Student Athlete Handbook

Introduction

Cameron University is a Division II member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Lone Star Conference. Cameron’s men’s and women’s programs operate under the rules, regulations, and guidelines of the NCAA, the Lone Star Conference and Cameron University.

This handbook provides student-athletes at Cameron University with a reference regarding the University’s Department of Athletics policies, guidelines, regulations, and operating procedures. This handbook is not intended to be a complete or definitive source of information. Please refer to the Cameron University Student Handbook or the NCAA Manual for more detailed information.

Principle of Student-Athlete Well-Being

Intercollegiate athletics programs shall be conducted in a manner designed to protect and enhance the physical and educational well-being of student-athletes.

Overall Educational Experience: It is the responsibility of each member institution to establish and maintain an environment in which a student-athlete’s activities are conducted as an integral part of the student-athlete’s educational experience.
Health and Safety: It is the responsibility of each member institution to protect the health of and provide a safe environment for each of its participating student-athletes.
Student-Athlete/Coach Relationship: It is the responsibility of each member institution to establish and maintain an environment that fosters a positive relationship between the student-athlete and coach.
Fairness, Openness and Honesty: It is the responsibility of each member institution to ensure that coaches and administrators exhibit fairness, openness and honesty in their relationships with student-athletes.
Student-Athlete Involvement: It is the responsibility of each member institution to involve student-athletes in matters that affect their lives.

Principle of Sportsmanship & Ethical Conduct

For intercollegiate athletics to promote the character development of participants, to enhance the integrity of higher education and to promote civility in society, student-athletes, coaches, and all others associated with these athletics programs and events should adhere to such fundamental values as respect, fairness, civility, honesty and responsibility. These values should be manifested not only in athletics participation but also in the broad spectrum of activities affecting the athletics program.

It is the responsibility of each institution to:

Establish policies for sportsmanship and ethical conduct in intercollegiate athletics consistent with the educational mission and goals of the institution; and
Educate, on a continuing basis, all constituencies about the policies in sportsmanship and ethical conduct.

Cameron Athletics Mission

The mission of Cameron Athletics is to cultivate champion citizens, scholars, and athletes through intercollegiate competition, community involvement, and leadership.

Cameron Athletics Vision

Cameron Athletics aspires to be regarded as a preeminent NCAA Division II athletics program that serves as a symbol of pride for the University, its alumni, and the greater community.

The Aggie Way

The Aggie Way is built on the mantra Win the Day! Cameron student-athletes are expected to approach each day by embracing the department’s three core values:

Resilient · Respectful · Responsible

Student-Athlete Code of Conduct

The Cameron Athletics department strives to maintain the highest standards of academic achievement, athletic competitiveness, and integrity. Participation in the Cameron Athletics program is a privilege and not a right. You are solely responsible for your own behavior. Your personal conduct should reflect favorably upon yourself, your team, and the University.

Personal conduct infractions, on or off campus, include, but are not limited to:

Violation of federal, state, or local law
Violation of NCAA bylaws, rules and regulations
Violation of the rules and regulations of the Cameron University Student Handbook, including the Code of Student Conduct
Violations of the Cameron Athletics policies and regulations, including:
- Failure of an NCAA administered drug test
- Possession or consumption of alcohol and/or illegal drugs while representing the University at a home or away event or competition
- Poor sportsmanship
- Disrespectful conduct including offensive or discriminatory words or actions
- Dishonesty such as falsifying documents, cheating, or plagiarism
- Unexcused class absences
- Failure to participate in athletic surveys and team assessments
- Possession of a firearm, weapon, or incendiary device on campus
Failure to meet team obligations including choosing not to complete a season without proper medical documentation
Violation of team rules

Each sport establishes team rules within the parameters set forth by the NCAA, the Lone Star Conference, the University, and the Cameron Athletics department. The head coach will review team rules at the beginning of every season.

The Cameron Athletics administration reserves the right to refer a student to the Office of Student Development, at any time, for violations of federal, state, and local law, or the Code of Student Conduct. The Cameron Athletics administration further reserves the right to investigate and discipline student-athletes for any violations of the rules and regulations of the NCAA or the Lone Star Conference.

Student-athletes are obligated to promptly disclose to Athletics if they are arrested or charged with any crime, whether a misdemeanor or felony, regardless of state or jurisdiction wherein the arrest or charge occurred, excluding parking tickets and citations for traffic moving violations. If students are aware of a warrant for their arrest, including warrants for traffic violations, they are obligated to disclose that information to Athletics.

Any student-athlete charged with a crime committed while a Cameron student, except traffic offenses or offenses not involving moral turpitude, may not participate on athletic teams while charges are pending. Consequences may include, but are not limited to, removal from the team and/or the reduction or cancellation of athletics financial aid.

Academic Responsibility

Each student-athlete is responsible for meeting the following academic expectations. Failure to meet these responsibilities may result in suspension from competition, dismissal from the team and/or reduction or loss of athletic financial aid.

Meet all academic responsibilities, including regular class attendance and the timely completion of all assignments
Meet regularly with academic advisors
Register for classes in a timely manner to ensure sufficient credits to maintain athletic eligibility
Submit all missed class forms for away athletic competitions to faculty in a timely manner
Attend all team study hall sessions
A complete commitment to academic integrity

NCAA Eligibility

Student-athletes must meet the eligibility requirements of the NCAA. While the University and the Athletics department monitor academic progress and eligibility, each student-athlete is responsible for ensuring that all applicable requirements are being met.

All first-year student-athletes with no previous full-time college attendance are required to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center before arriving on campus. Each student-athlete must be declared academically eligible, medically eligible, and have their amateurism certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

No student-athlete is allowed to compete until they have been certified as a “qualifier” by the NCAA Eligibility Center. A student-athlete designated as a “partial qualifier” may receive athletics aid and will be permitted to practice, but not compete, in their first year.

Academic Certification

The Department of Athletics maintains all records relating to satisfactory progress towards a degree for each student-athlete. Forms verifying satisfactory progress towards a degree are filed as required by the NCAA and are held for audit at any time. Official transcripts are held in the Registrar’s office. The Registrar, Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR), and Director of Compliance certify the continuing eligibility of student-athletes.

Academic Requirements

A student-athlete must be enrolled full-time, 12 hours each semester, to be eligible for practice, competition, and athletics financial aid, unless they meet a legislated exception.

A student-athlete must be in Good Academic Standing and meet the normal progression policies of Cameron University to be eligible to participate once they have:

One academic year in residence at Cameron
Used a season of competition at Cameron, or
A midyear transfer to Cameron

To maintain athletic eligibility, a student-athlete must meet the following Good Academic Standing requirements:

Earn a minimum of 9 credit hours term-to-term
Earn a minimum of 24 hours annually, fall, spring, and summer
Earn a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA

Any student-athlete who wishes to change his or her major or drop a class is required to consult with the Director of NCAA Compliance or the Faculty Athletics Representative before doing so.

Financial Aid

A student-athlete may receive financial aid up to the value of a full grant-in-aid but may not exceed this limit to be eligible for practice, competition and athletic aid.

Athletic Scholarships

A student-athlete is eligible to receive athletics aid provided he or she is in regular attendance as an undergraduate or graduate student at Cameron with remaining athletics eligibility. A student-athlete may receive an athletics scholarship for one semester or one academic year. Athletic scholarships may be renewed by the head coach, consistent with NCAA rules, for the following year but are not guaranteed for multiple years.

Should a student-athlete who is receiving a room and/or board scholarship be removed from housing for misconduct, that student’s portion of the scholarship will be cancelled.

Any student-athlete who receives a scholarship from an agency or organization that is not processed through Cameron University must report that aid via the Outside Scholarship Verification Form. Information may be obtained from the Compliance Office.

Reduction and Cancellation of Athletics Aid

A student-athlete’s athletic scholarship may be reduced or cancelled during the period of the award for any of the following reasons:

You become ineligible for intercollegiate competition
You fraudulently misrepresent any information on an application, letter of intent, or financial aid agreement
You engage in serious misconduct that warrants substantial disciplinary penalty by the University’s regular disciplinary authority
You exceed the NCAA limits for financial aid
You voluntarily withdraw from your sport at any time for personal reasons

A student-athlete whose athletics aid is reduced or cancelled during the term of the award will receive a letter from the Director of Financial Aid notifying the athlete of their right to appeal along with policies and procedures for the appeal. A committee that is independent from the Athletics Department will hear the appeal.

Athletic Scholarship Appeal

The Director of Financial Aid shall send notification within 14 consecutive calendar days from the date a student-athlete has been notified of the decision to reduce or cancel aid during the period of the award or the reduction or nonrenewal of aid for the following academic year. The notification shall inform the student-athlete that in accordance with NCAA rules and institutional policy, the student-athlete shall have the opportunity to appeal the decision of the athletic department. Furthermore, the notification of the decision shall include the procedures by which the student-athlete can appeal.

The institution shall conduct the hearing within 30 consecutive days of receiving a student-athlete’s request for the hearing. The Financial Aid Appeals Committee, independent of the athletic department, shall conduct the hearing.

Procedures for filing an appeal

The student-athlete must notify the Director of Financial Aid, in writing, of their request to appeal within 14 consecutive calendar days of receipt of notification.
The Director of Financial Aid shall notify both the student-athlete and the AD, or designee, of the student’s request for a hearing and the hearing date, which shall be set within 30 days of the student-athlete’s hearing request, absent extenuating circumstances.
The student-athlete must submit all documentation, including a letter explaining the situation and any documents that will assist the committee in making a decision, to the Director of Financial Aid seven calendar days prior to the hearing date.
The Director of Financial Aid shall request all documentation relevant to the reduction, cancellation or nonrenewal of athletics aid from the athletic department to be submitted seven business days prior to the hearing date.
Once all documentation has been received from the athletic department and the student-athlete, the Director of Financial Aid will review all documentation to ensure that all issues are covered by both parties. The Director will contact the student-athlete or athletic department if any additional information is needed.
An appeals packet, with documentation from both parties, will be sent to each committee member for review.
Each party shall appear on the hearing date and have an opportunity to address the Committee. After the hearing, the committee shall meet to discuss and decide the outcome of the appeal. Once a decision is made, the Director of Financial Aid will notify the student-athlete and the athletic department of the decision. All decisions of the committee are final.

Institutional financial aid based in any degree on athletics ability may not be decreased or canceled during the period of the award:

On the basis of a student-athlete’s athletic ability, performance, or contribution to the team’s success
Because of an injury, illness, or physical or mental condition
If a student-athlete provides written notification of a transfer. However, Cameron may reduce or cancel an athletics aid agreement signed for the next academic year
For any other athletics reason

Renewals, Reductions, and Non-Renewals of Athletics Aid after the Term of the Award

After the term of the award, NCAA rules permit the head coach to cancel or reduce athletics aid for any reason. Each student-athlete with remaining eligibility will receive a letter from the Director of Financial Aid prior to July 1 notifying them that their athletics aid has been renewed, increased, reduced or cancelled for the following term.

If a student-athlete’s athletic aid is being reduced or cancelled, the student-athlete will be notified by the Director of Financial Aid of their right to appeal along with the policies and procedures for the appeal. A committee that is independent from the Athletics Department will hear the appeal. All decisions of the committee are final.

Media Relations and Communications

The purpose of the Cameron University Athletics Communications Office is to serve as a liaison between the institution’s student-athletes, teams, and the media. The University is proud of its student-athletes and constantly strives to make sure that their academic and athletic achievements receive proper media recognition.

Student-athletes have a responsibility to the institution, the coaching staff, and their teammates to cooperate with media representatives whenever possible. Cooperation with the media builds a solid foundation for good relationships and ensures positive coverage by newspapers, radio and television stations. Student-athletes should act in a professional manner when speaking with the media, always striving to display confidence and a positive attitude as well as courtesy to the individual media representative.

Sports Medicine

Please visit the Cameron Athletics website for a summary of medical policies and procedures. Information can be found under the “Athletics” tab.

Cameron Athletics website

Program Evaluations

Cameron University has an open door policy for any student-athlete to address concerns. Meetings are considered confidential and can be arranged by appointment.

At the conclusion of each team’s traditional playing season, each athlete will take part in a formal evaluation process to provide feedback about their team and student-athlete experience. All members of the team will be expected to participate and provide constructive feedback.

Team Travel

All student-athletes should remember that they are representing Cameron University whenever their team travels on the road for competition. All trips officially begin when the team leaves campus and end upon the team’s return to campus.

Travel: Student-athletes are required to travel with the team in University approved vehicles to and from all competitions unless they receive approval from the head coach and provide written documentation prior to the trip from a parent or legal guardian granting permission for the student-athlete to travel in their personal vehicle.
Alcohol or other Drugs: Use is strictly forbidden at any time. Consumption will result in disciplinary action, including team suspension, expulsion, and reduction or loss of athletics aid.
Dress Code: All student-athletes should present a professional image in every way. Coaches may have specific dress codes for their teams when traveling away from campus. Student-athletes are prohibited from wearing logos of other college or professional sports teams.
Lodging: Charges for hotel rooms and tax are the direct responsibility of the College. Incidental expenses such as telephone, room service and pay movies are to be paid by the individual student-athlete.
Property Damage and Theft: All student-athletes are responsible for their behavior concerning property damage and theft. Violators will be subject to the University’s disciplinary code and may be subject to restitution payments.

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)

The National Collegiate Athletic Association’s new Name, Image, and Likeness rules, which went into effect on August 1, 2024, include:

NIL Opportunities: Athletes can pursue NIL opportunities without restrictions from the NCAA, conferences, or university. NIL deals must be independent of enrollment, performance, or team membership.
Disclosure Requirements: Student-athletes must disclose NIL agreements worth more than $600 within 30 days.
NIL Service Providers: Third-party NIL service providers, such as sports agents, financial advisors, and athletic consultants, must comply with new disclosure measures.
NIL Platform: The NCAA NIL Assist platform provides information to student-athletes about NIL deals, including a registry of potential service providers.

Additional information about NIL is located on the Cameron Athletics website under the “Recruits” tab. Any student-athlete considering entering into an NIL agreement is responsible for reporting all NIL activities via the Cameron Athletics website.

Cameron Athletics website

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, SAAC, is a group comprised of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect the lives of student-athletes.

The purpose of SAAC at Cameron University is to acknowledge and represent the collective voice of student-athletes and to encourage an exchange of ideas and resources within the campus community by engaging in the following actions:

Promote a healthy and constant communication between the student-athletes, the Cameron community, the athletics department, and the Lone Star Conference office.
Give student-athletes an opportunity to communicate suggestions, needs, wants, praises and concerns to the athletic administration, as well as other campus administration.
Encourage more student-athlete involvement in community engagement projects, both on the Cameron campus and in the Lawton community.
Design programs that will encourage academic success, promote physical well-being, social responsibility, and general awareness of student-athletes within the campus community.

Student-Athlete Welfare Policies

Each student-athlete is responsible for any actions that violate the University’s policies in the Cameron Student Handbook. Student-athletes must understand that if they are found responsible for violating any policy in the Cameron Student Handbook, the Athletic Department, the Director of Athletics/designee, or head coach may take concurrent or consecutive disciplinary action in addition to University disciplinary action against the student-athlete for violation of department or team rules.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The University, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity/expression, consistent with applicable law, age, 40 or older, religion, political beliefs, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, housing, financial aid, and education services.

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to the University Equal Opportunity Officer and Title IX Coordinator:

Phone: 580-581-6712
Email: eo-tix@cameron.edu

Accommodations

The Office of Student Development encourages full participation for students with disabilities and helps ensure equal educational opportunities. Students must self-identify and engage in an interactive process with the Office of Student Development, including a discussion of individual needs, rights, and responsibilities.

Students must meet all admission and academic standards, provide appropriate documentation of disability, and contact and meet with the Office of Student Development in a timely manner when seeking accommodations.

Phone: 580-581-2209
Email: student_development@cameron.edu

Sexual Misconduct, Discrimination, and Harassment

The University is committed to creating and maintaining a community where all persons who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in an atmosphere free from discrimination and harassment. The University prohibits discrimination based on sex or gender, which includes discrimination and harassment on the basis of pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, as covered by applicable law, and all forms of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking.

For a full copy of Cameron’s policy and procedures, please visit the Title IX page.

To report a violation of the University’s sexual misconduct, discrimination, and harassment policy:

Phone: 580-581-6712
Email: eo-tix@cameron.edu

If you are in an emergency or if you would like to initiate a criminal complaint:

Office of Public Safety, non-emergency: 580-581-2237
Office of Public Safety, emergency: 580-581-2911
Emergency services: 911

Alcohol

The Athletic Department fully supports the University’s efforts and response to violations of the institution’s regulations governing the use of alcohol. It is a violation for student-athletes to be under the influence of alcohol at any team activity, including Athletic Department sponsored road trips. Student-athletes in violation of any alcohol policies will be subject to charges under the Student Code of Conduct.

Tobacco

Per the NCAA, the use of tobacco, including smokeless tobacco, is prohibited in connection with any intercollegiate team function. Cameron is a tobacco-free environment. Student-athletes in violation of this section may be subject to charges under the Student Code of Conduct. Student-athletes may also be subject to disciplinary action by the Athletic Department.

Hazing

Cameron University is committed to fostering a safe and welcoming environment for all members of the Cameron community including students, employees, advisors, coaches, volunteers, and affiliated individuals. Cameron will not tolerate any activity that endangers their physical or mental health and safety.

The Cameron Student Code of Conduct and the Cameron University Hazing Policy prohibit hazing in all forms. Hazing is any act or activity that is intentional, knowing, or reckless, and is committed or coerced by a person or persons against another person or people regardless of their willingness to participate, during an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in a student organization or University program, and that causes or creates a risk of physical or psychological injury.

Physical or psychological injuries can include but are not limited to physical contact; mental harm; forced consumption of food, drugs, or alcohol; misuse of alcohol or drugs; sexual activities; financial obligations; or other violations of university policies or laws.

Any student, employee, or other individual who witnesses hazing or has reason to believe that hazing has occurred must report the incident immediately. Hazing can be reported to the Office of Student Development:

Phone: 580-581-2209
Email: student_development@cameron.edu

Hazing can also be reported through Aggies Report It.

The University and the Department of Athletics may take disciplinary action against any student-athletes, student-athlete groups, or Cameron sports teams who are involved in hazing activities. Such disciplinary action by the Department of Athletics may be taken independently of state or local prosecutorial actions regardless of the outcome of such prosecutorial actions.

Hazing on the part of student-athletes is strictly forbidden, whether on-campus or off-campus. Student-athletes may refer to the Cameron University Student Handbook for Oklahoma state statutes.

Cameron University Athletics Drug Testing Policy

The Banned Substance Use Prevention and Screening Policy can be found in the University’s related policy materials.

NCAA Drug Testing

The NCAA conducts drug testing for all intercollegiate sports on an annual basis and during some post-season championships.

Strict penalties have been established for the first and subsequent violations of the NCAA banned substance rule. In addition, student-athletes who refuse to participate in mandatory drug testing, or who attempt to cause an incorrect result, will also receive a penalty.

It is the student-athlete’s responsibility to check with the appropriate or designated athletics staff before using any substance or supplement. There is no complete list of banned substances. Any substance that is chemically related to the class, even if it is not specifically listed as an example, is also banned.

The NCAA also warns that before consuming any nutritional or dietary supplement product, student-athletes should review the product with the appropriate athletics department staff.

Cameron University may conduct institutional drug-testing separate from NCAA testing. All student-athletes are required to sign a Cameron University Drug-Testing Consent Form before being allowed to practice or compete in intercollegiate athletics. The use of tobacco products by a student-athlete is prohibited during practice and competition. A student-athlete who uses any type of tobacco products during a practice or competition shall be disqualified for the remainder of that practice or competition.

For more information on the Drug Testing Policy and Procedures, please visit the Sports Medicine tab on the Cameron Athletics website.

Academic Offenses

A student-athlete known to engage in an academic offense shall be held accountable by the actions taken by the instructor and/or University, and may be subject to disciplinary action by the Athletic Department, including suspension or dismissal from the team and/or loss of athletic financial aid.

Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR)

Dr. Melissa Thacker — mthacker@cameron.edu

Is involved in the assurance of the academic integrity of the athletics program and in the welfare of the student-athlete.
Is aware of academic progress and graduation rates of student-athletes.
Is involved in the monitoring and maintenance of the personal welfare of student-athletes and is an independent source of support and advice to the student-athlete.
Assists when student-athletes encounter difficulties in class scheduling, waiver, and appeals procedures, and provides advice and counsel on physical and psychological problems.

Student-Athlete Grievance Procedure

Cameron University Athletics has an open-door policy for any student-athlete to address concerns or provide insight into their student-athlete experience. Meetings are considered confidential and can be arranged by appointment.

If a student-athlete wishes to appeal a penalty or suspension based on Cameron Athletics or team policy, the student-athlete should follow these procedures:

If the student-athlete protests a suspension or penalty by the coach, or alleges any other violation of student rights to athletics, the student-athlete may appeal to the Director of Athletics by making a formal request in writing. The Director will meet with the student-athlete within five business days of the request and will notify the student-athlete in writing of the decision within five business days from the date of the meeting.
If, after the meeting with the Director of Athletics, the issue is not resolved, the student-athlete may request a hearing before an appeals panel, the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee, IAC. The make-up of the IAC may include, but is not limited to, the Faculty Athletics Representative, who will serve as the committee chair, the Director of NCAA Compliance, the Assistant Athletic Director for Administration, a current head coach from a different Cameron team, and at least one member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee Executive Committee. The Director of Athletics is an ex-officio, non-voting member and may be present during the hearing.

The student-athlete must notify the FAR of the appeals request and the basis for the appeal, in writing, within ten calendar days of notification of the Director of Athletics’ decision. The IAC will hold a hearing within 30 calendar days of the student-athlete’s request for an appeal.

Prior to the hearing, both the student-athlete and the athletics department will have the opportunity to submit evidence or documentation supporting their position. At the hearing, both the student-athlete and a designee from the Athletics Department will have the opportunity to address the Committee. After the hearing the Committee will discuss the outcome. The FAR will notify the student-athlete of the committee’s decision, in writing, within five calendar days of the hearing. The decision of the IAC will be final and binding upon the Athletics Department, student-athlete and others.