Table of Contents Constitution and Bylaws

Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference

Constitution and Bylaws

Revised November 2013

Article I – Name……………………………………………………………………………..3

Article II – Mission Statement…………………………………………………………........3

Article III – Goals and Objectives…………………………………………………………..3

Article V – Governance…………………………………………………………………….6

Article VI – Membership and Representation…………………………………………….10

Article VII – New Membership……………………………………………………….......12

Article VIII – Committees………………………………………………………………...13

Article IX – Sports Committees………………………………………………………......14

Article X – Amendments to Constitution and Bylaws……………………………………14

Article XI – Conditions of Competition…………………………………………………..14

1. 
   The purpose of the conference is to accomplish the following:
   

1. 
   Promote athletics as an integral part of the mission of each member institution.
   
2. 
   Balance and enhance the athletic and educational opportunities (through athletics) of the student athletes to enable a better quality of life and successful, well-rounded individuals.
   
3. 
   Promote the participation by male and female students in intercollegiate athletics among the member institutions as an integral part of each institution’s total educational program.
   
4. 
   Provide competitive intercollegiate athletic opportunites for member institutions.
   
5. 
   Establish conference regulations governing the conference’s intercollegiate sports to supplement and support those established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and other governing bodies.
   
6. 
   Promote compliance with the rules established by the Conference and the NCAA.
   
7. 
   Promote the principles of fair play, sportsmanship, amateurism and integrity amongst the CACC members.
   
8. 
   Uphold the principle of institutional control of, and responsibility for, all intercollegiate sports in conjuncture with the Constitution and Bylaws of the CACC.
   

It is the responsibility of each member institution through the president to ensure that sportsmanship and ethical conduct are displayed by student-athletes, athletic administrators, coaches, and spectators at all athletic events.

1. 
   Monitor the assignment, education and conduct of game officials, as they relate to this policy on sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
   
2. 
   Work collaboratively with the supervisor of officials to implement this policy of sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
   
3. 
   Recommend to the supervisor of officials the sanctions of officials who do not adhere to the requirements of this policy.
   
4. 
   Report all sportsmanship and ethical conduct issues involving coaches and/or administrators to the Ethics and Infractions Committee.
   
5. 
   Recommend sanctions of coaches and/or administrators to the Ethics and Infractions Committee.
   
6. 
   Assess sanctions, when appropriate, for improper behavior not detected or properly addressed by the institutions involved.
   

It is incumbent upon athletic directors to create a positive environment for the total athletic program and a hospitable setting for visiting teams. Each host institution is required to designate a game manager for each home contest. The host athletics administrator has the authority to suspend immediately any contest that develops into an unsafe environment for either participants or spectators.

"The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference requires officials to enforce all rules regarding sportsmanship and ethical conduct by players and coaches. Specifically, taunting, baiting, demeaning celebrations, and vulgar or profane language will not be tolerated. Fighting or other malicious conduct shall result in disciplinary action. It is strongly suggested that you remind your teammates of this policy."

I. Presidents’ Council

1. 
   The Presidents’ Council (PC) consists of the president of each member institution. Each president has one vote on action items of the PC.
   
2. 
   In the absence of the president, each institution may have a pre- determined, consistent representative (appointed by the president) who may attend the meeting. The designee will not be allowed a vote on action items at the meeting.
   
3. 
   The PC shall have ultimate authority and responsibility for the conference.
   

1. Chair

b. The chair shall serve a two-year term and is eligible for one additional term.

c. The chair shall conduct the meetings of the PC.

2. Chair-elect

a. The chair-elect shall be a president of a member institution elected on even-numbered years at the spring meeting of the PC and assume responsibility at the conclusion of the spring meeting.

b. The chair-elect shall serve a two-year term and is eligible for re-election to one additional term.

c. The chair-clect shall serve in the capacity of chair in the absence of the chair.

d. If the chair ceases to be president of a member institution, the chair-elect shall become the designed chair for the remainder of the term.

e. The chair-elect shall become chair at the conclusion of the term of the chair.

3. Treasurer

a. The treasurer will serve as the chair of the Finance Committee and oversee the budget and investments of the Conference.

b. The treasurer shall serve a two-year term and is eligible for re-election to one additional term.

4. The Executive Committee of the PC shall include the chair, chair-elect, treasurer and immediate past chair.

E. The PC shall meet twice annually, in the fall and spring. A summer planning session will be decided upon annually by the PC at its spring meeting.

F. The PC shall take formal action of the budget for the next fiscal year at the spring meeting of the PC.

G. The PC Executive Committee shall make recommendations on the Commissioner’s reappointment (or appointment) and evaluation. Formal action on the commissioner’s appointment and salary shall occur at the spring meeting of the PC.

H. The conference strategic plan shall be reviewed on an annual basis. I. The PC’s vote on all action items will require a simple majority of a quorum present unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.

J. A majority of the member institutions, represented in person (no proxy accepted), shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the members unless otherwise specified in these bylaws.

A. The Directors’ Council (DC) shall consist of the athletic director of each member institution.

B. The DC shall be the managing body of the conference with the PC having ultimate authority.

C. The DC may make recommendations to the PC and the Commissioner for budget, commissioner, constitution and bylaws and membership issues. The DC does not have authority to approve the budget, commissioner, constitution and bylaws and membership. Only the PC can approve changes to these specific areas.

D. All actions by the DC shall become effective immediately upon

acceptance unless otherwise noted.

E. All CACC post-season planning and implementation shall be at the sole discretion of the DC. All CACC post-season plans shall be finalized at the spring DC meeting.

F. The DC will be empowered to call special meetings either at their own discretion or on approval of a request of any member.

G. The president of the DC will attend all meetings of the PC and give a report.

H. Officers

1. The officers shall be elected for two- year terms on even years at the spring meeting of the DC.

2. The officers of the DC shall be comprised of the president, first vice-president, second vice-president and immediate past president.

3. A nominating committee comprised of the DC, less the president, will solicit names of candidates for officers and will present a slate of nominees for officer positions to the DC 30 days prior to the designated meeting for election to take place.

4. The officers shall be empowered to conduct emergency business of the conference between regularly scheduled DC meetings.

a. The president shall have the following responsibilities:

(1) Conduct and lead meetings when the Commissioner is not present at the DC meetings.

(2) Serve as the liaison to the Conference office.

b. Vice Presidents of the DC shall have the following responsibilities:

(1) Conduct and lead meetings when president is not present at the DC meetings.

(2) Serve as president in the absence of the president, and if the president cannot return to office, the first vice president shall remain as president for the remaining original term.

The Commissioner shall serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the CACC and represent the conference regionally and nationally. S/he shall supervise the conference office and budget. S/he shall work with all conference committees as needed and serve in a supervisory role at conference championships. The Commissioner shall report to and be evaluated by the Executive Committee of the PC. Renewal of the Commissioner is contingent upon a three-fourths vote of the PC.

The Associate Commissioner will assist with the overall organization and management of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference in accordance with NCAA and CACC policies, rules and regulations to include, but not limited to, serving as primary Compliance officer, Student-Athlete Advisory Council liaison, conference life skills coordinator, and with budget supervision, administrative responsibilities, and interaction with conference members. This individual reports to the Commissioner.

The Assistant Commissioner/Director of Strategic Communications is primarily responsible for providing vision and strategic thought for the Conference communications that are tied to the Conference’s overall mission and strategy and the NCAA’s DII Strategic Platform. The Assistant Commissioner oversees all conference championships and the awards program as well as serving as a member of the CACC Communications Committee and as liaison to the conference Sports Information Directors. This individual reports to the Commissioner.

VI. To withdraw from the Conference a member institution, through its president or designee, must file an official notice of withdrawal with the Commissioner and with each member institution. Such notice of withdrawal must be filed on or before June 1 of any year with an effective date of June 30 of the next calendar year. Athletics competition between the withdrawing institution and other conference member institutions shall continue on an uninterrupted basis throughout the year following filing of the withdrawal notice. Agreements on conference competition between member institutions and the withdrawing institution shall be null and void on the effective date of termination of the withdrawing institution. Agreements on scheduled athletics competition involving the withdrawing institution and other conference member institutions shall be null and void on the effective date of termination, but may be continued by mutual agreement of the individual institutions. A withdrawing member institution forfeits all rights to proceeds the conference would receive from the NCAA or any other revenue normally distributed through the conference for the 12-month period immediately preceding the effective date of withdrawal. A withdrawing member waives all rights to any share of conference assets or proceeds. A withdrawing member that fails to provide the required one year notification will pay the conference one year’s membership dues.

A. A monetary fine equal to the current one-year’s dues.

B. No enhancement monies or assets will be allocated to the institution during their final year as a member.

C. No post-season competition.

D. The departing institute will automatically be stripped of all voting rights and be automatically removed from all offices and committees.
VII. Expulsion and or Probation Status

A. A member shall not be expelled or placed on probationary status except by a 3/4 votes of the PC.

B. Reinstatement may only be attained by a 3/4 votes of the PC.
VIII. Membership Criteria

A. Each member institution must sponsor at least 4 men's (if coeducational institution) and 4 women's conference championship sports that meet NCAA sports sponsorship requirements (NCAA bylaw 20.10.3).

B. Each member institution must sponsor at least one conference championship sport in each sport season (i.e. fall, winter, spring) for each gender.
1. Fall - Men's X-C, Women's X-C, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, Women’s Volleyball and Women’s Tennis

2. Winter - Men’s Basketball, Women's Basketball

3. Spring - Baseball, Men's Golf, Women’s Lacrosse, Softball, Men’s Tennis

C. Each member institution must have the following designated staff: Director of Athletics, Senior Woman Administrator, Compliance Coordinator, Faculty Athletic Representative, Athletic Trainer, Sports Information Director.

Note: The CACC will not accept block applications.

2. Required documentation (when complete packet has been received) will be forwarded to the CACC Membership Committee.

Required Documentation

A. A letter from the CEO of the institution indicating the reason for desiring membership in the CACC

B. A letter from the Director of Athletics indicating the reason for desiring membership in the CACC and summary of attributes of the athletics program

C. Summary of the institution’s compatibility (e.g. institutional mission, academic programs, geographical location, athletic program, student population) with current CACC members.

D. Most recent institutional regional accreditation report

E. Verification of NCAA Division II membership

F. Verification of good standing with the NCAA

G. Location and description of home athletic facilities

H. Latest NCAA self-study with attachments

I. Short-term and long-term goals of the athletic department

J. Copy of current catalog

K. Most recent Equity in Athletics Data Analysis report

1. Athletic department operations manual and compliance manual

2. Athletic program’s strategic plan

3. Athletic program’s most recent two years’ budgets, including athletically-related financial aid by sport

4. Any other information the institution may deem applicable

6. 
   The PC reviews the recommendation and acts. The PC can accept, reject or refer the matter back to the committee. The PC shall act on the recommendation within 60 days of receipt from the DC. The decision of an institution’s application shall be by three-fourths (3/4) vote of PC.
   

6. 
   If the presidents vote to accept the new member, the institution will be assessed an entry fee and must provide a six-year bond. The bond will be returned to the institution after it is an active member of the CACC for five consecutive years. If the institution fails to maintain membership for five years, the bond is forfeited. All interest received from the bond during the five-year period is the property of the CACC.
   

1. 
   Any schools applying for associate membership must be a member of the NCAA II, have attained a minimum of exploratory status and play “countable” contests in the sport to which they apply. There is an application fee, and the existing membership process must be followed.
   

2. 
   Associate members will be accepted for a minimum of two years. Rollover for subsequent years is automatic (after successful completion of year 1) unless notified by the Conference Commissioner by June 30 that membership will be terminated. If termination is decided, the school will receive one final year of competition.
   

3. 
   Exploratory or provisional members will not be eligible for Conference playoffs, championships or NCAA consideration; however, active associate members will be eligible.
   

4. 
   Annual costs will be payable to the CACC by September 1 of each year. A 4% increase will be applicable each subsequent year. The Conference reserves the right to request an additional assessment, based on cost changes within the Conference. If such an assessment is made, it will be applied to all Conference members.
   

5. 
   Regardless of status within the Conference, all players and head coaches are eligible for weekly and season-ending awards.
   

6. 
   Associate membership allows coaches to attend and vote on all sport specific recommendations. No other voting privileges are granted with associate membership and there is no institutional representation at the DC meetings.
   

1. 
   For each sport sponsored by the CACC, the DC will appoint an athletic director from a member institution to act as a liaison between the DC and each sport committee.
   
2. 
   Each sport committee shall have a coach from that sport appointed as sports chairperson to work cooperatively with the DC liaison to conduct annual meetings
   
3. 
   The membership of each of these committees shall be determined and appointed by the DC.
   
4. 
   The term of each appointed member within a committee shall be three years with a single renewable option.
   

1. 
   Each member institution shall abide by the rules set forth in the NCAA playing rules, CACC guidelines, official rulebooks and other affiliated athletic associations and follow the eligibility standards of those associations.
   

2. 
   Each member institution shall participate in a minimum of sports per NCAA Division II Constitution and Bylaws.
   

3. 
   The CACC non-championship season, in sports other than men’s golf and women’s tennis, shall consist of a 30-day window with 20 playing/practice opportunities included. The dates may be determined by each member.
   

4. 
   A protested game shall be completed, and the Commissioner in compliance with the NCAA regulations dealing with the incident shall handle any protest.
   

5. 
   Schedules shall be distributed in the fall and will be approved at the subsequent DC meeting for competition in upcoming year. All CACC institutions are required to meet CACC scheduling requirements in all sports. Any changes in the conference schedule must follow policies for schedule change.
   

6. 
   Schedules in the sports of Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Softball, Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Women’s Lacrosse and Women’s Volleyball shall be considered conference schedules. These schedules will be developed and approved by the DC.
   

1. 
   Conference schedules shall have priority over non-conference competition.
   
2. 
   Conference schedules cannot be changed unless
   

1. 
   Both Directors of Athletics agree.
   
2. 
   The information is submitted to the conference office for monitoring purposes.
   

3. 
   Contests postponed due to weather do not have to go through the conference office for rescheduling.
   

7. 
   All postponed conference games are to be played and should be rescheduled by mutual agreement of the colleges involved; if they cannot agree on a date, they must play on the first open date that both colleges have. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in forfeiture. To qualify for the championship, all scheduled Conference games must be played.
   

8. 
   Conference Championships
   

1. 
   The sport must have 6 declared member teams to sponsor a conference sport.
   
2. 
   The Won/Loss record determines regular season conference champion for team sports.
   
3. 
   Each member college must declare its intent to participate (Yes/No) in each conference sport at the Spring Business meeting. Club teams are not to be included.
   

If a member does not honor its Spring Declaration for reasons other than those listed above and sponsors the intercollegiate program in question, all programs at that institution will be placed on one-year probation upon re-declaration of participation in the conference.