Georgetown University Athletics

Introduction
Student-athletes are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, behavior, and accountability that will reflect well upon themselves, their coaches, teammates, the Department of Athletics, and Georgetown University. Participation in intercollegiate athletics is a privilege. Student-athletes who violate University expectations, rules, or standards of conduct are subject to disciplinary action and may be dismissed from a team and have all of their athletic privileges and resources revoked.

Standards of Conduct that Apply to Student-Athletes
The following standards of conduct apply to all student-athletes:

1. Team Rules and Expectations. Each student-athlete is responsible for following the behavioral expectations for their teams. Coaches in consultation with the Director of Athletics and Sport Administrator will address violations of those expectations and rules should they occur.
2. Department of Athletics Code of Conduct. Link
3. NCAA Rules.  All student-athletes must comply with all NCAA rules at all time.
4. University Student Code of Conduct.  The Office of Student Conduct oversees the Student Code of Conduct, which applies to all undergraduate and graduate students.
5. University Honor System.  All students must commit to be honest in every academic endeavor and to conduct themselves honorability and responsibility.  The Honor Council administers the adjudication for the Honor System. 
6. Federal Law and Local Law. All student-athletes must comply with all laws at all times.

Policy Application and Protocol
This Policy applies when a report comes to the attention of the Athletics Director, Sports Administrator, or Head Coach that alleges that a student-athlete has committed an offense that violates the Department of Athletics Code of Conduct, NCAA Rules, the University Student Code of Conduct, or federal or local law (“Report of Student Misconduct”).  
 
All employees of the Department of Athletics are required to report allegations of misconduct made by a student or others, to a Head Coach, Sports Administrator, or to the Director of Athletics. Any individual may report allegations of student-athlete misconduct to a Head Coach, Sports Administrator or to an Athletics Director.   
 
When a Report of Student Misconduct is received by the Athletics Director, Sports Administrator, or Head Coach, all allegations and other relevant information will be reviewed to determine whether to issue interim or permanent “Athletics Sanctions” as defined below.  The Athletics Director and Sports Administrator may consult with other University Departments, including the Office of Student Affairs, Office of Student Conduct, Georgetown University Police Department, and others as appropriate during this process.  The Faculty Athletics
 
Representative (FAR) will be notified of Reports of Student Misconduct and will be consulted in cases where the allegation, if true, could lead to a suspension by the Office of Student Conduct or by the Athletics Department.
 
The following protocols will be followed:
 
A. The Department of Athletics will impose a suspension from all team activities in the following circumstances:  
(1) A student student-athlete is arrested and charged with a criminal offense; and
(2) A student-athlete is found guilty by a court of a criminal offense;
(3) The Athletics Director, in consultation with Sports Administrator, and Office of Student Affairs, after an individualized review of the circumstances, determines a student-athlete appears to pose a significant disruption to the team or the broader university community. 
 
The length of the suspension from all team activities will be determined based on a review of the circumstances of the conduct.
 
B. The Department of Athletics will impose a suspension from all team activities where the Office of Student Conduct finds a student-athlete responsible for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and the student is suspended. The Department of Athletics may impose Athletic Sanctions, in other cases where a student-athlete is found responsible by the Office of Student Conduct for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct.  
 
C. An interim Athletics Sanction may be imposed at any time during an investigation based on an individualized review of allegations and circumstances.  The Athletics Director, Head Coach, Sports Administrator, in consultation with the Faculty Athletics Representative will review and determine whether the conduct warrants an interim athletics sanction.    
 
Types of Athletics Sanctions 
The Department of Athletics may impose a variety of interim and permanent sanctions in response to a Report of Student Misconduct, including, but not limited to:
 
Verbal Reprimand
Verbal or Written Warning
Interim Suspension from Athletic Contests
Interim Suspension from All Team Activities
Suspension for Athletic Contests
Suspension for All Team Activities
Dismissal from Team
Termination of All Athletic Privileges and Resources
Non-Renewal and/or Cancellation of Athletic Grant-In Aid
 
Sanctions issued by the Department of Athletics are separate, and may be in addition to, any sanctions imposed criminally, by coaches, by the Office of Student Conduct, or elsewhere. 
 
Appeal 
A student may appeal a sanction imposed under this Policy to the Director of Athletics.  A student must make an appeal in writing within seven days of a sanction being imposed.  All supporting material must be submitted in writing by the student with the request for review. Any Athletics Sanctions imposed will remain in place during an appeal.
 
Communication 
Student-athletes are required to inform the Athletics Director, Sports Administrator, or Head Coach of any complaints reported about them to the Office of the Student Conduct, and of any criminal arrests, charges, or convictions, as soon as possible after the incident. The withholding of information in an attempt to avoid sanctions is subject to further penalties as appropriate.

Sexual Misconduct/Harassment Section 
Georgetown University prohibits all forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and related claims of retaliation.  The Department of Athletics is committed to ensuring that the environment for student-athletes, coaches, and staff is safe and welcoming for all members of the Georgetown community.  If any student-athlete is accused of sexual misconduct, the case will be investigated and adjudicated as would any other student’s case in accordance with the Policy on Sexual Misconduct processes established by the Office of Student Conduct.  
 
The Department of Athletics is committed to training student-athletes, coaches, and staff on issues relating to preventing sexual violence and harassment, bystander intervention, and supporting individuals who are impacted by sexual violence.  
 
Reviewing Conduct History of Recruited Student-Athletes 
Prior to the admission of any recruited student-athlete to the University, the Office of Admissions and Department of Athletics will review information regarding whether the applicant has ever been found responsible for disciplinary infractions or student misconduct at any prior institutions.  The Athletics Director and Sports Administrator may consult with other University Departments, including the Office of Student Affairs, Office of Student Conduct, Georgetown University Police Department, and others as appropriate during this process.  The Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) will be consulted with in any cases where a student-athlete has been suspended by a prior institution before any decision is made regarding the admissions of the applicant.  

Questions about these policies? Please contact Ariel "AP" Pesante at ap1923@georgetown.edu or Marissa Gatson at mr1724@georgetown.edu.