SEC Expands Serious Misconduct Policy: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

The Southeastern Conference announced changes to its serious misconduct policy Friday to strengthen the regulations concerning the acceptance of incoming transfers. 

Seth Emerson of SEC Country reported that the updated rule still won't cover high school recruits. The original rule applied to transfer students who were convicted, pleaded guilty or pleaded no contest to sexual assault, domestic violence or "other forms" of sexual violence.

Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee reported the changes include adding to the prohibited list transfers who pleaded guilty or no contest to any "felony involving serious misconduct." Other additions to the rule are stalking and "dating violence behavior that concerns safety to others,"per Sallee.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said schools are still allowed to make the decisions involving incoming freshmen with prior issues, per Brett McMurphy of ESPN.com.

The news comes one day after Chip Patterson of CBS Sports reported Mississippi State confirmed the enrollment of 5-star defensive line prospect Jeffery Simmons, per 247Sports, despite a March video that showed him hitting a woman multiple times.

A statement on the school's official athletics site noted Simmons is waiting on a final decision about misdemeanor charges after allegedly trying to break up a fight between his sister and another woman. It also included the following from Scott Stricklin, the school's athletic director:

"

Based on conversations our staff has had with school, community and church leaders in Noxubee County, this incident appears to be uncharacteristic of Jeffery. It's a highly unique circumstance to administer discipline to a student for an incident that occurred prior to that individual joining our university. However, it's important that Jeffery and other potential MSU students understand that these type of actions and poor decisions are not acceptable.

We expect the structure and discipline Jeffery will be a part of in our football program to benefit him. Jeffery will be held accountable for his actions while at MSU, and there will be consequences for any future incidents.

"

Sankey didn't rule out including incoming freshmen in the serious misconduct policy in the future. "We'll continue to talk," he said when asked about that possibility, according to the SEC Country report.

The SEC didn't provide a timetable for a final decision regarding the issue, though.