THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NORTHEAST-10 CONFERENCE ARTICLE I - NAME AND OFFICIAL HEADQUARTERS

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1 THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NORTHEAST-10 CONFERENCE ARTICLE I - NAME AND OFFICIAL HEADQUARTERS Section A: The name of this organization shall be Northeast-10 Conference. Section B: Unless otherwise by a two-thirds vote of the Council of Presidents at any regular or special meeting, the official headquarters of the Northeast-10 Conference is at 16 Belmont Street in South Easton, MA. Section A: History ARTICLE II - HISTORY, PURPOSES, AND PRINCIPLES Conference members are National Collegiate Athletic Association members committed to the purposes, fundamental policy and basic principles of that organization. Believing that within such principles, a program of competitive intercollegiate athletics can be mutually beneficial to institutions in reasonable geographic proximity to one another and having comparable athletic missions and facilities, the founding member institutions formed the Northeast-10 Conference in Section B: Purposes The purposes of the Conference are, but not limited to the following: 1. To conduct a well-rounded program of intercollegiate athletics within a context that holds paramount the academic programs of the member institutions and the academic and personal growth of studentathletes. 2. To hold allied and/or affiliate membership as a conference in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). 3. To engage in such intercollegiate athletic competition in accordance with the principles, policies, constitution and bylaws of the NCAA as well as such other principles, policies and bylaws as may, from time to time, be adopted by the Conference. 4. To provide procedures for the enforcement of the NCAA principles, policies, constitution and bylaws and other principles, policies and bylaws as may, from time to time, be adopted by the Conference. 5. To effectuate such other or additional purposes as may, from time to time, be adopted and approved at meetings of the member institutions. 6. To provide that student-athletes will be representative of the total student body of each member institution in general academic achievement and overall educational experience. 7. To provide that policies governing intercollegiate athletics, of each member institution will encourage balanced and fair competition on a continuing basis. 8. To provide for the sharing of appropriate information among the member institutions regarding their athletic programs. 9. To foster sportsmanship, ethical conduct, mutual respect and confidence among the member institutions and to foster the purposes and principles of higher academic education; and

2 10. To take any and all actions necessary to effectuate the above purposes. Section C: Other Purposes In addition to the purposes described above and the general purposes and principles of the NCAA, conference members are also committed to the following principles: 1. The student-athlete's academic experience shall remain each conference member's highest priority. Student-athletes shall be treated first as students, second as athletes. They should be able to attend classes and prepare for examinations without undue interruptions for athletic commitments. Member institutions should adopt appropriate measures to safeguard against such interruptions. Conference members shall be committed to assisting all student-athletes in graduating within a reasonable amount of time. 2. The conference championship in each sport should be the focus of each season's competitive efforts for our student-athletes. Member institutions should place a high value on conference championships and they should be conducted in a way that reflects this value. 3. Conference members will share equally in paying the operational costs of the conference, through dues as specified in the bylaws or through special assessments. Conference members in good standing will share equitably any conference income from outside sources as prescribed by the revenue sharing formula. Section A: Conference Code ARTICLE III - CONFERENCE CODE The conference shall be governed and administered according to the Conference Code, which shall consist of the Constitution, Bylaws, Sport Code Manual and any other administrative regulations that guide the day-to-day operations of the conference. Section B: Waivers A member institution may request a waiver of any provision of the Conference Code, which may be granted by a two-thirds vote of the Council of Presidents. Such requests and accompanying rationale must be sent to the commissioner to ensure accordance with the spirit of the code. Section A: Membership ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP 1. Members of this Conference must be an NCAA Division II member in good standing, subscribing to the Division II Philosophy and abiding by all applicable NCAA regulations. 2. Dual membership is not permitted unless a waiver of this clause is approved in accordance with Article II, Section B of this Constitution. Section B: Charter Members The following institutions constitute the list of charter members of this conference, founded in 1980: American International College Assumption College Bentley College Bryant College

3 University of Hartford Springfield College Stonehill College Section C: Current Members The following institutions constitute the list of current members and effective membership date: American International College (1980) Assumption College (1980) Bentley College (1980) Bryant College (1980) Franklin Pierce College (2000) LeMoyne College (1996) University of Massachusetts Lowell (2000) Merrimack College (1984) New Hampshire College (2000) Pace University (1997) Saint Anselm College (1981) Saint Michaels College (1987) The College of Saint Rose (2000) Southern Connecticut State University (2000) Stonehill College (1980) Section D: Former Members The following institutions constitute the list of former members: University of Hartford ( ) Springfield College ( ) Quinnipiac College ( ) Section E: New Members PROCEDURAL STEPS FOR PROSPECTIVE NEW CONFERENCE MEMBERS 1. Additional members may be elected to the conference by secret ballot. A two-thirds majority vote of present and voting active members of the Council of Presidents must vote in favor for an institution to be admitted to membership. [Note: For specific voting parameters please refer to Article V, Section A (3)]. 2. The conference will consider applications for membership from institutions which are in reasonable geographic proximity to existing conference members; who have athletic missions, budgets, sports sponsored and facilities comparable to existing member institutions; and whose membership would be beneficial to conference competition or to existing conference member institutions. 3. Formal application for membership in the conference shall be considered at the annual fall meeting or at any other time by majority consent of the voting members or their designee. The directors shall make a recommendation to the Council of Presidents regarding all membership applications. EVALUATION OF PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS 1. Interested institutions should contact the conference commissioner and submit a letter from the president or athletics director indicating interest in pursuing membership. If the contact is made through other services (e.g.: president, director of athletics, faculty athletics representative, coaches), they should be directed to contact the commissioner.

4 2. Following preliminary discussions, the commissioner will gather as much information about the interested institution as possible and contact the chair of the membership/evaluation committee. The information gathered will include, at a minimum, the following items: Statement of the purpose, philosophy, and goals of the institution and its athletics department. Geography/location. Departmental long-range strategic plan, including proposed sport additions, scholarship goals, and potential additions or modifications to athletic facilities. Athletic budget. Commitment to gender equity. Prior athletic history. Academic considerations. Most recent NCAA Institutional Self-Study Guide. Department Operations Manual. Student-Athlete Handbook. EADA Report 3. Upon review of the submitted materials, prospective members may be invited to make a presentation at the spring director's meeting. The directors will then vote whether to recommend to the Council of Presidents that an evaluation visit to the prospective member institution be undertaken over the summer. 4. If the prospective member wishes to pursue formal application for membership at the fall meeting, and an evaluation visit is approved by the Council of Presidents, the institution will arrange with the commissioner for an evaluation visit by the conference membership/evaluation committee during the summer. The Membership/Evaluation Committee will include one president, the commissioner, director of media relations, two athletic directors appointed by the commissioner, one faculty athletics representative and the conference national student -athlete advisory committee representative. 5. The evaluation visit will be an in-depth review of the state of the institution's athletic program, to include: A presentation by the institution on its athletic program. This presentation will include information on the program's philosophy; sports sponsorship; personnel; records and schedules for the past three years, including upcoming commitments; the athletics budget for the last three years, including the most current; information on a faculty athletics committee or similar body overseeing intercollegiate athletics and any constitution, bylaws or similar documents for such a committee; information on booster organizations and any constitution, bylaws, or similar documents for such organizations. [Note: budget information should include athletic scholarship and equivalencies by sport]. A presentation on compliance with NCAA regulations. This should follow the prescribed ISSG if completed within three years prior to the visit and include any written reports or policy changes as a result of the study. Additionally, conference representatives will review institutional financial aid and eligibility certification procedures and records to ensure compliance. A tour of campus and athletic facilities. Other activities at the request of the commissioner or the institution. A private meeting of the Membership/ Evaluation Committee before concluding the visit to outline a report for the conference. Expenses for the evaluation vis it will be paid by the applicant institution including, travel expenses, overnight accommodations and afternoon and evening meals. Mileage rates will be reimbursed at the applicant's current rate. 6. No public statements will be made by any representatives of the conference until discussed with all voting members.

5 7. A formal application shall be submitted to the commissioner, with a copy to the chair of the President's Council and Membership/Evaluation Committee. The application should consist of: Cover letter from the institution's president. Institutional description including the philosophy or mission statement; admission standards and profile; enrollment data and projections; graduation rate data. Current catalog. Other information at the discretion of the institution or conference. 8. The Membership/Evaluation Committee will make a report to the directors, who will vote on a recommendation to the Council of Presidents regarding the application. 9. If favorable, institutional administrators will be invited to the fall meeting for a final question and answer session. 10. At this time, in executive session, the formal vote on membership will be taken. 11. A formal acceptance or denial letter will be drafted and sent to the applicant by the commissioner. Acceptance letters will outline all conditions pertaining to receiving membership and shall be signed by the president of the new-member institution. The initiation fee is payable within 30 (thirty) days and the institution becomes a voting member upon receipt of such payment. If coming from another Division II conference, any men's and women's basketball units derived from the NCAA Enhancement Fund formula shall be transferred by the institution to the conference. Formal transfer notification shall be given to the Finance and Information Services Group at the NCAA during the fall semester of the initial year of active membership. Unless otherwise agreed upon by the conference and institution, formal announcement of expansion shall be made public upon receipt of the signed document. 12. Dues begin the following year and the institution will be immediately eligible for all conference championships. Section F: Associate Members 1. An Associate Member shall be defined as any institution that is neither a New Member nor a Charter Member of the conference and competes in one or more sports sponsored by the conference. 2. Associate membership shall be granted by the Council of Presidents, upon recommendation of the directors. 3. The initial period of membership shall be for two years and may be renewed annually by the Council of Presidents. An institution wishing to become an Associate Member must submit a letter of application to the commissioner indicating the sport or sports in which affiliation is desired. 4. The fee for associate membership is determined annually by the Council of Presidents and is based on a formula consisting of the conference initiation fee, annual dues and number of conference championships sponsored. 5. Dues for the initial two years of membership will be payable upon admission to the conference. Associate Members do not receive a share of any income received by the conference or its member institutions. 6. Associate Member status shall allow the institution the following privileges: Compete in a maximum of two conference sports at one time. Have its coach attend and vote at the sport's annual meeting(s).

6 Have its administrators attend conference meetings and have voting rights only on issues related to the sport(s) in which it is a member. Serve as host for NE-10 or NCAA championship competition. Represent the NE-10 in post-season championship play and play-in competition. Section G: Withdrawal 1. A member desiring to withdraw from the conference shall submit written notice of withdrawal to the Conference Commissioner. The letter of withdrawal shall be received at least two (2) calendar years in advance of its effective date. [Note: The two year notification period is consistent with NCAA Bylaw that requires the same time period for schools wishing to reclassify out of Division II]. 2. A member institution which submits a notice of withdrawal in accordance with the foregoing subsection, cannot withdraw such letter of withdrawal unless agreed to by two-thirds majority vote of present and voting active member institutions (except the representative from the member institution concerned) at any regular or special meeting. Once a member institution submits notice of withdrawal from the conference, such member institution immediately relinquishes its right to vote on conference matters, which will become effective subsequent to the effective date of withdrawal. 3. A withdrawing member institution forfeits all rights to proceeds the conference would receive from the NCAA or any other revenue normally distributed through the conference for the 12-month period immediately preceding the effective date of withdrawal. 4. A withdrawing member institution waives, as of its effective date of withdrawal, all rights to any share of conference assets or proceeds. 5. Any entry fee paid by the withdrawing member to the conference shall not be refunded. 6. A withdrawing member of less than six years in the conference shall (in addition to other provisions set forth in this section), pay to the Conference a fee of $40,000 to reimburse the Conference and its member institutions for the anticipated costs and expenses incurred by reason of such withdrawal. 7. A withdrawing member that fails to provide the required two years notice shall pay to the Conference, a fee of $80,000 to reimburse the Conference and its member institutions for the anticipated costs and expenses incurred by reason of such withdrawal. 8. No withdrawing member institution shall be relieved from its contractual obligations with member institutions in effect on the date of its notice of withdrawal. These obligations shall include, but not limited to the obligation to play scheduled athletic competitions for the balance of the commitment period of the withdrawing member, whether or not a formal schedule has been prepared as approved on such date. Section H: Dues and Initiation Fees 1. Annual conference dues for the upcoming academic year shall be established by an affirmative twothirds vote of the Council of Presidents. Dues must be paid by September 1 of each year. The Conference may adopt a penalty structure for late payment of dues. 2. New members shall pay an initiation fee established by the Council of Presidents in addition to the annual dues. Section I: Meetings 1. Any member of this Conference failing twice in succession to be represented at a regular meeting of the Council of Presidents or Director's Council, may be assessed a penalty, or dropped from membership in the Conference.

7 2. It is mandatory that each director represent their institution at the annual meeting of the Director's Council. An institution failing to adhere to the above stipulation will be assessed a financial penalty by the Commissioner. A director leaving the annual meeting prior to its conclusion will not be allowed a proxy and will forfeit its vote. If a director cannot attend the annual meeting due to an emergency, pending approval by the commissioner, a nonvoting replacement may attend. Section J: Termination By a vote of at least two-thirds of the Council of President's, at a regular or special meeting, a member institution may have its Conference affiliation terminated. For a termination vote to be effective, it must occur at least six months prior to the beginning of the academic year in which the termination is to take effect. ARTICLE V - GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE The governance structure of the conference includes the Council of Presidents, Director's Council, Faculty Athletics Representatives' Council, Senior Woman Administrator's Council and Sports Committees. (See Figure No. 1) Section A: Council of Presidents 1. The Council of Presidents consists of the presidents of each member institution in the conference, constituted for the purpose of discussing and advising on matters of mutual interest and concern. 2. The Council of Presidents meets on a regular basis with the Commissioner to discuss matters and meets as necessary with the Director's Council and/or Faculty Athletics Representative's Council to review the athletic programs of the conference. 3. All meetings of the Council of Presidents shall be conducted under the general provisions of the accepted practices of parliamentary procedure. When unspecified, a two-thirds majority vote of present and voting active member institutions shall be needed to approve all motions of the council. Absentee ballots when applicable, will be considered a valid means of voting on motions. An institutional representative appointed by the president may attend meetings, take part in all discussion and vote as a proxy at the behest of the president, however this individual will be precluded from participating in any executive session at the meeting site. Notification of this arrangement must be received by the council chair, vice chair or commissioner, prior to the meeting. [Voting Privileges: See Northeast-10 Conference Bylaw ] [Meeting attendance: See Northeast-10 Conference Constitution I -1]. 4. The Council of Presidents has the right to veto or modify any action of the other groups in the governance structure. 5. The chair of the Council of Presidents shall be elected in even numbered years by that council for a two (2) year term and is not to serve successive terms. The vice chair shall serve in that capacity for a two (2) year term, moving into the chairmanship for the subsequent two (2) years. Section B: Director's Council 1. The hiring of Athletic Directors is the province of member institutions. 2. Each member institution will have one vote in the Directors Council meetings. All meetings of the Directors Council shall be conducted under the general provisions of the accepted practices of parliamentary procedure. When unspecified, a majority vote of present and voting active member institutions shall be needed to approve all motions of the council. An institutional representative

8 appointed by the director may attend council meetings, take part in all discussion and vote as a proxy at the behest of the director. Notification of this arrangement must be received by the commissioner and subsequent approval given prior to the meeting. [Voting Privileges: See Northeast-10 Conference Bylaw ] [Meeting attendance: See Northeast-10 Conference Constitution I (1-2)]. 3. Athletic Directors have the responsibility of overseeing athletics on their campuses. 4. The Chair of the Directors Council is elected for a two- (2) year term and is not to serve consecutive terms. 5. Three (3) regular business meetings shall be held each year, in the fall, at the NCAA convention and in the spring/summer. Other meetings shall be held at the choice of the Commissioner, either in-person or by conference call. 6. A quorum of the membership shall be necessary to conduct business. A quorum shall constitute a simple majority of the present and voting active member institutions. 7. The powers and duties of the Director's Council shall be as follows: Enact and amend Athletic Director Administrative Agreements. The chair shall notify the Council of Presidents at each conference meeting of such enactment's and amendments adopted since the preceding conference meeting. The presidents may review and/or rescind any such enactments and amendments. Discuss and advise the Commissioner on matters of athletic administration within the Conference. Section C: Faculty Athletics Representatives Council 1. Each member institution will appoint a Faculty Athletics Representative as required in NCAA Constitution Each member institution will have one vote in the Faculty Athletics Representative's Council. 3. The Faculty Athletics Representative must be a member of the institution's faculty or an administrator who holds faculty rank and shall not hold an administrative or coaching position in the athletics department. 4. The chair of the Faculty Athletics Representative's Council shall be from the same institution as the chair of the Presidents Council, is elected for a two- (2) year term and is not to serve successive terms. 5. There will be a minimum of one regular business meeting of all Faculty Athletics Representatives. Special meetings may be called by the Council of Presidents, Director's Council, Chair of the Faculty Athletics Representative's Council or by the Commissioner. 6. A quorum of the membership shall be necessary to conduct business. A quorum shall constitute a simple majority of the present and voting active member institutions. 7. The powers and duties of the Faculty Athletic Representative's Council shall be as follows: Assist the commissioner in determining facts related to alleged violations of conference or NCAA legislation. Initiate legislative proposals concerning student-athlete eligibility and academic matters. Review legislative proposals concerning student-athlete eligibility and academic matters.

9 Determine nominees and select subsequent winners of all conference academic achievement awards. Section D: Senior Woman Administrators Council 1. Each member institution will appoint a Senior Woman Administrator utilizing the guidelines set forth in NCAA Constitution Each member institution will have one vote in the Senior Woman Administrator's Council. 3. The Senior Woman Administrator must be a full-time institutional employee who has demonstrated an interest in athletics and is involved with the conduct of a member institution's athletic program. 4. The chair of the Senior Woman Administrator's Council shall be elected for a two-(2) year term and is not to serve successive terms. 5. There will be a minimum of one regular business meeting of all Senior Woman Administrators. Special meetings may be called by the Council of Presidents, Directors Council, Chair of the Senior Woman Administrator's Council or by the Commissioner. 6. A quorum of the membership shall be necessary to conduct business. A quorum shall constitute a simple majority of the present and voting active member institutions. 7. The powers and duties of the Senior Woman Administrator's Council shall be as follows: Become a key voice in the administration and governance of the conference. Review general issues relating to athletics, in addition to addressing issues of particular interest to women. Work in concert with the Commissioner to develop and oversee a philosophy that places a priority on advancing opportunities for women's athletics in the conference. Section E: Sports-Related Committees 1. At a minimum, Sports-Related Committees will meet annually for the purpose of bringing forth legislation for the good of the Conference. 2. Each recognized conference sport, as well as the Sports Information Directors, Sports Medicine Personnel and Student Athlete Advisory Committee shall be represented as a Sports-Related Committee. Section F: Director's Executive Committee: 1. An Executive Committee shall have the authority to act on behalf of the director's council in conjunction with and at the request of the Commissioner, as long as any actions taken are consistent with the provisions contained in the Conference Code, or those of the NCAA. 2. The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the Chair of the Director's Council, Chair and Vice- Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee and two additional athletic directors rotated alphabetically (one from the top and one from the bottom) among member institutions following expiration of the initial appointed term. The Commissioner will serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member and recording secretary of the Executive Committee. 3. The terms of all members of the Executive Committee shall commence on July 1.

10 4. Any member or members of the Executive Committee representing an institution directly involved in a dispute shall be ineligible to participate in any resulting ruling, hearing or vote. The vacancy, or vacancies, created by such ineligibility shall be filled by a conference representative from an uninvolved institution selected by the Commissioner. 5. The powers and duties of the Executive Committee shall be as follows: To appoint ad hoc or standing committees as needed. To hear all appeals made on penalties and/or rulings imposed by the Commissioner on selected matters. To provide guidance and counsel to the Commissioner on matters pertaining to the operation of the Conference. To act on issues brought forward by the Commissioner pertaining to the day to day operation of the conference. Section F: Budget and Finance Committee: 1. The Budget and Finance Committee shall recommend to the Conference prior to the end of the current fiscal year an operating budget for the ensuing fiscal year. 2. The Budget and Finance Committee will be comprised of the Chair of the Presidents Council, Treasurer, Commissioner, Director's Council Chair, and two Athletic Directors appointed by the Commissioner. 3. The powers and duties of the Budget and Finance Committee shall be as follows: Monitor implementation of the budget throughout the year. The chair, in conjunction with the commissioner, shall administer revisions in the budget. Advise the Conference and the commissioner on the investment of Conference reserve funds. Section G: Membership/Evaluation Committee 1. The Membership/Evaluation Committee shall be responsible for the review and feasibility of conference expansion. 2. The Membership/Evaluation Committee will be comprised of a President or President's designee, the Commissioner, Conference Director of Media Relations, two athletic directors appointed by the commissioner, a Faculty Athletics Representative and the national student-athlete advisory committee representative. 3. The powers and duties of the Membership/Evaluation Committee shall be as follows: Review documentation received from institutions interested in becoming a conference member. Recommend and conduct an evaluation visit to the prospective campus. Determine feasibility of particular institution joining the conference and make a recommendation as such to the Director's Council. Section H: Strategic Planning Committee 1. The Strategic Planning Committee shall assist the Commissioner in the development and implementation of future conference planning and initiatives.

11 2. The Strategic Planning Committee will be comprised of three athletic directors and the commissioner. 3. The powers and duties of the Strategic Planning Committee shall be as follows: Identify and examine long term trends and problems in intercollegiate athletics, specifically focusing as to how they relate to the conference. Examine the role and conduct of women's sports within the conference context. Assist the commissioner in the development and implementation of a conference strategic plan, focusing on both short and long-term goals and objectives. Provide periodic updates to conference committees as to attainment of goals and objectives. Section I: Hall of Fame Committee 1. The Hall of Fame Committee shall be a standing committee that elects annually the person(s) inducted into the Northeast-10 Conference Hall of Fame. 2. The Hall of Fame Committee will be comprised of the Chair of the President's Council, the Commissioner (ex-officio, non-voting), Conference Director of Media Relations (ex-officio, nonvoting), an institutional sports information director and one representative of the remaining conference institutions. 3. [Note: See Conference Bylaws for summarization of Hall of Fame guidelines and procedures for selection]. ARTICLE VI - THE COMMISSIONER Section A: Employment 1. The Commissioner is employed by the conference institutions and is ultimately responsible to the Council of Presidents. 2. Appointment of the Commissioner is the ultimate responsibility of the Council of Presidents, assisted by a search and screen committee. The Chair of the Council of Presidents will serve as the chair of the Search and Screen Committee. 3. The Commissioner shall perform such duties as are prescribed within the Constitution and Bylaws and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Council of Presidents or the Directors Council. Section B: General Duties 1. The Commissioner is vested with broad discretionary power and authority as may be reasonably necessary to discharge the duties of the office. The Commissioner shall: Administer, interpret and enforce the conference Constitution, Bylaws and administrative regulations as well as those of the NCAA.

12 Serve as the secretary-treasurer of the conference, assembling and submitting materials and agendas for all conference meetings. Issue the call and be responsible for the arrangements of all properly authorized conference meetings. Serve as an ex-officio nonvoting member on all ad hoc and standing Conference committees. Be responsible for the distribution and retention in the Conference office of all minutes of any authorized meeting. Serve as the Conference's primary liaison with the NCAA and other related associations, committees and organizations (e.g.: ECAC, CCA, NACMA, NAADD, NACDA, NACWA, FARA, ACUA, NACUBO, MLB, BBCA, SAAC) Prepare and submit for approval an annual budget for the operation of the Conference office and collect the annual dues from all members. Study and identify the challenges and opportunities facing the Conference and offer strategies and solutions for resolving those issues. Employ and supervise such personnel as may be necessary to the performance of functions of the Conference office. Represent the Conference as the voting delegate at the annual and special NCAA conventions. Attend meetings or conventions of recognized associations or organizations concerned with amateur and intercollegiate athletics. Conduct through the media, publications, meetings and the service of the Conference office, a continuous educational program emphasizing the development of scholarship, sports-like behavior and understanding of the high ideals and of the values of competitive intercollegiate athletics. Act as a mediator of controversies and disputes between member institutions. Administer all Conference championships. Establish an ongoing program of corporate financial support for the operation of the Conference office. Perform such other duties as the Council of Presidents, Athletic Directors, and/or Executive Committee may direct. If disagreement arises in the assignment of such duties, final resolution will rest with the Council of Presidents. Section C: Administrative Duties 1. The administrative duties of the Commissioner shall include: Preparing the Conference schedules for all championship sports. Monitoring the Conference budget. Maintaining a compilation of precedents and interpretations of Conference rules and regulations from proceedings of authorized Conference meetings.

13 Maintaining and distributing historical and statistical records for all Conference athletics competition. Standardizing and purchasing all Conference awards and trophies as are necessary for the conference championships. Administering Conference policies involving radio, television and related programs as they develop. Visiting each member institution to inquire into and observe operation of its athletic program. Updating and reprinting as necessary the Conference Constitution, Bylaws and Sport Codes and distributing to each institution's president and athletic director. Taking the necessary disciplinary action against any institution, individual or team found to have violated the rules and regulations of the Conference and/or the NCAA. Assisting any member institution officially notified by the NCAA of alleged violations. Section A: Process Overview ARTICLE VII - LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY AND PROCESS 1. The affairs of the Northeast-10 Conference shall be governed by three distinct documents: Constitution, Bylaws and Sport Codes. New legislation or changes to the existing documents can be initiated by any of the groups whose structures are outlined in Article V. Legislation that passes must then be discussed and passed to the next higher group (see Figure No.1). In some instances, legislation deemed non-controversial or minor in nature may not be acted upon as a specific item by successfully higher groups within the conference's governance structure. 1.(a) Voting Privileges. (See Northeast-10 Conference Bylaw ) Section B: Amendments to the Constitution 1. The Constitution of the Northeast-10 Conference consists of information relevant to the purposes, membership, governance and legislative authority of the conference. The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of present and voting active members at any regular or special meeting of the President's or Director's Councils, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing to the Commissioner thirty (30) days in advance of the meeting and that copies of the proposed changes are received by all members at least fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting. 2. Amendments to the Constitution may be made without meeting the time lines stipulated in Section B.1 by a unanimous vote of the membership at a meeting of the Director's Council. 3. Amendments to the Constitution are subject to approval by the Council of Presidents and, unless otherwise noted, are effective immediately upon said approval. Section C: Bylaws 1. The Bylaws of the Northeast-10 Conference consist of legislation adopted by the membership to uphold the principles of the conference and to ensure equal application of commonly agreed upon rules and regulations. The Bylaws are intended to address rules that are specific to the purposes of the

14 Northeast-10, including rules not covered in existing NCAA legislation, or to apply a more restrictive interpretation to a NCAA rule. 2. The Northeast-10 Bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the Director's Council by a simple majority of the quorum present. 3. Amendments to the Bylaws are subject to approval by the Council of Presidents and, unless otherwise noted, are effective immediately upon approval. Section D: Sport Codes 1. The Sport Codes for the Northeast-10 consist of those policies, procedures and practices specific to the conduct and administration of each conference sport or recognized sports-related committee. 2. Sport Codes may be amended by the executive committee or the commissioner provided no changes are in conflict with existing conference bylaws or other administrative regulations. 3. All changes to Sport Codes are subject to approval by the Directors Council at regularly scheduled meetings ARTICLE VIII - PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY Roberts Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority of the Northeast-10 Conference. ARTICLE IX - EFFECTIVE DATE This constitution of the Northeast-10 Conference becomes effective July 1, 1999.