Conduct and Discipline
11.1 Club Status
Active
A club with active status has full privileges including funding, travel and practice and event hosting.
Administrative Strike
A club that receives an administrative strike for any violation will be recorded and will be given a written warning. A total of three cumulative administrative strikes, regardless of the violations they were received in, will result in restricted status for that club. Administrative Strikes are not required prior to the club moving to restricted status, suspension or expulsion status.
Restricted
A club with restricted status is not allowed to access their club’s funds or travel until meeting with Competitive Sports staff to discuss the terms of the probation. The duration of a club being restricted is based on a case-by-case basis depending on the severity of the violation as well as history of violations. Any violations that occur while a club has restricted status will result in suspension status for that club.
Suspension
A club with suspension status is not allowed to access their club’s funds or travel. The club loses practice and event privileges and will not be eligible for Competitive Sports funding. The Club Sports Executive Committee will determine the longevity of the suspension. Violations that occur while a club has suspension status may incur additional sanctions, which may include expulsion regardless of the offense number for that violation.
Expulsion
A club with expulsion status will not be recognized as a club by the Department of Wellness. The club will lose access to the club’s funds, travel privileges, practice and event privileges, and must return allocation funding to Competitive Sports. Clubs can re-apply to join the Club Sports Council after one full calendar year and must meet the terms of the expulsion.
Appeals, Sanctions and Violations
Below are sanctions that are associated with violations of club sports policy. The Competitive Sports staff can increase the severity of a sanction on a case-by-case basis. Any infractions not listed below will result in disciplinary action decided by the Competitive Sports staff. Appeals of suspension and expulsion status can be made to the assistant director and must be submitted in writing. Appeals must be made within five university business days after the written decision is made available. Appeals for administrative strikes and restricted status are not allowed. When submitting an appeal, it must be based on one or more of the following:
- New evidence that was not reasonably available before.
- Procedural error that can be shown to have had a detrimental impact on the outcome.
- Errors in the interpretation of the Club Sports policy were so substantial as to deny the accused a fair hearing.
- Grossly inappropriate sanction having no reasonable relationship to the charges.
| Violation | Sanctions |
|---|---|
| Failure to complete the Club Activation Checklist by the designated date. | 1st Offense: Club will be suspended (inactive) for the duration of the current semester. 2nd Offense: Club removed from the club sport porgram. The club may continue to operate as a standard student organization under the oversight of the University's Student Life Office, subject to its policies and procedures. |
| Failure to attend a mandatory meeting. | 1st Absence: Club acquires restricted status until a meeting with Competitive Sports Office is complete. 2nd Absence: Club acquires suspension status for the remainder of the current semester. Club may be moved to restricted status once suspension status is complete. |
| Failure to submit club paperwork and documentation by the deadline. | 1st Missed Report: Administrative Strike 2nd Missed Report: Administrative Strike and club acquires restricted status for a minimum duration of one month. 3rd Missed Report: Club acquires suspension status for minimum duration of one semester. |
| Failure to attend a home event of practice without notifying the Competitive Sports Office 24 hours in advance on the Department of Wellness Facilities. | 1st Missed Practice/Event: Administrative Strike and a fine based on the cost of staff wages, equipment, material and reservation price administered to the club's budget. 2nd Missed Practice/Event: Fine based on the cost of staff wages, equipment, material and reservation price administered to the club's budget and club acquires restricted status for a minimum duration of one month. 3rd Missed Practice/Event: A $150 fine administered to the club's budget, club acquires suspension status for a minimum duration of one semester. |
| Hosting an unapproved home event. | 1st Offense: Restricted Status 2nd Offense:Suspension Status |
| Failure to submit a travel form 2 weeks before traveling. | 1st Offense: Administrative Strike 2nd Offense: Club acquires restricted status for a duration of one month minimum. 3rd Offense: Club acquires suspension status. |
| Traveling without approval. | 1st Offense: Club acquires suspension status. |
| Breaking state or federal law. | 1st Offense: Club acquires suspension status; club members may be reported to student conduct. |
| Breaking university policy. | 1st Offense: Club acquires suspension status; club members may be reported to student conduct. |
| Breaking club sport policy (unless otherwise noted in this outline). | 1st Offense: Club acquires restricted status for a duration of one (1) month minimum. 2nd Offense: Club acquires suspension status. |
| Hazing | 1st Offense: Club acquires suspension status; club members may be reported to student conduct. |
| Drug and/or Alcohol Abuse | 1st Offense: Club acquires suspension status; club members may be reported to student conduct. |
| Title IX/Sexual Harassment Violation | 1st Offense: Club acquires suspension status; club members may be reported to student conduct. |
11.2 Discipline and Student Code of Conduct
All student participants in a Club Sports will agree to abide by following all applicable Codes of Conduct and are liable for any infractions. The student, as a voluntary participant in a Club Sport, has the obligation to conduct themselves in a manner that will present a positive reflection upon the Club and Oklahoma State University that they represent. This includes their actions both on the field and off the field as well as during on campus or off campus competitions. Any reported action that negatively reflects upon the club will be managed by the Competitive Sports Office and the Club Sports Executive Committee. Additionally, student participants are bound by Oklahoma State University’s Student Rights and Responsibility found here.
All individuals who are removed from competition (home/away) due to disciplinary issues will be subject to punishment. Each individual will be required to meet with the Competitive Sports Office before they are allowed to continue participating in any club related activities (including practice). A minimum of a one match/event suspension will be given to any club member removed from competition. The final decision regarding punishment will be decided by the Club Sports Executive Committee. Any appeal of punishment will be made through the assistant director.
11.3 Alcohol, Drugs and Tobacco Use
Alcoholic beverages, illegal or recreational drugs and tobacco products are not permitted on or within the playing confinement of the Competitive Sports playing areas, games, practices, or events. Club members are not allowed to be under the influence at any moment of a club sanctioned event. Contests will not be played and will result in forfeits if such substance abuse is present. This policy applies to Club and Intramural Sport competitions. The Competitive Sport Staff assigned to the playing contest have the authority and responsibility in making decisions regarding individuals who are not permitted to participate based on:
- A student's breath smells of alcohol.
- A student's actions and language are unacceptable.
- Teams and/or individuals guilty of alcohol or drug use will be asked to leave the playing area and will be barred from further participation. Violators will be suspended for one (1) semester or the equivalent of 1 semester.
- Such violation may also be subject to prosecution under the terms of the University Student Conduct Policies.
- The consumption of alcohol during away matches or during club travel is forbidden. Any club in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline.
- Consumption or sale of alcohol during club sponsored events (including fundraisers) is prohibited.
Any participants or teams who have been ejected due to substance abuse may be required to meet with the OSU Alcohol and Substance Abuse Center and provide documentation to the Assistant Director before they are allowed to participate.
11.4 Conflict of Interest
The club is under obligation to disclose the existence or potential existence of a Conflict of Interest as it arises to the Competitive Sports Office. This pertains to all club operations and personnel directly or indirectly involved in the club.
The purpose of this policy is to prevent the personal interest of individuals associated with the club interfering with their duties to the organization and avoiding any unethical financial, professional, or political gain on the part of such individuals.
If the Competitive Sports Office determines that a conflict of interest exists, they will take the appropriate actions to address the conflict. This may include (but not be limited to): (a) prohibiting any Interested Parties from voting on any matter related to said Conflict of Interest or (b) removal from current position(s) and/or involvement with the club.
All conflicts of interest will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The Competitive Sports Office has full discretion to decide what action is appropriate and necessary for disclosed conflicts of interest