University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics

Student Athlete Code of Conduct

It is an honor to participate in the long and proud tradition of intercollegiate athletics at UNC Asheville. One of the primary purposes of UNC Asheville is to educate students to be responsible and productive citizens of good character.  Character is knowing what is right (awareness), committing to what is right (attitude) and doing what is right (behavior).  Good character is knowing of, caring about and acting upon the core ethical values of respect and responsibility for oneself and others, plus important derivative values such as fairness, honesty, trust, decency, and compassion.  Character means having personal integrity and possessing the will, courage, determination, and persistence to do the right thing despite pressures and temptations to the contrary. I appreciate that membership on a UNC Asheville athletic team is a privilege, not a right.
I acknowledge that, as a UNC Asheville student-athlete, I also have significant responsibilities. I recognize that I am among the most visible students on campus and in the wider community, and that I am expected to behave as a respectful member of an intercollegiate team and in a manner that is consistent with the values of UNC Asheville. Because UNC Asheville athletes are held to high standards of conduct, I understand the need to exercise good judgment and conduct myself with honesty, integrity, and respect for others at all times.

Code of Conduct:
By signing below, I agree to conduct myself in accordance with all rules and requirements of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the athletic conference in which my team participates, and UNC Asheville, including the Code of Student Responsibilities and the rules of my team. I also agree as follows:
  1. University Community: Accept personal responsibility to exercise good judgment and self-discipline on and off the playing field/court and on and off campus. Take seriously the duty of being a good role model, including prudent personal associations, and of exerting a positive influence on others – especially young people.  Honorably represent oneself, one’s team, and UNC Asheville by exhibiting pride in dress and behavior while playing in and traveling to and from sports events. Show respect for all members of UNC Asheville and the community. Treat people with civility and cooperate with people in authority.
  2. Academic Standing: I will assume full responsibility for my academic progress and achievement. I will make every effort to stay in good academic standing at the University. I will attend all my classes unless excused for team travel and competition or some other legitimate reason.  I will be a responsible member of each class, which includes attending, being prepared, completing requirements, and participating at the level expected of all students. I will seek additional academic help if necessary to improve or maintain my academic standing.
  3. Travel as a University Ambassador: When traveling for competitions or training as a representative of both UNC Asheville and my team, I will behave responsibly and portray a positive image of UNC Asheville at all times.
  4. Cyberspace: I will avoid forwarding, or posting vulgar or offensive notes, texts, photographs, or other content that reflect negatively on me, my team, other individuals, or the University, or that conflict with the spirit or intent of this Code or the Code of Student Responsibilities. Whenever possible, I will discourage others from posting text or photographs that could be deemed unflattering or damaging to my, or others’, reputation, or the reputations of the team or the University.
  5. Alcohol and Drug Use: I will not consume alcoholic beverages on team trips or athletic events. I will comply with the policies described in the University Statement on Illegal Drugs and Alcohol. I will not use or distribute banned substances, including illegal and “performance enhancing drugs,” or take prescription drugs unless they have been prescribed for me by a medical professional.
  6. Violence: I will not engage in and will not be tolerant of illegal acts, including assaults on persons or property, hate crimes, hazing (addressed more fully below), stalking, sexual violence, or any other conduct prohibited by law or University policy. If I witness such acts perpetrated by others, I will report them to a campus security authority, my coach, or the Title IX Office immediately. I acknowledge that the Department of Athletics may, in its discretion, immediately suspend me from my team and prohibit me from practice and competition until further notice in the event I am accused of a crime of violence or sexual assault.
  7. Nonconsensual Sexual Contact: I will not initiate or engage in nonconsensual sexual contact or sexual harassment, and I acknowledge that all forms of harassment and non-consensual sexual contact are prohibited both by law and UNC Asheville rules, described in more detail in the UNC Asheville Sexual Harassment Policy.
  8. Hazing: I will not participate in hazing of any sort. I acknowledge that such acts, either in connection with membership on a University athletic team, participation in an informal or formal team activity, or for any other reason, are strictly prohibited. I will refrain from any act, whether physical, mental, emotional, or psychological, that subjects another person, voluntarily or involuntarily, to anything that may abuse, mistreat, degrade, humiliate, harass, or intimidate another person. Such acts may include, but are not limited to: forcing, requiring, or pressuring others to consume alcohol or any other substance; forcing, requiring, or pressuring others to involuntarily perform physical activities, tattoo, pierce, or shave any part of the body; forcing, requiring, or pressuring others to take part in an illegal or indecent activity; disturbing others during normal sleeping hours; or physically abusing others in any way.
  9. Remaining Informed of Expectations and Policies: I am responsible for my own behavior and for reading, understanding, and abiding by the policies applicable to me, including but not limited to the University and Athletics Department Student Handbooks.
  10. NCAA Compliance and NIL Guidelines:  I am responsible for maintaining compliance with NCAA bylaws and NIL guidelines. If I discover that an NCAA bylaw has been broken, I will report the violation to the Office of Compliance Services or the Athletics Director.
I understand that failure to conduct myself responsibly, as stated and implied by the conditions in the UNC Asheville Student-Athlete Code of Conduct, may result in sanctions, up to and including suspension or dismissal from the team, loss of my athletic scholarship, and suspension or expulsion from UNC Asheville.