PLAYing with a Purpose STUDENT-ATHLETE HANDBOOK 2017-18 Alma Mater Hail to thee our Alma Mater Colors Green and White MVSU our sons and daughters Always stand for right. We will love and cherish thee Through all our lives Green and White we will honor Keeping standards high. When the days of joy and laughter Fade upon our sight, We will love our Alma Mater Dear old Green and White. Chorus Grateful, loyal, true and faithful We will be true; May thy name be everlasting Dear old MVSU. STUDENT-ATHLETE AGREEMENT I acknowledge that I have received a copy of Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) Student-Athlete Handbook and agree to abide by the policies, rules and regulations as written and established by MVSU, the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). I understand that violations of MVSU Student Handbook, Student-Athlete Handbook, Student-Athlete Code of Conduct and/or Student-Athlete Honor Code will result in sanctions from the coach, athletic administration or MVSU officials. Sanctions may include loss of playing time, loss of opportunity to dress for games or matches, suspension or dismissal from the team as well as loss or reduction of athletic financial aid. I understand that athletic financial aid agreements are awarded on a year-to-year basis. Following the conclusion of an academic year athletic financial aid may or may not be renewed. Violations of the MVSU Student Handbook, Student-Athlete Handbook, Team Rules Handbook, Student-Athlete Code of Conduct and/or Student-Athlete Honor Code are grounds for athletic financial aid cancellation or reduction. I understand that to participate in intercollegiate athletics I must maintain academic eligibility per NCAA, SWAC and MVSU rules, including being a full-time student by being registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours each term; however, the Department of Athletics requires student-athletes to register for 15 credit hours to successfully complete a degree program in 4 years. I also understand that I must pass at least 6 credit hours in a term to be eligible the following term. As a football student-athlete, I must pass a minimum of 9 credit hours in the fall to avoid a 4-game suspension for the next season. I understand that contents of the handbook, including schedules, policies, rules and regula- tions may change, but that I will be informed of such changes. Print Name: _________________________________ Date: _______________ Signature: ___________________________________ Sport: ______________ Sport: ______________ Compliance: _________________________________ Date: _______________ 1 MVSU STUDENT-ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT The Department of Athletics is a longstanding and integral part of the University. Partici- pants of the athletic programs--students, coaches, and other faculty and staff (collectively “participants”) --are covered by the laws, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to other members of the University community. In addition, these participants are subject to a wide variety of requirements promulgated by the University, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), sports’ organizations and federal/state government authorities (collectively “requirements”) designed to protect student-athletes, ensure the integrity of the athletic programs, and promote fair competition. The University is committed to full compliance with all of these requirements and will engage in extensive oversight, education, and training to ensure that all participants in the athletic programs understand and comply with them. The University’s approach, however, reflects a deeper commitment to the spirit of fair, honest, skillful, and civil competition that these requirements are designed to facilitate. This Statement articulates the fundamental principles for the conduct of all student-athletes. This Statement does not replace or modify terms of the Code of Student Conduct, which apply with the conduct of all students of the University. Rather, it reaffirms the values that should permeate those programs and seeks to remind all student-athletes that conduct inconsistent with those values is not appropriate and cannot be tolerated. 1. Student-athletes should always conduct themselves so as to maintain the highest principles, integrity, and dignity of MVSU in particular and the sport in general. 2. The student-athlete should always adhere to the spirit and letter of all rules established by the NCAA, MVSU, the SWAC, and the community at large. 3. The student-athlete will accept the authority of all game officials. At no time is it appropriate to demonstrably question the decisions and actions of game officials. 4. The student-athlete’s actions will never deliberately jeopardize the safety and well-being of opponents, teammates, officials, or spectators. 5. The student-athlete realizes that a change in their amateur status can occur if they accept payment for using their skill for pay; agree to a professional contract, or play/tryout for a professional team. Any such violation should be immediately reported to the Director of Compliance. 6. The student-athlete will accept that their academic responsibilities supersede their athletic responsibilities. 7. Violation of this code will result in suspension, dismissal, expulsion, and/or fines assessed by the NCAA and SWAC. All fines assessed to the University for a student-athletes’ non-compliance of NCAA and SWAC rules and regulations will be billed and appear on the student’s account at the University for re-payment (i.e., unsportsmanlike conduct). Your signature indicates that you have read and will uphold MVSU Student-Athletic Code of Conduct and realize that failure to adhere to the Code can result in NCAA, SWAC and University penalties. _________________________ ___________________________ ____________ Print Name Signature Date 2 MVSU ANTI-HAZING POLICY MVSU and the Department of Athletics define hazing as any action or activity that recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of a person, or that violates the dignity of another person. Hazing is further defined as any activity that is expected of someone to join a team or group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers them, regardless of intention or willingness to participate. Initiation activities and initiation parties fall into this category. Hazing is prohibited in the State of Mississippi and any person who causes or participates in hazing commits a misdemeanor [M.S.] § 97-3-105. The enforcement of the anti-hazing policy will prevail regardless of whether it is conducted on or off the campus premises. The following are disciplinary actions for any and all acts of hazing: 1. University Judicial Hearing; 2. Suspension, probation, or expulsion from team and or University; 3. Withholding of degree and/or transcripts; 4. Contest and/or season may be cancelled; 5. Team disbanded; 6. Financial penalties; 7. Prosecution; and/or 8. A combination of above. Hazing policies apply to all members of the Department of Athletics and MVSU Community. Student-athletes are expected to report incidents of hazing to: 1. Dr. Abigail Newsome, Faculty Athletic Representative; 2. K. Renia Edwards, Sr. Associate AD for Compliance & Student-Athlete Affairs/SWA; or 3. Dianthia Ford-Kee, Director of Athletics 4. Raynaldo Gillus, Dean of Students I have read the policy about hazing and understand the following: (Initial) _________ I will be held accountable for the Hazing Policy and Student-Athlete Code of Conduct as established by the Department of Athletics pertaining to hazing. (Initial) _________ I agree and promise not to participate in any activity deemed to be hazing. I have read the State of Mississippi Hazing Law and understand the consequences for participating in any form of hazing activity. (Initial) _________ I understand that if I am in violation of this policy I will be subject to disciplinary actions that may include, but is not limited to, Departmental and/or University sanctions and penalties such as probation, suspension, or expulsion from the team and/or University. In addition, I am aware that the team may be subject to group disciplinary actions that can include, but not limited to, cancellation of contests and/or cancellation of the entire season or team disbanded. I also understand that financial penalties and withholding of my degree and/or transcripts if I am in violation of this policy. 3 I understand that I am required to know, understand and follow the rules, policies and procedures related to hazing as established by the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and MVSU. I understand that I must read and sign the Anti-Hazing Policy document provided by the Department of Athletics on an annual basis to participate on an intercollegiate athletic team (s). _______________________________________________ Sport(s) _______________________________________________ Print Name _______________________________________________ Signature of Student-Athlete _______________________________________________ Date 4 MVSU STUDENT-ATHLETE HONOR CODE The Department of Athletics and MVSU is committed to providing opportunities that promote the overall success of student-athletes and their general well-being. Therefore; MVSU & Departmental policies are established to promote a positive and safe learning environment. As a student-athlete, you are responsible for your actions (positive or negative) and will be held accountable accordingly. Various officials of MVSU enforce the