Code of Conduct

The Department of Athletics & Recreation requires that all student-athletes conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the high values and tradition maintained by McMaster University. All students are expected to understand that they are required to behave at all times in a manner consistent with the McMaster Student Code of Conduct and the McMaster Residence Code of Conduct and will be subject to discipline under these Codes if they are violated.

Participation in university sport is a privilege, and not a right. Expectations for conduct of student-athletes include:

Student-athletes are expected to treat everyone with courtesy and respect within the context of their sport, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, political beliefs, economic status, or sexual orientation. This requirement prohibits any form of harassment or discrimination by a student-athlete.

Student-athletes must abide by the rules and regulations of their sport, as set out by the OUA, USPORTS, and the sport governing body.

Student-athletes are expected to avoid the use of anabolic steroids or other illegal performance enhancing drugs and techniques (e.g., blood doping), as outlined by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).

Student-athletes are expected to avoid any negative interaction or conflict with members of opposing teams and/or officials except as they occur in the actual course of competition and which constitute, on behalf of their teams, the legitimate expression of the competitive spirit of their teams or team member.

      5. You do not willfully damage the property of others, which would include, but not be limited to:
                  a. Hotel rooms
                  b. Transportation vehicles
                  c. Facilities at other universities

You do not consume or transport alcoholic beverages on team vehicles.

HAZING
Hazing is a broad term encompassing any action or activity which does not contribute to the positive development of a person; which inflicts or intends to cause physical or mental harm or anxieties; which may demean, degrade, or disgrace any person, regardless of location, intent or consent of participants. Hazing is an initiation process involving harassment.

Hazing is NOT permitted and any such occurrence will be dealt with severely. Teams and/or individuals will be subject to a disciplinary review within Athletics & Recreation and/or the Student Code of Conduct process and may sacrifice a year of eligibility or suffer severe sanctions for hazing or inappropriate initiation behaviour.

You have the RESPONSIBILITY to be an ambassador for McMaster University and your sport and to avoid engaging in activities likely to cause personal injury, intimidation, or harassment.

SOCIAL MEDIA
McMaster University‘s Department of Athletics & Recreation recognizes and supports its student-athletes’ rights to freedom of speech, expression, and association, including the use of social networks. In this context, however, each student-athlete must remember that playing and competing for McMaster is a privilege, not a right. As a student-athlete, you represent the University and you are expected to portray yourself, your team, and the University in a positive manner at all times. The student-athletes, coaches, and staff representing Marauder Athletics are seen as role models on campus and in the community, and as leaders, we all have the responsibility to represent our teams, our schools and ourselves in a responsible and positive manner. All of the above expectations outlined in the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct applies within our social media policy including, but not limited to, hazing and the negative interaction with opposing teams and/or officials.

Individuals not meeting these behavioural expectations will immediately be dealt with by the Department of Athletics & Recreation personnel, the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, the appropriate Senate committee, and/or through the federal/provincial legal system depending on the severity and/or nature of the offence.