The Cambridge University Hare & Hounds Club (CUH&H) is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the well-being of all its members to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience.
All Club members involved in CUH&H activities, whether they are involved as participants, coaches, officials or spectators, are therefore required to adhere to the standards of behaviour – set out within this Code of Conduct – and to support the mission of CUH&H. This Code of Conduct has been developed to ensure the highest possible standards of competition and sportsmanship as well as promoting fairness, honesty and positive behaviour in relation to the conduct of all those representing CUH&H.
CUH&H respect the rights, dignity and worth of every person involved in its activities. CUH&H is committed to team members enjoying running in an environment free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment and abuse. CUH&H believes that it is the responsibility of all of its members to challenge discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.
CUH&H is governed by the constitution of United Kingdom Athletics (UKA), which is registered with the University of Cambridge Sports Service. This Code of Conduct is in addition, and by no means replaces, the standards set by UKA, the student’s individual college and the overarching Proctor regulations.
Members of CUH&H are solely responsible for their conduct when representing the Club online or in person at races, training or Club events. Members must at such times:
• Respect the rights, dignity and values of others;
• Operate within the rules of competition.
• Treat facilities, staff and students at the University of Cambridge and other institutions with respect and abide by any rules that may apply;
• Be aware of how their actions may be perceived by others;
• Maintain high standards of personal behaviour at all times;
• Conduct themselves in a reasonable manner relating to offensive language and temperament
• Refrain from any form of bullying or harassment of others. Harassment is any offensive conduct based on a person`s race, sex, gender identity, national origin, colour, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, religion or any other status protected by law.
• Respect the decisions of officials, making all appeals through the appropriate formal process and respecting the final decision;
• Not condone, or allow to go unchallenged, any form of bullying, harassment or discrimination if witnessed;
• Refrain from the use of and involvement with illegal substances.
• Not act in an unlawful manner;
• Not encourage or pressure others into acting against the code;
• Understand the repercussions of any breaches of this Code of Conduct.
CUH&H is strongly committed to encouraging members to take part in its activities, but the health, well-being and safety of each individual is always our paramount concern. The Club will therefore take all reasonable steps to ensure that all its activities are safe and in line with the Club Safety Policy.
To support the Club, all members are expected to:
• Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by what they do or do not do.
• Attend training and races only if in appropriate health.
• Co-operate with the Club on health and safety issues.
• Correctly use all equipment provided by the Club.
• Not interfere with or misuse anything provided for your health, safety or welfare.
• Ensure that they update the Club and coaches with any changes to emergency contact details or medical information relevant to the undertaking of Club activities.
Members of the Club must adhere to the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code.
Please note that Team Members could potentially be subject to random testing during competitions, particularly those competing at National Level and above. Club Members caught with banned substances in their system will be subject to disciplinary proceedings from the UKA.
CUH&H wishes to promote the Club positively both within the University and externally. It recognises that its publications, online, print and social media are important tools in recruiting new members and engaging with alumni and potential sponsors. It is the responsibility of all CUH&H members to manage their personal social media presence responsibly. As such, all members are responsible for ensuring that when publishing content on Club-related media they:
• Refrain from publishing comments about other clubs, players or judges and any controversial or potentially inflammatory subjects.
• Avoid hostile or harassing communications in any posts or other online communications.
• Identify all copyrighted or borrowed material with citations and links. When publishing direct paraphrased quotes, thoughts, ideas, photos or videos, give credit to the original publisher or author.
• Review responses to online posts and resolve any concerns before they are posted.
Social functions form an important part of a Club’s activities. CUH&H is committed to ensuring that all students are able and encouraged to participate in student activities in an atmosphere free from discrimination or fear. As such, CUH&H will aim to organise a range of social events that are as inclusive as possible. Members should be aware that:
• Participation in any form of social activity is completely optional.
• They must not force others to participate in initiations and/or other social and sporting events run by CUH&H.
• Members must be made aware that they can opt-out of social activities without fear of undue pressure, reprisal or any other form of discrimination at any point.
The Club Constitution states that “All CUH&H members are bound by this code of conduct.” The disciplinary proceedings described here are applicable when a member of the Club
1. Brings CUH&H into disrepute OR
2. Breaches the Code of Conduct in a manner deemed serious by the Club Captain OR
3. Engages in any activity that adversely affects the smooth running of the Club in a major way.
Having identified (or been informed of) such a transgression, the Club Captain in consultation with the Club President, may suspend a member from CUH&H and Club activities pending further investigation. As soon as is reasonably possible, a subset of the Senior and Junior Committees (the Club President, the Senior Treasurer, the Club Captain, the other gender Captain, and the Secretary) should decide whether to rescind the suspension or exclude the member.
In the event of an expulsion, the excluded member is required to return all equipment, documents and finances belonging to the Society within 7 days. The expelled members will not be entitled to any full or partial refund of annual subscriptions. An appeal as to the process of exclusion, but not a further investigation into the facts, may be lodged with the Junior Proctor.
CUH&H takes the welfare of its members seriously. Any member of the Team that has any concerns regarding their welfare or those of others involved in Team or Club activities can discuss these, in confidence, with the Club Welfare Officers.
Maya Hodgson (mah232[at]cam.ac.uk) and Pete Molloy (pwm32[at]cam.ac.uk).
Signed: Milly Dickinson
CUH&H Captain Date: 30/09/23
Signed: Joan Lasenby
CUH&H President Date: 02/09/19