Sport Club Code of Conduct
CONDUCT OF PARTICIPANTS
All participants are expected to exhibit good sportsmanship, fair play, and abide by all rules of the Sports and Recreation Services (SRS) Recreational based Sport Club program and the scheduled activity. Remember that it is a “privilege” to participate in SRS Recreational based Sport Clubs, and this privilege can be taken away from you.
In those cases where unsportsmanlike acts occur, the following will happen:
-A No-Tolerance rule is in effect regarding foul language. Foul language will not be tolerated.
-Any participant who intentionally injures or jeopardizes the safety of other participants will be ejected from the Recreational Sport Club immediately for that session and is subject to further disciplinary action.
-Fighting is unacceptable in any Recreational Sport Club activity. A fight is defined by the SRS Recreational based Sport Club program as one punch thrown or landed and will result in further sanctions. Attempting to instigate a fight is considered to be the same act as fighting.
-Any physical altercation between participants that does not result in a fight will result in further sanctions.
REFUSING TO LEAVE
If a participant refuses to leave after being ejected, the participant’s SRS Recreational based Sport Club President will be told that if this participant continues to refuse to cooperate their club will forfeit facility time. If the member still refuses to cooperate, Campus Police will be contacted.
SUSPENSION PROCESS
Participants are encouraged to participate within the Spirit of Sportsmanship.
-Any suspension results are in effect immediately for an indefinite period, pending an investigation. Participants cannot return to SRS Recreational based Sport Club participation until they have been granted reinstatement by the SRS Sport Club Coordinator.
-The SRS Sport Club coordinator will inform the President of the club before their next scheduled session if possible that a member (s) is suspended and that a decision regarding the suspension will be made soon.
-Due to the time-sensitive nature of issuing and enforcing suspensions, the length and severity of each suspension is at the discretion of the SRS Sport Club Coordinator, in consultation with the club President, assistant coordinator SRS Sport Clubs and the SRS Director.
-The SRS Sport Club Coordinator will request documentation from as many persons involved in the incident as possible. Once a decision has been made, the SRS Sport Club coordinator will notify the President of the club. It is the President’s responsibility to ensure that the suspended member(s) are notified.
-A decision regarding the length of any suspension involves numerous factors - the severity of the act, prior precedent, as well as the possible results of the act.
-The Sport Club Coordinator is also bound to report any and all incidents that violate the Student Code of Conduct. Certainly any incidents that involve threatening words or action, the illegal use of alcohol, violations of the Universities harassment code, and/or damage or destruction of University property will be reported to the Campus Community Police for follow-up within the Student Code of Conduct.
-Once the club member(s) are notified they have every right to request a meeting with the SRS Sport Club Coordinator to discuss the suspension.
NOTE: Once an incident has been reported to Campus Recreation, the member(s) in question will be suspended pending a further investigation.
SUSPENSION GUIDELINES
General Suspension Guidelines
- Class 1 - Relatively minor, however it should be addressed and could warrant some disciplinary action or probation
- Class 2 - Inappropriate and warrants disciplinary action limited to the immediate activity
- Class 3 - More serious incident with longer lasting consequences limited to the immediate activity
- Class 4 - Very serious; warrants major consequences regarding participation in other Sport Club activities
- Class 5 - Extreme; actions should result in a Campus Recreation campus-wide ban as well as be referred to other University of Western Ontario disciplinary systems.
CLASS 1 (minimum 1 club session suspension)
Including, but not limited to:
• Excessive arguing with SRS Sport Club officials, building supervisor, or Campus Recreation staff
• Unsportsmanlike/disruptive conduct
• Ejection from any sport club activity
• Attending a sport club session that you are not registered for
• Missing travel deadlines
CLASS 2 (minimum 1 week sessions suspension)
Including, but not limited to:
•Excessive arguing (aggressive behaviour, Profanity, Intimidation) with SRS Sport Club officials, building supervisor, or any Sports and Recreation Services Staff
•Intentional striking of a participant with fist or hand (not to the head)
•Squirting a water bottle at a participant
•Illegal participant – 2nd time for the particular club – members attending a sport club session you are not registered for (club sanctions may apply) - CLUB BASED SUSPENSION
• Missing travel deadlines – club 2nd offence - CLUB BASED SUSPENSION
CLASS 3 (minimum 2 weeks suspension)
Including, but not limited to:
•Intentional striking to the head of a participant - with one’s body (example: elbow, fist, foot, knee, etc.)
•Intentional striking to the head of a participant with ball or other object
•Verbal abuse directed at a sport club official, building supervisor, Sports and Recreation Services Staff, or another Sports and Recreation Services participant
•Illegal participant – travelling with a club off campus – CLUB BASED SUSPENSION
•Squirting a water bottle at an official, building supervisor, or Sports and Recreation Services staff
•Violating a probationary measure
•Incident instigator
•Fraudulent act - i.e. Intentional misrepresentation
•Open alcohol or drug use at an event by a club participant – on campus or while travelling
•Providing false information to a Sports and Recreation Services staff
CLASS 4 (minimum club suspended for the remainder of the term)
Including, but not limited to:
•Intentional striking to the head of a participant - with one's body (example: elbow, fist, foot, knee, etc.)
•Intentional striking to the head of a participant - with stick
•Intent to Injure a participant (bodily harm)
•Shoving or striking a sport club official, building supervisor or Campus Recreation staff
•Intentional spitting on/at a Campus Recreation staff or fellow participant
•Using racial or sexual degrading language or gestures directed at a participant, official, building supervisor, or Sports and Recreation Services staff
•Fighting between two participants
•Participating in club events while suspended
•Vandalism, destructiveness or abuse of equipment and/or facility
•Intoxicated at game (participants)
•Open alcohol and/or drug use at an event by a participant – on campus or while travelling
CLASS 5 (minimum 365 day (full year) suspension)
•A number of the above listed incidents maybe classified as a Class 5, depending on the severity of the incident
In the case of all class 4 or class 5 suspensions Campus Police are automatically notified of the offense.
Note: Each Class gives a minimum suspension but is not limited to a maximum. Suspensions given within a specific sport can affect participation in others sports if deemed appropriate. Lifetime bans can be given if deemed necessary.
APPEALS
All decisions made by the SRS Sport Club Coordinator on protests and disciplinary matters can be appealed by individuals and/or members of the affected Sport Club. All appeals must be made within 3 business days of the decision. Appeals must be made to the attention of the Sport Club Appeals Committee and submitted by emailing sportclubs@uwo.ca. All appeals will be directed to the Appeals Committee. Appeals cannot be made regarding decisions on a one week suspension.
The SRS Sport Club appeals committee is made up of a minimum of two of the following – Director, Recreation & Active Well-being; Program Coordinator, Intramural Sports; Program Coordinator, Fitness & Wellness, Program Manager, Membership Services
