Athletes Handbook

As an athlete at AUC, you are also a student and a member of the AUC community. This means that you are expected to adhere to all academic and conduct policies at AUC. By signing this document, you commit to following these policies as expected of AUC community members. You also further understand that a fulfilling educational sports experience requires responsibilities on the part of both student-athletes and personnel associated with the athletics program. As a student-athlete, you commit to self-discipline, collaborative effort, team building and to be an ambassador for AUC.

Student-athlete are visible representatives of the institution, both on and off-campus, whose behaviors are often closely scrutinized by the AUC community, general public and the media. Student-athlete behavior affects public perception of institution ethos, athletics office standards, and the character of the student body. Therefore, it is an expectation that student-athletes will demonstrate consistent role-model behavior, sportsmanship and self-control.

To familiarize yourself with policies about academic standards, you should view:

• Academic Requirements and Regulations

To familiarize yourself with behavior and conduct policies, you should view:

• AUC’s Student Code of Conduct

All of the above policies apply anytime you are playing for or representing AUC athletics, whether on-campus or off-campus, including any travel connected to an athletic event. While it is important that you know all of the above policies, a few specific policies are highlighted below.

1. Student-Athletes are required to turn in their game gear after each match/meet. AUC game gear belongs to the AUC office of athletics. Graduating Seniors will be given their Jerseys at the end of the academic year as a memoir. 
2. Student-athletes must be committed to fair play. Intentional acts of unsportsmanlike behavior or cheating will not be tolerated.
3. When representing their team during competition, student-athletes will exercise self-control, including, but not limited to, resisting the use of profanity by not demonstrating unnecessary aggression or hostility to others; not making inappropriate physical gestures, taunting or excessively celebrating; or disrespecting coaches, officials, teammates or opponents.
4. Student-athletes must exercise sportsmanship. Whenever representing The American University in Cairo in an athletic event, we expect you to act in a sportsmanlike manner. Fighting will not be tolerated. If you get into a fight during a game or match, you will be suspended from the team for the semester.
5. Student-athletes are prohibited from interacting in any negative way with fans.
6. When interacting with the media, student-athletes are expected to remain positive and not use media interviews as a platform to share negative comments about the team, coaches, the Office of Athletics or the University or to make any negative comments about opponents or officials. This also applies to social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and so forth.
7. Student-athletes are expected to abide by team rules that have been formulated by the team, approved by coaches and approved by the Office of Athletics.
8. Student-athletes are expected to abide by all Egyptian University Sports Federation (EUSF) rules and any international sports rules.
9. Student-athletes are required to attend at least one practice per week or more depending on team-specific rules.
10. Student-athletes are expected to take up any issues concerning their teams to their respective SAAC member and, the SAAC member is expected to communicate it with their sport supervisor. 

Student-athletes are expected to report any violations of AUC policies or any other inappropriate or abusive behavior to their coach, the Office of Athletics or the Office of Student Conduct and Community Relations immediately.

Retaliation against those who report policy or conduct violations is not accepted.  Retaliation is a conduct violation itself.  Staff and student-athletes are expected to report any retaliation concerns to the Athletics Director or the Office of Student Conduct and Community Relations immediately.

Retaliation against those who report policy or conduct violations is not accepted.  Retaliation is a conduct violation itself.  Staff and student-athletes are expected to report any retaliation concerns to the Athletics Director or the Office of Student Conduct and Community Relations.

When student-athletes violate any code of conduct or other policy at AUC, one of two processes are followed.

• For minor violations, their coach or the Office of Athletics may issue a verbal warning.  If further inappropriate behavior continues, then they may issue a formal warning.  If further inappropriate behavior continues, then the student-athlete will be formally reported to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Relations.
• For major violations, these will be directly reported to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Relations, and a formal case will be initiated and sanctions may be given to the student pending the outcome of the case and established protocols.  

AUC Athletics will organize numerous trips during the year and occasionally sponsor guided trips or excursions in Egypt and in other countries in the Middle East and Europe.  When these are official trips, they will be consistent with AUC’s Travel Policy.

1. All AUC conduct policies must be adhered to while traveling with or for AUC Athletics.
2. Participation in all such trips is voluntary.
3. The American University in Cairo and its respective employees, agents, representatives and assignees accept no responsibility of liability; therefore, AUC Athletics is not liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or other irregularity which may be caused by the defect of any vehicle or the negligence or fault of any company or person engaged in carrying out or performing any of the services involved.  AUC Athletics does not accept responsibility for losses or expenses due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorism, natural disasters or any other force majeure. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws of the country in which they are provided.
4. AUC Athletics reserves the right to make changes in any published or prior arranged itinerary whenever, in its sole judgment, conditions warrant, or if it deems it is necessary for the comfort, convenience or safety of the participating parties.
5. AUC Athletics reserves the right to withdraw without penalty any announced program. It also reserves the right to decline acceptance of any person as a participant in any program or excursion and to require any participant to withdraw from any program or excursion at any time, when such an action is determined by the appropriate athletics office representative to be in the best interest of the health or safety and general welfare of the participating parties.
6. A University athletics representative, in the interest of the safety and welfare of trip participants, reserves the right to enter any room for emergency or inspection and confiscate items that are found to be in violation of University rules and regulations.  The University security has the right to check participants' luggage at any time before or during the trip and also has the right to confiscate items that are found to be in violation of University rules and regulations.
7. AUC Athletics does not accept liability for penalties from airlines, buses, railroads or any means of transportation incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable domestic ticket for use in Egypt.
8. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of owners at all times.
9. Dates, schedules, program details and costs, given in good faith and based on information available at the time of the announcement of any program or excursion (games/matches either international or local), are subject to change or revision.
10. Curfews will be established on trips and will be strictly enforced.
11. Military permission to travel is the responsibility of the student.
12. In case of refunds, these will be handled according to AUC’s Travel Policy.
13. Participants are required to follow the program of the trip (including attendance at both the opening and closing ceremony of the tournament, and supporting all AUC teams at the various matches).

In the ever-popular world of social media, one can quickly forget just how powerful this communication tool can be and the significant impact it can have on an individual, friends, family, teammates, etc. Not to mention, this is the most popular way for employers to do a “quick check” on you. Don’t give them a reason(s) not to hire you.

Social media refers to the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into interactive dialogue. Examples of social media include, but are not limited to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, Vine, LinkedIn, Podcasts and Blogs.

As a student-athlete at AUC, you are a representative of the University and are always in the public eye, whether you think so or not. As a student-athlete, you are held to a higher standard than other students on campus. Keep in mind the following guidelines as you participate in various social media sites.

Regulations

The American University in Cairo’s Office of Athletics recognizes athletes’ right to actively participate in social media, however, it maintains and will enforce the following expectations of athletes:

1. Student-athletes will not post sexist, racist, obscene, or profane material of any kind.
2. Student-athletes will not use social media to degrade, demean or attack any person or school.
3. Student-athletes will not post material relating to acts in violation of any sort.
4. Student-athletes will not post material that reflects negatively on themselves, AUC, the Office of Athletics, their respective teams, or other schools.

Sanctions

1. Severe punishments can be handed down for a quick “Tweet” or “Facebook post.” Look at every negative thing that pops up in the news from tweets or posts.
2. Teams at all levels have had seasons completely canceled because of social media mishaps. Don’t be that one person that costs your 20 other teammates their season because you went overboard on Facebook or Twitter.
3. Any activity or language in violation of the above prohibitions, including first-time offenses, is subject to investigation and possible sanction by The American University in Cairo’s Office of Athletics as well as civil authorities.

Sanctions imposed by the athletics director may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Notification from the athletics director to the student-athlete outlining the policy and requiring that the unacceptable content be removed or the social media account be deactivated.
2. Suspensions from the team and all team-related activities. Based on your situation, you can be temporarily suspended for a determined length of time or permanently.
3. Immediate loss or non-renewal of athletic grant-in-aid (loss of scholarship).

Posting Guidelines

1. Think First: Before you post anything (text or photo), be aware that once you post, it is available and viewable to anyone, anytime, anywhere in the world. The moment you put it in cyberspace, it is out of your control – even if you limit access to your site! Is your post something you would want your mother, father, grandparents to see or broadcast on TV (if it’s public, they can use it!)
2. Freedom of Speech: Be sure not to have a false sense of security about your rights to freedom of speech. Understand that freedom of speech is not unlimited. Online social network sites are not a place where you can say and do whatever you want without repercussions.  
3. Strive for Accuracy: Get your facts straight before posting them on any social media site. Don’t start rumors or post anything you are not 100% sure of. Review all of your content for grammatical and spelling purposes. Don’t make yourself sound uneducated.
4. Be Aware of Liability: At all times, you are responsible for what you post on your own site and the sites of others. You can be held liable for anything deemed to be copyright infringement, defamatory, proprietary, libel or obscene. Be sure what you post today does not come back to haunt you tomorrow.
5. Photos: Again, you are responsible for anything you post, including pictures. Do not post pictures of anyone other than yourself unless you get their permission. Photos of drinking activities or other inappropriate photos will not be tolerated.
6. Be Yourself: Never pretend to be someone else. Tracking tools make it possible for those to find out who posted which comments anonymously. Even if you delete a post or comment, it can still be found within the hard drives of a computer or website.
7. Correct Mistakes: If you make a mistake when posting, admit it. Be upfront and be quick with your correction. Don’t wait three days to correct something. Also, monitor your teammates. If you see a post that is borderline inappropriate, encourage them to delete it.

Safety and Privacy

1. Never post anything in relation to your home address, local address, phone number(s), date of birth or other personal, private information. Always exercise caution when posting your whereabouts or plans for the night.
2. Be aware of who you add as a friend to your site(s) – many people are looking to take advantage of student-athletes or to seek connection with student-athletes to give them a sense of membership on your team.
3. Protect yourself at all times! While you want to be honest about yourself, don’t provide anything that scam artists or identity thieves could use against you.

1. Appropriate workout attire is required to use the weight room and all other areas of the AUC Sports Center (no jeans, sandals or bare feet permitted for safety reasons)
2. If you are observed wearing improper shoes or attire, you will be asked to leave the sports center.
3. Do not leave your belongings anywhere. Keep them with you all the time.
4. Do not ask the staff to secure or watch your belongings. They cannot accept responsibility for personal bags, purses, etc.
5. Follow the instructions of the AUC Sports Center staff at all times.
6. Equipment may be checked out at the control desk by the locker rooms on the ground level. A valid AUC ID is required.
7. A valid membership is required for AUC alumni, as per AUC’s policies. Please be prepared to show a valid AUC ID with a membership sticker upon request.
8. Failure to follow posted policies may result in forfeit of access privileges to the sports center.
9. No food or drinks are allowed inside the gym and in other courts.
10. Children are not allowed to be without their parents inside the courts.
11. Smoking is not permitted in sports facilities.
12. Vaccination is a must for all eligible Athletes 

• For tryouts and practices you need to complete a medical checkup (at your expense) including the following tests:
  1. Urine Examination (i.e. Urine Analysis)
  2. Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c)
  3. SGPT
  4. SGOT 
  5. Urea (BUN)
  6. Creatinine
  7. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
  8. Sodium and Potassium
  9. D - Dimer
  10. Estimated GFR (e-GFR)
  11. X-Ray Chest One View (P-A view)
  12. Stress ECG (Exercise Stress Test)
  13. Echocardiography
  14. Pelvi-Abdominal Ultrasound
  15. Report from the hospital stating the Athelete's fitness to practice Competitive Sports (from a Cardiology Consultant or an Internal Medicine Consultant)
• Make sure to hand in your medical report to the AUC Clinic Center.
• validate your tests from AUC Clinic 
• take your final report from AUC Clinic once they validate your tests
• submit this final report to the Athletics Office
• Sign and hand in the student-athlete code of conduct.
• Follow the practice schedule posted by your coach.