Student-Athlete Discipline Policy

Layout for printing
Policy Number:
UW-605
Responsible Office:
Athletics

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

Why Have a Separate Policy for Student-Athletes?

  • All UW student-athletes, like all other students, are subject to Chapter UWS 17 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code on Student Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures.
  • All UW student-athletes are subject to team rules developed by the head coach of each sport.
  • A separate policy, outside of Chapter UWS 17 and in addition to the team rules, is necessary because allegations of student-athlete misconduct generally receive more public attention than those involving regular students in two senses: the allegations are likely to result in more publicity and will become known to more people.
  • The increased public attention carries legitimate expectations that the University will take allegations seriously and not appear to condone misconduct.
  • Failure to meet public expectations may undermine the public trust in the University and therefore impair its ability to carry out its mission of teaching, research, and public service.
  • Fairness to the student-athlete is important in itself as well as to preserve public trust in the University. 

The Purposes of the Policy

  • To impose mandatory suspensions from team activities when certain situations involving student-athletes occur.
  • To clarify and reinforce the standards of behavior expected of student-athletes.
  • To treat student-athletes fairly.
  • To assure confidence in the integrity of the process by minimizing the potential for conflict on the part of administrators, coaches, and student-athletes.
Definitions:

1 As defined by the UW-Madison Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence. Sexual violence includes sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking.

2 Per the UW-Madison Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence, when Title IX Responsible Employees within the Athletic Department receive any information that suggests a violation of that policy has occurred or is occurring, the alleged violation must be reported to the Title IX Coordinator as soon as possible.

3 “Final disposition” for a criminal case or University proceeding means the earlier of an agreed-upon resolution or disposition of all appeals (including the deadline for filing such appeals).

4 In cases involving sexual harassment or sexual violence, the Title IX Coordinator (or designee) will be consulted before any public disclosure is made.

Scope:

This Policy applies when:

  • A student-athlete has been charged with or arrested for a crime (or when credible information suggests that a charge or arrest for a crime will soon occur) based on conduct:
    • Causing serious physical injury to another person;
    • Creating a serious danger to the personal safety of another person;
    • Making a credible threat of serious physical injury to another person;
    • Delivering or possessing with intent to deliver a controlled substance as defined in Chap. 961, Wis. Stats.;
    • Involving felony theft or felony criminal damage to property;
    • Involving repeated violations of the criminal law that raise the concerns addressed by the policy; or
    • Involving allegations of sexual harassment or sexual violence.1
  • A student-athlete is found responsible either by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (if the student-athlete waives the student-athlete’s right to a subsequent hearing under Chapter UWS 17) or by the hearing committee or examiner under Chapter UWS 17 (if the student-athlete proceeds to the hearing) for misconduct, where the sanction is either suspension or expulsion.

Deciding Whether the Policy Applies

When there is a good faith question about whether the Policy applies, the Athletic Director (or designee) shall decide, in consultation with the chair of the Athletic Board and a designee of the Chancellor, whether the Policy applies.

Policy:

This Student-Athlete Discipline Policy (“Policy”) specifies the procedure to be used by the Athletic Department to respond to certain allegations of misconduct by student-athletes. The Athletic Director (or designee) will decide whether the information known at the time supports disciplinary action and what the discipline should be. The student-athlete may appeal the decision to the Athlete Discipline Appeal Committee.

If the Policy Applies: Immediate Suspension from Team Activities Pending Factual Inquiry

  • If the Policy applies, the student-athlete shall be suspended immediately from competition and practice with his or her team.
    • In cases involving sexual harassment or sexual violence, the Athletic Director (or designee) shall consult with the Title IX Coordinator before a suspension from team activities is issued.2
  • Any financial aid will remain in place.
  • The student-athlete’s name will remain on the squad list and with Student-Athlete Services.
  • The student-athlete will have access to weight training and sports medicine facilities.
  • The student-athlete will have access to academic support services.

The coach for the student-athlete does not make the suspension decision.

  • Suspension shall be followed immediately by prompt factual inquiry.

Prompt Factual Inquiry

  • Decisions based on facts are important if the use of this Policy is to serve the interests of the University and treat student-athletes fairly.
  • The facts of the alleged misconduct may not be described accurately or well-developed when the misconduct first becomes known.
  • It may take a considerable period of time for the criminal process or University investigative/disciplinary process to develop the facts.
  • A prompt inquiry should be conducted to develop the facts, so that actions taken under this Policy are based on sufficient information.
  • The Athletic Director (or designee) shall promptly appoint a person to inquire into the facts, including, but not limited to, the following:
    • Whether the student-athlete was arrested and, if so, for what offense.
    • Whether the student-athlete was immediately arrested or detained.
    • Whether charges have been issued or are likely to be issued, and, if so, for what offense.
    • What is alleged in support of the arrest or charge.
    • Whether the student-athlete is being investigated for either academic or non-academic misconduct under Chaps. UWS 14 or 17.
  • In some cases, certain information may not be available for a considerable period of time. In these cases, the Athletic Director, in consultation with the chair of the Athletic Board and a designee of the Chancellor, and specifically, in cases involving sexual harassment or sexual violence, relying on information collected by the Title IX Coordinator, may:
    • Based on the available information, refer the case for decision under Section 8 of the Policy, or
    • Reinstate the student-athlete until sufficient facts are available.
  • If the student-athlete has not been reinstated, or the case has not been referred for decision under Section 8 of the Policy, the student-athlete may request that a decision be made to reinstate or refer the case for a decision under Section 8 of this Policy. When such a request has been made, the Athletic Director, in consultation with, the Chair of the Board and a designee of the Chancellor will consider the request in light of the severity of the alleged misconduct, and the information known by, or provided to the Athletic Department, to determine whether the lack of reinstatement or referral at that point is reasonable in light of the purposes of this Policy and the desire for prompt resolution of allegations.

Student-Athlete Participation in the Factual Inquiry 

  • The student-athlete shall be given the opportunity to provide information and to respond to the information offered by others.

Decision About Discipline

  • When the appropriate inquiry has been completed, the Athletic Director (or designee) shall consult with the chair of the Athletic Board, a designated member of the Athletic Board, and the Chancellor’s designee and decide:
    • Whether the allegations of misconduct are supported by information that is sufficiently reliable to support action under this Policy.
      • The Athletic Department shall not conduct independent investigations or make findings in cases involving allegations of sexual harassment or sexual violence and, instead, will defer to the findings of the investigation conducted by the Title IX Coordinator (or designee).
    • What disposition is necessary and sufficient to serve the purposes of this Policy.
      • In cases involving University investigations of sexual harassment or sexual violence, this decision shall be made in consultation with the Title IX Coordinator (or designee).
  • The following range of dispositional measures may be considered and imposed under this Section:
    • Reprimand by the Athletic Department.
    • Denial of specified privileges (e.g., functions during bowl trips or tournament appearances).
    • Imposition of reasonable terms and conditions on continued status as a team member.
    • Restitution.
    • Counseling, and/or participation in a program of training (e.g., drug or alcohol abuse, sexual harassment, etc.).
    • Other measures suggested by the student-athlete’s coach.
    • Community service.
    • Apology.
    • Continued suspension.
    • Dismissal from the team.
    • Reinstatement.

The Student-Athlete Has the Right to Appeal the Decision About Athletic Department Discipline

  • The student-athlete may appeal the decision on discipline by the Athletic Director (or designee) under Section 8 of this Policy by requesting a hearing before the Athlete Discipline Appeal Committee (“Committee”).
    • The appeal is a review of the discipline decision, not a new determination of the facts.
    • The standard of review for any such appeal is one of reasonableness.
  • The request for appeal shall be made in writing to the Athletic Director (or designee) within five (5) days of the decision about discipline made under Section 8 of this Policy.
  • The Committee members will be selected to avoid actual or apparent conflict of interest and include:
    • Chair of UW Athletic Board.
    • A designee of the Division of Student Life.
    • A coach.
    • A student representative on the Athletic Board.
    • A representative of the Chancellor’s Office.
  • The Committee will schedule the appeal hearing within a reasonable period of time.
  • The Committee may be advised by counsel from the UW-Madison Office of Legal Affairs or designee.
  • The student-athlete may be represented by legal counsel or other advisor (at the student-athlete’s expense).
  • The student-athlete’s legal counsel or other advisor is allowed to address the Committee.
  • The Athletic Director (or designee) shall appear before the Committee to explain the decision and the basis for it.
  • The formal rules of evidence do not apply.
  • When appropriate under the Open Meetings Law, the hearing may be held in closed session.
  • The Committee shall decide whether to affirm the original decision or modify it.
  • If the Committee modifies the original decision, it may impose any of the dispositional alternatives set forth in Section 8 of this Policy (except dismissal from the team and increasing the length of the suspension from team activities).

Review After Disposition of a Criminal Prosecution or University Investigation/Proceeding

When a criminal case or University proceeding involving conduct addressed under this Policy reaches final disposition3, the Athletic Director (or designee), in consultation with the chair of the Athletic Board, the designated member of the Athletic Board, and the Chancellor’s designee, may review the discipline imposed by the Athletic Department.

The Policy is directed at discipline and does not address the separate question of public announcements of disciplinary action taken. It is important to note that discipline in its broadest sense is imposed by coaches in the ordinary course of their work for violation of team rules. The practice with respect to discipline under this Policy will be to publicly announce suspensions imposed, except in extraordinary cases4. On an annual basis, the chair of the Athletic Board will provide a summary to the Board of the experience with this disciplinary Policy.

Authority of Athletic Director Over Student-Athletes

This Policy does not affect the authority of the Athletic Director to impose discipline or take other actions affecting the participation of student-athletes in various athletic sports activities in circumstances not covered by this Policy.

Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:

Wisconsin athletics policies and procedures (PDF)

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Director of Athletics
Policy Manager:
Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Services
Contact:
Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Student Services -- Doug Tiedt, dat@athletics.wisc.edu, (608) 263-1681
Date Issued:
09-01-2019
Retrieved:
10-28-2021 08:19:28