Every NCEG member agrees to compete hard, work as a team, and represent the league like a professional. This code applies to every member, team officer, department lead, certified artist, league coach, faculty adviser and volunteer, on campus, at NCEG events, and online (including the members area, Discord and social media).
1. Our standard: professional, always
NCEG teams operate as record labels, and the industry is watching. Members are expected to:
- Show up prepared and on time to rehearsals, sessions, meetings and events.
- Do what you committed to, or tell your team leader early when you can't.
- Treat every member, artist, guest, venue and partner with respect.
- Follow your school's rules and code of conduct. Your faculty adviser may stop any team activity that breaks them.
2. Respect and safety
NCEG has zero tolerance for:
- Harassment, bullying, threats or intimidation, in person or online.
- Discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age or any other protected characteristic.
- Sexual harassment or misconduct of any kind, including unwanted contact, comments or advances.
- Violence, or bringing weapons to any NCEG activity.
At NCEG events, follow the law and your school's policy on alcohol and other substances. No member may provide alcohol to anyone under 21, use illegal drugs, or pressure anyone to drink or use substances.
3. Anti-hazing policy
No team, member, officer, coach, adviser or anyone associated with NCEG may conduct or allow hazing.
Hazing is any action, situation or activity, or complicity in one, that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental, emotional or physical health or safety of a student or alum, or that destroys or removes property, as a condition of joining, belonging to or staying in an NCEG team. Hazing includes, but is not limited to:
- Physical brutality of any kind, including hitting, paddling, shoving, forced exercise or exposure to the elements.
- Forced or required eating, drinking or use of alcohol, drugs or any other substance.
- Activities that cause extreme stress, embarrassment or degradation: sleep deprivation, forced isolation, servitude, personal errands, verbal abuse, undignified clothing or nudity, or public stunts.
- Activities designed to frighten, deceive or morally compromise someone, including threats of pain, injury or non-admission.
- Activities that interfere with academics, including anything held between midnight and 8:00 a.m.
- Destroying or removing public or private property as part of joining or belonging.
- Breaking any federal, state or local law or school policy in connection with joining or belonging.
Recruitment and auditions must follow your school's code of conduct and may not run longer than 21 days for any recruit.
4. Fair play
NCEG is not pay-to-play. Rank, badges and roster spots are earned.
- Submit only work you did. Credit every collaborator.
- Don't inflate, fake or trade XP, badges, scores, survey results or attendance.
- Judging, auditions and grading follow the league's published criteria. No favors and no side deals.
- No one buys a roster spot. Members pay dues once a season. Dues support both their team and the national league, and never buy a position.
5. Artists and their work
NCEG helps young creatives own and monetize their work; it never takes ownership of it.
- Members keep the rights to music and media they create, unless they sign a separate written agreement.
- Put collaborations in writing (splits, credits, who can release what) before a release.
- Don't use your NCEG title to sign, manage or collect money from a member artist for yourself without telling your team officers and the league first.
- Get permission before posting someone else's music, image or performance.
6. Representing NCEG
- Content published under a team's name, logo or social accounts is approved by the team's Head of Media.
- Use the NCEG name and brand as the brand guide describes. Don't create accounts, merch or partnerships in NCEG's name without approval.
- Only the league speaks for NCEG nationally. Refer press and sponsor inquiries to your team officers or the league.
7. Money and property
- Dues are paid once, through the league's approved checkout, and support both the national league and your team. Team donations, sponsorships and ticket sales go through the team's approved accounts, managed by the Treasurer.
- Spending follows the team budget and the league's budget request process. Keep receipts.
- Team money and equipment are never for personal use. Return borrowed equipment in the condition you received it.
8. Privacy
- What you see in the members area stays in the members area. Don't share teammates' contact details, stats or submissions outside NCEG.
- Don't screenshot or repost member-only pages publicly.
- Never try to access another member's account or another team's private information.
9. Reporting a concern
Report a concern to a team officer, your league coach, your faculty adviser, or the league at chapters@nationalceg.org. You can report anything that makes you feel unsafe, even if you're not sure it breaks this code. NCEG does not tolerate retaliation against anyone who reports in good faith.
10. What happens after a violation
The response depends on how serious the violation is and whether it has happened before:
- A conversation and a written warning from the league. Team officers report violations to the league; they don't discipline or remove members themselves.
- Suspension of member privileges: event access, roster eligibility, members-area access, or XP and badges earned through the violation. Privileges may also be paused while dues are unpaid.
- Removal from the team and the league, decided by the league.
- For a team: removal from the national standings and the end of league support, under the league's national compliance standards.
Serious safety violations, such as hazing, violence, sexual misconduct or threats, can lead straight to removal and may be reported to the school or law enforcement. A member who is suspended or removed can ask the league to review the decision by emailing chapters@nationalceg.org within 14 days.
11. Your agreement
By creating a member account, you agree to follow this code and your school's rules. The league may update this code and will tell members about significant changes.