MIDLAND UNIVERSITY STUDENT-ATHLETE
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
I. Standards of Conduct
Participation in intercollegiate athletics at Midland University is a privilege afforded to a select group of individuals. At certain times this privilege may present responsibilities that would not apply to a student not participating in athletics. As a student-athlete, you are provided an opportunity to enhance your life through competitive events, develop lifelong skills, and prepare for your future while representing Midland University. As a result, you will be expected to conduct yourself in a manner representative of the mission of the institution, the athletic department, and your team. As a student-athlete, it is your responsibility to follow all federal, state, and local laws, the regulations set forth by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC), Midland University, the athletic department, and individual coaches, with respect to issues that include but are not limited to academic misconduct, the use of alcohol, drugs, tobacco, assault, hazing, theft, sexual misconduct and/or conduct that displays disrespect for different cultural values and/or beliefs.
Midland University expects its student-athletes to demonstrate academic integrity and accomplishment, train and strive for their highest degree of athletic excellence and sportsmanship, and to conduct themselves responsibly as members of the campus and larger community.
Every student-athlete is required to self-report his or her violations of this Commitment to Excellence to his or her Head Coach or the Director of Athletics within 24 hours of such violation. This obligation is in effect year-round, including during semester and summer breaks.
II. Prohibited Conduct
Prohibited conduct includes violation of any of the standards established by the governing authorities identified above. By way of illustration, and without limitation of those prohibitions, student-athletes must not violate any of the policies described below (in other cases not outlined, please also refer to the Midland University Student Handbook):
• Cyberspace (including social networking websites): Student-athletes are permitted to have profiles on social networking websites, such as, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, provided that 1) no offensive or inappropriate pictures are posted, 2) any information placed on the website(s) does not violate ethics and intent behind the Commitment to Excellence, the Midland Student Handbook and other applicable state, federal and local laws.
• Academic Dishonesty: The Athletic Department denounces acts of academic misconduct which include, but is not limited to cheating, falsification/fabrication, tampering, plagiarism, facilitating academic misconduct, multiple submissions, and other academic misconduct.
• Unexcused Class Absences and Poor Academic Performance: Student-athletes are expected to attend class regularly and punctually, and fulfill course load and academic performance requirements. Failure to meet such obligations may affect both athletic and scholarship eligibility, as well as academic standing.
• Poor Sportsmanship: At all times, student-athletes are required to conduct themselves in a manner respectful of themselves, their team, Midland University, the Athletic Department, game officials, opponents, and property. Student-athletes are to refrain from disrespectful or unsportsmanlike conduct including; profane, abusive, demeaning, harassing, threatening, or obscene expression; or deliberate damage to equipment or property.
• Alcohol: Prohibited acts include: 1) Possessing or consuming alcohol if under the age of 21, 2) Misrepresentation of one’s age for the purpose of purchasing, possessing, or consuming alcohol, 3) Purchasing, furnishing, hosting, or serving alcohol to or for an underage person, 4) Public intoxication, 5) Violations of additional Team Rules regarding alcohol use, 6) Consumption of alcohol during team travel or team functions, 7) Violation of on-campus alcohol policies, and/or 8) Any alcohol citation issued by law enforcement or University employees.
• Drugs: Prohibited acts include: 1) Possessing or using illegal substances, as defined by law, 2) Possessing or using controlled substances, as defined by law, 3) Distributing, selling, or possessing with the intent to distribute illegal or controlled substances, as defined by law, 4) The use of tobacco products by a student-athlete during practice, competition or other team functions, 5) Violation of on-campus drug policies, 6) Possession of drug paraphernalia and/or, 7) Any drug citation issued by law enforcement or University employees.
• Driving Under the Influence: Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
• Violence/Hazing: Midland University is committed to creating and maintaining a community in which its members are free from all forms of harassment, exploitation, intimidation, and violence. Student-athletes are prohibited from engaging in violent acts, including assault on a person or property, hate crimes, stalking, sexual violence, hazing, or any other Midland-prohibited conduct.
• Sexual Assault: The Athletic Department will not tolerate sexual harassment, intimidation, stalking, rape, sexual violence, or other related violations.
• Drug Testing Failure: Student-athletes must submit to random drug testing as part of their Commitment to Excellence at Midland University. Failure of a drug test or failure to submit to a drug test will result in disciplinary action.
Violation of Criminal Law: Criminal Law is a body of rules and statutes that defines conduct prohibited by the government because it threatens and harms public safety and welfare and that establishes punishment to be imposed for the commission of such acts. When a student-athlete has engaged in conduct alleged to be in violation of criminal law, the Head Coach must report the information to the Director of Athletics immediately upon receipt of notice of such possible violation.
Student-athletes arrested for, or charged with, violating the criminal law will immediately be suspended from practice and competition. Within 48 hours of notice of a suspension, the student-athlete’s coach or designee shall review the suspension and recommend to the Director of Athletics and/or the President’s Senior Leadership Team whether the suspension should continue. Within 10 days of notice of suspension, the student-athlete shall be afforded the opportunity to present his or her position before the Director of Athletics and/or the President’s Senior Leadership Team. Based on available information, the committee may, at any time prior to a finding or plea of guilty to a criminal charge, lift or modify the suspension. If the student-athlete is found guilty of the felony charge, such student-athlete shall be indefinitely suspended from participation in intercollegiate athletics at Midland.
A student-athlete suspended from participation as a result of a criminal charge shall not be prohibited from receiving financial aid while such criminal charges are pending. Upon a plea of guilty or a finding of guilt in a felony case, the Director of Athletics and/or the President’s Senior Leadership Team shall immediately determine whether the student-athlete’s aid shall continue. This policy is applicable to all renewals of current athletic aid commitments and to all subsequently awarded athletic financial aid.
III. Disciplinary Process and Sanctions
The Athletic Department disciplinary process is independent of, and supplements, the University's judicial process. Sanctions levied by Athletics may occur over and above those levied by the University. Sanctions will vary depending on the type and circumstances of the violation. Listed below are the types of sanctions to expect (these are not meant to be all-inclusive):
Types of Sanctions
A. Reprimand: a written warning that further violations will result in more severe sanctions.
B. Sanctioned Work/Restitution: the completion of designated hours of campus/sanctioned work and/or payment to the college or community for damages resulting from misconduct.
C. Probation: remain as a member of the team but must abide by restrictions imposed during a probationary period.
D. Suspension: removal of a student-athlete from the team and all athletic department activities for a specific period of time and must abide by restrictions imposed during the suspension period.
E. Withdrawal/Reduction of Scholarship: forfeit all or part of athletic-related aid and must abide by restrictions imposed.
F. Expulsion: Permanent removal from the team and/or department activities and forfeiting all athletic aid.
G. Expulsion: Permanent removal from the university.
Possible sanctions for team violations include but are not limited to:
A. Team Probation
B. Team Community Service
C. Cancellation of Contests
D. Cancellation of Season
Due Process Steps:
When the Athletic Department becomes aware of an alleged violation of this Commitment to Excellence, the Director of Athletics, or his/her designee, will take reasonable steps to verify the validity, reliability, and accuracy of the report. These steps may include interviews of students and employees, or of non-Midland persons having knowledge of relevant facts; examination of documents; and other steps necessary for the Director of Athletics to determine the merits of the report. A meeting with the student-athlete will ordinarily occur before any discipline is imposed; however, in extenuating circumstances, the Director of Athletics may suspend the student-athlete before the meeting.
Determination of responsibility will be based on a preponderance of evidence and information available. A first-time offense may be serious enough to warrant any of the previously listed types of sanctions in section III of this document. A student-athlete’s refusal to participate and cooperate in an Athletic Department, Midland, or NAIA investigation of possible violation of this Commitment to Excellence, institution rules, and/or NAIA regulations, may itself constitute a basis for disciplinary action.
The Director of Athletics, or his/her designee, and head coaches have the authority to impose sanctions and to add additional sanctions beyond the ones listed in this document.
Violations of Team Rules: Each student-athlete is responsible for following his/her specific team policies. These policies shall be in writing and posted /distributed to team members. If a team, with the approval of the head coach, amends the team policies, the new policies must also be posted or in writing.
IV. Appeal Process
A. If a student-athlete believes extenuating circumstances are pertinent to the offense, he/she may file a written appeal to the Director of Athletics and/or the President’s Senior Leadership Team stating the circumstances involved in the incident. The Director of Athletics or the President’s Senior Leadership Team must receive the written appeal within two (2) days of the student-athlete receiving notification of consequences for the committed violation. Upon which time, the Director or President’s Senior Leadership Team will review the appeal and determine whether it warrants further review.
B. Any DUI, drug selling, and/or distribution offense cannot be appealed.
NAIA Champions of Character Pledge
As a student-athlete, I pledge to accept the Champions of Character five core values. I will do my best to represent my team, my teammates, and myself while striving to have the Integrity to know and do what is right; Respect my opponent, the officials, my teammates, my coach, myself, and the game; take Responsibility by embracing opportunities to contribute; exemplify Sportsmanship by bringing my best to all competition and provide Servant Leadership where I serve the common good while striving to be a personal and team leader.