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 probation status for that club. Administrative Strikes are not required prior to probation, suspension or expulsion status.

 

Probation

A club with probation 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 probation 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 probation 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 probation status are not allowed. When submitting an appeal, it must be based on one or more of the following:

1. New evidence that was not reasonably available before.
2. Procedural error that can be shown to have had a detrimental impact on the outcome.
3. Errors in the interpretation of the Club Sports policy were so substantial as to deny the accused a fair hearing.
4. Grossly inappropriate sanction having no reasonable relationship to the charges.

11.2 Discipline and Student Code of Conduct

All student participants in a Club Sports will agree to abide by the following Code 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 Hazing

Hazing violates the Student Code of Conduct and the Cowboy Community Standard of Respect. Activities that involve forced consumption of alcohol causing physical or mental distress or put a student’s well-being in danger will result in action from the University. For more information on hazing, please review the Student Code of Conduct.

 

Defining Hazing

Oklahoma State University defines hazing as any activity that causes or is likely to cause physical or mental discomfort or distress, that may demean, degrade, or disgrace any person, regardless of location, intent or consent of participants, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are violations of this rule.

 

Oklahoma State Law classifies hazing as a crime. Title 21 Oklahoma Statutes Section 1190. More information on State Law can be found here.

 

Hazing can occur at any point in one’s membership experience. It happens most commonly during the new member period or just after someone has been initiated or becomes an “official” member. Although hazing may occur in an organized way via the chapter or entire organization it is more likely that hazing will ensue among a small group of members. Hazing is always rooted in a power-dynamic and a need to exert power over others. When you receive an invitation to membership you are considered deserving of membership and do not have to “earn” your way into an organization.

 

What to do if you are being hazed:

If you or someone you know has been hazed, report it. Do not be a bystander.

• Stay connected with friends outside of your student organization. Organizations that haze may try to isolate new members from others who might question what they are going through.
• Talk with others about what you are experiencing and do not keep it a secret. Even if you made a promise or took a pledge to keep things a secret, you have a right to tell others what you are going through. You may prevent harm from being done to yourself or others.
• Seek guidance from your parents/guardians, other family members, trusted friends, or other University officials.
• Refuse to participate in any activity that do not want to participate in that would be considered hazing.
• Band together with other new members that also refuse to be hazed. There is power in numbers.
• Leave the group if you want to. It may be a hard decision to make but walking away from hazing takes strength. Leaving a dangerous situation is not weak and does not mean that you aren’t tough enough to “take it”. Quitting when you are being hazed takes integrity and other values that are Cowboy Community Standards. There are likely others in the group that will leave with you but may need someone like you to take the first step.
• Talk to a healthcare provider or mental health professional to help you sort out what to do.
• Report your experiences to Student Support & Conduct or Fraternity & Sorority Affairs.
• Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to your health & safety or the health & safety of others.

Reporting Hazing

Concerns or reports of hazing can also be reported using our online reporting form found here. Be as detailed as possible when completing this form as all information is important.

11.4 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.

11.5 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