Conduct/Discipline
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The Club Sports program acts in accordance with the Xavier University Standards of Student Conduct outlined in the Student Handbook. The Club Sports Council reserves the right to handle matters of conduct as it sees fit when deemed necessary.
Special Section on Hazing
“Hazing” refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate. In years past, hazing practices were typically considered harmless pranks or comical antics associated with young men in college fraternities.
Today we know that hazing extends far beyond college fraternities and is experienced by boys/men and girls/women in school groups, university organizations, athletic teams, the military, and other social and professional organizations. Hazing is a complex social problem that is shaped by power dynamics operating in a group and/or organization and within a particular cultural context.
Hazing activities are generally considered to be: physically abusive, hazardous, and/or sexually violating. The specific behaviors or activities within these categories vary widely among participants, groups and settings. While alcohol use is common in many types of hazing, other examples of typical hazing practices include: personal servitude; sleep deprivation and restrictions on personal hygiene; yelling, swearing and insulting new members/rookies; being forced to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire in public; consumption of vile substances or smearing of such on one's skin; brandings; physical beatings; binge drinking and drinking games; sexual simulation and sexual assault.
Some common definitions and examples of hazing are below:
In the Alfred/NCAA survey of college athletes, hazing was defined as:
"any activity expected of someone joining a group that
humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers, regardless of the person's willingness to participate. This does not include activities such as rookies carrying the balls, team parties with community games, or going out with your teammates, unless an atmosphere of humiliation, degradation, abuse or danger arises."
“Hazing is an activity that a high-status member orders other members to engage in or suggests that they engage in that in some way humbles a newcomer who lacks the power to resist, because he or she want to gain admission to a group. Hazing can be noncriminal, but it is nearly always against the rules of an institution, team, or Greek group. It can be criminal, which means that a state statute has been violated. This usually occurs when a pledging-related activity results in gross physical injury or death” (from Hank Nuwer's book Wrongs of Passage , 1999, p. xxv).
Hazing is defined by the FIPG (Fraternity Insurance Purchasing Group) as:
"Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution."
1. If you have to ask if it's hazing, it is.
2. If in doubt, call your advisor/coach/national office. If you won't pick up the phone, you have your answer. Don't B.S. yourself.
3. If you haze, you have low self-esteem.
4. If you allow hazing to occur, you are a 'hazing enabler.'
5. Failure to stop hazing will result in death..."
Will Keim, Ph.D., "The Power of Caring"
Information found on stophazing.org
Specific Club Sport Matters with Designated Consequences
Registration Packet
If the packet is not submitted by the original due date:
i. A fine amounting to 10% of the club’s allocation will be assessed
ii. Access to funds will suspended until the packet is received
iii. There will be no approval granted by the Assistant Director for anything until the packet is received
If a club fails to submit the packet by the extended due date:
i. The club will be deemed inactive for the duration of the semester
ii. The club will lose all of their allocated money
iii. The club must wait until the following semester to register
Physical/Medical History, Liability Release, and Club Information Forms
If a student does not have these required forms on file with Club Sports office by the designated date:
i. The student will be prohibited from practicing or competing with the club
ii. If a student is found practicing or competing without the required forms:
a. The student will be suspended from club sport activity up to two weeks after the required forms b. The club will be fined 5% of their allocation or $25 ( what ever amount is greater) for each violating student
Travel Itineraries
Not submitted on time:
i. A $10 fine for each day the travel itinerary is late will be assessed
Not submitted at all:
i. A $50 fine will be assessed
ii. There will be no reimbursement for trip-related expenses
iii. All trip-related expenses using club funds must be repaid
iv. The club is suspended from travel for 30 school days
Membership
If any club does not have the required number of active members at three consecutive random practice checks, that club will not receive funding for the next year or will be declared inactive.
Mandatory Officer Meetings
If a club fails to have the appropriate member present at a mandatory meeting the club will be fined 10% of their allocation or $50 ( what ever amount is greater)
Club Sports Council Conduct Review Procedure
Any matter of conduct or violation without a designated consequence will be referred to the Club Sports Council. The Club Sports Council will review these matters according to the following procedure:
A student will be notified in writing at least 48 hours prior to the conduct review of the date, time, and location of the conduct review, all alleged violations, and the range of possible sanctions associated with the violations. When, at the sole discretion of the Assistant Director, because of time or seriousness of the incident, it becomes necessary to have the conduct review without 48 hours notice, the student will be notified verbally or by his/her University-issued e-mail address of the date, time, and location of the conduct review, all alleged violations, and the range of possible sanctions associated with the violations. Personal delivery, mailing to the last reported address to the University, or University-issued e-mail address will constitute adequate notice.
- The conduct review will be closed to everyone except those persons specifically provided for in this procedure or persons whose presence at the conduct review is authorized by the individual or board responsible with conducting the conduct review.
- Since the purpose of the conduct review is to determine the facts and define appropriate action that will best suit the student’s developmental process, there will be no representation by legal counsel.
- Electronic or other verbatim record of the conduct review will not be made or preserved unless authorized by the Assistant Director. In matters where suspension or expulsion from the University is a possible sanction, a recording of the conduct review will be made. The recording of the conduct review is solely for University use. Any part of the recording that is part of a student’s educational record will also be available to that student or his or her parents, as required under the Family Education Rights Privacy Act (FERPA).
- If a student(s) fails to attend a scheduled conduct review, the conduct review may proceed in the absence of the accused student(s) or any other involved student. Such an absence will not be considered grounds for an appeal. If a student(s) cannot attend the conduct review due to a scheduled class that conflicts with the conduct review, the student(s) is responsible for requesting a new conduct review immediately and prior to the original scheduled conduct review. Other types of scheduling conflicts must be pre-approved by the Assistant Director, or designee, prior to the conduct review.
- Where two or more student conduct matters involving common occurrences or involving the same student(s) are pending simultaneously, the Council may decide to hear the matters individually or together.
- The Council may reasonably limit the scope and time devoted to each matter or item of discussion during the conduct review, as well as the number of persons testifying or providing witness material.
- At the beginning of the conduct review the student(s) will be advised of his/her rights.
- Student conduct proceedings will not be governed by the Ohio Rules of Evidence or the Federal Rules of Evidence. The level of proof is a preponderance of evidence.
- Written notice of the outcome of the conduct review will normally be provided within five (5) business days to the student(s) charged with violation.
Final Review Process
Please refer to the Student Handbook for details on the Final Review Process.