CONSTITUTION

1.       Article 1 – Name of Organization

1.1.        This organization shall be known as the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA).

2.       Article 2 – Object and Authority of the Organization

2.1.        Object: The object of the Association is to protect the interests of member schools and to regulate interscholastic activities that involve member schools from the State of Oregon.

2.2.        Authority:  The administration of rulings by the Executive Board shall be final, except for hardship eligibility appeals as provided in Rule 8.9.1.

1.       Q.   Is the Oregon School Activities Association a relatively new organization?

A.      No.  The Association has had a continuous existence since 1918.

2.       Q.   Is Oregon unique in having an organization to supervise the interscholastic programs of high schools?

A.   No.  All states in the United States and several of the Canadian provinces have organizations with a similar objective.  All states in the United States and several Canadian provinces have banded together and formed the National Federation of State High School Associations with an executive office in Indianapolis, Indiana, that serves the entire United States through its press service, publication of Rules Books, distribution of video materials and in many other ways.

3.       Article 3 – Membership and Dues  See also BP47.

3.1.        Membership: The membership of the Association shall be high schools within the State of Oregon, public or private, that meet the following qualifications:

3.1.1.             Subscribe to the Articles, Rules, Board Policies, Board Interpretations, Participation Limitations, Sports Seasons and Officials Fees (collectively, the Regulations) of the Association.

3.1.2.             Pay general membership dues and participation fees annually as established by the Delegate Assembly.

3.1.3.             Offer a comprehensive curriculum, which meets Oregon graduation requirements.

3.1.4.             Serve students in grades 9-12 or 10-12.

3.1.5.             Participate in at least one OSAA Activity each year.  This requirement does not apply to associate member schools.

3.1.6.             Participate only against schools that are members of the OSAA or schools affiliated with members of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) if the activity is sponsored by the OSAA.  Participation against other schools may be permitted if the contest is sanctioned by the NFHS and OSAA.

EXCEPTION:  Schools for which application of these rules is inappropriate may apply to the Executive Board for an exemption from one or more of the qualifications by providing written justification for the exemption with the “Application for Full Membership.”

3.2.        Dues: The Executive Board shall establish procedures relative to payment of membership dues and special fees for championships.

3.3.        Member Obligation: Members of this Association shall be bound by the Regulations, standards, rulings and position papers of the Association and other decisions made by the Delegate Assembly and/or the Executive Board, and shall be bound to self-report any violations of the Regulations to the Executive Director.

Each full member school shall be a member of and subject to the rules of the district/league/conference to which it is assigned.  Such rules shall not supersede or conflict with the Regulations.  When there is such a conflict, the Regulations shall prevail.

Members of this Association have a responsibility to educate student participants, coaches and other appropriate persons about Association Regulations that could affect them.

3.4.        Associate Membership: Schools granted associate membership status are governed by the standards listed elsewhere in this article, but are limited in that they may not enter teams in OSAA events.

1.       Q.   What are the dues of the Association?

A.   The dues are $300 for each full member school or $100 for each associate member school, payable on or before October 15 of each school year, plus $25 for each OSAA sponsored activity in which the school participates.  Payment of dues and participation fees is due in the OSAA office by October 15.

2.       Q.   May a full member school participate against a school, which is not a member of the Association?

A.   No, unless the contest is sanctioned by the NFHS and OSAA.

3.       Q.   May a student or a team of a member school participate in an organized practice or contest against a student or a team of a college, university, community college, non-high school club, or alumni in contact sports (football, wrestling and soccer)?

A.   No.

4.       Q.   May a student or a team of a member school participate in an organized practice or contest against a student or a team of a college, university, community college, non-high school club, or alumni in non-contact sports?

A.   No, unless approval is granted in writing by the Executive Director.

5.       Q.   Are home schools eligible for membership in the Association?

A.   No.  NOTE:  Home schooled students may be eligible at the public school or the private school in whose district their parents reside.  See also BP28.

6.       Q.   May an associate member school form a team and participate against a team from another associate member school?

A.   Yes.

7.       Q.   May an associate member school form a team and participate against an OSAA full member school?

A.   No.  If an associate member school wishes to participate against OSAA full member schools, the associate member school would need to apply for and be granted full membership prior to competition.

8.       Q.   May an associate member school participate against a non-member school in OSAA activities?

A.   Yes.  Unlike full member schools that may not participate against non-member schools, associate member schools are permitted to participate against non-member schools.

4.       Article 4 – Delegate Assembly

4.1.        Composition:

4.1.1.             The Delegate Assembly shall be composed of 30 representatives elected by the members of regular athletic districts, one athletic director representative elected by the Oregon Athletic Directors Association, one activities director representative selected by the OSAA Student Activities Advisory Committee, one school boards representative elected by the Oregon School Boards Association and one advisory coach representative elected by the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association.

4.1.2.             The Delegate Assembly shall be limited to not more than 34 members.  The athletic district representatives shall be superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, or assistant principals of high schools, which are members of the Association.  The athletic director representative shall be a member of the Oregon Athletic Directors Association.  The activities director member shall be a superintendent, assistant superintendent, principal, assistant principal or the equivalent of an OSAA member high school.  The school board representative shall be a member of the Oregon School Boards Association.  The advisory coach representative shall be a member of the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association.

4.1.3.             The Executive Director shall be an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Delegate Assembly.

4.2.        Authority:

4.2.1.             The Delegate Assembly shall adopt Regulations, elect the President and the Executive Board of the Association, and determine membership dues.  The Delegate Assembly may adopt policies and positions for the Association.

4.2.2.             The Delegate Assembly may adopt or amend Articles of this Constitution, adopt or amend Rules of this Constitution, and amend or revoke Executive Board Policies, Participation Limitations, Sports Seasons Limitations, and/or Board Interpretations, according to Article 10, Amendments.

4.3.        Elections: Each Association regular athletic district (Article 7.1.) shall elect one representative to the Delegate Assembly.

4.3.1.             Each regular athletic district shall determine its own nominees who meet the qualifications of this office.

4.3.2.             The election shall be conducted by the superintendent chair of the regular athletic district committee.  The superintendent shall report the name of the representative to the executive director in writing by September 15.

4.3.3.             In case a vacancy arises in any regular athletic district following the election, the district shall elect a replacement within 30 calendar days.

4.3.4.             Any regular athletic district that has a representative on the Executive Board shall not conduct an election for the Delegate Assembly.

4.4.        Term of Office: The term of office members of the Delegate Assembly shall begin on September 15 and shall be for three years.  Members shall not serve more than two consecutive terms, except for a member who is elected to the Executive Board who may then serve until his/her term on the Executive Board expires.  The term of office for the President of the Association shall be one year.  A President shall not serve more than one term.

A duly elected member of the Delegate Assembly whose position changes during the second half of the three-year term is eligible to complete the term of office if the new position retains some responsibility for secondary education and is at least equal in rank to the position of high school assistant principal and is within the same athletic district from which originally elected.

4.5.        Meetings:

4.5.1.             Regular Meetings:  The Delegate Assembly shall meet in October and in April.  Election of Executive Board members shall be held in April.

4.5.2.             Special Meetings:  Special meetings may be called when one-third (11) of the voting members of the Delegate Assembly petition for a special meeting of the Delegate Assembly.  The Executive Director shall poll all the Delegate Assembly members, and if two-thirds (22) of the voting Delegate Assembly members approve, a special meeting shall be called. 

4.5.3.             Quorum:  A quorum shall consist of a majority (17) of the total voting membership of the Delegate Assembly.

4.5.4.             Voting Body:  Only members of the Delegate Assembly in attendance shall be entitled to vote.  Substitute members or proxy voting is not permissible.

4.5.5.             Presiding Officers:  The Delegate Assembly shall be presided over by the President of the Association, who shall be a member of the Executive Board.  In the absence of the President, the Vice-President of the Executive Board shall preside.

4.5.6.             Any representative (administrator, athletic director, coach/activity supervisor) from a member school shall have a voice without a vote at the Delegate Assembly and shall be recognized by the chair according to procedures established by the chair.

1.       Q.   May an assistant superintendent serve as a member of the Delegate Assembly and/or as a member of the Executive Board?

A.   Yes.

2.       Q.   May an assistant principal serve as a member of the Delegate Assembly and/or as a member of the Executive Board?

A.   Yes.  The term “assistant principals” includes all licensed, serving high school assistant and vice principals.

5.       Article 5 –  Executive Board

5.1.        Composition: The Executive Board shall be composed of 11 elected members and shall consist of three 4A, two 3A, two 2A-1A school representatives, and a representative of the Oregon Athletic Directors Association, an activities director representative, a representative of the Oregon School Boards Association and an advisory coach representative of the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association.

5.1.1.             One 4A member shall be elected from Districts 1, 2, and 3.

5.1.2.             One 4A member shall be elected from Districts 4, 8 and 9.

5.1.3.             One 4A member shall be elected from Districts 5, 6 and 7.

5.1.4.             One 3A member shall be elected from Districts 1, 2, 3 and 4.

5.1.5.             One 3A member shall be elected from Districts 5, 6, 7 and 8.

5.1.6.             One 2A-1A member shall be elected from 2A, Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4 and from 1A, Districts 1 and 5.

5.1.7.             One 2A-1A member shall be elected from 2A, Districts 5, 6, 7, and 8 and from 1A, Districts 2, 3 and 4.

5.1.8.             The representative of the Oregon School Boards Association shall be elected by his/her organization.

5.1.9.             An athletic director representative shall be elected by the Oregon Athletic Directors Association.

5.1.10.         An activities director representative shall be selected by the OSAA Student Activities Advisory Committee.

5.1.11.         An advisory coach representative shall be elected by the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association.  Each coach representative shall represent a different classification than his/her immediate predecessor in the position.

5.1.12.         The Executive Director shall be an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Executive Board.

5.2.        Authority:

5.2.1.             The Executive Board shall manage the business and affairs of the Association and shall have the power and duty to:

(a)    Establish operational guidelines and determine the investments for the Association.

(b)    Exercise control over all activities and contests between schools that are members of the Association.

(c)     Exercise control over all state championships and approve contest officials for such.

(d)    Approve standards (athletic plans), invitational meets, contests, and activities.

(e)    Determine penalties for violations by member schools, their employees, representatives, and/or students of Association Regulations.

(f)      Determine penalties for violations by certified officials of the Regulations and of the By-Laws of the OSAA Athletic Officials Handbook (The “Prohibited Conduct”).

(g)    Make rulings applicable to eligibility requirements.

(h)    Administer the rules contained in each sport's athletic plan.

(i)      Administer the Regulations, which shall govern each student who represents his/her school in any interscholastic activity and the conduct of each official.

(j)      Make investigations relative to the violation of the Regulations.  If charges are brought against any school for violation of the Regulations, or violation of the spirit of fair play and good sportsmanship, the Executive Board shall consider such charges and determine and assess penalties in case of conviction.  Any school or official charged with a violation of the Regulations shall be given an opportunity to be represented at the hearing of its case before the Executive Board.

(k)     Appoint special committees to assist in the arrangements and supervision of various activities and contests.

(l)      Approve or deny applications for membership in the Association.

(m)  Adopt or amend Board Policies, Participation Limitations, Sports Seasons Limitations, Board Interpretations and the OSAA Athletic Officials Handbook all of which shall have the binding force and effect of Rules adopted by the Delegate Assembly, but which may be adopted and amended without reference to Article 10 of this Constitution.

(n)    Divide the state into athletic districts and assign member schools to said athletic districts for the purpose of administration, championships, and meets.

(o)    Adopt interim Regulations in the event the Legislature or a court ruling invalidates a portion of the OSAA Handbook.

(p)    Approve the annual operating budget of the Association.

(q)    Take any other action authorized by the Delegate Assembly.

1.       Q.   Are protests against the decision of an official in a game reviewed by the Executive Board?

A.   No.  The Executive Board will not review the decisions of officials whether due to ignorance of the rules or errors in judgment.  The competing schools must accept, without protest, the rulings of the officials who have been approved by the competing schools to have full charge of the contest.

2.       Q.   Will the Executive Board hear protests based upon the application of the rules of any particular sport or protests that involve judgment on the part of game official?

A.   No.

3.       Q.   Will the Executive Board hear protests based upon the conduct of an official that violates the Regulations or the Prohibited Conduct?

A.   Yes.

5.3.        Election: Members shall be elected to the Executive Board by a majority vote of the Delegate Assembly members present and voting at the regular April meeting.  Members shall assume office June 15 following their election.

5.4.        Meetings:  The Executive Board shall meet at least four times per year, as follows:  September, December, February, and May.  In addition, the Board shall meet in October once every four years to approve or disapprove revisions proposed by the Classification and Districting Committee.  The Executive Board may confer and take action by telephone conference call, by other media or by mail ballots.

5.4.1.             Six affirming votes (a majority of the full Board) shall be required in order for the Executive Board to take action on a main motion regardless of the number of Board members in attendance at that meeting.

5.4.2.             Any representative, i.e., administrator, athletic director, coach/activity supervisor, from a member school shall have a voice without a vote at an Executive Board meeting and shall be recognized by the chair according to procedures established by the chair, unless the Executive Board determines that it is appropriate to meet in executive session..

5.5.        Terms of Office: The term of office for a member of the Executive Board shall be three years.  A member shall not serve more than two terms.  A member who is appointed or elected to fill an unexpired term shall be eligible for up to two full three-year terms starting with the first meeting attended.  The term of office for the President and for the Vice President shall commence on June 15 following their election and shall be for one year only.

5.6.        Summer Meeting Attendance: Executive Board members are immediately eligible upon election to attend NFHS Summer Meetings representing the Association.  Individual Board member eligibility for NFHS Summer Meeting attendance expires when the member vacates his/her Board position.

5.7.        Qualifications:

5.7.1.             To serve as a member of the Executive Board, a person shall be employed as a superintendent, assistant superintendent, high school principal or high school assistant principal of a member school within the state of Oregon, except for the Oregon School Boards Association representative, Oregon Athletic Directors Association representative and the advisory Oregon Athletic Coaches Association representative, who shall each be members of their respective organizations.

A duly elected member of the Executive Board whose position changes during the second half of his/her term is eligible to complete the term of office if the new position retains some responsibility for secondary education and is at least equal in rank to the position of high school assistant principal and is within the same classification and geographical area from which originally elected.

5.7.2.             If a member of the Executive Board is an elected member of the Executive Committee of the NFHS and his/her term on the Association Executive Board has expired, the member shall remain on the Executive Board as a non-voting, member-at-large, as long as he/she remains a member of said National Executive Committee.

5.7.3.             To be elected President of the Association by the Delegate Assembly, a person shall be a member of the Executive Board.

5.8.        Vacancy:

5.8.1.             A vacancy shall be declared by the Executive Director when any member of the Executive Board resigns, moves from the area or classification he/she represents, no longer serves in a position described in Article 5.7.1., dies or becomes incapacitated, withdraws or otherwise becomes disqualified from the teaching profession, or when there is a lapse of membership or suspension of the school employing said member.

5.8.2.             A vacancy may be filled, if it occurs more than 90 days prior to the next regularly scheduled Delegate Assembly meeting, by appointment by the remaining members of the Executive Board.  Such appointment shall be temporary, and the appointee will serve until the next meeting of the Delegate Assembly, at which time all temporary appointments shall be filled by election for the unexpired term.  The order of rotation for election area representatives on the Executive Board shall remain the same.

5.9.        Presiding Officers:  The President of the Association also shall serve as President of and preside over the Executive Board.  A Vice President shall be elected by the Executive Board from its own membership, and shall preside over the Executive Board in the absence of the President of the Association.

5.10.     Executive Director:  The Executive Board shall have the authority to hire the Executive Director, to determine the salaries, employment conditions, and location of the office.  The Executive Director's duties shall be to:

5.10.1.         Supervise and evaluate employees of the Association.

5.10.2.         Collect and disburse the funds of the Association.

5.10.3.         Supervise the Association business.

5.10.4.         Interpret and implement the Regulations of the Association.

5.10.5.         Perform other duties as defined by the Executive Board.

5.10.6.         Adopt reasonable policies and rules to conduct Association business.

1.       Q.   How many terms may a member of the Executive Board serve?

A.   A member shall serve no more than two three-year terms.  A member who is appointed or elected to fill an unexpired term shall be eligible for one additional full term.  The term of the President and for the Vice President shall be one year only.

2.       Q.   Do Executive Board members represent athletic districts?

A.   No, they represent all schools but are selected based upon their classification and region.

6.       Article 6 - Classification of Schools.  See also BP12.

6.1.        Computation of Average Daily Membership (A.D.M.) for the purpose of assignment of schools to a classification for a four-year time block.

6.1.1.             Public High Schools:  Public high schools shall be classified for activities based upon the Average Daily Membership (A.D.M.) shown on the Annual Report submitted by the Department of Education to the Superintendent of Public Instruction at the close of the previous school year.  Students attending charter schools shall not be counted in determining the A.D.M. for any school other than that charter school.

6.1.2.             Private High Schools:  Private high schools shall be classified for activities based upon the Average Daily Membership (A.D.M.) computed by the OSAA.  The OSAA shall compute private school A.D.M. by determining the average of the actual enrollment reported to the OSAA by private schools for four dates (September 30, December 31, March 31, last day of school) during the previous school year.

6.1.3.             Associate Member Schools:  Associate member schools shall be neither classified nor assigned to an athletic district.

6.1.4.             Other A.D.M. computation procedures.

(a)    Grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 shall be used as a base to determine the classification figure.

(b)    The coeducational school shall be used as a base.  For a non-coeducational school, the A.D.M. shall be doubled to determine the classification figure.

6.1.5.             Enrollment Limits: The following A.D.M. limits are used in classifying and assigning schools to district competition:

4A:  901 or more

3A:  326 to 900

2A:  116 to 325

1A:  1 to 115

6.2.        Assignment of schools to a classification for a four-year time block.

6.2.1.             A Classification and Districting Committee shall be established to gather information and make recommendations to the Executive Board regarding classification and district assignments for the four-year time block.  See also Article 9.3.  and BP11.

6.2.2.             A school may petition for a change in its assigned classification.

6.2.3.             Schools may choose to compete outside their assigned classification in any sport but will not be eligible for district or state honors outside their assigned classification in that sport.

6.2.4.             When initially assigning a school to a classification at the beginning of a four-year time block, the Executive Board may consider evidence submitted by that school concerning its potential enrollment during the four-year time block, in addition to the above criteria.

6.2.5.             The Executive Board shall approve or disapprove all classification changes at its quadrennial October Classification and Districting meeting.  Classification changes will become effective September 1, 2002 and every four years thereafter.

6.3.        Changes in classification during the four-year time block.

6.3.1.             The Executive Board may make what it considers a necessary change or changes in classification either up or down.

6.3.2.             After placement in a classification for a four-year time block and a school exceeds the upper enrollment limit for its classification, the school shall be subject to review by the Executive Board with possible placement in the next higher classification for the remainder of the time block.

6.3.3.             After placement in a classification for a four-year time block and a school falls below the lower enrollment limit for its classification, the school may petition the Executive Board for placement in the next lower classification for the remainder of the time block.

6.3.4.             The Executive Board shall consider classification changes during the four-year time block only at the annual December Board meeting.

6.4.        Cooperative Sponsorship of an activity by two or more schools may be considered following procedures established by the Executive Board.  See also BP14.

6.4.1.             Only full member schools may apply for cooperative sponsorship.  Schools requesting cooperative sponsorship should make every effort to co-sponsor an activity with the nearest school that also has difficulty sponsoring the activity by itself.  Cooperative sponsorship shall be considered only for 1A, 2A, and 3A schools.  Classification placement for the requested activity will be determined by the total combined A.D.M. in grades 9 through 12 of the schools involved.  EXCEPTION:  The Executive Board also may approve cooperative sponsorship involving 1A, 2A, or 3A schools with a 4A school if the 1A, 2A, or 3A schools are located in an isolated area or are unable to find a closer 1A, 2A, or 3A school willing to enter into a cooperative sponsorship agreement.

1.       Q.   If a school is interested in changing classifications, how should it proceed?

A.   The school should petition the Executive Board for a change in its placement on or before November 1 of the school year prior to the year in which the change would take effect.

2.       Q.   May a school qualify for district and state honors outside its assigned classification in selected activities?

A.   No.

7.       Article 7 – Representative Districts

7.1.        Regular and Special Athletic Districts.  The high schools of the state shall be divided into nine regular athletic districts for 4A, and eight regular athletic districts for  3A, and eight regular athletic districts for 2A and five regular athletic districts for  1A as follows:

7.1.1.              4A: Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

 3A: Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

 2A: Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

 1A: Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

7.1.2.             Special athletic districts may be established or changed by the Executive Board for activities wherein not enough schools participate.  See also BP59.

7.2.        Assignment of schools to a district for a four-year time block.

7.2.1.             A school may petition for a change from its assigned regular athletic district at the end of a four-year time block.

7.2.2.             The Executive Board shall approve or disapprove all changes in regular athletic districts at its quadrennial December meeting.  Each application shall be voted upon individually.  Regular athletic district changes shall become effective September 1, 2002 and every four years thereafter.

7.3.        Changes in district assignments during a four-year time block.

7.3.1.             The Executive Board may, at its discretion, make what it considers a necessary change or changes to district assignments during a four-year time block.

7.3.2.             The Executive Board shall establish special athletic districts.  A written application shall be submitted to the Executive Director not later than October 15 preceding the school year in which the change is to become effective.

7.4.        The Executive Board shall define the districts for competition in activities other than athletics.

1.       Q.   May a school assigned to a district compete in an independent schedule in a particular sport?

A.   Yes, but the school would be ineligible for district or state honors in that sport.

8.       Article 8 – Parliamentary Authority

8.1.        The Delegate Assembly shall determine the parliamentary authority, which shall govern it in all parliamentary situations that are not provided in law or the Regulations of the Association.

9.       Article 9 – Standing Committees

9.1.        Budget Committee:

9.1.1.             Charge: The Committee shall prepare a yearly Association budget for presentation to the Executive Board for approval at the May Board meeting.

9.1.2.             Composition: The Committee shall consist of one 4A, one 3A and one 2A-1A school member from the Delegate Assembly; one 4A, one 3A and one 2A-1A school superintendent, assistant superintendent, high school principal or high school assistant principal not a member of the Delegate Assembly; one athletic director representative; one activities director representative; one coach representative; one representative of the Oregon School Boards Association; and the Executive Director of the Association.  In addition, the Board shall appoint a chair.

9.1.3.             Term: Members of the Committee shall serve three-year non-renewable terms.  The Chair shall also serve a three-year term, but may be a former committee member.  A membership rotation schedule for the committee shall be established in which approximately one-third of the members shall be replaced each year.

9.1.4.             Meetings: The Committee shall meet annually in April.

9.2.        Citizenship / Sportsmanship Committee:

9.2.1.             Charge: The Committee shall serve in an advisory capacity relative to the issues of sportsmanship and citizenship.  The priority of this guidance is insuring the opportunity for students, coaches, and officials to perform in safe, civil environments, and to demonstrate the educational values inherent in high school activities.  Additionally, the Committee shall review school plans of correction as related to the ejection policies of the OSAA.

9.2.2.             Composition: The Committee shall consist of representatives to include one member of the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association, two Athletics Directors, two Activities Directors, one Officials representative, one Principal/Superintendent, one OSBA representative.

9.2.3.             Term: Members of the Committee shall serve a three-year non-renewable term.  Attention will be paid to the term limit rotation to insure balance between experienced members and new members.

9.2.4.             Meetings: The Committee shall convene twice yearly in October and April to address concerns and make recommendations to the Executive Board.

9.3.        Classification and Districting Committee:

9.3.1.             Charge: The Committee shall make recommendations to the Executive Board regarding classification and district assignments for the upcoming four-year time block.  The duties and responsibilities of the Committee shall be:

(a)    To hold public hearings and provide correspondence to interested parties regarding classification and district assignments for the upcoming four-year time block.

(b)    To hear testimony from any school or other interested party, including information on the numbers of students currently enrolled in grades 8, 7 and 6.

(c)     To make recommendations to the Executive Board regarding classification and district assignments and enrollment limits for the upcoming four-year time block.

(d)    To consider the following criteria, among any other they deem relevant, for recommending placement of schools in athletic districts:

(1)          geographic location;

(2)          cost of travel;

(3)          scheduling problems;

(4)          athletic district balance;

(5)          athletic district history;

(6)          move as few schools as possible;

(7)          enrollment;

(8)          maintain schools within the same school district in the same league;

(9)          Loss of class time.

NOTE:  The above list is not in any priority order.

9.3.2.             Composition: The Committee members shall be superintendents, assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals, athletic directors, activities directors, coaches, or school board members.  Each classification, region, and interest group represented on the Executive Board shall be represented by an appointment to the Committee.

The Vice President of the Executive Board shall serve as an ex-officio, non-voting member of the Committee.

9.3.3.             Term: Members of the Committee shall serve for a "process cycle" which includes meetings conducted two years prior to the change of four-year time block.  The Committee recommendations shall be made to the Executive Board one year prior to the changes being implemented.  The Committee shall schedule meetings during the 2004-2005 school year to make recommendations for the 2006-2010 time block, and during the 2008-2009 school year for the 2010-2015 time block.

9.3.4.             Meetings: The Committee shall adopt a schedule of meetings based upon the issues under consideration.  The schedule shall include an appropriate number of meetings in which to conduct the business of the Committee and may include travel to several venues.

9.4.        Medical Aspects of Sports Committee:

9.4.1.             Charge: The Committee is a joint committee of the OSAA and the Oregon Medical Association (OMA).  Its primary purpose is to ensure the health and safety of student-athletes who participate in OSAA sponsored activities.

9.4.2.             Composition: The Committee membership includes physicians from various fields of practice (orthopedic, cardiology, family practice, internal medicine, sports medicine), athletic trainers, and OSAA staff.  Current composition includes 19 people (OSAA Executive Director, OMA Executive Director, 15 physicians, and two OATS athletic trainers).  Members are selected based upon interest and expertise, with geographic representation a consideration.

9.4.3.             Term: Committee members serve at the request of the OSAA Executive Director and have no predetermined term limits.

9.4.4.             Meetings: The Medical Aspects of Sports Committee meets quarterly (four times during each school year).

9.5.        State Championships Committee:

9.5.1.             Charge: It shall be the duty of the Committee to review championship formats, participation policies, and issues relative to the administration of OSAA State Championships.  The Committee may forward recommendations for modifications to the OSAA Executive Board.

9.5.2.             Composition: Committee membership shall mirror the OSAA Executive Board.  Each classification, region, and interest group represented on the Executive Board shall be represented by an appointment to the Committee.

9.5.3.             Term: Members of the Committee shall serve through one review cycle, and may be reappointed to subsequent Committees at the discretion of the Board.

9.5.4.             Meetings: The Committee shall convene every four years to address issues of championships format.  Within the meeting year, the Committee shall meet as needed but at a minimum three times to receive public testimony.  The Committee shall meet in 2003, 2007 and 2011 to make recommendations for 2004, 2008 and 2012 respectively.

The Executive Board may convene the Committee at other times if, in the opinion of the Board, the need arises.

9.6.        Student Activities Advisory Committee:

9.6.1.             Charge: The purpose of the Committee shall be to serve as a conduit for open communication among representatives of the activities and the school representatives and staff of the OSAA.  The Committee shall not be a policy making body, but shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Executive Board, Delegate Assembly and staff of the OSAA.  Support from the Committee for recommendations of the respective Student Activities coach and advisor associations shall be required prior to consideration of those recommendations by the OSAA Executive Board.

9.6.2.             Composition: The Committee shall be composed of two representatives of each of the OSAA sponsored activities- cheer, dance, music, and speech.

Committee members shall be current high school employees.  The Activities Representative to the OSAA Executive Board shall be an ex-officio member of the Committee.

9.6.3.             Term: Members of the Committee shall serve a three-year renewable term in a cycle such that approximately one-third of the Committee members shall be replaced each year.

9.6.4.             Meetings: The OSAA shall establish a calendar for the Committee to meet a maximum of three times yearly, generally in October, mid-January and near the end of May.

10.   Article 10 – Amendments

10.1.     The Articles of the Constitution of this Association may be amended by 3/4 vote of the Delegate Assembly members present and voting or by written mail-in ballot, provided the following conditions are met:

10.1.1.         The proposed Article amendment is signed by four school superintendents, assistant superintendents, high school principals, and/or high school assistant principals.  Each signee must be a member of a different Delegate Assembly district from any other signee.  The Executive Board also may sponsor Article amendments.

10.1.2.         The proposed Article amendment is submitted by superintendents, assistant superintendents, high school principals or high school assistant principals whose schools are members of the Association, or by the Executive Board.

10.1.3.         The proposed Article amendment is received by the Executive Director not later than 45 calendar days prior to the meeting of the Delegate Assembly.  The Executive Director shall receive all proposals and distribute them to all member schools at least 15 calendar days prior to a meeting of the Delegate Assembly.

10.1.4.         The proposed Article amendment contains the exact wording.

10.1.5.         A statement setting forth its merits accompanies said proposal.

10.2.     Any amendment to a proposed amendment for an Article of the Constitution requires a 2/3 favorable vote for approval by the Delegate Assembly members present and voting or by written mail-in ballot.

10.3.     The Articles of the Constitution may also be amended effective immediately without prior notice to member schools if the amendment is adopted by a unanimous vote of the Delegate Assembly members present and voting, or by unanimous written consent.

10.4.     Amendments to the Articles of the Constitution shall become effective August 1 following their adoption unless a specific date is included in the amendment.

10.5.     The Rules of the Constitution of this Association may be amended by a majority vote of the Delegate Assembly members present and voting or by written mail-in ballot, provided the following conditions are met:

10.5.1.         The proposed Rule amendment is signed by four school superintendents, assistant superintendents, high school principals, and/or high school assistant principals.  Each signee must be a member of a different Delegate Assembly district from any other signee.  The Executive Board also may sponsor amendments.

10.5.2.         The proposed Rule amendment is submitted by a superintendents, assistant superintendents, high school principals or high school assistant principals whose schools are members of the Association, or by the Executive Board.

10.5.3.         The proposed Rule amendment is received by the Executive Director no later than 30 calendar days prior to the meeting of the Delegate Assembly.  The Executive Director shall receive all proposals and distribute them to all member schools at least 15 calendar days prior to a meeting of the Delegate Assembly.

10.6.     An amendment to a proposed amendment of a Rule of the Constitution shall require a majority favorable vote of the Delegate Assembly members present and voting or by written mail-in ballot in order to be approved.

10.7.     Amendments to the Rules of the Constitution may be approved without prior notice to member schools by a 2/3 vote of the Delegate Assembly members present and voting, or by written mail-in ballot.

10.8.     Amendments to the Rules of the Constitution shall become effective immediately unless a specific date is included in the amendment.

10.9.     The Delegate Assembly may amend or revoke Executive Board Policies, Participation Limitations, Sports Seasons Limitations and/or Board Interpretations using the same procedures and satisfying the same timelines as listed in this Article for amendment of the Rules of the Constitution.

10.10. The Executive Board may authorize non-substantive editorial changes in the wording of the Articles and Rules without review by the Delegate Assembly.

1.       Q.   When are proposed amendments to the OSAA Constitution due in the OSAA office for consideration by the Delegate Assembly?

A.   If the proposed amendment is to change an Article, it is due 45 days prior to the Delegate Assembly meeting.  If the proposed amendment is to change a Rule, it is due 30 days prior to the Delegate Assembly meeting.

2.       Q.   When do amendments to the OSAA Constitution become effective after being passed by the Delegate Assembly?

A.   An amendment to the Articles in the Constitution becomes effective the following August 1, unless otherwise specified.  An amendment to the Rules in the Constitution becomes effective immediately upon adoption unless another date is specified.

 

 

 

 

RULES – Athletic, Cheerleading and Dance / Drill

In accordance with its rule making authority under Article 4.2 of the OSAA Constitution, the Delegate Assembly has adopted the following Rules, which shall govern each official, athletic district and student who represents his/her school in any interscholastic activity sponsored by the Association.

It should be noted that these Rules are intended to relate only to the regulation of interscholastic activities sponsored by the Association.  The Association does not promulgate and takes no responsibility for the adoption of Rules concerning the safety of individual participants in interscholastic activities.  The members of the Association recognize and agree this responsibility rests with the school districts and with their member schools.

1.       Rule 1 – Responsibility of the Principal

1.1.        Certification of Student Eligibility: The high school principal shall be held accountable for accurate certification regarding eligibility of students.  The high school principal shall submit a seasonal eligibility report to the Executive Director prior to the first interscholastic competition of that season.  Form is available for download from the OSAA website, www.osaa.org, Handbook and Forms section, and in the Forms section of this Handbook

1.2.        Coach Certification: Coaches shall be certified through the NFHS Coaches Education Program (NFCEP) by achieving a passing score on the certification test prior to assuming coaching duties.  The high school principal shall be held accountable for verifying that coaches have been certified.  The high school principal shall submit a seasonal eligibility report to the Executive Director prior to the first interscholastic competition of that season.  EXCEPTION:  Any emergency exception must be authorized in writing by the OSAA.  Form is available for download from the OSAA website, www.osaa.org, Handbook and Forms section, and in the Forms section of this Handbook

1.3.        Trips:  The high school principal, or the high school principal's authorized representative, shall accompany all school teams or individuals participating in an activity.  The school shall be responsible for acts of its school teams or individuals while on trips, or while participating in any such activity.

1.       Q.   When should Eligibility Reports be submitted to the Executive Director of the Association?

A.   Eligibility Reports are due to the Executive Director prior to the first contest date in each sport season.

2.       Q.   Is certification required of all coaches?

A.   No.  Coaches need NOT be certified if a certified coach is present at all times when the non-certified coach is working with students.

3.       Q.   When must a coach be certified?

A.   A coach must be certified if at any time for any reason (ejection, illness, etc.) the coach is, or could be, solely responsible for coaching a team.

4.       Q.   Must a non-certified coach wait until the certification test results are received prior to coaching?

A.   No.  Once a certification class has been completed, the non-certified coach who has completed the class and submitted the test may coach while awaiting test results.  Online course test results are immediate.

5.       Q.   If a cheerleading squad or dance team functions only in a support capacity and does not attend competitions, must the coach be certified?

A.   No.  In the same way that students that do not participate in competitions are not required to satisfy OSAA eligibility requirements, coaches of teams that do not participate in competitions are not required to satisfy OSAA certification requirements.

6.       Q.   In individual sports, may a parent or non-certified coach accompany a participant to a competition as the school representative if that person is an authorized representative of the principal?

A.   Yes, but the authorized representative may not coach the participant unless specific permission has been granted in writing by the Executive Director.

2.       Rule 2 – Officials

2.1.        The Athletic Officials Handbook shall govern the officiating of interscholastic activities, except as defined by this Rule.

2.2.        The superintendent, assistant superintendent, or high school principal has the authority to approve the selection of officials for all festivals, meets, contests, and championships.  State championship and playoff officials’ selections shall be made by the commissioner or local association with input from the schools serviced by that association.

2.3.        An official shall not violate any of the Association’s Regulations or engage in any of the Prohibited Conduct (listed below) set forth in the By-Laws of the OSAA Athletic Officials Handbook.

2.4.        Prohibited Conduct – An individual official shall not:

2.4.1.             Use tobacco products, drugs, and/or alcoholic beverages, or being under the influence of drug and/or alcoholic beverages at an interscholastic facility.

2.4.2.             Engage in unsportsmanlike conduct at an interscholastic event.  “Unsportsmanlike conduct" includes, but is not limited to, unwarranted physical contact, profane language, and/or taunting.  Unwarranted physical contact initiated by an official toward a coach/player shall be considered a gross act of unsportsmanlike conduct.

2.4.3.             Make a bet or take a bribe in connection with an interscholastic event.

2.4.4.             Have been convicted of:

(a)    a felony involving the use, possession or sale of a controlled substance within the past 10 years;

(b)    a crime involving the use or threatened use of violence against a person within the past 10 years; or

(c)     a crime involving a minor child at any time.

2.4.5.             Engage in any action which, within the discretion of the Commissioner of the local Association or the OSAA Executive Board, gives rise to a concern for the safety of children due to the official’s conduct, indicates that the official cannot objectively perform the official’s duties, or otherwise is inconsistent with the OSAA’s responsibilities to its member schools, the student participants or the parents of the participants.

1.       Q.   Who selects officials for a state level contest?

A.   State championship and playoff officials’ selections shall be made by the commissioner or local association with input from the schools serviced by that association.

2.       Q.   May two schools mutually agree to waive certain association rules such as playing a contest without the use of certified officials when certified officials are required?

A.   Association or playing rules may not be waived by mutual consent.

3.       Q.   At what levels are certified officials required?

A.   See Officials Maximum Fee Schedule section of this Handbook.

4.       Q.   How will cheerleading judges be selected for competitions in Oregon?

A.   Sponsoring organizations shall contact the OSAA for a list of qualified judges.

5.       Q.   Are protests against the decision of an official in a game reviewed by the Executive Board?

A.   No.  The Executive Board will not review the decisions of officials whether due to ignorance of the rules or errors in judgment.  The competing schools must accept, without protest, the rulings of the officials who have been approved by the competing schools to have full charge of the contest.

6.       Q.   Will the Executive Board hear protests based upon the application of the rules of any particular sport or protests that involve judgment on the part of game officials?

A.   No.

7.       Q.   Will the Executive Board hear protests based upon the conduct of an official that violates the Regulations?

A.   Yes.

3.       Rule 3 – Contests – Sportsmanship – Crowd Control

3.1.        The arrangement of all festivals, meets, contests, or championships is the responsibility of the superintendent, assistant superintendent, or high school principal, subject to the approval of the Association.  Participation in any or all activities is optional for the individual school.

3.2.        When a festival, meet, contest, or championship is in progress, the official National Federation rules governing such activities shall apply, except for specific deviations as approved by the Executive Board.

3.3.        <