Newly-developed policies and a code of conduct regarding student-athletes at Missouri State University have been implemented for the 2008-09 school year.  The policies are to assist coaches and staff with the standards and expectations of student-athletes at all times.

 

One of the key ingredients of the new policies and code is the classification of misconduct into two categories of severity.  The range of appropriate sanctions that can be imposed for misconduct are different based on the severity of the inappropriate behavior.   The policy also requires that any student-athlete arrested for conduct likely to result in a felony charge will be suspended from all athletic participation while the University conducts an investigation. 

 

The Department of Athletics also has implemented a Pledge of Conduct, a Sportsmanship Policy, and a Social Networking and Interaction Policy for student-athletes as part of the recommendations made by the Special Review Panel.  

 

In November 2007, Missouri State President Dr. Michael Nietzel named the 10-member Special Review Panel and gave it a four-part charge.  The Panel presented 20 recommendations to Dr. Nietzel in February 2008 with a final implementation schedule of August 2008. The policies and Student-Athlete Code of Conduct were among the recommendations from a Panel. 

 

To review the new policies, please CLICK HERE.  To view the entire report of the Special Review Panel, please CLICK HERE.

 

The Student-Athlete Code of Conduct must now be reviewed, along with team-specific rules, by each coach with all of his or her student-athlete every semester.  The Intercollegiate Athletics Social Networking and Interaction Policy also was implemented for the fall 2008 semester and includes specific expectations and guidelines regarding on-line and new media usage by Missouri State student-athletes.  It must be signed and reviewed annually along with the Student-Athlete Pledge of Conduct and Sportsmanship. The Pledge is the final accountability document that Missouri State student-athletes must adhere to as part of the newly-implemented policy.

 

Approximately 400 student-athletes are expected to participate on the University's 16 intercollegiate teams this academic year.