved will be subject to sanctions by law enforcement, the Athletic Department, and the SMC discipline system.

I understand the Code of Conduct for Athletes at Spartanburg Methodist College.  I understand that signing this Code is my agreement to follow it and to accept the consequences should I fail to follow it.

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Student Signature                                                                          Date