University Implements New Policy for Student Conduct During Gameday

The University of Mississippi implemented a Game Day and Game Day Activities and events policy for the students to promote good sportsmanship. Students found responsible for violating this policy will have three strikes with the third strike resulting in a ban from sporting and athletic events for the entire academic year.

This new policy can be found in the university policy directory and online. According to the policy, the students issued a citation by University police for criminal behavior at pre-game activities and events, game venues and its surrounding areas, the Grove and its surrounding areas and the post-game activities and events will be subject to student conduct charges and proceedings.

Aniesha K. Mitchell, director of the UM office of conflict resolution and student conduct, said in an email, “This policy does not replace any existing policies; however, it is a supplement to current student conduct policies. We are not asking anything new of our students than we have in the past. There have always been policies in place that provided guidelines for student conduct. The purpose of this policy is to promote a safe and enjoyable environment for all families and fans who come to our campus to enjoy athletic events and game day related activities.”

The students’ receipt of a university citation might lead to the university conduct process. If found responsible for violating a related university policy during game day, the student will receive the following minimum sanctions:

First offense: a warning with a fine maximum of $200 and a possibility of community service.

Second offense: a fine maximum of $225 with an enrollment in a fan conduct course that will cost $250 to register. This course must be completed before the students can attend the next athletic or sporting event with a certification of completion sent to the office of conflict resolution and student conduct at least two days before the start of the next event. The student might be subject to additional conduct charges and proceedings.

Dr. Ari Novick, of A.J. Novick Group, Inc. based in California, teaches this online class. This is the first class he will be teaching and its purpose is to educate students on acceptable game day behavior in alignment with university values.

He said via email, “The class is four hours (long) and is self-paced. Students can log on and off as many times as they wish until the class is completed. The class is structured with content and quizzes to help reinforce information being learned but ultimately there is a comprehensive final exam that must be passed in order to pass the class. A passing score is 70 percent. Students can retake the final exam as many times as they need until they pass by reviewing the class materials again.”

The class will address the following topics: the university creed, the game day policies, the student conduct policies, the two strike policy, alcohol education and skills to improve game day stress and disruptive behavior.

And the Third offense: a fine maximum of $500 with possibility of community service but the students will be barred from all athletic and sporting events for the remainder of the academic year. If the third offense occurs in late spring or summer, the sporting ban may extend to the following academic year.

The students may also receive minimum sanctions for alcohol and other drugs if applicable.

Dr. Mitchell said in email, “The Game Day Policy is not a reaction to a particular occurrence or event, but a reminder during this transition period when new students are coming to campus that we want our game days to be a pleasant experience for all community members and our guests, of all ages from all areas. A majority of our students honor University policies, and we expect our students to continue to conduct themselves maturely and appropriately.”

For questions, the Office of Conflict Resolution and Studnet Conduct can be contacted via phone by 662-915-1387 and via email at studentconduct@olemiss.edu.

Callie Daniels Bryant is the senior managing editor at HottyToddy.com. She can be contacted at callie.daniels@htotytoddy.com.