NC State Compliance

Hopefully you will be able to find answers to your questions on this page. Always feel free to "Ask a Compliance Question" by sending an e-mail, or to just drop by our offices. You are always welcome!!

HOT TOPICS:
As an institution of higher learning, NC State University supports and encourages individual’s rights to free speech. However, student-athletes should be concerned with any behavior that might embarrass themselves, their families, their teams, and/or NC State University. This includes any activities conducted online through social networking sites ( i.e. Facebook, MySpace, or Friendster), podcasting, blogsites, or chatrooms .

Please take the time to read NC State's policy on social networking sites in full.
NC_STATE_SOCIAL_NETWORKING_POLICY

CODE OF CONDUCT:
As a student-athlete at NCSU, you are held to the code of conduct of this institution. It is essential that you be familiar with this code and the activities that it governs. Topics covered in the Code of Conduct include:

DRUG TESTING:
Make yourself aware. Drug testing is an increase part of athletics. It is important that you do not injest any banned substance into your body. The NCAA has prepared a list of banned drug classes. To make sure that you have not taken any substance found on this list, make sure that you only take medications and supplements provided by or approved by your team trainer. The NCAA will test for banned drugs throughout the year and including the summer months. And remember, if you miss a testing appointment or show-up late, it may be considered a positive drug test.

FINANCES:
As a student-athlete at NCSU you may have a full grant-in-aid, a partial grant-in-aid, or you may be funding your college experience through outside grants and regular loans. Each student-athlete's finances are different. Here is an overview of ways you may be able supplement your current situation.

STUDENT-ATHLETE OPPORTUNITY FUND:
This fund is available for the use of all student-athletes. The amount of money received from this fund is determined by the amount of scholarship the student-athlete currently receives. Student-athletes can be reimbursed for the following items:

In addition, some student-athletes are elligibile for additional money based on need established by receiving the Pell Grant. (www.fafsa.ed.gov) Make sure to keep the receipts of all purchases made as you will not be reimbursed with money from this fund if you cannot produce a detailed receipt of your purchase.

Please see a member of the Compliance Office staff with additional questions.

5th YEAR FINANCIAL AID:
In order to qualify for 5th year aid, you must have exhausted your athletic eligibility; not received more than five years of aid in a six year period; be in good academic standing; and, eligible for institutional aid. If you think you meet these requirements, then you must fill out the 5th year fianancial aid request form and submit it to the Compliance Office PRIOR to the last day of classes for the Spring Semester. To start the process contact Academic Support.

SUMMER SCHOOL FINANCIAL AID:
If you currently receive financial aid from the athletic department (either a full grant-in-aid or a partial), the athletic department may be able to pay for your summer school attendance. If you need to attend summer school and would like the athletic department to pay for your attendance, you must fill out an Summer School Aid Application, have it signed by the appropriate parties no later than April, and submit it to the Compliance Office. To acquire the application contact Academic Support

EMPLOYMENT:
Money you earn at outside employment does not count when calculating financial aid limitations. However, this outside employment is required to pay you only for work actually performed and at the going rate for the job you are performing. You may not receive compensation based on the value your employer places on you as a student-athlete and the reputation of your athletic ability. Employment must be approved by your sport coach and approved by the Compliance Office. Please contact the Compliance Office prior to beginning your employment so that the proper paperwork may be completed.

OUTSIDE COMPETITION:
BE CAREFUL! Outside competition during the Academic Year is strictly prohibited unless approved by your sport coach and the Compliance Office. If you are considering participating in outside competition please contact the Compliance Office immediately.

SUMMER LEAGUES:
Men's and Women's Basketball have the option of participating in summer leagues. Prior to participation in any summer league activities the student-athletes MUST fill out the Summer League Permission Form and submit it to the Compliance Office.

AMATEURISM:
As a member of the NCAA, NC State requires that all of its student-athletes be amateurs in their sport.

Are paid (in any form) or accept the promise of pay for playing in an athletics contest;
Sign a contract or verbally commit with an agent or a professional sports organization;
Ask that your name be placed on a draft list [Note: In basketball, once you become a student-athlete at an NCAA school, you may enter a professional league's draft one time without jeopardizing your eligibility provided you are not drafted by any team in that league and you declare your intention in writing to return to college within 30 days after the draft];
Use your athletics skill for pay in any form (for example, TV commercials, demonstrations);
Play on a professional athletics team; or
Participat on an amateur sports team and receive any salary, incentive payment, award, gratuity, educational expenses or expense allowance (other than playing apparel, equipment and actual and necessary travel, and room and board expenses).

If you ever have any questions regarding your amateurism or are considering participating in an event that might jeopardize your amateruism and thus eligibility, please contact the Compliance Office.

GAMBLING:
DON'T BET ON IT! A student-athlete is not eligible to compete if he/she knowingly:

Provides information to individuals involved in organized gambling activities concerning intercollegiate athletics competition,
Solicits a bet on any intercollegiate team,
Accepts a bet on any team representing the institution,
Solicits or accepts a bet on any intercollegiate competition for any item (e.g., cash, shirt, dinner) that has tangible value, or
Participates in any gambling activity that involves intercollegiate or professional athletics, through a bookmaker, parlay card, or any other method employed by organized gambling

AGENTS:

NC State Agent Registration

You are NOT eligible in a sport if you have ever:

Remember: The agent works for you... you do not work for an agent!! This is your decision to make!

Look to see whether the agent is registered with the state of North Carolina.
Ask the Compliance Office whether the agent is registered with NC State.
Did you graduate from Law School? If so, where and when did you graduate?
Why does it matter whether my future agent went to Law School?
What is your educational background?
What is your professional background?
Have you ever been disbarred, suspended, reprimanded, censured, or otherwise disciplined or disqualified as an attorney, or as a member of any other profession?
Are there currently any complaints or charges pending against you regarding your conduct as an attorney or as a member of any profession?
Have you ever been investigated or found guilty of any violations of NCAA rules or those of a professional organization? If so, when and what were the charges?
Do not hesitate to ask around about a prospective agent's reputation. Ask the player association of your sport, ask other athletes, even ask other agents.
Do you have ownership interests in your company? Are you a partner or strictly an employee?
What services do you offer to your clients other than contract negotiations? (financial planning, tax advice, etc.)
Make sure your needs are met and that the agent is not overextended in the process.
Who will be negotiating my contract?
Can you provide me with a list of current clients?
How many clients have you lost and what were the reasons for their leaving? Can you provide me with their phone numbers? (for privacy reason they may not be permitted to provide past clients contact information but it doesn't hurt to ask and it would benefit you to know the reason the client left from the client's prospective).
Consider what it means to you to work with an agent whose clients have stayed with them for the player's entire career.
Have you ever had a dispute with a client and if so, how was it resolved?
Who do you consider to be your top clients?
What have you done to advance the careers of your clients off the field?
What will you do for me once I decide I no longer which to play professionally?
Do you provide an annual statement to your clients? Can you provide me with an example?
How do you keep your clients informed of charges?
What is your fee structure?
Are fees negotiable?
How and when are you to be paid?
Are you bonded? (if your agent will be handling your money this is important)
What is the duration of the agreement?
What are the procedures for terminating the agreement?
What happens to the agreement if I do not make the team; if I am waived; or if I get injured?
What kind of insurance is provided to players?
Can you provide me with a projection of my draft status?
If I am a free agent, how can you help maximize my changes of making a team?
Be careful when dealing with a prospective agent who is willing to offer you money, gifts or other inducements to encourage you to sign with him or her; this will impact your eligibility, not theirs.
Always interview more than one agent to ensure that you understand the process and are comfortable with your future decision.
Always feel comfortable coming to the Compliance Office to ask for help when deciding what to ask a prospective agent and what he or she may be providing to you in return.

...Do not be discouraged if the agent you are talking to is not able to answer all of these questions. These questions are meant to help guide you through a discussion with a prospective agent. If at any point you become concerned that you are not understanding what is required of you should you enter into an agreement with an agent, please do not hesitate to contact the Compliance Office.

Remember, if you enter into an agreement with an agent either in writing or verbal, you have just lost all remaining eligibility in your sport!

Current Issues concerning student-athletes	Outside Competition - Summer Leagues
Student-Athlete Code of Conduct	Amateurism
Drug Testing	Gambling
Finances: - Student-Athlete Opportunity Fund - 5th Year Aid - Summer School Aid - Employment	Agents - Questions to ask Agents
MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS: Jan. '07 , Feb. ' 07 , Mar. '07 Sept. '07 April. '08 Sept. '08 Jan '09 Mar '09 Aug. '09 Oct. '09 Nov.'09

STUDENT-ATHLETE CODE OF CONDUCT
Overview	Alcohol Policy
Academic Responsibilities	Residence Hall Responsibilities
Sportsmanship	Travel Expectations
Gambling	NCAA Compliance Responsibilities
Hazing	NCAA & ACC Responsibilities
Agents & Amateurism	Violations of Team Rules
Athletically Related Financial Aid	Violations of the Student-Athlete Code of Conduct
Medical Responsibilities	Violations of Local, State, or Federal Laws

Clothing/Shoes	Travel Home
Graduate School Exam Fees	Professional Program Testing
Dental/Vision & Medical Expenses	Educational Supplies (e.g. laptop computer)
Other Educational expenses OR Additional SAF funding for Academic Course Supplies