Compliance Policies - Syracuse University Athletics

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Syracuse University Athletic Compliance Policy Statement
Syracuse University is committed in operating its athletics programs in a manner that is consistent with the letter and the spirit of NCAA, conference and University rules and regulations.  The University's commitment is to maintain control of its athletics programs. The Athletic Compliance takes on the responsibility to educate coaches, staff, student-athletes and other individuals involved with the athletics program in their institutional responsibilities; to develop operating systems within the athletics department and the University that provide guidance in how to work within the rules; and to discover and report any violations of the rules that occur. 

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.

Information concerning violations will be forwarded to the Director of Athletic Compliance who will examine the situation and communicate with the Director of Athletics and the Senior Vice President for Business, Finance, and Administrative Services. When it is determined by the Director of Athletic Compliance that a violation of the rules has occurred, the University will report the violation and correct the situation that led to the problem.  Rule violations will be reported to the appropriate athletics governing body (i.e., NCAA, Atlantic Coast Conference and/or ECAC) with copies to the Director of Athletics, Senior Vice President for Business, Finance, and Administrative Services, Chancellor, Faculty Athletics Representative, University Legal Counsel, the Conference Office, and any involved staff members.

Conduct of Athletic Department and University Personnel

As the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Syracuse strives for academic and athletic excellence, it must always seek the highest standard of ethical conduct, especially from our university staff members. Personnel who work closely with members of the University's athletic programs must be aware of their responsibilities, the extra accountability to which they are held, and the limitations on the interactions which they may have with Syracuse's student-athletes.

NCAA rules prohibit University employees from providing any extra benefit(s) to a currently enrolled student-athlete (or their family or friends). The acceptance by a student-athlete of any extra benefit (advantage, reward, or help not available to all students) 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 practice/participate for Syracuse.

·         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.