Community Standards

Student-Athlete Code of Conduct

Standards of Conduct

It is a privilege and not a right to be a student-athlete at Union. Every student-athlete is expected to conduct himself/herself in a manner that reflects positively on the team, the Department of Athletics, and the College. As a member of the student body at Union, each student-athlete must act in accordance with all College policies as outlined within the student handbook, along with the policies of the Department of Athletics, Liberty League, ECACH and the NCAA. NYS and NCAA rules mandate that all student-athletes must receive Title IX training on an annual basis. Union College Athletics partners with Union College's Title IX Coordinator to present educational sessions every academic year. For more information regarding the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct, follow this link.

  • Student athletes should act in a manner that reflects positively on themselves, their team and the college.
  • Hazing based on gender, race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation is prohibited.
  • Union College Sexual Misconduct Policy prohibits all forms of sexual or gender-based discrimination, harassment, and misconduct, including sexual assault, non-consensual sexual contact, intimate partner violence, sexual exploitation, and stalking. The Title IX Policy also prohibits retaliation against a person who reports, complains about, or who otherwise participates in good faith in, any matter related to this Policy.
  • Student-athletes are required to meet all Union College academic requirements as well as the eligibility rules of the NCAA and applicable conference (Liberty League or ECACH).
  • Student-athletes will abide by the guidelines for participation in intercollegiate athletics indicated in the College Student Handbook.
  • Specific details of NCAA Rules can be found here.
    • Go to Legislation & Governance, Rules and Bylaws
      • 10.01 Standards of Honesty and Sportsmanship
      • 10.1 Unethical Conduct
      • 10.3 Sports Wagering Activities
      • 31.2.3 Ineligibility for use of Banned Drugs
      • 31.2.3.4 Banned Drugs

As a reminder, under law:

  • The purchase, consumption or possession of alcohol by students under the age of 21 is illegal and prohibited; as is providing alcohol to minors.

As a student-athlete you are a representative of Union College and subject to this code of conduct at all times both on and off campus. Violations of College and Department rules and policies will be handled by the appropriate authority and if necessary, sanctions will be assessed.

(July 2019)

Student-Athlete Agreement Concerning Hazing

The Department of Athletics at Union College supports only those activities which are constructive, educational, inspirational, and that contribute to the intellectual and personal development of students. UC Athletics unequivocally opposes any situation created intentionally to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.

Union College interprets hazing as any act whether physical, mental, emotional or psychological, which subjects another person, voluntarily or involuntarily, to anything that may abuse, mistreat, degrade, humiliate, harass, or intimidate him/her, or which may in any fashion compromise his/her inherent dignity as a person. In addition, any requirements by a member which compels another member to participate in any activity which is against college policy or state/federal law will be defined as hazing.

Actions and activities that are prohibited include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Any type of initiation or other activity where there is any expectation of individuals joining a particular team to participate in behavior designed to humiliate, degrade, or abuse them regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. Alcohol is not permitted at any new member activity. Acceptance of an activity on the part of a new member or individual does not justify participation or the activity. The team maintains the responsibility to monitor appropriate behavior.
  • Forcing, requiring, or pressuring an individual to consume alcohol or any other substance.
  • Forcing, requiring, or pressuring an individual to shave any part of their body, including the hair on their head.
  • Any requirement or pressure put on an individual to participate in any activity which is illegal, perverse, publicly indecent, contrary to his/her genuine morals or beliefs, e.g. public profanity, indecent or lewd conduct or sexual gestures in public.
  • Required eating of anything an individual would refuse to eat otherwise.
  • Any activity or action that creates a risk to the health, safety, or property of the College or any member of its community.
  • Forcing or requiring calisthenics, such as push-ups, sit-ups, and runs.
  • Assigning or endorsing “pranks” such as stealing or harassment of another organization.
  • Awakening or disturbing individuals during normal sleeping hours.
  • Expecting or pressuring individuals to participate in an activity in which the full membership is not willing to participate.
  • Physical abuse of any kind.
  • Forcing, encouraging, or pressuring someone to wear in public, apparel that is conspicuous and not within the norm of what is considered to be in good taste.
  • Engaging in public stunts and buffoonery.
  • Nudity at any time, or forced reading of pornographic material.
  • Paddling, beating or otherwise permitting a member to hit other members.
  • Having substances such as eggs, mud, paint, honey, etc. thrown at, poured on, or otherwise applied to the body of a member.
  • Morally degrading/humiliating games or activities that make a member the object of amusement, ridicule or intimidation.
  • Subjecting a member to cruel and unusual psychological conditions.

Any violations should be reported to the Director of Athletics and/or the Dean of Students. This agreement can also be found here.

(July 2019)