Code of Conduct

Department Expectations

As a student-athlete, you are a highly visible representative of the Department of Athletics and Vincennes University. Your conduct sends a message that the community will judge, and this judgement will be applicable not only to you as a student-athlete, but the entire Athletic Department and the university.  This responsibility must always be understood and taken seriously.  Additionally, this level of visibility of a student-athlete is greatly enhanced in a small community such as Vincennes, and it is critical that you represent yourself, your team, the Department of Athletics, and the university in a positive manner, as defined by the Department of Athletics and Vincennes University.

The Director of Athletics oversees the Department of Athletics and reports directly to the President of Vincennes University. All Vincennes University coaching and athletic department staff members report directly to the Director of Athletics. The Head Coach of each individual sport is given charge of their program and is responsible, with the assistance of the Athletic Director, to uphold the standards and expectations for student-athletes as set forth by the Department of Athletics and Vincennes University. 

The Head Coach of each individual sport is charged to have additional “team rules” on top of the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct; however, these rules must be approved by the Director of Athletics and given to the student-athletes at the beginning of the academic year in question. For those teams whose seasons start prior to the beginning of the academic year, these additional rules must be covered prior to the team’s first scheduled practice.

Any infractions of the Department of Athletics Code of Conduct must be immediately reported to the Director of Athletics. The Director of Athletics and the Head Coach of the given sport will meet and discuss the infraction and the potential disciplinary actions that meet the infraction.  The Director of Athletics will then make a final decision on the disciplinary action to be carried out.  Once the Director of Athletics decides on the disciplinary action to be taken, the Director of Athletics and the Head Coach will meet with the student-athlete and the process will move forward from that point. 

The Director of Athletics will make all disciplinary decisions regarding Vincennes University student-athlete conduct for the Department of Athletics and will keep appropriate Vincennes University staff advised as deemed necessary.

Code of Conduct

The Vincennes University Department of Athletics Code of Conduct can be found via the Student-Athlete Handbook. Please download and print for your records, as well as read each policy carefully to understand. The Athletic Code of Conduct is a set of additional expectations specifically for student-athletes and is to be followed in conjunction with the Vincennes University Student Code of Conduct. All student-athletes are required to always adhere to both codes.

Minor Code of Conduct Policy Infractions

There are certain infractions to the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct at Vincennes University that are considered minor in nature. In the case of a minor policy infraction to the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct, disciplinary action may include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Written warning
• Suspension from contests (amount dependent on the frequency and/or seriousness of the infraction)
• Community service

Examples of minor policy infractions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Sportsmanship (respect for oneself, teammates, coaches, officials, opponents, and property)
• Disrespect (profane, abusive, demeaning, harassing, or obscene expression or deliberate damage to property or equipment)
• Unexcused class absences
• Failure to meet team obligations (arriving promptly at team functions, attending team meetings, etc.)
• Academic misconduct (cheating, tampering, falsification, etc.)

Major Code of Conduct Policy Infractions

There are certain infractions to the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct at Vincennes University that are considered major in nature, warranting potential immediate dismissal from all team activities for the current academic year. 

Potential reinstatement the following academic year is subject to a comprehensive review of the case by the Director of Athletics. Any standard infraction that would be a violation to the University Code of Conduct must also be reviewed by the Dean of Students before reinstatement to athletic participation is granted.

Examples of major policy infractions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Selling of any illegal substance
• Substance abuse on a school-sponsored trip
• Abuse of any illegal substance other than alcohol and marijuana
• Driving under the influence (DUI) of any illegal substance
• Theft in any form
• Vandalism in any form
• Physical abuse of any individual
• Sexual misconduct or sexual assault
• Felony conviction
• Hazing

I certify, under penalty of perjury of the laws of the State of Indiana, that I have read the contents and warning of this acknowledgement; that I fully understand this acknowledgment; that I am in agreement with the terms of this acknowledgment; that I am signing this acknowledgement voluntarily, under no compulsion; that I have had an opportunity to ask questions and seek advice regarding this acknowledgement; that I am age 18 or over or, if not, that my parents/guardians hereby make these promises on my behalf; and that I choose to participate (or to permit my child or ward to participate) in the Vincennes University activity listed below of my own accord.

I further acknowledge that I have printed and read the Vincennes University Student-Athlete Handbook and agree, as an athlete, to abide by the Code of Conduct and the rules and regulations found therein. I promise to conduct myself in a manner that represents my teammates, my coaches, my university, and my parents/guardians/family members at the highest standards.