2. New Members.

New members may be admitted to the Conference by receiving two thirds (67%) of the votes of the Chief Executive Officers of the member institutions.

3. Withdrawal.

Each member reserves the right to withdraw from this Conference by written notice given to every other member at least one calendar year before the effective date of such withdrawal.

4. Expulsion.

The Conference shall have power to drop any institution from membership by two-thirds (67%) vote of the total membership of the COP.

ARTICLE 3—CONDITIONS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership Responsibility.

As a condition and obligation of membership in the Midwest Collegiate Conference, each member institution agrees:

A.                   To administer its athletic program in accordance with the Constitution, Bylaws, and other legislation of the Conference;

B.                   To afford full cooperation to the Conference’s compliance program to make it truly a joint, cooperative effort between the Conference and each member;

C.                   To require compliance with and support of the Conference’s regulations by each of its institutional personnel, student-athletes, and institutional representatives;

D.                   To certify that its Chief Executive Officer retains and bears ultimate responsibility for the conduct of its intercollegiate athletic program;

E.                   To support the Conference’s programs and championships and its administrators in the conduct of those programs;

F.                    To conduct its intercollegiate athletic program in keeping with the highest recognized standards and in a manner which will enhance the reputation for integrity of the Midwest Collegiate Conference;

G.                   To cooperate in the spirit of mutual trust and confidence with the other members of the Conference in supporting and promoting the objectives of the Conference;

2. 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, religion, sex, or national origin practiced at the Conference office or at member institutions in the conduct of their intercollegiate athletic programs.

3. Gender Equity Statement.

At an institutional level, gender equity in intercollegiate athletics describes an environment in which a fair and equitable distribution of overall athletics opportunities, benefits, and resources is available to women and men and in which student-athletes, coaches, and athletics administrators are not subject to gender-based discrimination under applicable state and federal law.

4. Sport Sponsorship.

Participation in all approved conference sports is encouraged. For membership in the Conference, an institution is required to offer the following sports. For men: basketball, baseball and soccer. For women: basketball, softball, volleyball and soccer.

ARTICLE 4—GOVERNANCE and ORGANIZATION

1. Governance of Conference.

This Constitution, Bylaws, Compliance and Enforcement Regulations, Administrative Rules, and Sports Policies and Regulations shall establish the governance of this Conference.

2. Officers.

The officers of this Conference are a president, a vice-president, and a secretary/treasurer, who shall each perform the customary duties of such offices. The President shall be the chair of the Council of Presidents, the Vice-president shall be the chair of the Athletic Directors Council and the Secretary/Treasurer shall be the Commissioner.

3. Application of NAIA Legislation.

The Midwest Collegiate Conference is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Member institutions are bound by NAIA rules and regulations unless Conference rules are more demanding.

4. Organization of Conference.

A.                  Business of the Conference.

The Council of Presidents and the Athletics Directors Council shall conduct the official business of the Conference.

B.                   Council of Presidents (COP)

The Council of Presidents (COP), shall consist of the President or Chief Executive Officer of each of the member institutions.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, all actions of the COP require a simple majority vote.

1.                   The COP shall meet not less than once each year normally following the summer meeting of the Conference and shall endeavor to meet at other times as necessary in person or by teleconference.

2.                   The MCC COP shall elect a representative to the NAIA COP, under the procedure and guidelines established by the NAIA, who shall (during their NAIA term) also serve as Chair of the MCC COP

3.                   The Commissioner of the MCC shall serve as an ex-officio nonvoting member of the Council of Presidents and shall be responsible for the keeping of the minutes of each meeting.

4.                   A representative (proxy) of the member of the COP is acceptable in all cases except at the regularly scheduled annual COP meeting.  Said representative must be external to the Athletics Department.

5.                   A Quorum of fifty percent (50%) of eligible members is required for the transaction of business.

6.                   The responsibilities of the Council of Presidents.

a.             The COP shall be responsible for the appointment, annual performance appraisal, and compensation of the Commissioner.  The COP shall conduct an annual review of the Commissioner with input from the Athletic Directors Council (ADC).

b.             The COP shall establish the annual budget of the conference including dues assessment to each institution.

c.              Following a recommendation of the ADC, the COP shall make the definitive vote on conference membership. All members of the COP shall participate in a final membership vote.

d.             The COP shall set the financial aid limits for the conference based on recommendations from the ADC.

e.             The COP is solely responsible for proposing amendments to the Constitution or By-laws of the conference.  Any amendment to the Constitution or Bylaws shall require a ¾ (75%) vote, on paper ballot, by the COP in total.

f.              At the meetings of the conference, the Chair of the COP or, any institutional president designated by the Chair of the COP, will be given the privilege of the floor for the purpose of discussion and making motions on behalf of the COP.

g.             The COP may veto actions of the ADC with a majority vote of COP members. Vetoes must be made within thirty days of the conference meeting.

h.             The COP shall be responsible for all items not expressly granted to the ADC.

C.                   Athletics Directors Council (ADC)

The Athletics Directors Council (ADC), shall consist of the Athletics Director of each of the member institutions.  Unless specifically stated otherwise, all actions of the ADC require a simple majority vote.

1.                   The ADC shall meet not less than three times each year normally in the Fall, late Winter, and early Summer and shall endeavor to meet at other times as necessary.

2.                   The chair and vice-chair of the ADC shall be elected by the membership of the ADC to a two-year term.

3.                   The Commissioner of the MCC shall serve as an ex-officio nonvoting member of the ADC and shall be responsible for the keeping of the minutes of each meeting.

4.                   A representative (proxy) of the member of the ADC is not acceptable at any time.

5.                   A Quorum of fifty percent (50%) of eligible members is required for the transaction of business.

6.                   The responsibilities of the ADC.

a.             The ADC shall oversee the administration of all league sports.

b.             The ADC shall monitor the annual budget of the Conference.

D.                  Committees

On an ongoing basis and from time-to-time as needed, various committees will be formed to assist in the conduct of business of the Conference.  The committees will at all times report to either the ADC or COP as set forth in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE 5—Student-Athlete Eligibility

            The rules and regulations of the NAIA shall determine student-athlete eligibility.

ARTICLE 6—INSTITUTIONAL ELIGIBILITY

An institution prohibited from competing in post-season competition by the NAIA or the Conference shall not be eligible for the Conference Championship in the cited sport(s), but its games against Conference opponents shall count in the Conference standings. Such an institution also may not compete in a Conference event that determines the Conference’s automatic qualifier for the NAIA Championship in that sport.

ARTICLE 7—SCHEDULING

1. General Policy.

All members of the Conference, in the exercise of the principle of free choice of opponents, hereby agree to schedule each other as set forth by the rules and regulations governing each sport.

2. Scheduling Relationships.

Membership in the Conference shall in no way affect the right of each member to continue or establish relations with any institution, except as mandated herein.

ARTICLE 8—COMMISSIONER

The Conference shall employ a Commissioner who shall make reports, operate the officiating program, gather and keep statistics and other data, and otherwise administer and manage the affairs of the Conference as directed. The specific duties of the Commissioner shall be set forth in the MCC Bylaws.

ARTICLE 9—ARBITRATION

Difficulties or disputes that may arise between two or more colleges concerning enforcement of rules, disregard of schedules, or any other similar questions, shall be referred to the Commissioner for action.  A request for review of the Commissioner’s action may be made to the COP by the institution’s Chief Executive Officer only. No member of the COP shall serve on this review if his/her school is involved in the dispute or question.

ARTICLE 10—PROCEDURE