Notre Dame of Maryland University Student-Athlete Handbook
Notre Dame of Maryland University Department of Athletics Staff Directory- 2014-15 Main Athletics Office Number: 410-532-5100 Name Title Email Phone Erin Foley Director of Athletics efoley@ndm.edu 410-532-3586 (o) Cheri Johns Office Manager/Head Softball Coach cjohns@ndm.edu 410-532-3588 (o) Erin DaSilva Assist. Director of Athletics/SWA/Head Soccer & Lacrosse Coach esturgis1@ndm.edu Sean Phillips Assistant Soccer Coach sphillips@ndm.edu Allen Dehority Sports Information Director/Head Basketball adehority@ndm.edu Coach Marissa Spears Assistant Basketball Coach mspears2@ndm.edu 410-532-5388 (o) 410-532-5378 (o) Christina Shields Head Athletic Trainer cshields@ndm.edu 410-532-5385 (o) Dr. Peter Hoffman Faculty Athletics Representative phoffman@ndm.edu 410-532-5720 (o) Ashley Demski Head Field Hockey Coach ademski1@ndm.edu 410-532-3589 (o) Madeline Assistant Field Hockey Coach Forrester Kimberly Morrow Assistant Field Hockey Coach Henry DeTitta Head Volleyball Coach hdetitta@ndm.edu 410-532-3587 (o) Stephen Swann Assistant Volleyball Coach sswann@ndm.edu Catherine Subrizi Assistant Volleyball Coach csubrizi1@ndm.edu Erin DaSilva Head Lacrosse Coach esturgis1@ndm.edu 410-532-5388 (o) TBA Assistant Lacrosse Coach Brittany Bolster Head Tennis Coach bbolster@ndm.edu 410-532-3581 (o) Curt Jordan Head Swim Coach cjordan@ndm.edu 410-532-3199 (o) Elizabeth Hudson Assistant Swim Coach Cheri Johns Head Softball Coach cjohns@ndm.edu 410-532-3588 (o) TBA Assistant Softball Coach
GENERAL INFORMATION NOTRE DAME OF MARYLAND UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MISSION STATEMENT & GUIDING PRINCIPLES: As a Division III member of the NCAA, Notre Dame of Maryland University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to the philosophy that the pursuit of excellence in competition is fully compatible with the pursuit of excellence in the classroom. A combination of the two endeavors lends itself to a more complete educational experience. To this end, the Notre Dame of Maryland University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics seeks to promote the overall mission of our institution via the following principles: 1. In conjunction with the established policy of rewarding financial assistance based solely on demonstrated financial need, the Notre Dame of Maryland University does not award athletically-related financial aid to any student. 2. The Notre Dame of Maryland University will provide a comprehensive athletic program available to the entire student body for which all participants will be treated equally. 3. While victory and achievement in competition will be celebrated, the ultimate goal of the Notre Dame of Maryland University Athletics Department will be to provide an educational experience that will contribute to the life-long personal, social, and professional success of our student-athletes. 4. The Notre Dame of Maryland University Athletics Department shall serve as a point of pride not only for our student-athletes, but for the larger university community as well non varsity athletes, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of our geographical community. 5. All members of the Notre Dame of Maryland University Athletics community will demonstrate the highest standards of sportsmanship, integrity, character and ethical conduct. 6. Regardless of results in competition, statistics, or conference standings, it is the duty of every member of the Notre Dame of Maryland University Athletics community to foster and develop a program that draws studentathletes of the highest caliber to our university, affords our student-athletes an experience that encourages them to remain students at the Notre Dame of Maryland University throughout their undergraduate and graduate academic careers, and promotes a life-long bond with Notre Dame as alumni of the university. Departmental Organization Notre Dame of Maryland University s Department of Athletics falls under the jurisdiction of the Division of Student Development. The Director of Athletics is accountable to the Vice President for Student Development who, in turn, reports directly to the President. The Director of Athletics meets regularly with the Vice President for Student Development to discuss the needs and concerns of the athletics programs with respect to the university, The Colonial States Athletic Conference and the NCAA. The head coaching staff reports directly to the Director of Athletics. Assistant coaches report directly to their respective head coaches. The Assistant Athletic Director/Sports Information Director, Athletic Trainer and Recruiting Coordinator, and Office Manager provide support to all the athletic programs and report directly to the Director of Athletics or his/her designee. Conference Affiliation Notre Dame of Maryland University of Maryland is a member of NCAA Division III and participates in the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC). All varsity teams except swimming compete in the CSAC as well as other institutions in the region in regular-season competition. Swimming competes as an independent and in the Atlantic States Swimming Championships at the end of the regular season.
The CSAC sponsors end-of-season championships and recognizes outstanding athletic performance with the selection of All-Conference, Most Outstanding Player, Newcomer of the Year and Coach of the Year in each sport at the end of each season. At the end of the academic year, CSAC Scholar-Athletes are recognized for superior academic achievement. A CSAC Scholar-Athlete must have a 3.2 or higher cumulative grade point average as determined at the conclusion of the fall semester of the current academic year. Freshmen are not eligible for this award. Responsibilities of Student-Athletes Student-athletes are representatives of the University and should conduct themselves accordingly. As stated in the Notre Dame Athletics Code of Conduct, student-athletes are responsible for: 1) Understanding the overall philosophy of the athletic program. 2) Providing medical clearance to the athletic trainer. 3) Maintaining a good academic standing. 4) Exhibiting sportsmanship and ethical conduct both in and out of the playing arena. 5) Making a commitment to practice and compete in accordance with team rules. 6) Accepting responsibility for all equipment and supplies issued. 7) Treating coaches, teammates, fans, visiting team members and officials with respect. 8) Adhering to CSAC and NCAA regulations. Academic and Compliance Support Policy (effective Fall 2014) As per University Policy, any Notre Dame student who has a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or less will be on academic probation. Student athletes on academic probation are required to follow all NDMU policies and requirements while on academic probation. Student-athletes on academic probation are ineligible to participate in varsity sports. Any student-athlete placed on academic probation by the University will be also be required to attend 3 hours of study hall per week, during any full week that classes meet. First semester students and transfers are required to attend 3 hours of study hall per week, until successful completion (with a GPA above 2.5) of their first semester. (Note: an exception may be made for a freshman or transfer student who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance for at least one semester of full time study at another accredited college or university). In addition, any student-athlete who has less than a 2.5 cumulative GPA will be required to attend three hours of study hall per week. Student-athletes who are required to attend study halls, must attend study halls which are sponsored and monitored by the athletic department. Student-athletes who do not meet this requirement, will be penalized by the athletic department. Penalties may include some, any, or all of the following: o coach notification o suspension from practice and/or games o loss of team privileges o suspension or expulsion from team o other penalties as designated by the athletic department administration
In some cases, other activities with the PRIOR approval of the Athletics Academic Support and Compliance Coordinator, may be substituted. Examples of potentially acceptable activities are: o meeting with an academic advisor o meeting with a professor o attending an NDMU special session or study hall (i.e. a study or review session in BIO) o independent study in the library with extenuating circumstances prohibiting a student from attending an athletic department monitored study hall o online tutoring Class Absence for Athletic Competition Policy (effective Fall 2014) Principles a. At Notre Dame of Maryland University, intercollegiate athletic competition should be considered as a University student responsibility, the same as any other University sponsored activity where attendance is expected. Every effort should be made by the student-athlete to attend all other classes. This policy is consistent with other Division III schools. b. While student athletes may be excused from class for games or trips, student athletes are not excused from class for practices. c. Faculty members are not expected to excuse student-athletes who miss more than 20% of their scheduled class hours, inclusive. If a student will miss more than 20% of scheduled classes, the academic department will attempt to make an accommodation. If an accommodation is not possible, the student will be referred to the consortium*, provided it is in advance of the first day of classes of the semester. Science laboratories are counted as a separate class for the purposes of calculating 20% of missed class time. d. Student athletes enrolled in an academic program which requires practicum or clinical hours outside of the classroom are required to discuss with their practicum/clinical advisor what the best course of action should be, as it pertains to missed practical or clinical hours. Procedures a. The athletic director, or member of the athletic department, will forward a complete roster and schedule to all faculty at the start of each sport season. b. Student athletes must meet with their professors by the end of the drop/add period to devise a plan to address class absences due to intercollegiate athletics competition. c. A student-athlete must remind her instructor AT LEAST one week in advance of the date the class she will miss. Some flexibility may be necessary for re-scheduled contests resulting from inclement weather and post-season play. d. The instructor will inform the student-athlete what assignment should be completed, or what the student-athlete must do to compensate for the missed class time. This assignment shall not be in excess of the subject matter covered during the student athlete s absence. An exception can be extra assignments to compensate for participation requirements. e. The student athlete should be prepared to turn in any assignments due that day, or complete any work prior to the start of the class on the day of the contest. Should a student-athlete fail to complete any due assignments or missed class work prior to the class, she will have this absence subtracted in the same manner as a regular class absence.
f. A student athlete who misses a scheduled class test to represent Notre Dame of Maryland University in intercollegiate athletic competition will be granted the opportunity to take the test at a time that does not preclude athletic competition. It is understood that neither penalty nor added credit shall be attributed to any examination taken in this manner. g. The Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) is available to mediate and consult with faculty for specific concerns. Policy for Team Travel Students are excused from class for all intercollegiate competition, providing they adhere to the policy on class absence. Athletic contests and departure time will be established to reduce the amount of class time that student-athletes will miss. It is further understood that coaches may honor requests from athletes to miss athletic competition for class purposes. Such requests should be in writing, and not be held against the athlete. Definitions *Consortium: A consortium agreement is a written contract between Notre Dame and two or more eligible institutions enabling students to take coursework at different institutions simultaneously for the purpose of completing a degree program. Student-Athlete Advisory Committee The SAAC, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), serves in an advisory capacity to the athletic director addressing the needs and concerns of all student athletes at the institutional conference and NCAA level. SAAC is comprised of two representatives from each team, who are elected by her teammates. SAAC members serve a term of one year and may be re-elected. If a SAAC member does not participate on the team they were chosen to represent, they must be replaced by another team member, as elected by the team. The SAAC will hold meetings at least once during a month. Two representatives of SAAC will be selected to represent Notre Dame on the CSAC SAAC. MEDICAL INFORMATION Medical Requirements and Treatments Notre Dame s Certified Athletic Trainer, or his/her designee, will be on site for most practices and home contests. For away contests, he/she will prearrange for medical treatment to be provided for Notre Dame student-athletes by the host institution s athletic training staff. In addition, every team must travel with a first-aid kit prepared by the athletic trainer. An injured student-athlete may not return to practice or competition without the approval of the athletic trainer. The athletic trainer will update the coaches of the condition of student-athletes on a regular basis. Medical Clearance All student-athletes must have medical clearance to participate in varsity athletics, regardless of whether competing in traditional or non-traditional seasons. The student must have an approved medical exam from her family physician, a signed participation liability waiver, and provide proof of medical insurance to be kept on file with the athletic trainer. The University may also require a student-athlete to sign a waiver in the event of a pre-existing medical condition. The athletic trainer will withhold student-athletes from practice and competition until all of these medical forms are completed and submitted. Please Note: While the University provides a certified athletic trainer on site during most practices and all home contests, the University provides no reimbursement for medical treatment at non-university medical facilities. A medical exam will be valid for a period of four years from the date it was first obtained. After each year of participation, the athletic trainer will ask all student-athletes to fill out a form updating their medical status, which will be
reviewed prior to the start of each new season. NO athletic equipment, uniforms, or practice gear will be issued without proof of current medicals documentation. The athletic trainer will maintain a current list of those studentathletes on each team medically eligible for participation. ELIGIBILITY Academic Eligibility Student-athletes are expected to adhere to all regulations related to academic eligibility as determined by the University and the NCAA. Students must be fully-matriculating degree candidates, carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester and be making normal progress toward a degree as defined by the institution. The registrar makes the determination of full-time or part-time status. Part-time students are ineligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics unless they are in their last semester. The assistant academic dean is consulted in interpreting the normal progress requirement. Any student-athlete that is placed on academic probation by the terms set forth in the University s catalog is ineligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics unless otherwise approved by the Associate VP for Academic Issues. Athletic Probation The Notre Dame of Maryland University s current policy regarding academic eligibility is as follows: 1. Any student on academic probation is ineligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics. 2. Probation is determined at the end of every full semester. Summer or Winterim classes cannot be used for a student to be removed from probation. 3. Any individual semester with a GPA below 1.5 will lead to probation. 4. Overall, to maintain good academic standing, the student athlete must achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA. 5. Appeals are handled on a case by case basis via the Academic Appeals Committee. Appeals may be based on extenuating circumstances that led to a lower GPA, how the situation may be fixed, and a plan for students to maintain a satisfactory GPA. 6. Please note that the Athletics Department reserves the right to place any student-athlete on probation at any point during a playing season. If the department receives an unsatisfactory report on a student-athlete during a playing season, the department may choose to invoke immediate probation for said student-athlete. NCAA Eligibility Before the first scheduled contest in a given sport s season, the athletic director will conduct a mandatory eligibility meeting for all student-athletes. The NCAA requires all student-athletes to complete a form with the rules and regulations for participation listed on them, as well as sign a drug-testing consent form. All forms must be signed by the respective coach and athletic director and kept on file in the athletic department. Non-Traditional Playing and Practice Seasons Practice outside of the traditional sport season may be conducted with the understanding that any participation is strictly optional and voluntary by both the student-athlete and the coaches. Participation in the non-traditional season will have no positive or negative bearing on the student-athlete s ability to participate during the regular season. All non-traditional season activities must be conducted in strict accordance with the NCAA rules. The non-traditional season may not begin until all traditional sport seasons have begun; traditional sport seasons have priority facility usage. No athletic department funding will be provided, but teams may fundraise on their own to support non-traditional season activities (e.g., tournament fees, etc.). Contracts are required for all scheduled contests and tournaments. The athletic trainer must be notified of practice times, and be given a complete roster to verify medical clearance. Team Travel Only student-athletes and staff are permitted to travel with the team, unless prior approval is received from the Athletic Director. Teams are not permitted to travel without a member of the University s staff to accompany them. Studentathletes are required to travel with the team to and from contests. If a student-athlete needs to travel separately to or from
a contest due to scheduling conflicts, the athletic director must receive a written release from the student-athlete. Forms can be found in the athletics office. Please submit these requests at least 24 hours in advance of your match or game. It is the responsibility of the student-athletes to notify their instructors at the beginning of each semester regarding any classes they may need to miss due to travel. Students missing class because of a game are expected to make up the work as determined by their professor. Equipment/Uniforms Only student-athletes cleared to participate both medically and academically may be issued equipment and uniforms by the coach. The coach is responsible for keeping accurate records of equipment and uniform issuance. The student-athlete is responsible for all equipment issued to her. If uniforms, practice gear, etc., are lost or stolen, the student-athlete must pay for the equipment at the replacement value designated. Coaches are responsible for collecting all equipment that has been issued, regardless of condition, and submit a final inventory list with their end-of-season report. All equipment must be returned within one week of the final contest of the season. Student-athletes who fail to return equipment or do not pay for the loss of equipment will have a hold placed upon their student account with the university and will be blocked from registration and/or graduation. It is the coaches responsibility to make sure equipment is returned to and locked in the proper storage areas after practices and/or contests. Laundry Facilities A student-athlete, team manager, or coach may use the washer and dryer located in the equipment room to launder the practice gear and game uniforms. Student-Athlete Lockers Varsity student-athletes may use lockers in the women s locker room. These lockers are to be used only during the season. Once the season ends, lockers must be relinquished so that other student-athletes may use them. Athletes must supply their own lock for the season. Sports Information At the start of each season, team members will be asked to fill out a personal information form for use in press releases and on the University s website. This form should be updated on a regular basis with any changes in home or campus addresses or phone numbers. AWARDS Individual Awards At the end of the academic year, student-athletes will be honored at the annual athletics banquet to be held in May. Each sport will select a most valuable player and most improved player (by the vote of the student-athletes and coaches on that team). The coach also chooses the recipient of his/her respective coaches award, which is given on the basis of outstanding team service and/or unique accomplishment. These awards are voted on within two weeks following the final contest of the season. (Exception: The spring teams may be asked to vote immediately after their season concludes). Corecipients are strongly discouraged, and any exception can only be granted by the athletic director. In a vote by all members of the athletic department, the staff will select an Outstanding Senior Athlete (Sr. Bernice Feilinger Award), an Outstanding Underclass Athlete (Sr. Patricia McLaughlin Award), and the Mary Laverty Funke Award for Spirit, Dedication, and Scholarship.
Criteria for the awards are as follows: Outstanding Underclass Student-Athlete - Cannot be a senior. - Current year performance receives primary consideration, including team awards won, statistical achievements, and leadership roles. - Other important elements to be considered: conference, tournament, coaches association or other external awards. Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete - Must be a senior. - Overall career performance receives consideration, including team awards won, statistical achievements, and leadership roles. - Other important elements to be considered: conference, tournament, coaches association or other external awards, and quality of multi-sport contributions. Spirit, Dedication, Scholarship - May be from any class. - Display outstanding team or personal spirit (e.g., recovery from injury, formal or informal leadership action). - Display outstanding dedication to team and team goals. - Demonstrate high academic achievement, either in current year or over career. The athletic director and sports information director will be responsible for ordering all awards and for finalizing arrangements for the annual banquet. Senior Student-Athlete Recognition: Senior Student-Athletes will be eligible for recognition on their team s designated Senior Day, if they have been actively participating on their respective team for a minimum of two academic years (seasons). 8/11/14 Hall of Fame Inductees to the University s Athletics Hall of Fame will also be announced at the annual banquet. Alumnae are solicited for nominations annually via the athletic department s alumnae newsletter. Coaches are strongly encouraged to submit Hall of Fame nominations to the athletic director. Mary Anne O Donnell Team Academic Achievement Award On Notre Dame Day (held in mid-february), the team with the highest collective grade point average from the previous academic year will be selected for the Mary Anne O Donnell Team Academic Achievement Award. Current team captains are required to be in attendance, and other team members are strongly encouraged to attend. POLICY ON USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA The Department of Athletics understands the popularity and usefulness of social networking sites and supports their use by coaches and student-athletes provided: 1. No offensive or inappropriate comments or pictures are posted. 2. Any information placed on the website(s) does not violate Notre Dame of Maryland University, Department of Athletics, or student-athlete codes of conduct. 3. Comments or pictures on these sites related to student-athletes, teams or University-identifiable activities are appropriate, including wearing/using team uniforms or gear. 4. No pictures of coaches, staff, or any other College personnel are used without the written permission of the person posted.
Coaches and student-athletes must remember that they are representatives of Notre Dame and are likely in the public eye more so than other University employees and students. Please keep the following in mind as you participate on social networking websites: 1. Before participating in any online community, understand that anything posted online is available to anyone in the world. Any text, tweet, or photo posted online becomes the property of the site(s) and is completely out of your control the moment it is placed online, even if you limit access to your site. 2. You should not post any information, photos, or other items online that could embarrass you, your family, members of your team, the Department of Athletics or Notre Dame of Maryland University. This includes information that may be posted by others on your page. 3. It is strongly encouraged that you never post your home address, local address, phone number(s), birthdates, or other personal information. 4. Personal websites may be monitored or searched for information by any number of people, organizations, and programs. Each team will have a Social Media Ambassador who will serve as liaison between the team and the Athletics Department. Selected in collaboration between the Head Coach and Sports Information Director, this person will be responsible for overseeing each players social media sites to ensure compliance with the social media policy and will report directly to the Athletics Director and Sports Information Director. Coaches and student-athletes may face discipline and even suspension/dismissal for violations of team, Department of Athletics, Notre Dame, and/or NCAA policies. Alcohol and Drug Statement Each student-athlete is required to sign a drug testing consent form provided by the NCAA, and is, therefore, subject to random drug testing. Failure to sign this form will result in forfeiture of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Student-athletes are prohibited from the use of alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and illegal drugs while representing the Notre Dame of Maryland University at practice, competitions, while in transit to and from such events, and at official functions related to such competitions. Use of performance-enhancing drugs, mood-altering, or behavior-modification drugs, or any illegal substance is prohibited at any time during the season, unless prescribed by a physician for a medical reason. Proper documentation of such prescriptions must be available for examinations. It is the responsibility of every member of the University community to know the risks associated with alcohol and other drug use and abuse. This responsibility obligates all members of the Notre Dame community to know relevant University policies, as well as, federal, state and local laws and to conduct themselves in accordance with these policies and laws. The athletic department supports these policies and expects the student-athletes and athletics staff to abide by them. Any student who violates Notre Dame policies regarding alcohol and drug use will be subject to severe sanctions. Violations may also result in penalties and/or fines as imposed by any and all law enforcement judicial agencies. ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES The Athletic Department of Notre Dame of Maryland University does not condone either underage or irresponsible consumption of alcohol. Consumption of alcohol can impair the human body thereby affecting athletic performance. A member of an intercollegiate athletic team at ANY level is part of an elite group of athletes and as a part of this group each student-athlete has a responsibility to her team, coaching staff, school, and the sport in general. Out of the millions of people who participate in athletics, at any given time in their life, only 2-3% are EVER a part of an intercollegiate team. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of an intercollegiate team and not a right. This privilege brings with it responsibility that should not be taken lightly.
POLICY RULES: 1. Student-athletes UNDER the age of 21 must obey state and federally mandated established laws concerning alcohol. Violation of these laws are punishable by the consequences mandated by this policy, Notre Dame of Maryland University s policy and state and federal law agencies. a. In accordance with State Law and the policies of Notre Dame of Maryland University, studentathletes under the age of 21 cannot possess, purchase, sell, or transport alcohol. 2. Student-athletes OVER the age of 21 must abstain from consuming alcohol 48 hours prior to any athletic contest. 3. Dry periods (i.e. pre-season or play-offs) will be at the discretion of coaches and captains for each respective sport. During a dry period, student-athletes may not consume any alcohol at all. 4. Alcohol will not be permitted on any Athletic Department sponsored trips or at home games. Alcohol is allowed at Athletic Department sponsored social functions with the permission of the Athletic Director and Notre Dame of Maryland University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in accordance with the alcohol policy of Notre Dame of Maryland University. 5. Illegal drugs are not tolerated. Illegal drug use will be punishable by the consequences mandated in this policy, Notre Dame of Maryland University policy, and state and federal law agencies. THESE RULES ARE IN EFFECT DURING THE STUDENT-ATHLETE S OFFICAL NCAA SEASON. POLICY VIOLATION: Violation of this policy can be reported to the Athletic Director and coach specific to your sport from the following sources: 1. Dean of Students 2. Local, State, or Federal Law Agencies CONSEQUENCES: If a student-athlete is found in violation of Notre Dame of Maryland University Alcohol Drug Policy for student-athletes, she will face the consequences listed below and could face penalties sanctioned by Notre Dame of Maryland University of Maryland or the State of Maryland in addition to judicial sanctions. CONSEQUENCES IN VIOLATION OF THE ALCOHOL POLICY: First Offense results in suspension from the student-athlete s next contest and a mandatory meeting with the coaching and athletic training staffs. The student-athlete must dress and attend the next contest, but she may not participate. Second Offense results in suspension from two days of competition and a mandatory meeting with the alcohol awareness class. If the student-athlete in violation is a captain, her captain status is revoked. Third Offense results in suspension from the team for the remainder of the season and mandatory attendance of counseling as determined by the counseling center. The student-athlete must obtain written release from the counselor in order to be considered in good standing and eligible to participate again in intercollegiate athletics. CONSEQUENCES IN VIOLATION OF THE DRUG USE: First Offense results in automatic suspension from the team for the remainder of the season and mandatory attendance of counseling as determined by the counseling center. The student-athlete must obtain written release by the counselor in order to be considered in good standing and eligible to participate in future intercollegiate athletics. Hazing The Notre Dame of Maryland University of Maryland maintains zero tolerance for hazing. Any instances or incidents of hazing will be met with the most severe possible consequences within the framework of Athletic Department and Notre Dame of Maryland University disciplinary policies and procedures.
Hazing is defined as any intentional or reckless act, occurring on or off-campus, by one person alone, or acting with others, directed against a student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization. Prohibited Actions and Activities include but are not limited to: Any type of initiation or other activity or other activity where there is an expectation of individuals joining a particular team to participate in behavior designed to humiliate, degrade, or abuse them, regardless of the persons willingness to participate; Forcing, requiring, or pressuring an individual to consume alcohol or any other substance; Any requirement or pressure put on an individual to participate in any activity which is illegal, perverse, publicly indecent, or contrary to her general morals and/or beliefs (e.g. public profanity, lewd conduct, sexual gestures, public nudity, or engaging in public stunts); Any activity or action that creates a risk to the health, safety, or property of the university or any member of its community; Forcing, encouraging, or pressuring to wear in pressuring to wear in public, apparel which is conspicuous and not within the norm of what is considered good taste; or Morally degrading/humiliating games or other activities that makes a member an object of amusement, ridicule, or intimidation. A person commits a hazing offense if the person: Engages in hazing; Solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing; Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly permits hazing to occur; Has firsthand knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing incident; or Has firsthand knowledge that a specific hazing incident has occurred, and knowingly fails to report it to the necessary persons (team captains, coaches, SAAC officers, or athletic department personnel). All student-athletes suspected in violation of this policy will face a disciplinary meeting with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee executive board. In the event that a student-athlete is found in violation of this policy, the SAAC will make a recommendation to the Director of Athletics. Recommendations could be, but are not limited to: Departmental probation; Community Service; Financial penalties for damages; A recommendation to subject the student-athlete to the university s Student Life Office for further sanction through proper judiciary procedures. If an entire team is found in violation of this policy, they could be subjected to any of the following, but not limited to: Team probation as directed by the Director of Athletics; Cancellation of individual contests/games at the discretion of the Director of Athletics; Cancellation of the entire season as decided by the Director of Athletics. Other sanctions for hazing could be concluded at the discretion of the Director of Athletics. In accordance with local, state, and federal laws, it is the responsibility of the University and its personnel to report any and all incidents to the proper authorities if deemed to be necessary by the Director of Athletics or the Vice President of Student Life.
Please sign and return I understand that by receiving this copy of the Notre Dame of Maryland University Student-Athlete Handbook, I am required to read, understand, and follow the rules, policies, and procedures related to participation in Intercollegiate Athletics at the Notre Dame of Maryland University. I understand that if any questions persist regarding Athletic Department policies and procedures, I will ask members of the Athletics Department Staff. Date: Signature: Sport(s): Printed Name: