UMD Announces Updates to Fan Code of Conduct and Prohibited Items & Behavior Policies to Enhance Fan Safety

The University of Maryland Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has adopted a series of changes to the university’s “Fan Code of Conduct” and “Prohibited Items & Behavior” policies to enhance fan safety during sporting events. Following a recommendation from the university's Athletic Council, the changes strengthen and clarify the existing policies, and affirm the university’s core values of diversity, inclusion and respect.

"We engaged in a comprehensive review of our policies as a reflection of our campus’ ongoing work to combat hate and create a safer campus,” said Kevin Anderson, Director of Athletics. “We are incredibly proud of the positive and supportive behavior that fans of the Maryland Terrapins exhibit, and believe these proactive changes to our policy will ultimately benefit the fan experience for all.”

“The Athletic Council felt strongly that our policies against items and behavior designed to intimidate our fans should be as clear and specific as possible to allow our fans to feel both physically and emotionally safe at our events. We are pleased that our recommendations have been accepted and put into effect,” according to a joint statement from the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Athletic Council.

Changes to the “Fan Code of Conduct” emphasize the university's commitment to creating a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience not only for fans of all ages, but for student-athletes, coaches and officials; and the importance of that experience both in the athletic venue and across the entire campus. The changes also clarify that fighting, as well as obscene, profane or abusive language or behavior can result in ejection from games.

While intimidating items and actions have already been banned from athletic events, the revised “Prohibited Items & Behavior” language is intended to strengthen the policy. Several items were added to the policy’s prohibited list, including facsimile weapons and flammables of any kind. The changes also reflect clarity in prohibited signage, apparel or other items that display, depict or represent recognizable symbols and/or words that incite, intimidate, or threaten members of the UMD community, specifying both nooses and swastikas in the new policy.

The new policies can be found here: http://www.umterps.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=29700&ATCLID=211662019