Current Student Athlete Information

Student-Athlete Code of Conduct

The Willamette University Student-Athlete Code of Conduct includes a series of department behavioral expectations required for membership on a Bearcat Athletics team. All student-athletes are additionally expected to abide by the rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the Northwest Conference (NWC), and the Willamette University Student Code of Conduct. All of the aforementioned Codes of Conduct are in effect year-round, including summers and break periods:

  1. Student athletes are required to demonstrate ethical conduct, a sense of fair play, and refrain from discriminatory behavior,abusive, threatening speech, or writing that expresses prejudice against a protected group-in any form.

  2. Student athletes are prohibited from any conduct that subjects another person to humiliation, degradation, abuse, intimidation, harassment, or endangerment of mental or physical health or safety as a condition of association or membership with a group, or continuation of a tradition or ritual of a student club, organization, or athletic team, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. Such acts are considered hazing and are prohibited by the
    Willamette University Student Code of Conduct This policy applies to hosting prospective students. Student-athletes will follow the student host guidelines set forth by the Office ofAdmission

  3. Student athletes are prohibited from using, consuming, and/or abusing drugs and substances banned by the NCAA regardless of their legal status at the local, state, and/or federal level. As per NCAA guidelines, student-athletes may be subject to drug testing at NCAA Championship events.

  4. Student athletes are prohibited from using tobacco products during practice, travel, or competition.

  5. Student athletes are a representative of the University and the Athletic department at all times and are prohibited from making defaming statements about a teammate, team, the athletic department, other university department or staff member, or opposing team, to the media or on any private or public social media site.

  6. Student athletes are required to immediately notify a certified athletic trainer and/or coach about all incidents that impact sports performance i.e., concussion, injury, alcohol, and drug abuse, regardless of when, where, and how they occur. Student athletes are further required to adhere to a prescribed rehabilitation treatment program for the management of injuries.

  7. Student athletes are required to maintain full-time academic status, unless an NCAA exception has been met, and make satisfactory progress towards a degree.

  8. If a student-athlete is placed on academic probation, competition and team travel are prohibited. Participation in practice will be allowed on an individual basis and may result in the use of a season of competition.

  9. Student athletes are required to notify their instructors in advance of a class absence due to an approved athletic contest. Student athletes are prohibited from missing any class time due to practices.

  10. Student athletes are required to travel to and from athletic contests with the team in transportation provided by the University unless previous arrangements are made with the head coach.

  11. Student athletes are responsible for all university-issued athletic equipment and apparel and may be required to return it upon completion of the season or upon request from the coach and/or athletic department. Student athletes who leave a program in poor standing (quitting, dismissal, etc.) will be required to return all equipment and apparel issued by the sport program. If the equipment or apparel is damaged or not available to be returned, the student athlete will be billed for the full replacement cost.

I acknowledge that, as a Willamette student-athlete, I have significant responsibilities. I recognize that I am among the most visible students on campus and in the community and that I am expected to behave as a respectful member of my intercollegiate team and in a manner that positively represents the values of Willamette University. Willamette University athletes are therefore held to standards higher than other students. I understand the need to exercise good judgment and conduct myself with honesty, integrity, and respect for others at all times.

I understand that I am required to disclose to my head coach, within 24 hours, my involvement in any incident involving my personal health and safety including, but not limited to, drug or alcohol violations or any incident involving Campus Safety, Residence Life, SalemPolice or other law enforcement. Failure to promptly disclose these incidents will result in a suspension of 25% of a full season of competition.

I further understand that the above policy does not require a victim/survivor/complainant to disclose an incident of sexual misconduct. I understand that, as a member of the athletics staff, coaches are mandatory reporters and are required to report any disclosure of sexual misconduct to the institution. My coach is a resource for support and for information on the Title IX policy and process.

For potential University conduct violations, the process outlined in the Willamette University Student Code of Conduct will be followed. Pending a University investigation, interim measures may be taken on a case-by-case basis and as directed by the Office of student affairs. These interim measures may include and are not limited to, suspension from team activity pending the outcome of an investigation. 

Should I be convicted of a crime off-campus and/or found responsible for violating University policy, I will be subject to procedures as defined by the Willamette University Student Code of Conduct. In addition, I understand that the result of any conduct process in which I am found responsible may have an adverse effect on my eligibility to be on an athletic team.

By signing this document, I understand and agree to each of the behavioral expectations listed above, and understand that a failure toabide by these expectations may result in suspension or dismissal from an athletic team, at the discretion of the head coach and/orDirector of Athletics or designee.