2008-09 MANUAL
2008-09 Big West Conference Manual BIG WEST CONFERENCE 2 Corporate Park, Suite 206 Irvine, California 92606 (949) 261-2525 http://www.bigwest.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS PART ONE -- CONSTITUTION 100 Name...4 101 Purpose...4 102 Conference Code...4 103 Membership...4 104 Government/Administration of the Conference...7 105 Institutional Control, Budget Policy and Practice, Funds and Assets...10 106 Observance and Enforcement of Conference Code...13 107 Adoption and Amendment...13 108 Procedures for Serious Violations or Potential Violations...13 109 Acts of Unsportsmanlike Conduct...17 PART TWO -- OPERATING PROCEDURES 200 Enumeration, Selection, Tenure of Officers...19 201 Meetings...23 202 Powers & Duties of the Officers and Commissioner of the Conference Office...25 203 Finances...27 204 Procedures for Interpretations...27 205 Procedures for Resolution of Controversies Between Member Institutions...27 206 Adoption & Amendment of Operating Procedures, Operating Rules, & Administrative Regulations...29 PART THREE -- OPERATING RULES 300 Rules of Eligibility...30 301 Aid to Athletes...34 302 Recruiting...34 303 National Letter of Intent...34 PART FOUR -- ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS 400 Recognized Sports...35 401 Commissioner s Cup...37 402 Master Schedules...37 403 Championship Meets or Tournaments...39 404 Coaches' Meetings...40 405 Conference Television, Marketing & Licensing...41 406 Officiating Code of Ethics...45 407 Sports Information Directors Regulations...47 408 Athletic Trainers Regulations...48 409 Academic Awards...49 410 All-Conference Awards...51-2-
PART FIVE -- OPERATING MEN'S SPORTS REGULATIONS 500 Baseball Regulations...66 501 Basketball Regulations...71 502 Cross Country Regulations...78 503 Golf Regulations...80 504 Soccer Regulations...84 505 Swimming and Diving Regulations...90 506 Tennis Regulations...92 507 Track and Field Regulations...96 PART SIX -- OPERATING WOMEN'S SPORTS REGULATIONS 600 Basketball Regulations...103 601 Cross Country Regulations...110 602 Golf Regulations...112 603 Soccer Regulations...115 604 Softball Regulations...122 605 Swimming and Diving Regulations...127 606 Tennis Regulations...129 607 Track and Field Regulations...133 608 Volleyball Regulations...139 609 Water Polo Regulations...147 PART SEVEN -- APPENDICES I 2008-09 Council Members...151 II 2008-09 Committee Appointments...153 III Policy for Reporting NCAA Violations...155 IV Gender Equity Statement...157 V 2008-09 Big West Officials Fees...158 VI 2008-09 Big West Championship Schedule...160 Index...180-3-
BIG WEST CONFERENCE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS PART ONE - CONSTITUTION - ARTICLES 100 NAME 100.1 The name of this organization shall be the Big West Conference. (Revised 6/3/88.) 101 PURPOSE 101.1 To form and maintain among academic institutions of comparable educational and intercollegiate athletic programs an athletic conference, the members of which shall incorporate intercollegiate athletics within their respective educational programs and shall place and maintain such athletics under the same administrative and academic control as exists in their other education programs. 102 CONFERENCE CODE 102.1 The Big West Conference shall abide by the rules and regulations of the NCAA. In addition, the Big West Conference shall be governed by a code consisting of two parts: the Constitution and the Bylaws. The Bylaws shall consist of Operating Procedures, Operating Rules, Administrative Regulations, and Individual Sports Regulations. To the extent that the Bylaws may conflict with the Constitution, statutes of the Constitution shall prevail. (Revised 7/15/02.) 103 MEMBERSHIP 103.1 Conference membership shall consist of two classes -- Member and Associate Member. 103.1.1 Members of the men's division shall be defined as those institutions that compete at the Division I level in one more than half of the recognized Conference sports. All members must sponsor the following men's sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and track and field. (Revised 5/23/83, 5/16/85, 6/9/98, 6/8/99, 7/17/00, 7/14/03.) 103.1.2 Members of the women's division shall be defined as those institutions that compete at the Division I level in one more than half of the recognized Conference sports. All members must sponsor the following women's sports: basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, -4-
tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo. (Revised 5/16/85, 6/8/99, 7/14/03, 6/12/07, 7/14/08.) 103.1.3 An Associate Member in the men's and women's division shall be defined as any institution that competes in three or less of the recognized Conference sports. The term of such membership shall be for two years and may be renewed on an annual basis. (Revised 12/16/83, 5/16/85.) 103.1.4 Failure to comply with the requirements of 103.1.1 and 103.1.2 will first result in a letter of reprimand/warning to that institution's Chief Executive Officer, a forfeiture of one-sixth of its share of the Conference's NCAA Basketball Championship revenue for that year, and the placing of the institution on a one-year probationary status. Following the one-year probation, the institution is subject to suspension or expulsion from the Conference per Constitution 103.4 if the membership requirements are not fulfilled. (Adopted 5/9/96.) 103.1.4.1 Members of the Conference prior to July 1, 2003 who were not in compliance with 103.1.1 and/or 103.1.2 remain in good standing. However, a member not in compliance with 103.1.1 and/or 103.1.2 must add the required conference sports to attain compliance before it adds any other sports. (Adopted 6/9/98, Revised 6/8/99, 7/17/00, 7/14/03.) 103.1.5 The sports of baseball, men s and women s basketball, men s and women s soccer, softball, and women s volleyball must receive at least 80 percent of the NCAA maximum allowable scholarship funding. A scholarship shall be defined as in-state tuition, room board and books. All existing programs in sports added to the above listing in the future shall have three years from the point of designation to comply with the funding requirements. (Adopted 6/8/99, Revised 7/15/02, 7/14/03, 7/12/04, 7/13/05, 7/10/06.) -5-
103.1.5.1 By September 15 each year, member institutions are required to submit the coming year s scholarship funding allocations for round-robin sports to the Conference Office. (Adopted 7/10/06.) 103.2 Addition of New Members New members may be admitted upon written application filed with the Council, and with the approval of such application by the affirmative vote of three-fourths or more of the total membership of the Board of Directors. Applications for admission of new members must be presented at a meeting of the Council for information and discussion purposes only. Action by the Conference membership may be taken at the next Board of Directors meeting. (Revised 1/12/97.) 103.2.1 Representatives of institutions that have officially accepted an offer of future membership are permitted to vote on future membership issues. The chairs of the Big West Conference Council and Board of Directors are empowered to rule on any voting right disputes regarding what issues impact a future member institution. (Adopted 7/13/05.) 103.3 Withdrawal Any member or associate member may withdraw from the Conference by filing with each of the other members, and with the commissioner of the Conference, an official notice of withdrawal at least one calendar year before its official withdrawal date of July 1. Any withdrawing member shall, however, play all approved athletic competitions scheduled with the other members in accordance with the governing contracts unless such competitions are waived by written consent of the parties affected. Further, upon three-fourths vote of the total membership of the Board of Directors (except for the withdrawing member), the withdrawal date may be advanced. (Revised 5/13/93, 1/12/97.) 103.3.1 Representatives of institutions that have presented a formal letter of withdrawal from the Conference are prohibited from voting on future membership issues. (Adopted 7/13/05.) 103.4 Expulsion or Suspension 103.4.1 By the affirmative vote of not less than threefourths of all members of the Board of Directors of the Conference except the offending member institution, and subject to the provisions of -6-
Article 103.5 of the Constitution, the Conference may expel or suspend an offending member institution or place the latter on probation for violation of provisions of the Code of the Conference. To expel is to completely sever the institution from the Conference in all sports; to suspend is to temporarily sever the institution from the Conference in one or more sports. (Revised 1/12/97.) 103.4.2 Proposals for any of the above actions must be presented at a meeting of the Board of Directors for information and discussion purpose only, with no action being taken on the proposal at this meeting. Action by the Conference on such proposals may be taken at the next meeting of the Board of Directors. (Revised 1/12/97.) 103.5 Reinstatement of Members By the affirmative vote of not less than three-fourths of all members of the Board of Directors of the Conference in good standing, any member who has withdrawn or has been expelled or suspended may be restored to full membership. (Revised 1/12/97.) 104 GOVERNMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE CONFERENCE 104.1 Governing Body The Conference shall be governed and administered by the Board of Directors and Council, which have all the constituency, powers and responsibilities as set forth below. (Revised 1/12/97.) 104.1.1 Member institutions, as defined in Big West Constitution 103.1.1 and 103.1.2, shall have full voting privileges, which the exception noted in Constitution 103.3.1. (Revised 5/16/85, 7/13/05.) 104.2 Board of Directors The Board of Directors shall be composed of the chief executive officer from each member institution. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 104.2.1 Duties and Responsibilities. The Board of Directors shall: (Adopted 1/12/97.) 1. Direct the policy of the Conference; 2. Provide strategic planning for the Conference; 3. Provide oversight on all membership issues; -7-
4. Delegate to the Council responsibilities for specific matters it deems appropriate; 5. Ratify operating bylaws and rules established by the Council; 6. Provide final approval and oversight of the Conference's budget; 7. Employ the Conference's commissioner, who shall be administratively responsible to the Board of Directors and who shall be authorized to employ such other persons as may be necessary to conduct efficiently the business of the Conference; 8. Appoint committees for any designated purpose; 9. Discuss and develop Conference positions on national issues. 104.2.1.1 In those areas of responsibility not specifically noted in 104.2.1, the Board of Directors delegates its authority to the Conference Council. 104.2.2 Voting procedures are as follows: (Adopted 1/12/97.) 104.2.2.1 On all matters, each member institution shall have one vote. 104.2.2.2 No vote may be cast by a proxy. 104.2.2.3 Members of the Board of Directors may be represented at meetings by official substitutes. 104.2.2.4 A minimum of two-thirds of the membership of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum. 104.2.2.5 In the case of emergency matters, Board of Directors members may vote by telegraphic, telephone, facsimile, E-mail or mail ballots. 104.2.2.6 Chief Executive Officers from institutions that have officially accepted future membership in the Conference are permitted to vote on future membership issues. (Adopted 7/13/05.) 104.3 Council The Council shall be composed of a faculty athletics representative, a director of athletics, and a senior woman -8-
administrator representing each member institution. In addition, two members (male and female) of the Student- Athlete Advisory Committee shall be designated each year to represent the Committee as ex-officio members. (Revised 1/12/97, 7/9/01.) 104.3.1 Duties and Responsibilities The Council shall: (Revised 1/12/97.) 1. Adopt operating bylaws and rules to govern the Conference, subject to ratification by the Board of Directors (see 104.2.1.5); 2. Take final action on matters delegated to it by the Board of Directors; 3. Make recommendations to the Board of Directors on matters it deems appropriate; 4. Suggest policies to the Board of Directors that are necessary to ensure the proper management of the Conference; 5. Appoint committees for any designated purpose; 6. Recommend Conference championship policies, and fiscal, competitive and academic policies to the Board of Directors; 7. Advise the Board of Directors on the performance of the Conference commissioner; 8. Designate a Conference representative to serve on the NCAA Division I Management Council; 9. Appoint representatives to NCAA Cabinet positions delegated for the Conference; 10. Discuss and recommend positions on national issues to the Board of Directors. 104.3.2 Voting procedures are as follows: (Revised 5/16/85, 1/12/97.) 104.3.2.1 On all matters, each member institution shall have two votes, one of which is to be cast by the faculty athletics representative. (Revised 7/12/04.) 104.3.2.2 No vote may be cast by a proxy. 104.3.2.3 Members of the Council may be represented at meetings by official substitutes designated by the institutions' Chief Executive Officers. (Revised 7/15/02.) -9-
104.3.2.4 A minimum of one-half of the membership of the Council shall constitute a quorum, provided at least two-thirds of the member institutions are represented. 104.3.2.5 In the case of emergency matters, Council members may vote by telegraphic, telephone, facsimile, e-mail or mail ballots. 104.3.2.6 Associate members may be extended voting privileges at the Council on issues dealing with individual Sport Regulations of the Bylaws for those sports in which they participate for the Conference championship. 104.3.2.7 Representatives from institutions that have officially accepted future membership in the Conference are permitted to vote on future membership issues. (Adopted 7/13/05.) 104.3.2.8 Institutions may participate in Council conference calls to clarify their position on national legislative issues. Institutions participating in such conference calls may submit an institutional ballot to the Conference Office following the conclusion of the call. Each institution may fax one ballot to the Conference Office, signed by the both the faculty athletics representative and the director of athletics or the senior woman administrator. (Adopted 7/13/05.) 105 INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL, BUDGET POLICY AND PRACTICE, FUNDS AND ASSETS 105.1 Institutional Control 105.1.1 The control and responsibility for the conduct of intercollegiate athletics shall be exercised by the institution through an appropriate committee. 105.1.2 All moneys raised by the member institution's primary non-university fund raising and/or -10-
individual sports booster organizations are to be deposited with the university or university foundation or the university must have cosignature privileges on all checks written by the university's various organizations of athletic interest. The person responsible for co-signing the checks is to be appointed by the University president/ chancellor. All moneys raised by individual sports booster organizations and/or the primary non-university fund-raising organizations that specifically support the university's athletic department must be forwarded to the university on an annual basis if they have not been forwarded to the university's foundation. Only those moneys requested and approved by the president/ chancellor designee for operating, budgeting or University-approved special projects for the following year, may remain with the organizations. (Adopted 5/23/83.) 105.2 Budget Policy and Practice 105.2.1 To the end that the overall educational and athletic practices of the member institutions shall be in harmony with each other, all budgets of each institution involving intercollegiate athletics shall be prepared and the receipts and disbursements administered in keeping with accounting practices applicable to and subject to the same review and centralized control as currently exists in other departments of the member institution. 105.2.2 Each member institution shall adhere in both letter and spirit to the provisions of the Big West Conference Code. 105.3 Funds and Assets 105.3.1 The funds of the Conference shall be administered by the commissioner of the Conference under the supervision of the Executive Committee. The Board of Directors shall have final authority over the Conference's annual budget. (Revised 1/12/97, 7/17/00.) 105.3.2 The operating fund for the general operation of the Conference Office shall be derived from -11-
assessments upon member institutions and from other designated revenues. 105.3.2.1 Institutions shall have a 60-day grace period from the time of billing in which to pay their Conference assessments. The Conference Office shall present a second billing after 30 days. (Adopted 5/9/96.) 105.3.2.2 Failure to pay a Conference assessment within 60 days will result in a one percent late charge per month after the grace period. (Adopted 5/9/96.) 105.3.2.3 Failure to pay a Conference assessment by the end of a fiscal year will result in the deduction from Conference revenue sharing of the assessment and all applicable late charges. (Adopted 5/9/96.) 105.3.3 All investment funds shall be administered by the commissioner with the approval of the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee may authorize that funds in the general operating account be placed in the Conference's investment fund on a short-term basis as designated by the Board of Directors. (Revised 1/12/97, 7/17/00.) 105.3.4 New members of the Conference shall pay into the Conference a $1,000 membership fee. New Conference members of the men's division shall pay a share of the Conference equity that is computed by dividing that equity by the number of Conference members. The amount of Conference equity is to be determined annually at the close of the fiscal year by computing the assessed worth of the Conference Office with the amount of liquid assets on hand. (Revised 6/3/81, 5/16/85.) 105.4 Distribution of Assets Upon Termination of Conference Membership In the event of voluntary or involuntary withdrawal of membership in the Conference on the part of any member institution, that institution shall not be entitled to any payment from Conference funds. In the event of dissolution of the Conference, all assets will be divided equally by member institutions after the payment of any and all obligations and commitments. In the event that commitments exceed assets, -12-
they shall be paid through an equal assessment of member institutions. 106 OBSERVANCE AND ENFORCEMENT OF CONFERENCE CODE 106.1 The charter members, by becoming signatories to this Constitution, and all future members, by joining this Conference, pledge themselves to observe all the provisions of the Big West Conference Code and all policies adopted by the governing bodies of this Conference. The officers of each institution, as more fully set forth in the Code, agree to report to each other and to the commissioner any violation(s) of which they are aware. Provisions for the implementation of this policy shall be made in the Code. 107 ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT 107.1 The Constitution shall become effective upon the unanimous adoption and signing by the respective Presidents or Chancellors of all charter member institutions on behalf of their institutions. 107.2 A proposed amendment to this Constitution may be submitted to the Board of Directors by the Council and adopted pursuant to the affirmative vote of three-fourths or more of the total members of the Board of Directors to be effective upon the next annual printing of the Manual unless otherwise stated in the motion. (Revised 5/29/87, 1/12/97.) 107.2.1 An Amendment to this Constitution proposed by the Council must be forwarded by an affirmative vote of more than one-half of the members voting. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 107.3 The Bylaws may be amended by an affirmative simple majority vote at any regular or special meeting of the Council. Subject to the subsequent ratification by the Board of Directors, they shall become effective upon the next annual printing of the Manual. (Revised 1/12/97.) 108 PROCEDURES FOR SERIOUS OR POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS 108.1 The commissioner is authorized to investigate alleged violations of Big West and/or NCAA rules, regulations or interpretations by staff members or representatives of athletic interests of member institutions. He/she may refer these to the Compliance Committee and/or the Executive Committee for action as circumstances warrant. 108.1.1 In cases of minor consequence, the commissioner will adjudicate those cases that are deemed Level II violations. These cases, as well as all cases deemed to be Level I, will be reported to the -13-
Compliance Committee during its next scheduled meeting. The Committee may either accept the commissioner's resolution in each case or authorize its own review. (Adopted 5/15/92, Revised 7/15/02, 7/13/05.) 108.2 The Compliance Committee is authorized to adjudicate cases of alleged violations of Conference or NCAA rules, regulations or interpretations. (Revised 6/4/80.) 108.2.1 The membership of the Compliance Committee shall be as defined in Bylaw 200.4. (Revised 5/29/87, 1/12/97, 7/17/00.) 108.2.2 A Compliance Committee member will not participate in the adjudication of a violation concerning his/her institution. 108.2.3 The commissioner or his/her designee shall be a nonvoting member of the Compliance Committee. 108.3 In the case of alleged violations, the Compliance Committee shall examine the evidence presented by the commissioner and shall decide whether there have been any violations. Included with this evidence will be a summary of compliance issues for the prior four years of the institution involved and the resolution of those issues. The institution involved shall be given a chance to present its explanation of the case before the Compliance Committee. If it appears that additional evidence is necessary before reaching a decision, the case may be referred to the commissioner or to the accused institution, or both, for further investigation. The Compliance Committee shall decide whether or not there has been a violation either on the basis of the original report, or on the report after request for additional evidence. The Compliance Committee will then: 1. Close the case, or 2. Assess whatever penalty, if any, that may seem appropriate, or 3. Report the case to the president/chancellor of the member institution involved, with the request that attention be given to the case and a report be made through the institution's faculty athletics representative at the next regular Council Meeting or special meeting of the Compliance Committee, on the corrective or disciplinary action that has been taken, or the reasons for taking no action. The Compliance Committee shall then dispose of the case either under (1) or (2) above. (Revised 12/14/84, 5/29/87.) 108.4 In the event that an emergency action need be taken, which, by the nature of its cause and effect, precludes the timetable of -14-
due process contained herein, the commissioner shall have the authority to so act temporarily, pending implementation of the regular determinative, recommendatory and assessment phases of these investigative and enforcement policies. 108.5 Penalties 108.5.1 The Compliance Committee may penalize any member institution or staff member, or studentathlete at any member institution for violation of Conference and/or NCAA rules and regulations. Such action shall require a two-thirds majority vote of the Compliance Committee. 108.5.2 Once the Compliance Committee has determined that a violation has occurred and a penalty will be assessed, the committee shall next decide whether the violation was a minor violation or a substantive violation. A minor violation is one that is primarily procedural and/or technical and one that does not indicate a pattern of action that is contrary to Big West or NCAA rules. If a pattern of violations is observed or if violations occurred while an institution is on probation, an otherwise minor violation could be determined to be major. Also, violations not deemed minor are automatically deemed major. Penalties for a minor violation may consist of reprimands to the individuals involved and/or to the institution. Reprimands are of three types. A private reprimand is imposed by the Conference either on an individual or on a university and is not released to any other person except the commissioner and members of the Compliance Committee. A Conference reprimand is imposed on an individual and/or on an institution and is communicated to the chief executive Officer and other appropriate individuals of the other Conference institutions. The reprimand is then communicated to the faculty athletics representatives, directors of athletics, and head coaches of the particular sport within the Conference, but may not be released to the general public by anyone other than the institution involved. -15-
A public reprimand is released by the Conference Office to the media and public and is communicated openly to all member institutions. In the case of substantive violations, sanctions in addition to reprimands may be invoked against individuals as well as institutions. Sanctions against individuals may include, but are not limited to restrictions on scouting and recruiting. Sanctions on institutions may involve limitations on individual sports or on the entire athletic program. In either case, sanctions may include, but are not limited to, a forfeiture of contests, limitations on grants-in-aid, limitations on recruiting, limitations on scouting, ineligibility for one or more Conference Championship events, ineligibility for individual and postseason meets or tournaments, and ineligibility for any television programs subject to NCAA control and administration. Additionally, the institution or individuals may be placed on probation for one year or more during which time any new violations would be subject to rigorous penalties. Probation may be imposed on a specific sport, area of athletic administration, and/or the overall athletic program. In any case, the institution should be cognizant that it is requested to improve the situation that resulted in violations of NCAA and Big West rules. (Revised 12/14/84.) 108.6 The Conference, as a matter of policy and procedure, shall inform the NCAA of a serious violation and investigation at such time as the Compliance Committee is certain that a serious violation(s) has occurred, and it shall cooperate fully with the NCAA in investigative matters. 108.7 The Conference shall proceed promptly and shall not delay its investigation because of NCAA involvement in the case. 108.8 The decision of the Compliance Committee shall be binding on the parties unless overruled by an appeal to the Council. The commissioner shall notify the member institutions' chief executive Office of the Compliance Committee's action within 10 days of the meeting where action was taken. The institution then must notify the commissioner within 14 days of its intent to appeal the action. An appeal to the Council must be made in writing and shall include: 1. A statement of the origin of the case; -16-
2. Related factors appropriate for consideration in judgment of the case; and 3. Disciplinary or corrective actions taken by the institution or Conference or any other agency involved in the particular incident. The appealing party may also be granted an oral presentation before the Council to supplement the institution's written appeal. The Compliance Committee shall also be permitted to present orally the committee's report to the Council. The Council s decision to either sustain, overturn, or remand the Compliance Committee's decision to the Committee for modification of the penalty must be endorsed by a majority of the presidents and chancellors, or their designees in attendance, except that the president, chancellor, or his/her designee of the appealing institution shall not have a vote. In addition, an institution's voting designee may not be that institution's representative on the Compliance Committee. (Revised 12/16/83, 5/16/85, 5/15/92.) 108.9 Appeals of the decisions of the Compliance Committee shall be decided after a de novo hearing before the Council. The issue to be decided by the Council is whether the Committee's decision was arbitrary, capricious or based on legally impermissible grounds. The Council shall uphold the Compliance Committee's decision unless the appellant proves by substantial evidence that the Committee's decision was arbitrary, capricious or based on legally impermissible grounds. The Council shall render a decision affirming, reversing, or remanding the action of the Compliance Committee. The decision shall contain findings of fact and conclusion of law. (Adopted 12/12/86.) 109 ACTS OF UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT AND SUBSEQUENT PENALTIES 109.1 All student-athletes participating in Big West Conference sports are required to read and sign a letter of sportsmanship prior to the start of their respective seasons. Each member institution must submit a certification letter for each Conference sport to the Conference Office that states all student-athletes have signed the letter. (Revised 6/12/07.) 109.2 Acts of unsportsmanlike conduct shall include, but not be limited to: 1. Striking or physically abusing an official, opposing coach, or player. 2. Intentionally inciting participants or spectators to violent or abusive action. -17-
3. Using obscene gestures or profane or unduly provocative language or action toward officials, opponents, or spectators. 4. Being critical publicly of any game official, Conference personnel, another university, or its personnel. Any person who, after an investigation by the Conference Office, is found to have committed one of the listed acts or any other act of unsportsmanlike conduct, shall be subject to appropriate penalty. The penalties may include a private or public reprimand, ejection from the contest, and/or suspension for one or more contests. (Adopted 5/23/83, Revised 5/29/87.) 109.2.1 Bench personnel, other than the head coach, are prohibited from leaving the confines of the bench area when a fight may break or has broken out on the court or playing field. Persons violating this rule shall be disqualified from participating in the contest and shall go to the team s locker room or leave the facility until the contest has ended. (Adopted 8/2/90.) 109.2.2 Under no condition may a player, coach, or other team bench personnel proceed into any area where spectators are present to retaliate for, or to initiate, any verbal or physical abuse. Bench personnel may not throw objects into areas containing spectators. Violations will result in the offenders' disqualification from participating and the offenders must go to the team's locker room or leave the facility until the contest has ended. (Adopted 8/2/90.) 109.3 The decision of the commissioner is binding on the parties unless it is overruled by an appeal to the Conference Executive Committee. The decision of the Conference Executive Committee is binding on the parties unless it is overruled by an appeal to the Council. (Revised 12/16/83, 5/29/87, 7/15/02, 7/12/04.) -18-
B Y L A W S PART TWO - OPERATING PROCEDURES - SECTIONS 200 ENUMERATION, SELECTION, AND TENURE OF OFFICERS 200.1 Officers of the Conference 200.1.1 Chair of the Board. The chair of the Board shall be elected from the chief executive officers for a single one-year term. The election shall take place at the annual meeting of chief executive officers and the term shall begin on July 1 of that year. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 200.1.2 Vice Chair of the Board. The vice chair of the Board shall be elected from the chief executive officers for a single one-year term. The election shall take place at the annual meeting of the chief executive officers and the term shall begin on July 1 of that year. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 200.1.3 President. The president shall be elected from the faculty athletics representatives by the Council for a single one-year term. The election shall take place at the spring meeting and the term shall begin on July 1. (Revised 6/4/80, 5/14/86.) 200.1.4 Vice President. The vice president shall be elected from the faculty athletics representatives by the Council for a single one-year term. The election and term shall coincide with that of the president as per section 200.1.3. (Revised 5/14/86.) 200.1.5 Secretary-Treasurer. The Conference commissioner shall be the permanent secretarytreasurer of the Council. 200.1.6 Resignation or Vacancy of Office. In the event of a vacancy in the office of the chair or vice chair of the Board, the president or the vice president, replacements shall be made as follows: 200.1.6.1 Chair of the Board. The vice chair shall fill the office until June 30 of the year in which the vacancy occurs and shall become eligible for election to a full one-year term. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 200.1.6.2 Vice Chair. The Board of Directors shall elect a replacement whose term of office shall coincide -19-
with that of the president. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 200.1.6.3 President. The vice president shall fill the office until June 30 of the year in which the vacancy occurs and shall become eligible for election to a full one-year term. (Revised 5/14/86.) 200.1.6.4 Vice President. The Council shall elect a replacement whose term of office shall coincide with that of the president. Such replacement officer may be nominated at the conclusion of that period to serve a full one-year term. (Revised 5/14/86.) 200.2 Executive Committee of the Council 200.2.1 Membership 200.2.1.1 Membership of the Executive Committee shall consist of one representative from each member institution. As much as possible, there should be a representational balance of faculty athletics representatives, directors of athletics and senior woman administrators. At a minimum, there should be three directors of athletics plus the president and vice president of the Council and the commissioner. The president of the Council shall serve as the chair of the Executive Committee. (Revised 12/16/83, 1/7/90, 1/12/97, 7/17/00.) 200.2.1.2 Each institution has the authority to select from among its other Council members an alternate for an Executive Committee member who is unable to participate in a meeting. (Revised 12/16/83, 1/12/97.) 200.2.1.3 In the event of a vacancy by a director of athletics, senior woman administrator or faculty athletics representative, the alternate shall -20-
serve until the vacated position is filled permanently by his/her institution, at which time the replacement shall assume the unexpired term on the Executive Committee. (Revised 12/16/83, 1/12/97.) 200.2.2 The Executive Committee is empowered to transact the business and administer the affairs of the Conference and to carry out the policies of the Board of Directors and the Council. It shall make decisions for the Conference between Council meetings. It shall render a report of its proceedings to the Council at the winter and spring meetings for ratification. (Revised 1/12/97.) 200.2.2.1 The Executive Committee is to serve as a Committee on Committees in making appointments to ad hoc committees developed by the Council. (Adopted 5/16/85, Revised 5/14/86, 1/12/97.) 200.2.2.2 All sports specific championship committees, as well as each sport's administrative liaison, shall report to the Conference s directors of athletics and/or senior woman administrators. (Adopted 1/12/97, Revised 7/17/00.) 200.2.3 Travel expenses for Executive Committee members are authorized for special meetings called by the president. Members are to pay their own expenses for meals and lodging. 200.3 Championships Committee 200.3.1 Membership 200.3.1.1 Membership of the Championships Committee shall consist of one representative from each member institution. As much as possible, there should be a representational balance of faculty athletics representatives, directors of athletics and senior woman administrators. The chair shall be appointed from among the -21-
directors of athletics serving on the committee. (Adopted 1/12/97, Revised 7/17/00, 6/12/07.) 200.3.1.2 Each institution has the authority to select from among its other Council members an alternate for a Championships Committee member who is unable to attend a meeting. (Adopted 6/12/07.) 200.3.1.3 In the event of a vacancy by a director of athletics, senior woman administrator or faculty athletics representative, the alternate shall serve until the vacated position is filled permanently by his/her institution, at which time the replacement shall assume the unexpired term on the Championships Committee. (Adopted 6/12/07.) 200.3.2 The Championships Committee shall have oversight of the Conference's officiating and awards programs, sports bylaws, postseason events, and scheduling. Recommendations from the Championships Committee in these areas are to be presented to the Council and Board of Directors. (Adopted 1/12/97, Revised 7/15/02, 6/12/07.) 200.4 Compliance Committee 200.4.1 Membership 200.4.1.1 Membership of the Compliance Committee shall consist of one representative from each member institution. As much as possible, there should be a representational balance of faculty athletics representatives, directors of athletics and senior woman administrators. At a minimum, there should be three senior woman administrators. The chair shall be appointed from among the senior woman administrators serving on the committee. (Adopted 1/12/97, Revised 7/17/00.) 200.4.1.2 Each institution has the authority -22-
to select from among its other Council members an alternate for a Compliance Committee member who is unable to attend a meeting. 200.4.1.3 In the event of a vacancy by a director of athletics, senior woman administrator or faculty athletics representative, the alternate shall serve until the vacated position is filled permanently by his/her institution, at which time the replacement shall assume the unexpired term on the Compliance Committee. 200.4.2 The duties and responsibilities of the Compliance Committee are detailed in Constitution 108. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 200.5 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee 200.5.1 Membership of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee shall consist of two student-athletes from each member institution. Member institutions should designate student-athletes representing different genders, ethnicity, sports and sport seasons. An annual two-day meeting of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will be held each summer. (Adopted 7/17/00, Revised 7/9/01, 7/15/02.) 200.5.2 Two members (male and female) of the Student- Athlete Advisory Committee shall be designated each year to represent the Committee as ex officio, non-voting members of the Big West Council. (Adopted 7/9/01.) 201 MEETINGS 201.1 Board of Directors Meetings 201.1.1 The Conference Board of Directors shall have one regularly-scheduled annual meeting every summer. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 201.1.2 The Conference Board of Directors shall meet when necessary at the annual NCAA Convention in January. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 201.1.3 The Conference Board of Directors shall have telephone conference call meetings when necessary. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 201.1.4 Special meetings of the Conference Board of Directors may be called when necessary by the -23-
chair of the Board. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 201.1.5 The chairs of the Conference faculty athletics representatives, directors of athletics, and senior woman administrator groups, as well as the commissioner and the Conference president, may attend all meetings of the Conference Board of Directors in a non-voting capacity. (Adopted 1/12/97, Revised 7/15/02.) 201.2 Council Meetings 201.2.1 The Conference Council shall have two regularly-scheduled annual meetings. One shall be scheduled in Southern California in late November/early December and the other shall be scheduled in the spring. (Revised 1/12/97, 7/17/00, 7/10/06.) 201.2.2 Attendance by chief executive officers at Council meetings shall always be encouraged and welcomed. (Revised 1/12/97.) 201.3 Executive Committee Meetings 201.3.1 The Conference Executive Committee shall have a regularly scheduled annual meeting in conjunction with the annual Conference Council meetings in May. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 201.3.2 The Conference Executive Committee shall have telephone conference call meetings when necessary. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 201.3.3 Special meetings of the Conference Executive Committee may be called when necessary by the president. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 201.4 Faculty Athletics Representatives 201.4.1 The Conference faculty athletics representatives shall have two regularly scheduled annual meetings in conjunction with the winter and spring Council meetings. Travel costs for the winter meeting shall be prorated among all Conference members. (Adopted 1/12/97, Revised 7/17/00.) 201.4.2 The Conference faculty athletics representatives shall have telephone conference call meetings when necessary. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 201.4.3 Special meetings of the Conference faculty athletics representatives may be called when necessary by the chief executive officers. (Adopted 1/12/97.) 201.5 Directors of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrators 201.5.1 The Conference directors of athletics and senior -24-
woman administrators shall have two regularly scheduled annual meetings in conjunction with the winter and spring Council meetings. Travel costs for the winter meeting shall be prorated among all Conference members. (Adopted 1/12/97, Revised 7/17/00, 7/15/02, 7/12/04.) 201.5.2 Council administrators (directors of athletics and/or senior woman administrators) shall have a regularly-scheduled annual meeting with the men s and women s basketball coaches. (Adopted 1/12/97, Revised 7/17/00, 7/15/02, 7/13/05, 6/12/07.) 201.6 Sports Information Directors 201.6.1 An annual spring meeting of the Sports Information Directors shall be scheduled to take place on a teleconference call. If the group has substantive issues, it may request a face-to-face meeting. (Adopted 7/17/00, Revised 6/12/07.) 201.7 Athletic Trainers 201.7.1 An annual summer meeting of the Conference athletic trainers shall be scheduled to take place on a teleconference call. If the group has substantive issues, it may request a face-to-face meeting. (Adopted 7/13/05, Revised 6/12/07.) 201.8 Athletic Business Managers 201.8.1 An annual meeting of the Big West Athletic Business Managers shall be scheduled to take place on a teleconference call. If the group has substantive issues, it may request a face-to-face meeting. (Adopted 7/10/06, Revised 6/12/07.) 202 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS AND COMMISSIONER OF THE CONFERENCE OFFICE 202.1 President. The president of the Council shall preside at meetings of the Council and Executive Committee, call special meetings, vote as a member of the Council, and exercise powers and perform functions delegated by the Council. (Revised 5/14/86.) 202.2 Vice President. The vice president of the Council shall preside at meetings of the faculty athletics representatives and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. The vice president shall vote as a member of the Council and exercise powers and perform functions delegated by the Council. The vice president shall also preside at meetings of the Council and -25-
Executive Committee in the absence of the president. (Adopted 5/14/86, Revised 1/12/97, Revised 7/17/00.) 202.3 Commissioner's Duties and Responsibilities 1. To serve as chief administrative officer of the Big West. 2. To serve as secretary-treasurer of the Big West. 3. To serve as a nonvoting member of the Conference Board of Directors and the Council. 4. To issue the call for meetings and, in concert with the Executive Committee, call special meetings of the faculty athletics representatives, directors of athletics, senior woman administrators, the Council, and the Board of Directors. 5. To perform other duties as directed by the Executive Committee, Council, and Board of Directors. 6. To administer the Conference policies involving television, radio and related programs. 7. To be responsible for arrangements of the meetings of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Council, faculty athletics representatives, directors of athletics, senior woman administrators and for their committees, and for meetings of the coaches and other employees of the athletic administration that may be authorized by the directors, and for the distribution of all minutes setting forth action by any of these groups. 8. To maintain a compilation of precedents and interpretations of Conference rules and regulations from meetings of the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Council, faculty athletics representatives, directors of athletics, and senior woman administrators. 9. To prepare and distribute the reporting forms required by the Conference rules and regulations. 10. To act as a mediator of controversies between members as prescribed by Section 205 of the Bylaws of the Conference. 11. To interpret rules of eligibility, regulations and athletics directors' agreements. 12. To coordinate the training, selection and assignments of game officials for baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball and other intercollegiate sports as ordered by the Council. 13. To coordinate all postseason events for the Conference with the member institutions representing the Conference in such postseason events. 14. To act as a liaison between the Conference representatives and the press, radio, television and the Internet. -26-
15. To conduct through the press, radio, television, periodicals, meetings and the general service of the Conference office, a continuous educational program concerning the development of scholarship, sportsmanship and understanding of the values of competitive athletics, and exert all reasonable effort to acquaint the public with the ethics and high ideals that motivate the Conference in its conduct of intercollegiate athletics. 16. To be responsible for the employment and supervision of the Conference office staff. 17. To study the problems of the Conference and to give advice and guidance to the members in solution of those problems, prompting the general welfare of the Conference at all times. 18. To prepare the annual budget for the Conference office and of related fiscal data at the direction of the Executive Committee. 19. To attend meetings or conventions of reputable and recognized associations or organizations concerned with amateur and intercollegiate athletics. 20. To assign Bylaw numbers to Council action that should be incorporated in the Conference Operating Code. 21. To have all powers necessary for the effective performance of his/her duties. 22. To perform Compliance Committee functions as enumerated in section 108 of the Constitution. 23. To negotiate, enter into, and sign contracts on behalf of the Conference. 24. To retain outside consultants on behalf of the Conference. (Revised 7/15/02.) 202.4 Conference Office Employees Basic Function. The Conference Office employees shall exercise primary responsibility for the following: promotion and publicity of the Conference and its activities, working principally through radio, television, press, Internet and related media. In addition, Conference Office employees are responsible for areas involving scheduling, championships, awards, compliance, NCAA governance, and coordination of officiating. They may be assigned other duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the commissioner. (Revised 7/15/02.) Organizational Relationships. The Conference Office employees are directly responsible to the commissioner in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. -27-
203 FINANCES 203.1 The responsibility of financing the Conference shall be borne by member institutions. Each member shall pay a portion annually to be determined at the spring meeting of the Council. 203.2 In the event of an emergency, the commissioner shall seek authority from the Executive Committee to make an expenditure, and may procure such authority by fax, e-mail or mail ballot. 203.3 In the event revenue from other sources such as television games, postseason basketball tournaments, etc., is available, the Council shall have the authority to determine the procedures for disposition of these funds if not otherwise specified in the Constitution and Bylaws. 204 PROCEDURES FOR INTERPRETATIONS 204.1 The commissioner shall have the authority to make official rulings, or interpretations of rules and regulations, as prescribed in the Conference Constitution and Bylaws and in the current NCAA Manual. 204.2 Institutional personnel requesting official rules interpretations shall channel their requests to the commissioner through the faculty athletics representative, director of athletics, senior woman administrator, compliance coordinator, or their designee. (Revised 5/16/85, 7/15/02.) 204.3 The Council may be requested by any Council member to serve as an appeals body on any official ruling or interpretation of Big West Conference rules issued by the commissioner. The appeal shall be submitted in writing to the president with a copy directed to the commissioner. The appeal and the commissioner's reason(s) for the original ruling or interpretation shall then be presented to the Council. In the case of a mail vote, the ballots shall be sent to the president. The Council shall have final jurisdiction on such appeals. In case of an emergency, a telephone conference call shall be considered an official meeting of the Council in lieu of a mail vote. (Revised 7/15/02.) 205 PROCEDURES FOR RESOLUTION OF CONTROVERSIES BETWEEN MEMBER INSTITUTIONS A controversy between two member institutions regarding adherence to provisions of the Big West Conference Code, or other operating policies of the Conference, shall be resolved according to the following procedures: 205.1 No statement shall be issued regarding such incident by any representative of the institution concerned, except that the matter in controversy has been or will be referred to the involved institution and to the commissioner of the Conference. 205.2 Whenever a controversy does arise, the director of athletics of -28-