Austin High School Extracurricular Code of Conduct
Department of Athletics and Student Activities
(512) 414-7286
Sandy Compian, Principal
Mike Rosenthal, Athletic Coordinator
Elizabeth Wissel, Women’s Athletic Coordinator
Dear Student and Parent(s),
The Athletic/Activity Handbook is designed to provide each of you with valuable information relating to
participation in interscholastic and other extra-curricular activities at Austin High School. Authority for
the conduct of students participating in these activities and the policies of athletics and activities at Austin
High School is vested by the University Interscholastic League (UIL), the State of Texas, the Austin
Independent School District Trustees, and the administration at Austin High School.
Please feel free to ask or call if you have any questions concerning athletics, activities, or the policies
governing athletics and activities at Austin High School. All participants of any athletic or activity group
or event must sign and return the Parent and Student Informed Consent and Understanding of Activities
form found in this handbook. Your signature indicates that you have read, understand, and agree to
comply with and you will abide by the policies as stated. This form must be signed and returned
before any student representing Austin High School will be allowed to participate in any
interscholastic or other extra-curricular activity.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Mike Rosenthal
Athletic Coordinator/Head Football Coach
Elizabeth Wissel
Women’s Athletic Coordinator/Head Women’s Softball Coach
CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR STUDENTS REPRESENTING
AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL
Austin High School Extracurricular Code of Conduct (“ECC”)
Participation in Austin High School extracurricular activities is a privilege and not a right. Therefore, the
behavior expectations set forth in the Austin High School Extracurricular Code of Conduct (“ECC”)
exceed the behavior expectations set forth in the Austin ISD Student Code of Conduct (“SCC”).
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The director/coach has the right to set high standards for and to impose consequences on those
students who choose to participate in extracurricular activities.
The ECC does not limit or restrict the authority of the director, coach, or school administrator
from imposing other consequences in addition to the penalties set forth below.
Discipline imposed under the SCC will not limit or prevent the imposition of more stringent
consequences under the ECC. Moreover, the modification of discipline imposed under the SCC
or a decision to overturn the discipline imposed under the SCC shall not affect any consequences
imposed under the ECC.
BEHAVIORAL RESPONSIBILITIES
All students have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, provided
they are willing to assume certain responsibilities:
• Exhibit high standards of social behavior.
• Exhibit outstanding sportsmanship and spirit of cooperation.
• Exhibit proper respect for authority figures, including teachers, coaches, officials, and those with
whom they are participating with or competing against.
• Dress appropriately when attending an event, whether at home or away.
• Use socially acceptable language.
• Comply with prescribed school, local, state, and federal rules and regulations.
• Demonstrate commitment to scholarship and academic achievement.
• Adhere to approved guidelines set by the coach or sponsor.
• Be a credit to themselves, their parents, their school and their community.
• Athletes must maintain a standard of honor in the classroom.
The ultimate responsibility for maintaining eligibility (behavioral and academic) rests with the individual
student. Coaches, Directors, and Sponsors have the exclusive and absolute right to decide if a student
has, or has not, complied with these Behavioral Responsibilities.
VIOLATIONS
Students who participate in extracurricular activities are prohibited from:
1) Possessing or Using Alcohol and/or Illegal Drugs and/or Contraband
a) Possessing or using marijuana, alcohol, a controlled substance, or any dangerous drug;
b) Possessing or using drug paraphernalia;
c) Committing a serious act or offense, as defined in the AISD Student Code of Conduct, while
under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, a controlled substance, or any dangerous drug; and/or
d) Possessing or using glue, aerosol paint and/or volatile, mood-altering chemicals.
2) Committing a Serious Offense -- Punishable as a Felony
3) Inappropriate Internet Use
a) Sending, posting, or possessing electronic messages (TEXT or PICTURES) that are abusive,
obscene, sexually oriented, threatening, harassing, damaging to another’s reputation, or illegal,
including cyberbullying and “sexting” either on or off school property if the conduct causes a
substantial disruption to the educational environment.
4) Bullying or hazing (defined in the Austin ISD Student Code of Conduct and on attached form)
5) Possession of Tobacco Under the Age of 18
CONSEQUENCES FOR CODE OF CONDUCT VIOLATIONS AND SUSPENSION/EXPULSION
FROM EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
The Coaches, Directors, and Sponsors have the exclusive and absolute right to determine what
suspension/expulsion penalty a student will suffer, if that student violates the Code Of Conduct, and the
suspension/expulsion will be whatever the Coach, Director, or Sponsor decides, but will never be less
than:
1) First Offense
a) Three weeks suspension.
b) While on team suspension, the student continues to practice with the team/group unless specified
by the Head Coach/Sponsor.
c) At the discretion of the principal and/or athletic director, a student may not be allowed to travel
on overnight trips for a period of one year.
d) The student may be removed from or not allowed to be a captain/officer of a current organization
or team.
2) Second Offense
a) One year suspension from all extracurricular activity.
3) Third Offense
a) Upon a third violation of the ECC, the student shall be suspended and prohibited from
participating in extracurricular activities for the remainder of his/her attendance in Austin High
School. In such a case, the student may appeal using procedures set for in the SCC.
APPEAL PROCEDURE
Unless specified otherwise in the ECC, consequences imposed under the ECC may be appealed to the
Principal whose decision shall be final. An appeal must be in writing and received within five (5) school
days following the decision to administer consequence under the ECC, otherwise the appeal is untimely.
ATHLETIC INFRACTIONS THAT OCCUR DURING AN “OFF-SEASON”
The term “off-season” is defined as a time period when there is no direct involvement in the athletic
activity, or when school is not in session. Consequences are imposed in the next in-season sport in which
the student participates. For example, for a three week suspension carried over from an off-season
offense, the player is not allowed to participate in games, tournaments, meets, or any other type of team
gathering.
TIMEFRAME FOR IMPOSING ECC CONSEQUENCES
• For purposes of administering punishment for violations of the ECC, the beginning of the competitive
season shall be defined as the first week of UIL games, meets, tournaments, competitions or match
schedules.
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If the player plans on returning to the team, the student is required to practice and participate in
scrimmages (at the coach’s discretion) until the first week of recognized UIL competitive games,
meets, tournaments or match schedules unless the student is placed in DAEP.
Time served at the DAEP during the competitive season counts towards the three week suspension
from competition.
I have read the Austin High School Extracurricular Code of Conduct (“ECC”) and understand the rules,
expectations, and consequences for violations of the ECC. Please sign below.
___________________________________ ________________________________ Print Student’s
Name
Print Parent’s Name
___________________________________ ________________________________ Student’s Signature
Parent’s Signature
Grade for 2015-2016_________________________