Subchapter F

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Subchapter F. CLASSIFICATION OF VIOLATIONS; PROTESTS

Section 50: CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENT VIOLATIONS

Any student representative of a member school, who by act or omission causes himself or herself, another contestant, or a member school to do or fail to do any one or more of those actions or omissions listed below shall be in violation of the Constitution and Contest Rules. Violations by student representatives of member schools are classified below.

(a) Category A violations requiring severe penalty or violations of rules that carry a specific penalty are:

(1) violations of eligibility rules;

(2) falsifying records or reports or withholding information;

(3) failing to comply with rules prohibiting interactions with officials, judges or referees (verbal or physical abuse), or fighting with opponents;

(4) failing to comply with applicable state laws regarding extracurricular activities; or

(5) failing to comply with amateur rules.

(b) Category B violations are:

(1) failing to comply with rules and guidelines contained in contest plans and written instructions in manuals and handbooks provided for contests;

(2) self-recruiting or recruiting others; or

(3) failing to report known violations in a timely manner.

Section 51: CLASSIFICATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT PERSONNEL VIOLATIONS

Any covered school district personnel (all UIL contest sponsors), who by act or omission causes a student representative or a member school to do or fail to do any one or more of those actions or omissions listed below shall be in violation of the Constitution and Contest Rules. Violations by school district personnel are classified below.

(a) Category A violations requiring more severe penalty are:

(1) violating eligibility rules;

(2) improper interaction with officials, judges, referees;

(3) ejection from contest or receipt of two 15-yard penalties in football during one contest;

(4) removing a team from a contest, as in protest;

(5) falsifying records or reports;

(6) failing to report known violations in a timely manner or withholding information;

(7) pressuring teachers to modify the grade or grades of UIL participants in such a manner as to affect eligibility;

(8) recruiting;

(9) failing to comply with applicable state laws regarding extracurricular activities; or

(10) failing to comply with the amateur rule, the awards rules, the gifts/awards to coaches rule, the rebate rule, or the coaches employment and source of pay rule.

(b) Category B violations are:

(1) failing to comply with the Athletic Code, Athletic Code for Coaches, Music Code, Academic Code or One-Act Play Code;

(2) breaking contracts;

(3) coercing contestants; or

(4) scouting (debate).

(c) Category C violations are:

(1) failing to comply with rules and regulations in individual plans and/or UIL manuals; or

(2) violation of reporting requirements concerning:

(A) eligibility forms;
(B) professional acknowledgment;
(C) previous participation;
(D) parent/student acknowledgment;
(E) medical/physical examinations; or
(F) weekly or season contest reports.

Section 52: CLASSIFICATION OF UIL SCHOOL VIOLATIONS

Any member school district that by act or omission fails to do one or more of the actions or omissions listed below shall be in violation of the Constitution and Contest Rules. Violations by UIL member schools are listed below.

(a) CATEGORY A. Violations of state law and rules of the State Board of Education:

(1) failing to comply with applicable state laws regarding previous and current academic requirements;

(2) failing to comply with applicable rules of the State Board of Education regarding previous and current academic requirements;

(3) failing to comply with applicable rules of the State Board of Education regarding loss of school time requirements; or

(4) failing to comply with applicable state laws regarding extracurricular activities.

(b) CATEGORY B. Violations of UIL rules: Failing to comply with the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules, when not in conflict with State Board of Education rules or regulations.

Section 53: CONDUCT SUBJECT TO PROTEST

(a) PROTEST OF MEMBER SCHOOL. A member school may protest an act or omission that is a violation of the Constitution and/or Contest Rules, but may not protest a contest judge’s, referee’s or other official’s decision.

(b) PROTEST OF AN INDIVIDUAL. If an individual protests an act or omission that is a violation of the Constitution and/or Contest Rules, the superintendent should try to resolve the protest within 15 days. If the individual is not satisfied with the disposition of the protest, the superintendent shall notify the individual that the individual may file the protest with the District Executive Committee. If still dissatisfied with the District Executive Committee’s disposition of the case, and if further information is forthcoming, the Executive Director may refer the case to the State Executive Committee to determine if there is substance to re-hear the case.

Section 54: FILING A PROTEST

The superintendent or designated administrator must file the protest in writing with either the District Executive Committee or the State Executive Committee, whichever is appropriate. The protest must be filed within a reasonable time. The committee shall determine on a case-by-case basis what is a reasonable time, however, there is no time limit to protest eligibility or any other rule which imposes mandatory penalties. This rule does not apply to contest officials decisions.

Section 55: REPORT OF VIOLATION

A superintendent, principal, school administrator, teacher, coach or sponsor may report an alleged violation of the Constitution and/or Contest Rules by his or her school or school district. The report must be in writing and filed with the District Executive Committee or the State Executive Committee, whichever is appropriate, within a reasonable time. The committee shall determine on a case-by-case basis what is a reasonable period of time, however, there is no time limit to protest eligibility or any other rule which imposes mandatory penalties.

Section 56: INVESTIGATION OF PROTESTS OR ALLEGATIONS

(a) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S INVESTIGATION. The Executive Director, or designee, shall initially review protests or complaints that allege violations of the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules, UIL manuals, handbooks or other UIL rules or policies and, using his or her professional judgement and discretion, determine if a protest or complaint should be investigated and, upon completion of the Executive Director’s investigation, if the complaint or protest should be referred to and considered by the State Executive Committee or other appropriate UIL committee.

(b) SUBMISSION OF RECORDS. In response to a request by the State Executive Committee, District Executive Committee or Executive Director, a member school district and its schools shall fully cooperate with the request and submit its records and any other information that is germane to the protest or complaint being investigated.