Code of Conduct
Standards of behavior, safety, and integrity for all USEL and WRO USA events.
Dear Participant, Coach, Parent, Volunteer, Judge, Event Organizer, and Affiliate:
This is a notice regarding the standards of conduct expected at all competitions, events, and communications organized or sanctioned by US Engineering League (USEL), including WRO USA. We have prepared this document so that everyone who takes part in our events understands what we expect and what we will not tolerate.
USEL competitions are intended to provide a safe, educational, inclusive, and positive environment for young people. The conduct of every adult and student involved — on the competition floor, in the pit area, at judging tables, and in online communications — either supports that environment or undermines it. We ask that everyone read this document carefully and join us in protecting fair play, student well-being, and the integrity of the competition.
By participating in any USEL or WRO USA event, all individuals acknowledge and accept the standards set forth below.
Contents
1. Purpose and Scope
Competitions run by USEL such as WRO USA are intended to provide a safe, educational, inclusive, and positive environment for all participants, coaches, parents, volunteers, judges, Event Organizers, and Affiliates.
This Code of Conduct applies to:
- All USEL competitions and activities such as WRO USA.
- USEL-operated events.
- Affiliate-operated events.
- Official communications.
- Digital interactions related to USEL and WRO USA.
Safety, fairness, professionalism, and the positive experience of students and families are top priorities for USEL.
2. Expected Conduct
All individuals participating in USEL events or activities are expected to:
- Conduct themselves professionally and respectfully.
- Demonstrate good sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
- Treat participants, coaches, parents, volunteers, judges, staff, organizers, and spectators with courtesy and respect.
- Follow all competition rules, operational policies, and directions from authorized event personnel.
- Support a positive, inclusive, and student-focused environment.
- Respect event venues, facilities, and equipment.
- Promote fairness, integrity, and safety throughout all competition activities.
3. Prohibited Conduct
The following conduct is prohibited at all USEL and WRO USA events and within all official USEL communications:
- Harassment, intimidation, bullying, or abusive conduct.
- Threatening, hostile, or disruptive behavior.
- Unsportsmanlike conduct.
- Deliberate interference with event operations, judging, scoring, or competition integrity.
- Tampering with robots, equipment, or team materials belonging to others.
- Attempts to manipulate, undermine, or disrupt official event procedures or governance.
- Failure to comply with official event rules or instructions from authorized personnel.
- Conduct that creates an unsafe, hostile, or disruptive environment.
- Public or private dissemination of knowingly false, misleading, defamatory, or malicious statements intended to damage the reputation of USEL, WRO USA, affiliated organizations, participants, volunteers, judges, staff, or Event Organizers.
4. Safety and Event Integrity
All participants and attendees are expected to prioritize safety and maintain orderly conduct at all times. This includes:
- Following venue safety procedures.
- Using robotics equipment responsibly.
- Maintaining safe conduct in pit, competition, and spectator areas.
- Respecting restricted competition and judging areas.
- Immediately reporting safety concerns to event staff.
USEL and Event Organizers reserve the right to remove any individual whose conduct is determined to create a safety or operational concern.
5. Digital and Communication Standards
All communications related to USEL and WRO USA events — including emails, messaging platforms, social media, online forums, group chats, and public statements — must remain professional and respectful.
Online misconduct, harassment, threats, defamatory statements, or attempts to disrupt USEL operations or reputation may result in disciplinary action, even if occurring outside of an in-person event.
6. Enforcement and Disciplinary Actions
USEL reserves the right to investigate conduct concerns and take corrective action as necessary to protect participants, volunteers, staff, Event Organizers, and the integrity of USEL and WRO USA events.
Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action including, but not limited to:
- Verbal warning.
- Written warning.
- Removal from an event.
- Team disqualification.
- Removal from a competition team.
- Suspension of participation privileges.
- Revocation of Affiliate or hosting privileges.
- Restriction from future participation in USEL events, including WRO USA events.
- Permanent removal from USEL-operated programs or events.
Disciplinary decisions will be determined based on the severity, frequency, and impact of the conduct.
