Student Athlete Code of Conduct

In line with the Durham University Student Pledge and the University’s core values, students are expected to treat all members of the community with respect including their peers, staff, visitors to the University and members of the local community. In particular, the University’s disciplinary jurisdiction over students’ conduct is not limited to University premises or solely within term-time. This means, for example, that behaviour off campus and during vacations, weekends, evenings, on placements, training camps, competition and field trips may be taken into consideration. It also means that behaviour in a social setting (for example in residences, or on social media) may have consequences whether or not it takes place during normal University operating hours.

In light of the above, student athletes should appreciate that they are amongst the most visible and well supported students across the institution; and that being a member of Team Durham (TD) means that the student athlete is an important ambassador for the University.

Student athletes should therefore:

• understand the need to exercise good judgement and conduct their actions with honesty, integrity and respect for others at all times;
• understand that if behaviour falls below the standards and expectations outlined in this Code of Conduct, the Student Pledge or the broader expectations laid out through the University’s Values and Non-Academic Misconduct process, then they may be subject to disciplinary action.

Students should also recognise the long and proud tradition of sport at Durham University and that to be selected to represent Durham University Sport is an honour and not a right.

Through this representation the student athlete must:

• understand that, through Team Durham, the University is supporting their personal growth, academic achievement and athletic success;
• acknowledge that they have significant responsibilities and that acting with integrity is a core University Value;
• recognise that these responsibilities include embracing different communities and celebrating the differences that make the University, and the wider community, stronger together.

 

What are the aims of this Code of Conduct?

• To protect and support TD members.
• To protect and support others potentially affected by TD members’ actions.
• To ensure the highest possible standards of fairness, honesty and behaviour.
• To reduce the risk of harm, injury, harassment and nuisance to TD members and the wider community.
• To help promote inclusive communities specifically within Durham University Sport.
• To detail the actions that will be taken should the Code of Conduct be breached.

 

The Code of Conduct

All Team Durham athletes must understand that they should conduct themselves in accordance with:

• the policies of Durham University;
• the principles outlined in the Durham University Student Pledge;
• the rules and regulations of British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS);
• the rules and regulations of their relevant sporting National Governing Body (NGB).

In abiding to the principles of the Team Durham Code of Conduct student athletes should pay particular attention to and reflect upon the following key areas:

The University Community

As a student athlete you will:

• be a responsible and engaged member of the University community;
• strive to represent your club on and off the field and show respect for all members of the University and the wider community;
• lead by example, being cognisant that both your own and your club's reputations are at stake when you are participating in BUCS and NGB competitions, attending lectures, on training camps or simply socialising with friends.

Academic Standing

As a student athlete you will:

• assume full responsibility for your academic progress and achievement;
• make every effort to stay in good academic standing at the University;
• fulfil all of your academic commitments as published by your Academic Department - unless prior consent has been obtained in the form of a Concession to enable those commitments to be adjusted.

 

Role as a Durham University Ambassador

As a student athlete you will:

• when travelling for competition or training as a representative of both Durham University and your club, behave responsibly and portray a positive image of Durham University at all times.

 

Social Media

As a student athlete you will:

• not author, forward, or post vulgar or offensive notes, texts, photographs, or other content that reflects negatively upon yourself, your club, other individuals or the University, or that conflict with the spirit or intent of this Code;
• whenever possible, discourage others from posting text or photographs that could be deemed unflattering or damaging to your, or others’, reputation, or the reputations of the club or the University;
• where inappropriate postings from others are identified, report these findings to Team Durham staff.

 

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD)

Durham University is a higher education UKAD partner:

As a student athlete you will:

• not use or distribute banned substances, including illegal recreational and “performance enhancing drugs”;
• not take prescription drugs unless they have been prescribed for you by a medical professional;
• attend your clubs' UKAD awareness training;
• bring to light with Team Durham staff any failed drugs test.

 

Sexual Misconduct & Violence

As a student athlete you will:

• Not perpetrate sexual misconduct and violence
• Seek consent
• Act appropriately in the work/study environment
• Be an active bystander
• Respond in a thoughtful and supportive way to disclosures
• Undertake the Student Community Induction on-line training as part of your personal growth (this induction includes Consent Matters and Tackling Harassment & Sexual Misconduct).

 

Remaining informed of Durham University and Durham SU policies

As a student athlete you will:

• be responsible for your own behaviour and for reading, understanding, and abiding by the policies that apply to you.

 

Initiations

As a student athlete you will:

• not participate in initiations* of any sort;
• acknowledge that such acts, either in connection with membership of a TD team/squad, participation in an informal or formal club activity, or for any other reason, are strictly prohibited;
• refrain from any act, whether physical, mental, emotional, or psychological, that subjects another person, voluntarily or involuntarily, to anything that may abuse, mistreat, degrade, humiliate, harass, or intimidate another person. Such acts may include, but are not limited to: forcing, requiring, or pressuring others to consume alcohol or any other substance; forcing, requiring, or pressuring others to involuntarily perform physical activities, or pressuring others to take part in an illegal or indecent activity; or physically abusing others in any way.

*Our definition of an initiation is an event in which members (often first year students) of the club are the focus of and subjected to perform any activity as a means of gaining credibility, status or entry within a club. This pressure is often (although not explicitly) exerted upon new members and may involve the consumption of alcohol, eating and/or drinking concoctions of various food stuffs and performing dangerous, illegal or humiliating acts.

 

What happens if there is a breach of the Code of Conduct?

Student-athletes are, naturally, members of the Durham University student body and, as such, are subject to the University’s Non-Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Procedure. It is this procedure which will be invoked if a student athlete is alleged to be in breach of the Team Durham Student Athlete Code of Conduct.

Upon receipt of an allegation of student misconduct, an Authorised University Officer or their delegated representative will determine whether the alleged misconduct should be investigated locally or, instead, be referred directly to the Student Conduct Office.

If the misconduct is investigated locally, in the context of Team Durham, then the Authorised University Officer has authority to apply any, or all, of the following sanctions.

• Removal or suspension of individuals from the relevant club.
• Removal or suspension of teams from BUCS and all other competitions.
• Removal or suspension of clubs from BUCS and all other competitions.
• Community / charitable work.
• Engagement in relevant education and/or training programmes.

Further information concerning Durham University’s Non-Academic Misconduct Procedure can be found here.