Student-Athlete Code of Conduct

All student-athletes are expected to abide by Galveston College Student Handbook, Residence Life Handbook, and state and federal criminal statutes.

Violations of policy will be categorized into two distinct groups. See below for the violations and the procedures for dealing with each group as shown below.

1. Violations of Student Handbook – Student-athletes who violate the general student code of conduct, within the student handbook, are subject to the same judicial proceedings as any other student who has been charged with a similar offense. The Athletic Department may also impose disciplinary action in addition to that taken by the appropriate college authorities.

Cancellation of a student-athletes Grant-in-Aid is permitted for misconduct when found by the person or body in charge of general discipline at the institution, to be serious enough to warrant permanent suspension or dismissal from the athletic programs. This includes following the same procedures in any other disciplinary matter and the procedural due process accorded to every student.

Prior to dismissal from a team, the student-athlete will be notified of the dismissal and the reasons for this action. He/she will have an opportunity to discuss the matter fully with the Athletic Director and to present evidence of any rebuttal or mitigating circumstances. The student-athlete may appeal within three working days of notification of the sanction to the Associate Vice President. In the event of such an appeal, final authority as to the appropriateness of the sanction shall rest with the Disciplinary Committee and student handbook guidelines will be followed. The student will be advised to study the code of conduct in the student handbook carefully and follow its guidelines.

2. Violations of Criminal Statutes – When a student-athlete has criminal charges brought against him/her, specific guidelines will apply, depending on the classification of the offense, into one of four categories: Class A, B and C misdemeanor or a Felony. The specific guidelines are stated below.

A. Class C Misdemeanor

When a student-athlete is charged with a Class C misdemeanor, he/she will be subject to suspension from the team for a period not to exceed the duration of the proceedings necessary for a final disposition of the case. A student-athlete will retain his/her Grant-In-Aid but will not associate with the team in any fashion if the Athletic Director makes this determination. Depending on the seriousness of the offense, when the final disposition is made of the case, the student-athlete may be allowed to rejoin the team regardless of guilt or innocence. If the student-athlete is suspended from the team and consequently rejoins the team, he/she will be on probationary status and must agree to follow specific guidelines for behavior change developed by the coach. The student-athletes Grant-In-Aid contract specifies that the institutional portion of the financial package may be canceled for some offenses in this category.

If a student-athlete is not participating in a sport that is in season the head coach will impose sanctions commensurate with the offense and consistent with the coach’s discipline guidelines and philosophy.

B. Class A or B Misdemeanor

When a student-athlete is charged with violation of a criminal statute more serious than Class C, he/she may be suspended from the team immediately for a period not to exceed the duration of the proceedings necessary for final disposition of the case. The determination regarding suspension will be made by the Athletic Director. If the student-athlete is suspended, the student athlete will retain his/her Grant-In-Aid, including the institutional portion, but he/she cannot workout or associate with the team.

(If the student-athlete is found guilty of the offense, or admits guilt, he/she will be suspended immediately and will not be allowed to rejoin the team for the remainder of the season. The student-athlete will be allowed to continue to receive his/her Grant-In-Aid if there is evidence of sufficient academic progress.) (If the student-athlete is not participating in a sport that is in season, the Head Coach will impose sanctions commensurate with the offense which includes the option of termination of the student-athlete’s Grant-In-Aid.)

If the student-athlete is found innocent of the charges or of the misdemeanor, he/she may rejoin the team. If the student-athlete rejoins the team, it will be on a probationary status, and the student-athlete must agree to follow specific guidelines for behavior change developed by the coach.

C. Felony

When a student-athlete is charged with a felony offense, he/she may be suspended from the team immediately for a period not to exceed the duration of the proceedings necessary for final disposition of the case. If the student-athlete is suspended, he/she will retain their Grant-In-Aid, including the institutional portion, but will not participate or associate with the team in any fashion. Any student-athlete found guilty or admits guilt to a felony will be dismissed immediately and forfeit the institutional portion of his/her Grant-In-Aid as specified in the Grant-In-Aid contract. The student-athlete will not be allowed to rejoin the team when the institutional portion of the Grant-In-Aid contract has been canceled.

D. Violations which breach Galveston College drug prevention guidelines will be handled by the person or body in charge of general discipline at Galveston College. After following the same procedures as in other disciplinary matters, to be serious enough to warrant permanent dismissal of the student-athlete from the athletic program.

E. Student-athletes are also subject to the conditions and requirements of the Student Handbook. A violation of the Student Handbook may also be a violation of the Student Athletic Code of Conduct. In that case, a student-athlete is subject to action being taken pursuant to the Student Handbook disciplinary process as well as pursuant to the student-athlete disciplinary process for the same violation(s).