Scope
Faculty, staff, and students
Policy Statement
Conduct of Athletic Department and University Personnel
NCAA rules prohibit University employees from providing any extra benefit(s) to a currently enrolled student-athlete (or their family or friends). Examples of non-permissible extra benefits include, but are not limited to, holiday gifts, free or reduced merchandise or services unless that free or reduced cost item is also available to the general public, or a meal at a restaurant as the guest of an athletic booster or a University employee. Theacceptance by a student-athlete of any extra benefit is a violation of NCAA regulations and places the student-athlete’s eligibility for intercollegiate competition in immediate jeopardy and could result in restrictions placed upon the employee’s involvement with the University’s athletics program and/or disciplinary or corrective action as set forth in both University policy and the provisions of the NCAA enforcement procedures. Unethical conduct by a University employee may include, but is not limited to:
- Refusal to furnish information relevant to an investigation of a possible violation of an NCAA regulation when requested to do so by the NCAA or the University.
- Knowing involvement in the acceptance of or arranging for fraudulent academic credit or false transcripts for a prospective or an enrolled student-athlete.
- Knowing involvement in the acceptance of or offering and/or providing a prospective or enrolled student-athlete an improper inducement or an extra benefit.
- Knowingly furnishing the NCAA or the University false or misleading information concerning the individual’s involvement in or knowledge of matters relevant to a possible violation of NCAA rules.
- Receipt of benefits by an institutional staff member for facilitating or arranging a meeting between a student-athlete and an agent, financial advisor or a representative of an agent or advisor (e.g., “runner”).
The University is responsible for insuring that all student-athletes, University employees and representatives of the University’s athletics interests abide by NCAA rules and regulations. Any inappropriate, even inadvertent, activity by an employee could result in:
- A currently enrolled student-athlete being declared ineligible to participate for SU.
- The eligibility of a prospective student-athlete(s) being jeopardized.
- Violations of NCAA regulations and sanctions placed on the University and the athletics programs.
- Restrictions placed upon the employee’s involvement with the University’s athletics program.
- Disciplinary or corrective action as set forth in both University policy and the provisions of the NCAA enforcement procedures.
Requests for Interpretive Support from the NCAA and BIG EAST Offices
The five individuals who have been designated by the institution and are authorized to request interpretations from the NCAA national office are:
- the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative
- the Associate Director of Athletics – SWA
- the Assistant Director of Athletic Compliance
- the Director of Athletic Compliance
- the Compliance Coordinator
These same individuals have been designated by the institution and are authorized to contact the Big East Conference office for rules interpretations.
Please be advised that the provisions of the NCAA’s regulation combined with institutional policy would preclude a member of the coaching staff from contacting either the national office or the conference office to request a rules interpretation.
Syracuse University Athletic Compliance Policy Statement
Each individual involved in intercollegiate athletics is obligated to maintain competency in knowledge of the rules; to act within his or her realm of responsibility in full compliance with the governing legislation; and to report any violation of NCAA, conference and/or institutional rules of which he or she is aware. It is the University’s policy that no violation is so minor that it need not be reported. In responding to rule violations, the University will look at such factors as whether the violation is intentional, whether any advantage is gained (e.g., recruiting, competitive, or for the student-athlete involved), whether a student-athlete’s eligibility is affected, and whether violations are recurring. The University’s goals in responding will be to encourage communication, to seek consistency and accountability and, above all, to send a strong message that the University is unequivocally committed to rules compliance.
Policy Administration
Date: October 2005