Each institution is committed to providing a comprehensive athletic program available to the entire student body. All participants in athletic activities are treated equitably.

The conference is based on mutual trust, and all members are committed to the highest ethical standards in relationships with each other. It encourages its members to compete with one another and is committed to promoting equitable competition. The conference is committed to establishing common boundaries to keep athletics strong, but in proportion to the overall academic mission of the member institutions.

In pursuit of this mission, the Presidents of each NESCAC institution control intercollegiate athletic policy. The director of athletics conducts the day-to-day operation of the athletic program. Students on all intercollegiate teams are to be representative of the overall student body and are admitted with the expectation of their full participation in the life of the college. In all sports, conference members give primary emphasis to in-season competition where programs have fixed starting and ending dates and where the number of contests is limited. The conference and each member will manage competition and post-season play in a manner that minimizes conflicts with class schedules and examinations.