REG 5.1 Each BUCS Member Institution/Playing Entity shall be responsible for ensuring that its student-athletes, officials, employees, representatives and anyone reasonably believed to be its supporters or followers attending or taking part in any BUCS Competition, BUCS Competition Event(s) and BUCS Organised Activity do not:
REG 5.1.1 behave in a way which is improper, offensive, violent, threatening, abusive, indecent, insulting or inflammatory;
REG 5.1.2 conduct themselves in a manner prohibited by REG 5.1.1 in circumstances where that conduct is discriminatory in that it includes a reference, whether express or implied, to any one or more of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010;
REG 5.1.3 throw missiles or other potentially harmful or dangerous objects at or on to the field of play;
REG 5.1.4 in the case of anyone reasonably believed to be its supporters or followers, or other unauthorised persons, encroach on to the field of play or commit any form of field of play incursion, save for reasons of safety;
REG 5.1.5 disregard the requests/instructions of Tournament Directors or appointed officials;
REG 5.1.6 enter or attempt to enter the venue while in possession of recreational drugs;
REG 5.1.7 enter or attempt to enter the venue while in possession of a flare, smoke bomb or firework;
REG 5.1.8 in the case of student-athletes, consume alcohol or recreational drugs (in addition to substances covered under REG 4.4).
REG 5.2 For the purpose of REG 5.1, BUCS Organised Activity includes but is not limited to any conferences, events, meetings and residentials organised by BUCS.
REG 5.3 Each BUCS Member Institution/Playing Entity shall be responsible for ensuring that its student-athletes, officials, employees and all persons purporting to be its representatives do not conduct themselves in a way, or print/have published any material, which brings, or has the potential to bring, BUCS into disrepute, including on social media platforms.
REG 5.4 It shall be a defence to a charge in relation to REG 5.1 and/or REG 5.3 if an institution/Playing Entity can show that all events, incidents or occurrences complained of were the result of circumstances over which it had no control and that reasonable steps had been taken to prevent such events, incidents or occurrences. However, when considering whether this defence is made out a Panel will consider the following:
- the steps the BUCS Member Institution/Playing Entity had taken prior to the events, incidences or occurrences complained of to prevent such behaviour;
- the steps the BUCS Member Institution/Playing Entity took at the time of the events, incidences or occurrences complained of;
- the severity of the misconduct;
- any previous breaches of REG 5.1 and/or REG 5.3 that have occurred and what subsequent actions were taken by the BUCS Member Institution/Playing Entity.
REG 5.5 Failure to adhere to the provisions of REG 5.1 and/or REG 5.3 may render the institution/Playing Entity liable to a charge of misconduct for failing to fulfil its said responsibilities.
REG 5.6 Competitors at any BUCS event or fixture found to be consuming alcohol or recreational drugs may be prohibited from participating by the official(s) present.
REG 5.7 To lodge a Misconduct Complaint against a BUCS Member institution/Playing Entity, individuals must follow the process outlined in the BUCS Misconduct Complaints Policy and Procedure (Appendix 20). All Misconduct Complaints will be managed in line with the process outlined in the BUCS Misconduct Complaints Policy and Procedure (Appendix 20).
REG 5.8 Where it is deemed that there is a case to be answered following a complaint investigation and a subsequent charge of misconduct is raised, BUCS shall convene a Disciplinary Panel to hear the case. This shall be conducted in line with BUCS Misconduct Disciplinary Policy and Procedure (Appendix 21).
