2012-2013 CONSTITUTION CONSTITUTION OF THE BIG SKY CONFERENCE

PREAMBLE

The members of the Big Sky Conference subscribe to the principle that intercollegiate athletics is a vital part of higher education, and is regarded as an integral part of the educational program, and that the intercollegiate athletic experience is equally valuable for both male and female students. Institutions are committed to providing athletic opportunities on an equitable basis without regard to gender. The intercollegiate athletic programs shall be administered and conducted in a manner consistent with the institutions' educational policies.

Fundamental to the successful application of any set of rules is the spirit of mutual confidence and cooperation. It is the function of this Conference to encourage intercollegiate athletics on an amateur basis with institutional control.

The members of this Conference are dedicated to a continuing effort to maintain intercollegiate athletics in harmony with the essential educational purposes of the institution. To reinforce these principles, the Big Sky Conference believes in and subscribes to the fundamental purposes, policies, and principles governing the conduct of intercollegiate athletics as adopted by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). These include the purposes and fundamental policy contained in Article 1 of the NCAA Constitution and the principles for conduct of intercollegiate athletics are found in Article 2.

ARTICLE I NAME

The name of the organization shall be the Big Sky Conference.

ARTICLE II AFFILIATION

The Big Sky Conference is a Division I member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

ARTICLE III PURPOSES The purposes of the Conference shall be:

Section 1. To govern intercollegiate athletic competition of member institutions;

Section 2. To promote high standards in academic scholarship and athletic competition;

Section 3. To provide an atmosphere of trust, confidence, cooperation, and sportsmanship in all athletic competition;

Section 4. To develop public appreciation of the educational values of intercollegiate athletics;

Section 5. To bring about full cooperation of all members in the maintenance of high standards of eligibility and enhance the administration of intercollegiate athletics; and

Section 6. To subscribe to the Human Rights Policy:

In accordance with the generally accepted policies of affirmative action and equal opportunity, there shall be no discrimination with respect to race, color, religion, ethnic origin, age, sex, or disability status practiced at the Conference office or at member institutions in the conduct of their intercollegiate athletic programs.

Section 7. The Conference is organized exclusively for educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

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ARTICLE IV GOVERNANCE

Section 1. GOVERNANCE OF THE CONFERENCE

The governance of the Conference shall be established by this Constitution, the Operating Code, the Sports Policies, and Championship Policies.

Section 2. APPLICATION OF NCAA LEGISLATION

The Big Sky Conference is a member of the NCAA and as such is bound by NCAA rules and regulations unless Conference or institutional rules are more restrictive.

Section 3. INSTITUTIONAL CONTROL

Membership in the Conference is based on the principle of active institutional control of athletics. Responsibility in all matters of Conference athletic policy shall rest with the member institutions.

Section 4. GOVERNING BODIES AND POWERS

A. The Conference shall be governed by the Presidents' Council which shall have legislative authority. The Presidents' Council shall review and give final approval to all policy matters acted on by the Conference Council.

B. The Conference Council has the power to enact matters of management and control in all aspects of intercollegiate athletics among the member institutions.

C. The Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council has the power to enact matters of academic management and has primary responsibility for the enforcement of Conference standards, ethics and eligibility rules.

D. The Joint Athletic Administrators' Council shall direct the athletic programs in the respective institutions and shall make recommendations for changes to the Conference Council.

Section 5. Conference members shall be bound by the same controls when competing with non-Conference institutions, unless otherwise specifically noted.

Section 6. Each member institution agrees to enact and enforce such measures necessary to carry out Conference regulations, both in letter and in spirit.

ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. MEMBERS OF THE CONFERENCE ARE:

Eastern University State University The University of University of North Dakota Northern University University of Northern Portland State University Sacramento State Southern University Cal Poly (Football Affiliate) UC Davis (Football Affiliate)

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Section 2. MEMBERSHIP A. Member institutions shall be Division I members of the NCAA and classified as Football Championship Subdivision in football.

B. Member institutions shall meet the NCAA Division I membership criteria as set forth in NCAA Bylaws.

C. Member institutions may participate as members of another Conference only in those sports not recognized or sponsored by the Conference.

Section 3. AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP A. Affiliate members may be accepted to the Big Sky Conference in a given sport by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the member institutions.

B. Affiliate membership may be permitted in those sports where additional sponsoring institutions are needed to conduct championships.

C. Affiliate member institutions may not vote on Conference matters.

D. Institutions applying for affiliate membership must be NCAA Division I members in that sport.

Section 4. NEW MEMBERS

Institutions may become members of the Big Sky Conference by invitation or written application. Admittance requires two-thirds (2/3) vote of the member institutions. Membership shall not be acted upon at the same meeting at which it is proposed.

A. Entrance Fee 1. An institution invited to join the Conference as a Core (Operating Code, Article I, Section 1) member shall pay a non-refundable entrance fee of $250,000. In addition, it must pay one share of the current Conference equity (as of the most recent audit). The Presidents Council may periodically make specific arrangements with an institution for payment of fees, other than what is stated herein. 2. An institution invited to join the Conference as an Affiliate member shall pay a non-refundable entrance fee as described below. An Affiliate member is not responsible to pay a share of the Conference equity; however, it will make no claim to Conference equity should there be a distribution from this fund. Unless otherwise agreed, all fees are due prior to participation in Conference schedules. The Presidents’ Council may periodically make specific arrangements with an institution for payment of fees, other than what is stated herein: a. An Affiliate member, whose membership includes men’s , shall pay a non-refundable entrance fee equal to $250,000. Unless otherwise agreed upon, these members would begin to share NCAA basketball revenue immediately (at the first distribution) upon entering the Conference. b. An Affiliate member whose membership does not include men’s basketball shall pay a non-refundable entrance fee equal to $150,000.

Section 5. A. WITHDRAWAL

1. A member institution may withdraw from the Conference upon written notice to the Commissioner and each president of its intention to withdraw by July 1 prior to the commencement of the year in which withdrawal shall be effective. A member institution may withdraw from the Conference upon written notice to all Conference members by the

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President of the withdrawing institution at least one year prior to the effective date of withdrawal.

2. An institution that has forwarded to the NCAA National office written notice of its intention to change its football membership classification from Division IAA (FCS) to Division IA (FBS) prior to the completion of its final football season with the Conference shall be ineligible to compete for the Big Sky Conference Football Championship. This is effective on the date the institution’s written notice is received by the NCAA office.

3. An institution that has announced its intention to withdraw from the Conference is not eligible to receive a regular (i.e., television, championships revenue, surplus, etc.) or special (i.e., new initiative funding, etc.) distribution made from the Conference to its membership, effective immediately upon written notice of intent to withdraw.

4. An institution that has announced its intention to withdraw shall not vote on issues affecting future Conference operation or policy.

5. All scheduled commitments of the withdrawing institution with other member institutions of the Conference shall be honored or fulfilled unless dissolved by mutual agreement of the affected member institutions. All scheduled commitments of the withdrawing institution with other member institutions of the Conference shall be honored or fulfilled unless dissolved by mutual agreement of the affected member institutions.

B. FAILURE TO PROVIDE NOTIFICATION

The failure of an institution to provide proper notification will result in the Conference, by a majority vote of its members, excluding all teams from the withdrawing institution from participation in any remaining Big Sky Championships.

1. An Institution that fails to provide proper notification will pay a non-refundable $1,000,000 fee to the Conference. a.) The Presidents’ Council, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those institutions eligible to vote, may reduce, restructure, or waive the payment required if extenuating circumstances warrant consideration.

Section 6. PROBATION

The Faculty Athletics Representatives shall have the power by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the member institutions, except the institution involved, to place on probation any member that violates the rules and regulations of the Conference. Final action may occur at the same meeting in which it is proposed.

Section 7. EXPULSION AND SUSPENSION

The Presidents' Council shall have the power by affirmative vote of all member institutions, except the institution involved, to expel or suspend any member who violates the rules and regulations of the Conference. Final action on expulsion or suspension shall not be taken in the same meeting at which action is proposed.

Section 8. REINSTATEMENT OF MEMBERS

The Conference shall have the power by affirmative vote of all member institutions, except the institution involved, to reinstate any member who has withdrawn or been expelled or suspended.

4 2012-2013 CONSTITUTION ARTICLE VI CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION

Section 1. THE COUNCILS

A. The Conference shall be comprised of four Councils: 1. Presidents' Council 2. Conference Council 3. Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council 4. Joint Athletic Administrators' Council

B. The Officers 1. The officers of each Council shall be a Chair and a Vice-Chair. 2. It is the policy of the Conference to rotate the Chair of the Councils annually. Terms will begin at the close of the Spring Conference Meeting. For rotation see Appendix Index.

C. Voting There shall be one vote per institution in each of the Councils. The exception is in the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council where each institution shall have two (2) votes with one (1) vote to be cast by each of its two athletic administrators.

D. Quorum A majority number of Council members, or their duly authorized representatives, shall constitute a quorum. All items passed shall go into effect at the beginning of the next academic year, unless otherwise provided, and shall not be retroactive unless specifically provided.

E. Roberts Rules of Order All Councils and Committees shall operate under Roberts Rules of Order.

F. The Conference office shall provide staff support for all Councils.

Section 2. PRESIDENTS' COUNCIL

The Presidents' Council shall have legislative authority and shall review all actions of the Conference Council.

A. Representation

The President of each member institution shall be the representative to the Presidents' Council.

B. Substitute Representation

The President shall have the right, upon giving notice to the Commissioner, to designate a substitute representative. The substitute shall be the representative for that particular meeting(s) as given in the notice.

C. Functions of the Presidents' Council are:

1. To determine all Conference policies; 2. To approve or disapprove proposed amendments to the Constitution, Operating Code, Sports Policies, and Championship Policies. 3. To select and employ the Conference Commissioner. 4. To take responsibility for all items included in ARTICLE V (Membership) of the Constitution, with the exception of violations procedures as described in ARTICLE V, Section 2, of the Operating Code of the Big Sky Conference.

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D. Officers and Their Duties

1. The officers of the Presidents' Council shall be a Chair and a Vice-Chair.

2. The duties of the Chair shall be: a. To preside over all meetings of the Presidents' Council; b. To collaborate with the Commissioner in the areas of Conference policies, rules and regulations between regular Conference meetings. Actions taken are subject to the review of the Presidents’ Council; c. To issue calls for Council meetings through the Conference office; d. To appoint members of standing committees, and members of ad hoc committees, as necessary; and e. To serve as spokesperson to the press and the public.

3. The duty of the Vice-Chair shall be to assume the duties of the Chair in the latter's absence. Officers shall be elected at the spring meeting. The Vice- Chair will serve as Chair during the following year.

E. Appeals Deadline

A member institution may appeal any action taken at the President's Council meeting. A written appeal must be made within thirty (30) days after the final minutes of the Presidents' Council have been mailed by the Conference office. Note: Procedures for appeals of actions taken by the FARs Council for censure, probation or specific penalties are set forth in Operating Code, Article V, Section 2-D.

Section 3. CONFERENCE COUNCIL The Conference Council shall be the operating body of the Big Sky Conference.

A. Representation

The Conference Council is comprised of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council and the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council.

B. Function of the Conference Council

All action taken by the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council and the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council shall be reviewed and considered for approval and then submitted to the Presidents' Council.

C. Officers

1. The Chair of the Conference Council is the Chair of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council. The Vice-Chair will be the next FAR in the rotation and will assume the duties of the Chair in the latter's absence.

2. The duties of these officers are described in ARTICLE VI, Section 4-C of the Constitution.

D. Voting

The Faculty Athletics Representative, designated by the President of each institution, shall be the voting delegate for this council.

Section 4. FACULTY ATHLETICS REPRESENTATIVES' COUNCIL

A. Representation

The Faculty Athletics Representatives’ Council shall consist of individuals designated by the Presidents of the member institutions. These representatives shall be members of the institutions’ faculty, or administrators who hold faculty rank. The salary of the FAR

6 2012-2013 CONSTITUTION shall not be paid by the Athletics Department.

B. Functions of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council are: 1. To determine policy in eligibility rules, academic standards, matters of student- athlete welfare, and to consider medical hardship cases.

2. To take primary responsibility for the enforcement of Conference standards and ethics.

3. To submit to the Conference Council, for its approval, all matters of policy.

C. Officers and Their Duties

1. The officers of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council shall be a Chair and Vice-Chair.

2. The duties of the Chair shall be: a. To preside over all meetings of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council and Conference Council meetings with the Athletic Administrators; b. To issue calls, through the Conference office, for all Conference meetings, designating time and place; c. To appoint committees; and d. To perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time.

3. The Vice-Chair will be the next FAR in the rotation and will assume the duties of the Chair in the latter's absence. The Vice-Chair will serve as Chair in the upcoming year.

D. Voting Each institution shall have one vote.

Section 5. JOINT ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS' COUNCIL

The Joint Athletic Administrators' Council shall be vested with the management and operation of the athletic programs.

A. Representation The Joint Athletic Administrators' Council shall consist of the Athletic Directors and Senior Woman Administrators of the member institutions.

B. Functions of the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council are: 1. To act on all proposals presented to it by various constituencies and to forward items to the Conference Council with their recommendation for action.

2. To conduct all Conference athletic activities in compliance with policies approved by the Presidents' Council.

3. To make decisions on technical matters as authorized by the Presidents' Council pertaining to the conduct of athletic activities.

C. Officers and Their Duties 1. The officer of the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council shall be the Chair.

2. The duties of the Chair shall be to preside over all meetings of the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council.

3. The Chair of the Joint Athletic Council shall be designated to a member institution for

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a period of one year. The Athletic Director will serve as Chair for one meeting, the Senior Woman Administrator will serve as Chair for the other meeting, at their discretion.

D. Voting Each institution shall have two (2) votes with one vote to be cast by each of its two athletic administrative representatives present.

Section 6. COMMITTEES

A. The Standing Committees are:

1. Eligibility Committee The Eligibility Committee shall consist of seven members: the Chair, the Vice Chair, and the Immediate Past Chair of the Faculty Athletics Representatives’ Council; one Faculty Athletics Representative, one athletic director, one senior woman administrator and one at-large member. The Commissioner shall be an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Committee. The Committee shall rule on cases submitted to it by the Conference office, including waiver requests related to satisfactory progress. The Committee has final jurisdiction, subject to the vote of the Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council. Matters affecting the status of Conference athletics under the rules of eligibility may be submitted to the Committee only by a Faculty Athletics Representative or the Commissioner.

2. Legislative Committee The Legislative Committee shall consist of one representative from each member institution and the Conference representatives to the NCAA Legislative Council, Leadership Council, the Academics/Eligibility/Compliance Cabinet and the Championships/Competition Cabinet. The Commissioner is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Committee. It shall be the duty of the Committee to study the rules and regulations and make necessary revisions of the Conference Constitution, Operating Code, Sport Policies, and Championship Policies according to the recommendations of all the Councils and the NCAA. In addition, in order to ensure each institution participates in the NCAA governance structure, the Committee shall meet to review NCAA proposed legislation, make recommendations on conference votes, and send comments to the NCAA and Presidents of member institutions of the Big Sky Conference on proposed legislation.

3. Ethical Conduct & Violations Committee The Ethical Conduct & Violations Committee shall consist of seven members, with three-year staggered terms: Four Faculty Athletics Representatives, with one of the FARs serving as Chair, one Senior Woman Administrator, one Athletic Director and one at-large member. It shall be the duty of this Committee to consider alleged violations of Conference rules only after a thorough investigation by the FAR of the involved institution and to recommend appropriate action to the Faculty Athletics Representatives’' Council. If approved by that Council, the Chair of the Committee shall notify the Presidents' Council of the appropriate action. At the request of the Commissioner, this committee may act in matters relating to conduct, ethics, and violations of the intent or "spirit" of NCAA and Big Sky Conference rules and policies.

4. Administrative Committee (formerly Committee on Committees) The Administrative Committee shall consist of seven members with three-year staggered terms: One Faculty Athletics Representative, one Senior Women Administrator, one Athletic Director and four at-large members. It shall be the duty of this Committee to recommend appointments to all standing committees which adequately reflect the charge of each committee. All Committee appointments shall be approved by the Presidents’ Council.

8 2012-2013 CONSTITUTION 5. Championships & Competition Committee The Championships & Competition Committee shall consist of seven members with three-year staggered terms: One Faculty Athletics Representative, two Senior Women Administrators, two Athletic Directors, and two at-large members appointed by the Conference Council upon recommendation by the Committee on Committees. It shall be the duty of this Committee to review matters of scheduling, regular season competition, and championship issues in all sports. Such recommendations shall be forwarded to the Joint Athletic Council for their approval.

6. Officiating Committee The Officiating Committee shall consist of seven members with three-year staggered terms: three athletic directors, three senior woman administrators and one at-large member. Ex-officio members shall be the Coordinator of Men’s Officials, the Coordinator of Women’s Officials, and the Commissioner. It shall be the duty of this committee to review all matters relating to officiating including: game fees and per diem, numbers of officials required in each sport, and the improvement of officiating. Recommendations from the Officiating Committee shall be forwarded to the Joint Athletic Council for its action.

7. Media and Technology Committee (formerly Television Committee) The Media and Technology Committee shall consist of seven members with three-year staggered terms: two permanent members (UM AD and MSU AD), two senior women administrators, two athletic directors, and one at-large member, allocated to Athletic Administrators who shall work in conjunction with the Conference office staff. It shall be the duty of this committee to review all proposed television contracts for Conference contests and to select games for the Conference television package. These selections will be reviewed by the member institutions involved.

8. Student -Athlete Advisory Committee The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee shall consist of two student-athletes, one male and one female, from each conference institution. To the extent possible, this group shall be diverse with respect to ethnicity and sports represented. The SAAC shall meet yearly or at the call of the Commissioner and shall review legislative proposals and make recommendations on student-athlete welfare issues. Majority recommendations shall be forwarded to the Joint Athletic or Conference Council for their review.

B. Additional Committees

Additional committees may be appointed by the Presidents' Council.

Section 7. SELECTIONS FOR NCAA SERVICE ON BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Legislative Council, Leadership Council and Cabinets

The Big Sky Conference supports the efforts of NCAA governance in meeting the requirements of gender and ethnic diversity and recognizes the concept that each Division I subdivision has a responsibility to attain those diversity goals as outlined by the Division I Board of Directors. The Big Sky Conference will cooperate with the process by which the subdivisions of Division I will select its representatives to the governance structure.

A. Board of Directors

The Presidents’ Council, by majority vote, will select a Big Sky Conference representative to the Board of Directors. The Presidents will seek advice and opinions from the Commissioner.

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B. Legislative Council/Leadership Council and Cabinets

The Commissioner will develop and maintain a list of experienced candidates who have expressed willingness to serve on the Legislative or Leadership Council or a Cabinet. It is the responsibility of the Joint Athletic Council to ensure that the list is diverse, according to gender, ethnic minorities, and job classification within the Conference structure (ADs, SWAs, FARs) is represented to the greatest extent possible. The candidate list shall be continuously maintained and approved annually by the Presidents’ Council. The Presidents’ Council will select Conference nominees for the various NCAA positions from the list ensuring the goals of diversity and effective representation for the Conference.

C. Alternates for Legislative or Leadership Council and Cabinets

Temporary absences to these bodies will be filled by the Commissioner and staff, with an alternate of the same gender as the absent representative to maintain the gender balance of the group, whenever possible. The Chair of the Presidents’ Council will determine if absences longer than two meetings should be filled in this manner or an alternate designated from the list maintained by the Conference.

ARTICLE VII CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER

Section 1. SELECTION AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

A. The Conference shall employ a Chief Administrative Officer known as the "Commissioner." The Commissioner is selected and the terms of employment are set by the Presidents' Council. The term of office of the Commissioner shall commence July 1, unless otherwise provided by agreement, and shall be for a period such as the Presidents' Council shall establish.

B. Prior to the expiration of the Commissioner's contract, the Presidents' Council shall determine whether the contract shall be renewed, unless otherwise provided by agreement.

Section 2. GENERAL DUTIES

The general duties of the Commissioner shall be to:

A. Serve as the Chief Administrative Officer of the Conference;

B. Serve as the principal enforcement officer of the Conference rules, regulations and agreements;

C. Serve as Executive Officer of the Conference;

D. Serve as ex-officio, non-voting member of all standing committees unless otherwise specified;

E. Study the problems of the Conference and give advice and guidance in the solution of those problems to the members and thereby promote the general welfare of the Conference at all times;

F. Conduct, through the press, radio, television, periodicals, meetings and the general service of the office, a continuous educational program advancing the development of scholarship, sportsmanship, an understanding of the values of competitive athletics, and exert all reasonable effort to acquaint the public with the ethics and high ideals which motivate the Conference and its conduct of intercollegiate athletics;

10 2012-2013 CONSTITUTION G. Issue the call for meetings; H. Interpret and rule upon matters of eligibility and regulations and send copies of the interpretations and rulings to the Faculty Athletics Representatives and Athletic Administrators. Rulings with respect to matters of eligibility shall be submitted by the Commissioner to the Eligibility Committee for reference to precedents and supportive reasoning for approval or disapproval. Such review by the Eligibility Committee may affect the applicability of the Commissioner's ruling in the reported case;

I. Report at least once a year to the Presidents' Council concerning Conference matters; J. Exercise all powers necessary for the effective performance of all duties; and K. Perform other duties as the Conference Councils may direct.

Section 3. ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

The administrative duties of the Commissioner shall be to:

A. Maintain records of all Conference meetings and peruse previous meeting's minutes for any unfinished business or referred or tabled motions and bring those matters to the attention of the appropriate Council;

B. Administer Conference policy involving television, radio, and related programs;

C. Select, assign, and contract game officials for intercollegiate sports as may be directed by the Athletic Administrators;

D. Act as ex-officio, non-voting member, in all coaches groups and provide assistance in the preparation of schedules in all sports, if necessary;

E. Act as liaison between the Conference representatives and the media;

F. Maintain and distribute historical and statistical records for all Conference athletic competition;

G. Maintain a compilation of precedents and interpretations of Conference rules and regulations from proceedings of all Council meetings and appropriate committee meetings;

H. Prepare and distribute reporting forms required by Conference rules and regulations;

I. Be responsible for Conference financial transactions;

J. Prepare the annual budget and related fiscal data for the Conference office and submit to the Presidents' Council;

K. Supervise the operations of the Conference office and support personnel, including all personnel matters; and

L. Arrange for Conference meetings and prepare agendas for the Conference Councils, in consultation with appropriate Chairs and be responsible for the distribution of all minutes.

ARTICLE VIII MEETINGS

Section 1. The Presidents' Council shall meet at least annually upon the call of the Chair.

Section 2. The Faculty Athletics Representatives and Athletic Administrators shall meet at least annually. A. The Fall Meeting shall be at a designated site and shall generally be scheduled in October or November. B. The Spring Meeting shall be held at a designated site and shall generally be scheduled just prior to the end of Spring term.

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C. The special dates and designated sites of the Conference Meetings for the following year shall be reviewed and scheduled at the Spring meeting of the Conference Council.

D. Special meetings may be called by the Chairs through the Conference office.

Section 3. Coaches, Sports Information Directors, and other institutional personnel shall meet at the call of the Big Sky Conference or at the call of the Commissioner.

Section 4. All agenda items must be circulated at least three weeks in advance of a Conference meeting. Emergency items not so circulated must have unanimous consent of the appropriate council for consideration. (Refer to Article XIII, Section 2, of the Big Sky Conference Operating Code for further clarification.)

Section 5. In case of emergency operational matters, the Conference Commissioner may conduct a vote of the appropriate Council or committee by conference call, fax, E-mail, or mail. A majority vote shall prevail. The results shall be circulated to the appropriate Councils or committees.

Section 6. All meetings are open; however, a Council may go into an executive session upon a majority vote of its members.

Section 7. THE PRESIDENTS' COUNCIL MEETING FORMAT

A. The first meeting of the Presidents' Council shall be held on the next to last day of the Spring and/or Fall Meetings unless otherwise scheduled. Persons participating will include the Presidents, the Commissioner, and upon availability, the Chair of the Faculty Athletics Representatives Council, Chair of the Joint Athletic Administrators' Council and whomever the Presidents wish to invite. The purpose of the meeting will be to receive the reports of the Council Chairs and set the agenda for the business meeting to be held the following day.

B. The second meeting of the Presidents' Council will be held on the morning of the last day of the Spring and/or Fall Meetings unless otherwise scheduled. The Commissioner will be included for the purpose of briefing the Presidents on issues that may be current or on the horizon and to add last minute items and make any adjustments to the agenda.

C. The Chair of the Presidents' Council shall convene the Presidents' Council in Executive Session on the last day to consider matters and concerns of individual campuses that, by necessity, need to be confidential.

D. The Final Meeting of the Presidents' Council and the other Councils shall be held the last day of the Spring and/or Fall Meetings unless otherwise scheduled. The purpose of this final meeting will be for the Presidents' Council to take official action on the agenda.

ARTICLE IX AMENDMENTS

Section 1. These articles may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Conference Council. No constitutional amendment can be voted on at the same meeting at which it is originally proposed.

Section 2. Final approval will be by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Presidents' Council.

ARTICLE X DISSOLUTION

Dissolution of the Conference shall be effected by no less than three-fourths (3/4) vote of the member institutions. In case of dissolution, the assets and/or the liabilities of the Big Sky Conference shall be equally distributed among the member institutions.

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