Pokémon Professors are held to a higher standard of conduct than most other Play! Pokémon members. The Professor Core Values—integrity, honesty, responsibility, and professionalism—are the cornerstones of the program, and together with the tenets of the Spirit of the Game, they inform how Professors should conduct themselves while filling an official role.
From the Premier Event tournament floor to local Pokémon League sessions, it is crucial that Professors strive to embody these four qualities at all times!
Integrity
A Professor should be fair and unbiased, whether judging a tournament or resolving a dispute. Personal feelings can potentially cloud a judgment call—a Professor must not take these feelings into consideration when resolving an issue between players, parents, venue staff, or spectators.
Honesty
It is critical to the integrity of the Professor Program that its members have a reputation of honesty and trustworthiness. If players cannot trust a Professor to be honest, they cannot trust that Professor’s rulings to be accurate or their events to be fair.
In addition, The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) may occasionally contact Professors to assist in player or venue investigations. If a Professor has been known to be dishonest, the integrity of the investigation may be jeopardized.
Responsibility
Professors are trusted with a great deal of responsibility. For example, as a judge, a Professor is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of rulings to the best of their ability. They must take all possible measures to ensure they are up to date with the latest developments regarding Play! Pokémon rules.
As an Organizer, a Professor must ensure that all event reporting is done in a timely manner, and that all event prizes and participation rewards are handed out according to the event guidelines.
Professionalism
Professors should act professionally while actively representing Pokémon. For example, foul language, horseplay, smoking, drinking alcohol, and similar activities are unacceptable, and all event attendees should be addressed courteously, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or physical or mental capacity.
Professors should also take care to avoid public discussion of sensitive rulings or exchanges at events that could cause embarrassment or emotional distress to the parties involved. When discussing rulings in general, care should be taken to ensure that those involved remain anonymous.
