A state representative in Oregon proposed a bill, HB2472, last month, which would hold coaches and athletic directors accountable for the behavior of their fans, starting in the 2023-24 school year.
Rep. Janelle Bynum believes public universities should be required to implement “equity focused policies that address the use of derogatory or inappropriate names, insults, verbal assaults, profanity or ridicule that occurs at an interscholastic activity, including by spectators of the interscholastic activity.”
The representative goes on to suggest in the bill that universities should create a “transparent complaint process,” which includes a reporting system for people “to make complaints about student, coach or spectator behavior.” Universities would need to respond within 48 hours, according to the bill, and should resolve the complaint entirely within 30 days.
If a violation is found, then the athletic director and head coach of the sport in whose game that the incident occurred would be suspended for “at least” one week.
The bill also mandates that all athletic department employees receive training on the university’s policies.
If the bill is passed, and public universities fail to implement it, then they “may not receive public moneys in the form of state grants, state scholarship moneys or support from the Oregon State Police.”
The state’s “Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall work with independent universities, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, professional organizations, student organizations, cultural organizations and religious organizations to develop rules for interscholastic codes of conduct.”
The bill includes a “brief statement of the essential features of the measure as introduced,” which reads as follows:
“Requires public universities to develop specified policies and accountability mechanisms for behavior at interscholastic activities, including sporting events. Prohibits public universities from participating in interscholastic activities or receiving state moneys in form of state grants, scholarship funds or Oregon State Police support if public university fails to develop or enforce policies and accountability mechanisms. Requires public universities to train all athletic department personnel on policies and accountability mechanisms. Requires public universities to suspend athletic director and head coach for minimum of one week if policies are violated through use of derogatory or inappropriate names, insults, verbal assaults, profanity, or ridicule at interscholastic activity hosted by public university. Requires Higher Education Coordinating Commission to work with independent universities, NCAA and professional, student, cultural and religious organizations to develop rules for interscholastic codes of conduct. Declares emergency, effective on passage.”
