Code of Conduct

Please refer to these additional policies for related information:

• Student Centered Policy
• Youth Protection Policy

Introduction

The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation (RECF) considers the positive, respectful, and ethical conduct of all event participants and attendees an important and essential component of all RECF-sanctioned events.

Legal Notice

Teams and participants that fail to follow the requirements and guidelines in this policy will be ineligible to participate in RECF competitions. Any disputes regarding policy-related actions shall be resolved exclusively through RECF’s internal process as set forth in Section VI, article 15, of the RECF Event Consent, Release, Hold Harmless and Authorization Agreement, in which participants waive their right to pursue individual legal claims against RECF personnel for such actions. In the event any dispute arising from or relating to RECF events is not subject to arbitration under that agreement, such dispute shall be brought exclusively in the state courts located in Hunt County, Texas, or in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Behavior and Ethical Standards

We expect the following behavior and ethical standards at all RECF-sanctioned events:

• Act with integrity, honesty, and reliability
• Behave in a respectful and professional manner with all event participants, attendees, and RECF staff members
• Exhibit maturity and professionalism when dealing with difficult and stressful situations
• Respect individual differences
• Respect the facility and equipment provided at an event
• Follow all rules as listed in the current game manual(s)
• Operate as student-centered teams according to the Student Centered Policy
• Prioritize safety in actions and design
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship, which includes supporting your alliance partners

These expectations apply to, but are not limited to team members, mentors, parents, any adult associated with a team, Event Partners, and volunteers. The Code of Conduct may also apply to behavior outside of RECF-sanctioned events where inappropriate actions are related to an event or participating individuals. 

Judges will consider team conduct and ethics when determining awards. 

Violations of the expectations in this policy may result in consequences up to the disqualification of the team or organization from the current event and/or future events, and potentially removal from the program after review by the RECF.

Notes:

• Event staff and RECF staff must ensure that an adult representative from the team is present for all conduct-related interviews with student team members at an event.
• It is RECF policy that RECF staff may only interact with adults during the rules and conduct violations resolution process (which is primarily conducted by email) following an event. In cases where the primary coach is determined to be a minor, RECF staff will insist upon communicating with an adult (and the team will be required to change their registered primary coach).
• Where a team is found to have committed a serious violation, the team may not retain the benefits obtained as a result of the violation, such as a qualification to higher level of competition.
• The entire process is anonymous, and the reporting party will not be made aware of the outcome of the report.
• Teams or individuals who deliberately weaponize, manipulate, or falsely report conduct-related violations for competitive gain or to harass another team may be subject to a separate RECF Code of Conduct investigation.

Rules and Conduct Committee

The Rules and Conduct Committee (RCC) is composed of anonymous members from around the world to ensure consistent and impartial resolution. The committee consists of RECF employees with diverse professional backgrounds, based both across the United States and internationally.

It is expected that most conduct-related violations will be handled through the steps outlined in the RECF Code of Conduct Reporting Process, with any immediate penalties approved by the event’s RECF Regional Support Manager (RSM) and/or Director of Regional Operations. Following the event, the incident should be reported to the RCC for follow-up and recordkeeping.
 

Violation Resolution Process

The RECF Code of Conduct Violation Resolution Process is outlined in this scenario. This process will be followed in the event of a conduct-related violation or allegation.

The RCC cannot overrule or change the outcome of rulings and/or penalties from an event. However, they may add or increase penalties as deemed appropriate after investigation.

Sample Scenario

The Event Partner, Head Referee, and/or Judge Advisor suspect a Code of Conduct Violation, and use the steps of the Code of Conduct Reporting Process to investigate during an event. They discuss the case with the event’s RSM and agree on immediate minor penalties. Following the event, the EP submits a Code of Conduct report to be reviewed by the RECF Rules and Conduct Committee (RCC). 

Question: Does the report include sufficient information about and/or evidence of the alleged violation?

Answers:

1. Yes. The RCC will write to the team's registered primary coach via email. The email will include a summary of the complaint received as well as a list of relevant rules or section(s) of the Code of Conduct that the allegations, if true, would violate. Possible sanctions will be listed in this email. The email notice will request a response to the allegation within a defined time frame.
2. No. RCC takes no further action. 

Question: Based on the team’s response, are additional sanctions appropriate?

Answers:

1. Yes. If additional sanctions are to be issued, the RCC will write to the team's registered primary coach via email. The email will include a summary of the complaint received as well as a list of relevant rules or section(s) of the Code of Conduct violated. The email will also list sanctions being imposed. Notice of the right to appeal sanction(s), and the process to file an appeal, will be included in this email.
2. No. In cases where the team response has adequately clarified the alleged rules violation such that no sanction is warranted, the RCC will issue a finding to the team that the matter has been resolved. In cases where the violation does not warrant a sanction, but does warrant a formal warning, the RCC will issue a written warning.

Question: Is there an appeal?

Answers:

1. Yes. The RCC  will review the appeal, and make a recommendation to the CEO who will make the final determination to uphold, overturn, or modify the imposed sanction. The RECF CEO, with the advisory of the RECF Board of Directors, has the final and binding authority in interpreting policies. Notifications will be made in writing once the CEO makes a final decision, which should be within 14 days of receipt of the appeal. Once this decision is issued the matter is closed and not subject to further review or discussion.
2. No. The sanction remains and the matter is closed.