Department of Athletics

A. Mission Statement
B. Sport Sponsorship
C. Code of Conduct
D. Mount Holyoke Student-Athlete Statement
E. Drug, Alcohol & Tobacco Policy
F. Hazing Policy

A. Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Physical Education and Athletics at Mount Holyoke College is to support and enhance the commitment of Mount Holyoke College to the education of women. Education through the physical involving skill development in sports, exercise and dance is an integral part of the total educational experience at a liberal arts college.

The department believes that our programs should provide the opportunity for each student to develop her talents to the highest level of excellence possible. The basic Physical Education instruction program provides instruction in a wide range of activities and lifetime sports allowing each student the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge that will lead to an active and healthy lifestyle. The student with advanced skills has the opportunity to practice and perfect her skills through varsity intercollegiate competition with student-athletes from other institutions. The Department is also committed to providing and maintaining facilities that support the recreational and fitness needs of members of the Mount Holyoke College community—which includes both intramural and competitive club sport competitions.

B. Sport Sponsorship

Mount Holyoke College sponsors 14 varsity intercollegiate sport programs: basketball, crew, cross country, riding, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, squash, swimming & diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track & field, and volleyball. Mount Holyoke College boasts some of the oldest collegiate athletic programs as well as some of the top women athletes in the country, including Olympic medalists and World Championship competitors.

C. Code of Conduct

The following Code of Conduct is expected of all student-athletes on a year-round basis, whether in season, out of season, on campus or off campus. We hold our student-athletes to a higher standard than the general student body and recognize that they represent their team, the athletic department and the College in all they say and do. Participating in intercollegiate athletics is a privilege, and can be taken away for any violation of team policy, the Code of Conduct, hazing, or the drug, alcohol and tobacco policy.

Being a Mount Holyoke student-athlete brings with it not only the responsibility of representing your team and the athletic program, but the privilege and responsibility of representing Mount Holyoke College. Your behavior during competition, at practice, in the classroom, on campus, and through media outlets (Facebook, the Internet, newspapers, etc.) should reflect positively on yourself, the team, the athletic department and the College. It is expected that all student-athletes adhere to the Mount Holyoke College Code of Conduct as well as stay committed to good sportsmanship and developing healthy environments for practice and competition. Student-athletes are expected to conduct themselves in such a manner to represent the highest level of honor and observe the tenets of good sportsmanship, honesty, fairness, dignity, civility, and respect.

Mount Holyoke College will not condone unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of the student-athlete, coach, administrator, spectator or any individual associated with a member institution.

Good Sportsmanship includes:

• Observing and supporting the rules of sport
• Promoting the spirit as well as the letter of the rules
• Placing fairness first as a goal in all competition
• Taking a personal responsibility for high standards of play
• Showing civility toward competitors, coaches, and officials
• Commending good effort by teammates, opponents, and officials
• Playing cleanly while playing hard
• Showing maturity and integrity in conduct on and off the field of play
• Being a gracious winner and accepting defeat gracefully

D. Mount Holyoke Student-Athlete Statement

I am a Mount Holyoke College student athlete.

I am a Mount Holyoke College athlete. I am trained for success, not just for today, but into the future.

E. Drug, Alcohol & Tobacco Policy

Policy
In accordance with the Massachusetts State Law and the Mount Holyoke College Alcohol and Other Drug Policy, the Mount Holyoke College Athletics Department prohibits the consumption of alcohol by persons under 21 years of age as well as the possession, distribution, sale or use of illicit drugs by any person. In addition, the use of alcohol and other drugs may be in violation of the campus alcohol and drug policy and may result in additional disciplinary actions.

Scientific research has clearly established that the use of alcoholic beverages and tobacco is counterproductive to athletic performance. Consequently, the use of alcohol and tobacco by student-athletes is restricted during traditional and non-traditional seasons. The policy on the consumption of alcohol by student-athletes maintains:

• No alcohol at team events and activities (practice, game, coach attended event, and training trips).
• No alcohol 24 hours prior to a team practice.
• No alcohol 48 hours prior to a team competition.

The policy in the case of tobacco is:

• no tobacco

Sanctions

Any student-athlete, who is in violation of the Athletics Department drug, alcohol and tobacco policy, will be subject to the following sanctions:

• 1st offense: Referred to the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Project (ADAP) for alcohol and other drug education.
• 2nd offense: Minimum one competition suspension and referral to ADAP for assessment.
• 3rd offense: Dismissal from team.

Coaches may amend their policies to include stricter sanctions. These policies must be in writing and on file with the Athletic Department and clearly defined to the team at the beginning of the season.

The Department of Physical Education and Athletics does not condone the use of illegal drugs or underage drinking at any time, regardless of whether or not the individual(s) is in or out of season. If a violation occurs out of season, it will be left to the discretion of the Director of Athletics to determine appropriate sanctions.

Student-athletes who would like to seek help for alcohol or drug-related problems are encouraged to do so. No punitive action will be taken for seeking assistance voluntarily. ADAP assures confidentiality. Please contact ADAP at x 2616.

It is expected that coaches and student-athletes will enforce this policy and act in accordance with the Mount Holyoke College Honor Code.

F. Hazing Policy

In compliance with state law, hazing is strictly prohibited. On November 26, 1985, legislation prohibiting hazing took effect in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Although hazing is most commonly associated with induction into college fraternities and sororities, the practice can also occur in a number of other circumstances.

The legislation states:

The term “hazing”...shall mean any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person.

Such conduct shall include whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to weather, forced consumption of any food, liquor, beverage, or other substance, or any brutal treatment or forced physical activity which is likely to adversely affect the physical health or safety of any such student or other person, or which subjects such student or other person to extreme mental stress, including extended deprivation of sleep or rest or extended isolation.