EAST COAST CONFERENCE ESPORTS (ECC ESPORTS) is committed to providing a positive experience for competition in intercollegiate gaming for all stakeholders. Participants from ECC member colleges are expected to adhere to high standards of conduct and to set an example of sportsmanship and professionalism that can be applied to students’ future personal and professional lives.
The code of conduct outlined here is applicable to all members of the ECC Esports community, including students, coaches, managers, and administrators.
1. Expectations for Upholding of Code of Conduct
1.1 Safe Spaces. All ECC Members will create and maintain an inclusive environment where all individuals feel safe 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. ECC Members should communicate in a positive and respectful manner. Should individual members have disagreements or concerns with other members, or with ECC policies, each member should make a good faith effort to resolve conflicts or disputes in coordination with the ECC prior to posting to social media platforms.
1.3 Moderation. Social media platforms and online forums associated with ECC Esports functions should be moderated for offensive language and expression, harassment, discrimination, violence, and competitive dishonesty.
1.4 Reporting. ECC members should encourage bystanders and spectators to report any violations to which they are witnesses to ECC.
1.5 Conflict Resolution. Each ECC Esports member college should have a policy or procedure for the resolution and reporting of disputes or violations of codes of conduct both from their internal institution and from this Code of Conduct.
1.6 Violations. Upon discovery of Code of Conduct violations by an individual ECC member or Institution, the ECC has full authority to review all data and evidence surrounding the violation and to issue consequences thereof.
1.6.1 Investigation. The ECC will work with involved parties to investigate Code of Conduct violations at their sole discretion. At the conclusion of the investigation, the ECC may assign penalties at their sole discretion.
1.6.2 Cooperation with Investigation. All ECC members are expected to cooperate with ECC investigations into Code of Conduct violations. Each ECC member is obligated to tell the truth and not to create or otherwise obstruct any aspect of the investigation.
1.6.3 Confidentiality. ECC members should not disclose any confidential information provided by ECC Officials or associates by any method of communication, including social media platforms or channels.
1.6.4 Non-Compliance. No ECC member or participant Institution may refuse or fail to comply with instructions or decisions of ECC Officials.
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 determined to be 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 gameplay 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 For purposes of this policy, the ECC will use “The List of Prohibited Substances and Methods created by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)” as its standard. However, individual institution’s policies will also be considered in the event of a violation. The full list can be found at http://list.wada-ama.org/
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 may be sanctioned if applicable.
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 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.
2.6.2 Physical harassment. Unwelcome or hostile touching of another person is not permitted.
2.6.3 Sexual harassment. Sexually 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 the 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.
2.6.4 Stalking. Unwanted and repeated surveillance of another ECC member 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.
2.6.5 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.
2.6.6 Violent Language. Language or actions referring to physical or sexual violence is forbidden.
2.6.7 Violent Actions. Acting in a threatening or violent manner is forbidden.
2.6.8 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 Competitive Code of Conduct.
2.7.1 Unfair Play. The following actions will be considered unfair play and will be subject to penalties or punishments at the sole discretion of the ECC.
2.7.2 Sandbagging. Intentionally playing below one’s competitive abilities, also known as sandbagging, is expressly forbidden.
2.7.3 Collusion. Collusion is defined as any agreement among two or more ECC Members or Institutions to disadvantage opposing ECC Members. Collusion includes, but is not limited to, acts such as:
2.7.3.1 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.
2.7.3.2 Pre-arranging to split any form of prizing.
2.7.3.3 Sending or receiving signals, including electronic, from a confederate to/from any other individual.
2.7.3.4 Deliberately losing a game for compensation, or any other reason, or attempting to induce another ECC Member or Institution to do so.
2.7.4 Coercion. Any attempt to manipulate a match or outcome through threats or intimidation of other participants or members of ECC administration will result in removal from ECC Tournaments.
2.7.5 Deception. Any attempt to mislead or deceive other participants or members of ECC administration will be penalized.
2.7.6 Cheating and Hacking. Anything determined to be cheating or hacking is not permitted
2.7.6.1 Cheating. Cheating is defined as acting dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage and can be found in the general Tournament Rules.
2.7.6.1.1 Multihacks. The use of any program to give the player an advantage through the use of code processing. Advantages can include Faster movement/attacks.
2.7.6.1.2 Wallhack. Code enabling a player to cheat by modifying the properties of walls, as by making them transparent or nonsolid.
2.7.6.1.3 Aimbot. Code used to provide varying levels of automated target acquisition and calibration to a player.
2.7.6.1.4 Triggerbot. Code that activates/modifies a player's trigger speed or timing in any way.
2.7.6.1.5 Colored Models. Code that modifies an asset’s colors to make them more or less visible than intended.
2.7.6.1.6 No-Recoil. Code that modifies the intended in-game recoil automatically without any player action.
2.7.6.1.7 No-Flash. Code that removes any in-game animation as intended to gain any form of advantage.
2.7.6.1.8 Sound changes. Modifying any game's in-game sound outside of the developer’s intent to gain an advantage.
2.7.6.1.9 Macros. Use of hardware or software to bind multiple actions to a single command or keypress.
2.7.6.2 Hacking. Hacking is defined as any modification of the game client by any person, specifically in relation to an ECC function or activity.
2.7.7 Exploiting. Exploiting is defined as intentionally using any in-game bug or any feature not working as intended, at the sole discretion of ECC officials, to seek an advantage. More details can be found in the general Tournament Rules
2.8 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.
2.8.1 Betting. Do not take part, either directly or indirectly, in betting or gambling on any results of any ECC tournament, function, match, or event.
2.8.2 Match Fixing. No ECC Member may negotiate or offer any reward to any ECC Member, Official, Employee, or any other person connected with or employed by another ECC team for services promised, rendered, or be rendered in defeating or attempting to defeat a competing team.
2.9 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 ECC tournaments.
2.10 Abusive Behavior. Abuse of ECC staff, 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.
2.11 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 of Penalties. The ECC reserves the right to assess and assign penalties or punishments at its sole discretion for a violation of this code of conduct and/or the standards of integrity established by the ECC.
3.2 Individual Violation Penalties and Punishments. Upon review of any investigation of Code of Conduct violations by the ECC, The ECC will determine the appropriate punishment or penalty to an individual ECC Player according to the ECC Sanctions for Rule Violations.
3.3 Violations for Minor Offenses: If the ECC finds that an individual has violated this Code of Conduct for a minor offense, the following penalty schedule may be used:
First offense: Warning and action to change the violation
Second offense: Loss of round
Third offense: Loss of Match
Fourth offense: Player or Team is suspended for a number of matches to be determined up to the remainder of the season.
3.4 Violations for Major Offenses: If the ECC finds that an individual has violated this Code of Conduct for a major offense (ex: cheating, use of extremely offensive language or behavior, etc.), the following penalty schedule may be used:
First Offense – Four-week suspension and forfeiture of matches for the game title where the offense occurred (including a forfeiture of any matches participated in while ruling was pending). Suspension includes any ECC sanctioned event.
Second Offense – Suspension for the current regular and post-season for all game titles and all ECC sanctioned events.
Third Offense – Banned from participating in any ECC sanctioned event for one calendar year.
PLEASE NOTE: THE ECC RESERVES THE RIGHT TO NOT USE THE ABOVE PENALTY SCHEDULE BASED ON THE SEVERITY OF THE OFFENSE AND MAY MOVE IMMEDIATELY TO FULL SUSPENSION AND OR ONE-YEAR BAN. ALL NOTIFICATIONS OF PENALTIES WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN EXPLANATION OF THE FINDINGS AND, IF APPLICABLE, A PROCESS FOR APPEAL.