ENTERING / FIRST YEAR STUDENT MUST:

• Be a graduate of an accredited high school or hold a GED
• Achieve a minimum overall high school grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Be accepted into an on-campus or online program at Lake Area Technical College
• Be considered a full time student (12 credits)

MID-YEAR ELIGIBILITY

• Students must maintain a 2.75 grade point average or better
• Be considered a full-time student (12 credits or more)
• Have a good attendance record (per program policy)
• No criminal or misdemeanor offenses

Note:

• Lake Area Tech reserves the right to review high school/college transcripts prior to acceptance into the Esports Club.
• Lake Area Tech reserves the right to review attendance records at will when reviewing on-going eligibility.
• Lake Area Tech has the right to review and receive input/recommendations on academic and attendance eligibility with program faculty.

Rev. Feb. 2024

The code of conduct is applicable to students, coaches, managers, athletic directors, and employees of Lake Area Technical College (hereafter referred to as LATC).

1. Expectations for Upholding of Code of Conduct

1.1 Safe Spaces. LATC will create and maintain an inclusive environment where all individuals feel safe and regardless of any personal expression of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, age, physical appearance, or religion. Violation of this inclusivity is not permitted.

1.2 Inclusive and Respectful Communication. LATC should communicate in a positive and respectful manner. Should individuals have disagreements or concerns with LATC, procedures, or functions LATC will make a good faith effort to resolve conflicts or disputes prior to posting to social media platforms.

1.3 Moderation. Social media platforms and online forums associated with LATC functions should be moderated for offensive language and expression, harassment, discrimination, violence, and competitive dishonesty.

1.4 Reporting. LATC encourages bystanders and spectators to report any violations to which they are a witness.

1.4.1 Investigation. A LATC official will investigate Code of Conduct violations at their sole discretion. At the conclusion of the investigation LATC may assign penalties at their sole discretion.

1.4.2 Confidentiality. LATC is not permitted to disclose any confidential information.

2. Code of Conduct

2.1 Offensive Expression. The expression of oneself in an offensive manner towards other people or their actions is not permitted. Offensive expression includes, but is not limited to, actions or words that are insulting, mocking, disruptive, or antagonistic.

2.1.1 Taunting. It is forbidden to make excessive use of specific character movements or actions that are not directly related to competitive game play to ridicule, jeer, insult, or otherwise deride players in-game. Use of such movements or actions beyond what may be reasonably considered typically acceptable celebration will not be tolerated.

2.1.2 Teabagging. Crouching over an opponent’s character in-game without an expressly clear competitive reason is an offensive expression and will not be tolerated.

2.2 Offensive Language. The use of language, nicknames, or other expressions – whether verbal or written – that insult another player’s sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, physical appearance, body size, age, or religion is not permitted.

2.3 Offensive In-Game Names or Handles. The use of nicknames, team names, skins, or any other game device that may be offensive as described above is not permitted.

2.4 Doping. The use of performance enhancing drugs is prohibited.

2.4.1 Any unprescribed use of these substances is considered doping.

2.4.2 Drugs taken to conform to one’s gender identity are exempted from the doping prohibition.

2.5 Alcohol or Drugs. The use of alcohol or illegal drugs, including tobacco and cannabis, during an official match is prohibited and violators will be sanctioned.

2.6 Harassment. Harassment is forbidden. Harassment is defined as systematic, hostile, and/or repeated acts taking place over a considerable period of time, or a singular egregious instance, which is/are intended to isolate or ostracize a person and/or affect the dignity of the person.

2.6.1 Hazing. Lake Area Tech strictly prohibits hazing in any form. Any student or student organization found responsible for engaging in hazing may be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to: warning, probation, suspension, expulsion, and/or referral to law enforcement.

2.6.2 Verbal Harassment. The use of words or actions that make another person uncomfortable, including, but not limited to, name calling, spreading rumors, telling unsolicited jokes, or spamming messages is not permitted.

2.6.3 Physical Harassment. Unwelcome or hostile touching of another person is not permitted.

2.6.4 Sexual Harassment. Sexual harassing other players, team members, or other associated parties is forbidden. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances. The assessment is based on whether a reasonable person would regard conduct as undesirable or offensive. There is zero tolerance for any sexual threats or coercion or the promise of advantages in regards to sexual favors.

2.6.5 Stalking. Unwanted and repeated surveillance of another is not permitted. This would include, and is not limited to, checking phone or social media information to gain knowledge or otherwise monitor another individual, and repeatedly contacting or following another individual.

2.6.6 Discrimination and Denigration. Offending the dignity or integrity of a country, person, or group of people through contemptuous, discriminatory, or denigratory words or actions on account of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, ability status, gender identity, language, religion, political opinion, sexual orientation, or any other reason is forbidden.

2.6.7 Violent Language. Language or actions referring to physical or sexual violence is forbidden.

2.6.8 Violent Actions. Acting in a threatening or violent manner is forbidden.

2.6.9 Private Information. Sharing account information or any other private information that could put yourself or others at risk, also known as doxing, is forbidden.

2.7 Hazing. Imposing humiliating or otherwise strenuous tasks as a condition of joining or otherwise being included is expressly forbidden.

2.8 Competitive Code of Conduct

2.8.1 Unfair Play. The following actions will be considered unfair play and will be subject to penalties or punishments at the sole discretion of LATC.

2.8.2 Sandbagging. Intentionally playing below one’s competitive abilities, also known as sandbagging, is expressly forbidden.

2.8.3 Collusion. Collusion is defined as any agreement among two or more institutions to disadvantage opposing LATC. Collusion includes, but is not limited to, acts such as:

2.8.3.1 Soft Play. Soft play, which is defined as any agreement among two or more players to not damage, impede or otherwise play to a reasonable standard of competition in game.

2.8.3.2 Pre-Arranging. To split any form of prizing.

2.8.3.3 Sending or Receiving Signals. Including electronic, from a confederate to/from any other individual.

**2.8.3.4 Deliberately losing a game for compensation, or any other reason, or attempting to induce another to do so.

2.8.4 Coercion. Any attempt to manipulate a match or outcome through threats or intimidation of other participants will result in removal from LATC E-Sports and Drone Racing.

2.8.5 Deception. Any attempt to mislead or deceive other participants will be penalized.

2.8.6 Cheating and Hacking. Do not cheat or hack.

2.8.6.1 Cheating. Cheating is defined as acting dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage.

2.8.6.2 Multihacks. The use of any program to give the player an advantage through the use of code processing. Advantages can include faster movements/attacks.

2.8.6.2.1 Wallhack. Code enabling a player to cheat by modifying the properties of walls, as by making them transparent or non-solid.

2.8.6.2.2 Aimbot. Code used to provide varying levels of automated target acquisition and calibration to a player.

2.8.6.2.3 Triggerbot. Code that activates/modifies a player’s trigger speed or timing in any way.

2.8.6.2.4 Colored Models. Code that modifies an asset’s colors to make them more or less visible than intended.

2.8.6.2.5 No-Recoil. Code that modifies the intended in-game recoil automatically without any player action.

2.8.6.2.6 No-Flash. Code that removes any in-game animation as intended to gain any form of advantage.

2.8.6.2.7 Sound Changes. Modifying any games in-game sound outside of the developer’s intent to gain an advantage.

2.8.6.2.8 Macros. Use of hardware or software to bind multiple actions to a single command or key press.

2.8.6.3 Hacking. Hacking is defined as any modification of the game client by any person.

2.8.7 Exploiting. Exploiting is defined as intentionally using any in-game bug or any feature not working as intended to seek an advantage.

2.8.8 Criminal Activity. Do not engage in any activity which is prohibited by common law, statute, or treaty and which leads to or may be reasonably deemed likely to lead to conviction in any court of competent jurisdiction.

2.9.1 Betting. Do not take part, either directly or indirectly, in betting or gambling on any results or any tournament, function, match or event.

2.9.2 Match Fixing. Individuals may not negotiate or offer any reward for services promised, rendered, or to be rendered in defeating or attempting to defeat a competing team.

2.10 Profanity and Hate Speech. A team member is forbidden to use language that is obscene, foul, vulgar, insulting, threatening, abusive, libelous, slanderous, defamatory, or otherwise offensive or objectionable; or promote or incite hatred or discriminatory conduct, in or near the match area, at any time. This rule additionally applies to public social media, live streaming, or player comms during live events such as the Live Finals.

2.11 Abusive Behavior. Abuse of officials, opposing team members, or audience members will not be tolerated. Etiquette violations, including but not limited to touching another player’s computer, body, or property will result in penalties. Etiquette violations additionally include physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, and mental harassment. Team members and their guests (if any) must treat all individuals attending a match with respect.

2.12 Ban Evasion. A team may not attempt to roster or start a player that is not eligible due to disciplinary action or account bans by use of a smurf or alternate account.

3. Penalties and Punishments

3.1 Assessment. LATC reserves the right to assess and assign penalties or punishments at its sole discretion.

3.2 Individual Violation Penalties and Punishments. Upon review of any investigation of Code of Conduct violations, the LATC official assigned to the investigation will determine the appropriate punishment or penalty to an individual.

Strike 1 – Four week suspension and forfeiture of matches for all game titles (including a forfeiture of any matches participated in while ruling was pending).

Strike 2 – Suspension for the then current regular and postseason for all game titles.

Strike 3 – Banned from participating in any E-Sport or Drone Racing sanctioned event for one calendar year.