University of vermont student-athlete handbook 2014-15 Contents

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  Accountability: Student-athletes will be held to assigned, structured groups. The Performance staff and team coaches expect attendance by the student-athletes. Any deviation from the times must be approved by the Performance Coach.
  
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  Facility Utilization: No student-athlete is allowed to train in the weight room without the supervision of the Performance Coach. A coach or staff member may not admit a student-athlete into the facility without approval from the Performance Coach.
  
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  Respect the facility: Deviation from the following expectations may result in suspension/dismissal from the facility:
  

b) Put all weights and equipment back to their origination;

c) Always use spotters and collars;

d) Only drop weights and bars at Olympic stations;

e) Do not lean weights against the equipment;

f) Proper lifting attire (UVM issued team attire) is required;

g) All trash must be thrown away; and

h) No food, drink, gum or candy allowed in the facility.

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  Listen to the instruction: The coaching is designed to help student-athletes improve their athletic skills and potential. Each student-athlete must pay attention and heed the advice to ensure safety, proper technique and progress with respect to goals.
  

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  Initial Practice
  

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  Daily Practice
  

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  Competition
  

A student-athlete must bring any equipment needing repair to the Equipment Room for service during normal hours of operation. If a piece of equipment is damaged, defective and/or not fitting properly, it is the student-athlete’s responsibility to immediately return the item to an equipment room staff member for repair, replacement and/or refitting.

A student-athlete must return the exact equipment/uniform items that were issued during the year in order to receive credit for a return. Inventory numbers are assigned for each item issued to a student-athlete, and the student-athlete is responsible for that specific item. A student-athlete must return equipment promptly at the end of the season. Please make note of return due dates posted on the team bulletin board in front of the Equipment Area and on the team locker room doors. Equipment not returned by the posted date will be billed to the student-athlete at the replacement cost plus an administrative charge. For example, an initial team jersey in bulk could cost $25, and a replacement jersey could cost $50. Equipment will not be accepted for return once a bill has been generated to the student-athlete.

All student-athletes are expected to utilize the transportation that is provided by the Athletic Department to and from off campus practices and competitions. In unusual circumstances, a student-athlete may request a waiver from this requirement, which may be obtained in the main Athletics office.

All drivers of UVM owned, leased, or rented vehicles must be 21 years old and hold a valid U.S. or Canadian license. All drivers of UVM owned, leased, or rented vehicles must attend UVM Risk Management’s Driver Training and have their motor vehicle record checked BEFORE being authorized to drive. (This can take up to ten working days.) Call X63242 to schedule. Only authorized drivers affiliated with the University of Vermont in the capacity of student, staff or faculty shall be permitted to drive a University owned, leased, or rented vehicle. Use of a University owned, leased, or rented vehicle is restricted to authorized University related activities. Any liability arising out of the personal use of a UVM owned or rented vehicle is the sole responsibility of the driver. UVM will expect the driver’s personal auto insurance to respond in the event of an accident, arising out of personal use.

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B. UVM Driver and Passenger Requirements

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  Driver must be at least 21 years old and in possession of a valid United States, International, or Canadian driver's license at all times when operating a vehicle as a UVM employee, student, or volunteer.
  
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  Driver shall observe all rules and regulations for safe driving as defined by the State of Vermont Motor Vehicle Department , or by the Department in whose state the vehicle is operated.
  
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  Safety belts shall be used by all occupants traveling either in a vehicle owned, leased, or rented by UVM or in private vehicles while on University business. Seats should be occupied from front to back.
  
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  Drinking, possession of intoxicating liquor, illegal drugs in vehicles or driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prohibited.
  
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  Front passenger should remain awake to help keep the driver alert.
  
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  Avoid conditions that lead to loss of control - driving while sleepy or inattentive, or driving too fast for road conditions.
  
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  If the weather is inclement, stop and stay overnight in a safe place. The additional lodging cost is worth avoiding the risk.
  
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  Do not use a telephone while driving. Stop the vehicle in a safe area to use a cell phone or have a passenger operate it.
  
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  All off-campus accidents should be reported immediately to the local police department. If an accident occurs on campus, UVM Police Services should be notified. All accidents should also be reported to UVM's Department of Risk Management (x63242) and the Senior Associate Director of Athletics.
  

Generally a head or assistant coach, or certified athletic trainer will be responsible for driving. However in unusual circumstances authorized students may drive if they meet all of the conditions above and are 21 years of age or older.

The primary mode of ground transportation for team travel is commercial motorcoach. Use of 12 passenger vans is authorized only for the following Athletic Department activities and is subject to the guidelines below:

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  Ski Team travel to practice and competitions within 200 miles (one-way) from campus. Travel must be completed by 12 midnight.
  
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  Cross Country/Track and Field travel to practice and competitions within 200 miles (one-way) from campus. Travel must be completed by 12 midnight.
  
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  Team transportation to and from the Burlington airport or other local (within 10 mile radius of campus) activities.
  
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  Other in-state team travel with approval from the Senior Associate Director of Athletics.
  

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  All Drivers must be 21 years of age, have attended UVM Risk Management's driver training class, and have had a motor vehicle record check done within the last three years. Drivers need to understand the handling characteristics of vans, especially when fully loaded.
  
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  Vehicle operators should assure that all their passengers are wearing their seat belts. (The NHTSA indicates that you can reduce your chance of being killed in a rollover by about 75% just by wearing a seat belt.)
  
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  Evenly load the vehicles and load front first (i.e. empty or remove the back seat).
  
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  Limit passenger numbers to 10 or less.
  
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  Luggage should be placed in the rear behind the back seat. Roof loads increase the center of gravity, and hence, the risk of rollover. Roof racks should not be used under any circumstance.
  
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  Front passengers should remain awake to help keep the driver alert.
  
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  Avoid conditions that lead to loss of control - driving while sleepy or inattentive, or driving too fast for road conditions.
  
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  If the weather is inclement, please stop and stay overnight in a safe place. The additional lodging cost is worth avoiding the risk.
  
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  Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  
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  Avoid extreme panic-like over-steering.
  
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  Do not use cell phones while driving.
  

When the travel party to a practice or competition is seven members or less, minivans may be an appropriate mode of ground transportation. Use of minivans is subject to the following guidelines:

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  One way travel is less than 350 miles.
  
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  All travel must be completed prior to midnight.
  
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  All drivers and passengers must follow the UVM Driver and Passenger Requirements in section I. B. of this document.
  

To provide a safe form of transportation, all vehicles approved for Athletic Team

travel should be thoroughly inspected and maintained according to the manufacturer recommendations. Routine maintenance and inspections must be performed by a certified mechanic.
H. Bus Travel

All arrangements for motorcoach travel shall be made through the Travel Coordinator in the Department of Athletics. The Department will utilize only commercial bus companies that meet all applicable laws and safety standards.

All air travel shall be on regularly scheduled commercial airlines and arranged through the Travel Coordinator in the Department of Athletics. Requests for charter flights shall be made to the Senior Associate Director of Athletics who will be responsible for working with the Office of Risk Management to evaluate the safety of the potential charter operation.

The Athletic Communications Office is responsible for presenting the best possible image of the institution and its intercollegiate athletics program.  The main focus is to provide accurate, timely and interesting UVM athletics information to the media.  This mission is accomplished by providing pre-game publicity, hometown stories, producing individual sport guides, game programs, and schedule cards.  Interviews and/or press conferences are also conducted through the Athletic Communications Office, for both home and away events.

A student-athlete should assist the Athletic Communications Office in communicating with the media whenever possible.  A student-athlete that chooses to speak with the media must give access to all media outlets, not just one individual or one media entity.  Interviews can be a rewarding experience and should be arranged through the Athletic Communications Office. 

Throughout the academic year, a student-athlete may be asked to speak with the media by the Athletic Communications Office.  The following are hints for dealing with the media:

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  Do not agree to a telephone interview unless it is arranged by the Athletic Communications Office;
  
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  Do not answer a question if you do not wish to respond to it;
  
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  Seek counsel with the Athletic Communications Office if uncomfortable with the questions, answers or general tone of the interview;
  
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  Be prompt, cordial and confident;
  
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  Organize thoughts before a scheduled interview;
  
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  Be sure to understand the reporter's question before answering it;
  Never make a comment "off the record;" 
  
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  Try not to be evasive or to answer "no comment," as it raises suspicions;
  
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  Do not criticize your teammates or your coaches in the media;
  
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  Speak in plain English, and keep comments short and to the point; and
  
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  Always be aware that comments will be made public.
  

For more information, please visit the UVM Athletic Communications website at www.uvmathletics.com.

for any term during which a student-athlete is in regular attendance as an undergraduate with eligibility remaining under Bylaw 14.2, or as a graduate eligible under Bylaw 14.1.8. (Revised: 10/27/11)

award, does not satisfy this requirement. (Revised: 3/10/04, 7/26/12)

agreement, including any increases during the period of the original award. (Adopted: 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12)

15

Financial Aid

(a) Renders himself or herself ineligible for intercollegiate competition;

(b) Fraudulently misrepresents any information on an application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement (see Bylaw 15.3.4.2.3);

(c) Engages in serious misconduct warranting substantial disciplinary penalty (see Bylaw 15.3.4.2.4); or

(d) Voluntarily (on his or her own initiative) withdraws from a sport at any time for personal reasons; however, the recipient’s financial aid may not be awarded to another student-athlete in the academic term in which the aid was reduced or canceled. A student-athlete’s request for written permission to contact another four-year collegiate institution regarding a possible transfer does not constitute a voluntary withdrawal. (Revised: 1/10/92, 1/11/94, 1/10/95, 1/9/96, 12/13/05, 9/11/07)

15.3.4.2.1 Timing of Reduction or Cancellation. Any reduction or cancellation of aid during the period of the award may occur only after the student-athlete has been provided an opportunity for a hearing per Bylaw 15.3.2.3. (Adopted: 5/15/07, Revised: 4/23/08)

15.3.4.2.2 Nonathletically Related Conditions. An institutional financial aid agreement may include nonathletically related conditions (e.g., compliance with academics policies or standards, compliance with athletics department rules or policies) by which the aid may be reduced or canceled during the period of the award. (Adopted: 4/23/08)

15.3.4.2.3 Fraudulent Misrepresentation. If a student-athlete is awarded institutional financial aid on the basis of declaring intention to participate in a particular sport by signing a letter of intent, application or tender, action on the part of the grantee not to participate (either by not reporting for practice or after making only token appearances as determined by the institution) would constitute fraudulent misrepresentation of information on the grantee’s application, letter of intent or financial aid agreement and would permit the institution to cancel or reduce the financial aid. (Revised: 1/11/94)

15.3.4.2.4 Misconduct. An institution may cancel or reduce the financial aid of a student-athlete who is found to have engaged in misconduct by the university’s regular student disciplinary authority, even if the loss-of-aid requirement does not apply to the student body in general. (Revised: 1/11/94)

15.3.4.2.5 Release of Obligation to Provide Athletically Related Financial Aid—One-Year Award. Before becoming a counter for an academic year pursuant to a one-year grant-in-aid, if a prospective student-athlete or student-athlete is awarded institutional financial aid unrelated to athletics that is of equal or greater value than his or her signed award of athletically related financial aid, the prospective

student-athlete or student-athlete may, on his or her initiative, release the institution of its obligation to provide the athletically related financial aid. (Adopted: 1/15/11 effective 8/1/11, Revised: 10/27/11 effective 8/1/12; awards may be executed before 8/1/12)

(a) On the basis of a student-athlete’s athletics ability, performance or contribution to a team’s success;

(b) Because of an injury, illness, or physical or mental medical condition (except as permitted pursuant to Bylaw 15.3.4.2); or (Revised: 1/14/08)

(c) For any other athletics reason.

financial aid renewals and nonrenewals must come from the institution’s regular financial aid authority and not from the institution’s athletics department. (Revised: 1/10/95)

The Department of Athletics operates a summer athletic grant-in-aid program with specific guidelines. An application must be completed in order to be considered for summer athletic grant assistance. Applications are available in late March each spring semester. The summer grant-in-aid program is dependent on the availability of financial resources. The guidelines are as follows:

* First year student-athletes are not eligible for summer athletic grant-in-aid awards.

* Per NCAA regulations, summer athletic aid may be awarded only to student-athletes who have received athletic aid during the regular academic year and may not exceed the proportion of that aid.

* The award is applied against tuition for the summer course(s) and is based on the percentage of athletic grant-in-aid during the preceding academic year. For example, a student receiving a 50% athletic scholarship during the academic year may receive up to a 50% payment of tuition as a summer athletic award.

* Award amounts will be finalized after a complete review of applicants and an evaluation of financial resources. Notification of award amount will be e-mailed to the student, and a dollar amount will be posted on the student’s account based on resident status (in-state or out-of-state).

* Student-athletes who receive an award and subsequently withdraw from the course(s) or receive a failing grade must repay 50% of the award as a penalty.

* Student-athletes ineligible for competition per NCAA and/or UVM standards at the end of spring semester are not eligible for funding. Student-athletes with percentage of degree deficiencies ONLY may be considered.

* Summer grants may not be used for web courses without special permission from the athletic administration.

* Student-athletes must be residing in the locale of the institution to receive funding assistance.

* AWARD AMOUNTS WILL BE FINALIZED AFTER A COMPLETE REVIEW OF APPLICANTS AND AN EVALUATION OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES.

* ALL GRANTS ARE SUBJECT TO A FINAL REVIEW OF SPRING SEMESTER GRADES.

Study Abroad Policy

The Department of Athletics administers an athletic grant-in-aid program to benefit student-athletes under the rules and regulations stated in the NCAA Manual, specifically Bylaw 15. While attending the University of Vermont, a student-athlete may choose to explore study abroad options available through the institution. The Department of Athletics appreciates the value of study abroad and its potential educational benefits. However, student-athletes contemplating study abroad should consult with her or his head coach in advance of any final decisions in order to fully understand team and personal impacts/implications of a semester abroad.

Earnings from a student-athlete’s on or off-campus employment that occurs at any time is exempt and is not counted in determining a student-athlete’s full grant-in-aid or in the institution’s financial aid limitations, provided:

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  The student-athlete’s compensation does not include any remuneration for value or utility that the student-athlete may have for the employer because of the publicity, reputation, fame or personal following that he or she has obtained because of athletics ability;
  
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  The student-athlete is compensated only for work actually performed; and
  
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  The student-athlete is compensated at a rate commensurate with the going rate in that locality for similar services.
  

Information regarding playing and practice season is explained in greater detail in Bylaw 17 of the 2014-15 NCAA Manual. 

Time Limits

A student-athlete’s participation in countable athletically related activities during the playing season shall be limited to a maximum of four hours per day and 20 hours per week.  Outside of the playing season, a student-athlete may spend no more than eight hours per week in countable athletically related activities.  Consult with your coach or sport supervisor for information about specific playing seasons.

All activities related to a competition day shall count as three hours regardless of the duration of the event.  Practice may not be conducted at any time following competition, except between contests, rounds or events of a multi-day or multi-event competition.

During the playing season, all countable athletically related activities shall be prohibited during one calendar day per week.  Exceptions to this rule are conference and postseason championships. Outside the playing season during the academic year, all countable athletically related activities are prohibited during two calendar days per week.

Countable Athletically Related Activities

Examples of countable athletically related activities include the following:

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  Practice including on-field, floor or court activity, chalk talks, setting up offensive or defensive alignments, activities using equipment related to the sport, review of practice and/or game films;
  
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  Competition;
  
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  Required team conditioning activities or weight training;
  
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  Captain’s practices;
  
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  Required participation in camps, clinics or workshops; or
  
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  Visiting the competition site in the sports of cross country, golf and skiing.
  

A student-athlete shall not receive any extra benefits.  An extra benefit is any special arrangement by an institutional employee or a representative of the institution’s athletic interests (alumni or booster) to provide a student-athlete or the student-athlete’s relative or friend a benefit not expressly authorized by the NCAA.  If the benefit is available to the general student population and determined on a basis unrelated to athletics ability, the receipt of the benefit by a student-athlete is permissible.  Examples of extra benefits that are prohibited under NCAA legislation include, but are not limited to:

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  Discounts and/or credits on goods and/or services;
  
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  Loan of money;
  
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  Guarantee of bond;
  
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  Automobile or use of an automobile; or
  
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  Signing or cosigning a loan.
  

An institution may provide up to four complimentary admissions per contest to a student-athlete in the sport in which the individual participates (either practices or competes), regardless of whether the student-athlete competes in the contest.  Complimentary admissions shall be provided only through a pass list for individuals designated by the student-athlete.  These individuals will be asked to show proper identification at the ticket window on the day of the event.  “Hard tickets” will not be issued to the individuals.

According to NCAA regulations, a student-athlete may not receive any form of payment or any item of value for usage of a complimentary admission by individuals.  Also, a NCAA violation occurs if the individuals designated by the student-athlete receive any type of payment or item of value in exchange for the complimentary admission. 

Official Visits/Host Regulations

Acting as a student host for a prospective student-athlete on an official visit is an important service to the University of Vermont.  Appropriate conduct is required of the student host under institutional, conference and NCAA standards.  The student host and the prospective student-athlete must adhere to the rules and regulations of the Department of Athletics and the University of Vermont, as well as any applicable state laws.  The University of Vermont is allowed, under NCAA regulations, to provide the following to a student host entertaining a prospect:

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  A maximum of $40 for each day of the visit to cover all actual costs of entertaining the prospect (and the prospect’s parents, legal guardians or spouse), excluding the cost of meals and admission to campus athletics events.  These funds may not be used to purchase souvenirs or other institutional mementos;
  
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  A complimentary meal, provided the student host is accompanying the prospect during the prospect’s official visit; and/or
  
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  A complimentary admission to a campus athletics event, provided the admission is utilized to accompany a prospect to that event during the prospect’s official visit.
  

Each year a student-athlete signs a drug testing consent form from the NCAA as a requirement to participate in intercollegiate athletics.  By signing this form, the student-athlete is held accountable for all banned drug classes on the list provided by the NCAA, and the student-athlete understands that the list is subject to change.  Specific attention should be directed to the market of over-the-counter nutritional supplements as some of these products may contain banned substances. Student-athletes should direct specific questions about the banned drug list to Athletic Medicine.

Information about UVM institutional drug testing for 2014-15 can be found in the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct included below in this Handbook.

Additional information about drug testing, the risks of dietary supplements, and the NCAA banned drug list may be accessed at the Resource Exchange Center at www.drugfreesport.com/REC password: ncaa1

Upon receiving a written notification of the appeal of an athletic grant non-renewal, reduction or cancellation, a committee shall be convened to review the request. The purpose of this committee will be to review the action and hear statements from both the student and a representative from the Department of Athletics. The committee shall be comprised of representatives from the following offices/departments:

Department of Athletics

Faculty/Staff Representative

Student Representative (selected from the Student-Athlete Advisory Council)

Upon receiving a written notification of the appeal desire from a student, a committee shall be convened to review the request. The purpose of this committee will be to review the action and hear statements from both the student and a representative from the Department of Athletics. The committee shall be comprised of representatives from the following offices/departments:

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  Faculty Athletics Representative (Chair)
  
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  Athletics Advisory Board Member
  
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  Nonathletics Faculty/Staff Representative
  
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  Student Representative (selected from the Student-Athlete Advisory Council)
  

The student participating in the hearing has the right to bring an advisor with them to provide moral support. The advisor must be a member of the University community (e.g. student, faculty, or staff), may play no other role in the hearing and cannot speak or otherwise represent their advisees in the hearing. Students who wish to bring an advisor to the hearing must notify the chair of the committee at least 24 hours in advance of their intent to bring an advisor. Advisors may not be lawyers/attorneys; if the student brings a lawyer/attorney the hearing will be adjourned and the case forwarded to the University General Counsel.

The University encourages its students to report all perceived discrimination, including sexual and other forms of harassment, hazing, and bias incidents. If the complaint is against another student, the case is referred to the Center for Student Ethics and Standards where the case will be adjudicated according to the student judicial process (incident report, charge, preliminary conference meeting, judicial hearing, appeal). This process is described in the university’s Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities in the UVM Student Planner Student Handbook and carried out under the supervision of the Director of the Center for Student Ethics and Standards.

Even when the coach or athletic staff member has no direct professional responsibility for a student-athlete or student employee, other student-athletes or student employees may perceive that a student-athlete or student employee who has an amorous relationship with a coach or athletic staff member may receive preferential treatment from the coach or staff member or the coach or staff member's colleagues.

Joe Gervais, Director 656-7887

Cathy Rahill, Coordinator 656-7712

Loren Dow, Academic Coordinator 656-5467

Tacy Lincoln, Compliance Coordinator 656-3079

Athletics Dept. Main Office 656-3075

Athletic Medicine 656-7750

Athletic Communications 656-1818

Campus Recreation 656-4483

Equipment Room 656-7679

Financial Aid (Athletics) 656-8940

Ticket Office 656-4410

Dining Services 6-4664

Diversity and Equity Unit

ALANA Student Center 6-3819

Center for Cultural Pluralism 6-8833

LGBTQA Services 6-8637

Women’s Center 6-7892

Student Financial Services 6-0597

Fleming Museum 6-2090

Information 6-3131

International Education Office 6-4296

Library 6-8205

Police Services 6-3473

Emergency 911

Registrar 6-2045

Residential Life 6-3434

Transfer Affairs 6-0867

STUDENT-ATHLETE

CODE OF CONDUCT

2014-15
The Intercollegiate Athletic program at the University of Vermont facilitates the personal growth and education of students through their participation in a comprehensive program of NCAA Division I sports. As an integral part of the University, the Intercollegiate Athletic program actively promotes fair competition, fosters the pursuit of academic and athletic excellence, supports core institutional values of equity and diversity, and provides community enrichment.
The University is proud of the high caliber of its student-athletes. The Intercollegiate Athletic program is committed to the guiding principles of honesty, integrity, respect, ethical conduct, teamwork, and hard work in support of student-athletes in their roles as scholars, athletes, campus leaders, and community members.
The University expects its student-athletes to train and strive for their highest degree of athletic excellence and sportsmanship; to demonstrate academic integrity and accomplishment; and to conduct themselves responsibly as members of the campus and larger community.
Students are expected to meet all requirements of the Department of Athletics, including roles and expectations established by a coach for a team. Coaches have discretion to take reasonable action and to impose sanctions for conduct that demonstrates a student-athlete is unable to participate effectively as a member of a team, but which conduct is not a violation of this Student-Athlete Code of Conduct.

1. 
   Standards of Conduct
   

It is a privilege and not a right to be a student-athlete and every student-athlete is expected to conduct him or herself in a manner that exhibits honor and respect to the team, department, University and surrounding community for the duration of his or her tenure as a student-athlete. As a member of the student body at the University of Vermont, each student-athlete must act in accordance with the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (www.uvm.edu/policies/student/studentcode.pdf) as published by the institution. In addition, student-athletes are accountable to the following authorities (hereafter referenced as “governing authorities”):

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  Municipal ordinances, and State and federal laws, both civil and criminal (“laws”);
  
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  National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA);
  
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  America East Conference (AE);
  
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  Hockey East Association (HEA);
  
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  Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA);
  
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  University of Vermont (UVM);
  
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  Department of Athletics;
  
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  Team Rules
  

For clarification of the governing authorities, student-athletes should consult with a member of the coaching staff or administration. Violation of any of the standards of conduct encompassed in these authorities may result in discipline as described in Section IV below, as well as civil and/or criminal liability. All documented violations of this Code of Conduct will be reported to UVM’s Center for Student Ethics and Standards (CSES) and may result in further disciplinary action.

Reporting Obligation. Every student-athlete is obligated to report his or her violations of this Code of Conduct to his or her Head Coach or to the Director of Athletics within 24 hours of such violation. This obligation is in effect year-round, including semester and summer breaks.

2. 
   Definitions