SUNY Morrisville Athletic department’s disciplinary and appeal process is both independent of and supplementary to the college judicial process. Disciplinary actions levied by the Athletics Department may occur over and above those levied by the College. Sanctions will vary depending on the type and circumstances of the violation but may without limitation include loss of athletics program eligibility.
Upon notification of an alleged violation of the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct, the Director of Athletics and/or Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities will take reasonable actions to verify the accuracy and validity of the report. These actions may include an investigation which may include interviews of those involved both on campus and off. Persons interviewed may include students, employees, or non-college persons having knowledge of relevant facts. The investigation may include examination of documents, video, or any other relevant sources of information necessary to determine the merits of the report.
A meeting with the student-athlete will ordinarily occur before any discipline is imposed; however, in extenuating circumstances, the Athletic Director and/or coach may suspend the student-athlete before the meeting. For example, incarceration for criminal activity.
Student-athletes should refer to the SUNY Morrisville Student Handbook, to learn more about what types of behaviors fall within the
Category I, II and III Violations of the Student Code of Conduct.
Determination of responsibility and therefore disciplinary action will be based on a preponderance of evidence and information available.
Disciplinary action may be taken if a student-athlete refuses to cooperate or participate in an Athletic Department investigation of the student-athlete’s possible violation of the Code of Conduct.
- Disciplinary Actions: Possible disciplinary sanctions for violations of the Code of Conduct include, but are not limited to those listed below, along with those listed in Appendix A, Athletic Department Disciplinary Actions for Student-Athletes:
- Administrative Suspension: Suspension from athletics participation pending the resolution of the matter.
- Expulsion: Expulsion from participating in SUNY Morrisville Athletics immediately and permanently.
- Suspension: student-athlete is prohibited from participating in any team event(s) and all other athletic department activities for specified period of time no less than one season of play.
- Temporary Suspension: Removal of a student-athlete from all Athletic Department activities, including athletic participation in team events, for a limited period of time.
- Restitution: Payment for damaged property.
- Probation: Special individual conditions set by Athletic Department for a limited time.
- Warning: Written warning from athletic department addressing the violation(s).
- Appeal Process: A student-athlete who is subject to expulsion or season long suspension may request an appeal from these sanctions. The appeal must be made, in writing, to the Director of Athletics within three (3) business days of the student-athlete’s receipt of the notice of sanctions. The appeal letter must explain the grounds for the appeal (e.g. new information, due process, abuse of discretion).
The appeal will be heard and reviewed by an appeals board consisting of the following members:
- Student-Athlete from the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (1)
- Faculty Athletic Representative (1)
- Athletics Staff consisting of a senior level administrator and head coach (2)
- Member of the SUNY Morrisville staff outside of Athletics (1)
Upon receipt of the request for appeal, the Appeals Board will meet as soon as is reasonably possible. The Appeals Board will hear the details of the case from the Athletics Director and from the appealing student-athlete. The student-athlete will be given the opportunity to make an oral and written statement about the circumstances and why he/she/they feels reinstatement is warranted. The student-athlete may be accompanied by a personal advisor. This person must be a member of the College (student, faculty, staff). The advisor may not have any other role in the hearing (i.e.: witness) and may not be allowed to speak during the hearing.
During the hearing the Appeals Board will have the opportunity to review other relevant information, including information from public authorities, court records, law enforcement officers, University Police officers, and other persons. Having gathered information about the case, the Appeals Board will meet privately to discuss the case. In reviewing the case for reinstatement, the Appeals Board may consider all the circumstances, including the nature of the offense, any aggravating or mitigating circumstances, any previous violations of the Code of Conduct or Student Handbook, the extent of the student-athlete’s cooperation and acceptance of responsibility, and the conduct of the student since the offense.
At the conclusion of the meeting the Appeals Board will render and provide a written decision to the student-athlete within two (2) business days of the appeal. Based on a majority of votes taken, the appeals board may uphold or provide relief of the sanctions imposed by the Athletic Director.
Note: The final determination of reinstatement of the student-athlete lies with the Athletic Director in consultation with the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Prior to the start of the season, the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct (Appendix B) will be reviewed at the mandatory compliance meeting.
** Note: Underlined statements contain additional subject links.
