The Purdue University trustees have approved a policy banning faculty, staff and non-athlete students from gambling on sporting events involving any Purdue teams, coaches or student-athletes.
The policy, approved Thursday, was developed at the urging of some faculty members and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics after sports betting became legal in Indiana earlier this year. The policy applies to wagers placed worldwide and online.
Purdue President Mitch Daniels says athletes could have been influenced if their peers or teachers were placing bets on them.
“If people around them or their classmates were betting for or against them or their team that it might make them feel very apprehensive maybe intimidated,” Daniels says.
Daniels says the Board of Trustees hopes this adopted policy will be perceived as an appeal to not place bets on Purdue’s own athletes and teams.
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“We just don’t think that particular kind of behavior would be appropriate or would fit with the values or identity we associate with Purdue.”
Daniels says the Board could amend the rule in the future.
Trustee Mike Berghoff said campus leaders weren't comfortable with the idea that the campus community could now legally bet on student-athletes in their classrooms and dormitories.
It’s unclear how the school will police those connected to the institution who still choose to wager on Purdue teams.
Dean of Students Katie Sermersheim has been asked to recommend what sanctions could apply to students and staff who don’t comply with the new policy, which Daniels says should be considered effective immediately.
NCAA rules already prohibit wagering by certain officials of a university, student-athletes and coaches.
