IU Athletics adopted a new policy that disqualifies prospective student-athletes with records of sexual violence.
The policy states this will apply to any prospective student athlete, whether the individual is a transfer student, an incoming freshman or of a different status.
The full text of the policy is included below:
Indiana University Athletics Policy Disqualifying Prospective Student-Athletes with Records of Sexual Violence
This Policy is designed to help protect all members of the Indiana University community.
Any prospective student-athlete -- whether a transfer student, incoming freshman, or other status -- who has been convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to a felony involving sexual violence (as defined below), or has been found responsible for sexual violence by a formal institutional disciplinary action at any previous collegiate or secondary school (excluding limited discipline applied by a sports team or temporary disciplinary action during an investigation) shall not be eligible for athletically-related financial aid, practice or competition at Indiana University. Indiana University Athletics shall conduct an appropriate inquiry into every prospective student-athlete’s background consistent with the due diligence below prior to providing him/her athletically-related aid or allowing him/her to practice or compete.
For purposes of this provision, “sexual violence” is dating violence, domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, or sexual violence as defined by the Indiana University Policy on Sexual Misconduct (UA-03).
Indiana University Athletics requires due diligence efforts to gather pertinent information regarding the prior conduct of every prospective student-athlete who seeks to enroll and participate in intercollegiate athletics. Pursuant to the Department’s October 22, 2015, Student Conduct Policy, a criminal background check and internet search must be performed on every prospective student-athlete. Accessing as much as possible publicly available information regarding prospective student-athletes, including their digital footprint, is strongly recommended. Coaches should also talk to teachers, coaches, administrators, teammates and family members of prospective student-athletes. In addition, prospective student-athletes should be specifically asked about any previous or potential arrests, convictions, protective orders, probations, suspensions, expulsions, or other discipline involving sexual violence or any other matter.
Any issue as to if or how this policy applies to a particular prospective student-athlete will be resolved by the Office of General Counsel.
In addition to the mandatory disqualification of prospective student-athletes with records of sexual violence as set forth in this policy, prospective student-athletes may and should be disqualified for other demonstrated unacceptable misconduct. Specifically, consistent with the Student Conduct Policy, IU Athletics will carefully consider whether to recruit any prospective student-athletes with any serious and/or repetitive criminal, school discipline, or other misconduct issues. Also consistent with that policy, the sport administrator for the pertinent sport must approve the recruitment of any prospective student-athlete with any serious and/or repetitive criminal, school discipline, or other misconduct issues.
Relief from this mandatory disqualification policy may only be granted by a panel consisting of the University Title IX Coordinator, University General Counsel, and University Faculty Athletics Representative after a review by it of all the pertinent facts available and a finding of compelling exceptional circumstances.
Approved by the Indiana University Bloomington Faculty Athletics Committee on April 12, 2017.
