The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) appreciates and supports Event Partners and their willingness to run high-quality events for teams and students. Event Partners should be empowered to make decisions to protect the integrity of the event and its participants. Use the following forms and process when determining the appropriate steps to address any G1 (Code of Conduct), G2 (Student Centered Policy), G4 (all work must represent the skill level of the Students on the Team) or other CoC-related rule violations at an event.
Note that all reports must be completed within one week of the final day of the event.
Team Violation Tracking Report
An Event Partner, Head Referee, or Judge Advisor should complete the Team Violation Tracking Report form to report any G1 (Code of Conduct), G2 (Student Centered Policy), G4 (all work must represent the skill level of the Students on the Team) or other CoC-related rule violations at an event.
If using the automated report linked above is not practical or possible, a printable PDF version is available at this link.
Additional Evidence Report
Event staff, volunteers, or attendees can complete the Additional Evidence Report form to record additional evidence of any G1 (Code of Conduct), G2 (Student Centered Policy), G4 (all work must represent the skill level of the Students on the Team) or other CoC-related rule violations at an event.
Process
Event Meeting
At the Event Meeting, explain the following to all attendees.
- The Code of Conduct, Student-Centered Policy, and rules G1 and G2 apply to everyone, not just students on the team.
- Individuals, event participants, and event staff who observe disrespectful or uncivil behavior should report information along with any photo/video evidence to the Event Partner immediately.
- Rule T3 outlines that only the Drive Team Members may contest a referee’s ruling; adults are not permitted to intervene.
Before/During/After the Event
Step 1: When potential Rule G1, G2, G4, and/or other Code-of-Conduct related violations are observed
- Individuals, event participants, and event staff who observe disrespectful or uncivil behavior should report information along with any photo/video evidence to the Event Partner, Head Referee, or Judge Advisor immediately.
- The Field Note to Judges form will be completed and the Judging team will take this information into consideration when determining judged awards.
- The Event Partner, Head Referee, and Judge Advisor will speak to the team coach/mentor as soon as possible. This meeting should take place away from students and parents.
- The Event Partner will explain what actions were reported and remind the coach/mentor that by definition, CoC-related violations can be considered Match Affecting (V5RC, VAIRC, & VURC) or Score Affecting (VIQRC).
- The Event Partner will remind the coach/mentor that repeated CoC-related violations can result in the team being disqualified from current or upcoming matches, and potentially the entire event.
- The Event Partner will remind the coach/mentor that CoC-related violations can impact a team’s eligibility for judged awards.
- The Event Partner will inform the coach/mentor that the RECF will be notified of a CoC-related violation.
- The Event Partner must notify the Regional Support Manager of the situation and track the incident on the RECF Code of Conduct- Team Violation Tracking Report.
- The Head Referee will issue a Minor or Major Violation to the team as appropriate.
Step 2: If G1, G2, G4, and/or other Code-of-Conduct related violations are egregious or are repeatedly observed
- The Event Partner, Head Referee, and Judge Advisor will convene and make a recommendation for a Major Violation and potentially an official event Disqualification.
- The Event Partner must speak with the Regional Support Manager to determine appropriate action.
- The Event Partner, with RECF support, can choose whether or not to allow the team in question to continue into Alliance Selection, Eliminations, Finals, or the event itself.
- Every attempt will be made to allow the team in question to finish qualification matches in the best interest of their alliance partners.
- The Event Partner must speak with the Regional Support Manager to determine appropriate action.
- The Event Partner will provide an update to the Head Referee and Judge Advisor regarding the discussion with the RECF.
- When a decision has been made, the Event Partner, Head Referee, and Judge Advisor will speak to the team coach/mentor and provide an update to the situation and what course of action will be taken.
- If the team receives an event Disqualification, their skills scores for the event will be deleted and will not be reflected on the World Skills Scoreboard.
- Involved parties will continue adding any additional observations to the RECF Code of Conduct- Team Violation Tracking Report.
Ultimately, safety of students and everyone in attendance is the top priority. An Event Partner should not put anyone at risk by allowing a team to participate through qualification matches who may be displaying physically threatening or verbally abusive behaviors.
Step 3: After the Event
- The Event Partner will submit the RECF Code of Conduct- Team Violation Tracking Report, regardless of final ruling, to the Rules and Conduct Committee.
In cases where an Event Partner is unavailable or there is an issue with teams affiliated with an Event Partner, the Regional Support Manager should be contacted.
Note that all reports will remain confidential and the reporter will not be made aware of the findings.