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PRIVATE ILLINOIS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (PICU):    By-laws

Article I. Name
The name of this organization is Private Illinois Colleges and Universities; hereafter referred to as PICU.

Article II. Purpose and Objectives of PICU
The goal of PICU is to increase matriculation of Illinois community college students to private colleges and universities. To accomplish this goal, the following objectives will be implemented:
Section 1. Increase community college awareness of private colleges and universities in the state of Illinois.
Section 2. Educate community college students, counselors and faculty about the value and financial resources available at private institutions.
Section 3. Increase private institutions contacts with students, counselors and faculty at community colleges.

Article III. Membership
Section 1. Member colleges and universities must be private instructions accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
Section 2 Membership is not available to individual departments or programs within an institution.
Section 3. Member colleges and universities must offer and award Bachelor’s degrees (no technical, vocational or graduate schools).
Section 4. The representatives of participating colleges and universities must be direct employees of the institution able to provide advising and evaluation of transfer credit, in addition to serving in the traditional recruiting role.
Section 5. Payment of an annual membership fee shall be $200 for new membership and $100 for renewal membership.
Section 6. Members are required to attend at least 12 transfer college fairs during each academic year (those who attend fewer than 12 fairs will be required to attend every fair in their respective region), provide an institutional update in the standard format, and attend at least one general membership meeting.
Section 7. Members are expected to support PICU through participation in the management and development of the organization.
Section 8. New membership is limited to not-for-profit institutions whose primary administrative offices are located in Illinois. New members will be accepted only June through August.
Section 9. Severance of Membership
A. Members will be dropped from membership for nonpayment of membership fees.
B. Any member of PICU may be dropped from membership for conduct that is contrary to or destructive of its purposes according to the PICU bylaws. Any member charged with engaging in any such conduct shall be given the opportunity to present evidence through witnesses or shall have the right to appear and have a hearing before the Steering Committee whose decision shall be final.
C. PICU adheres to the IACAC Statement of Practices and Courtesies.
D. To maintain membership in good standing, members must adhere to the requirements listed in Article III.

Article IV. Steering Committee/Appointed Officers
Section 1. The Steering Committee of PICU consists of the Chair, Treasurer (and Membership Chair) and Secretary. Members of the Steering Committee are elected to three-year terms. The Appointed Officers are four Regional Chairs, and Chairs of the following committees: Arrangements, Education, and Publicity/Publications. The Steering Committee shall meet at least twice a year, and shall serve as the Nominating Committee in election years (see Article V).
Section 2. The Steering Committee and Appointed Officers shall carry out the duties specified by the PICU Bylaws and those normally associated with their positions that are not so specified:
A. Chair
The Chair shall be the chief elected officer of PICU, and shall preside at all general meetings and Steering Committee meetings of PICU.
B. Treasurer (and Membership Chair)
The Treasurer shall have the custody of, and be responsible for, all funds and investments of PICU. The Treasurer shall approve all expenditures, keep receipts and an accurate record of those expenditures and deposit all monies of PICU into such bank or depositories as the Steering Committee may approve. The Treasurer shall provide financial reports to the Steering Committee. The Treasurer also maintains records of all PICU members and sends renewal notices to members.
C. Secretary
The Secretary shall keep all records of PICU, take and distribute accurate minutes of the general meetings, notify membership of future meetings and take care of general correspondence.
D Arrangements Chair
The Arrangements Chair shall work closely with the Regional Chairs to establish and distribute a yearly calendar of PICU programs.
E. Education Chair
The Education Chair shall plan and coordinate all program/sessions for PICU. Such programs are to educate students and community college personnel to the benefits of private college and universities.
F. Publications Chair
The Publications Chair shall develop educational brochures about PICU, its functions and its goals. Such publications may include a private college/university poster and or a poster listing degree programs at PICU institutions. The Publications Chair is also responsible for all publicity surrounding PICU events.
G. Technology Chair
The Technology Chair shall conduct research as to the various technological methods that PICU can use to research its audience and achieve its goals.
H. Regional Chairs (4)
The four Regional Chairs of PICU shall plan, in association with the Arrangements Chair, all PICU events in their specific regions of Illinois. Regional Chairs shall also ensure that community colleges in their region be made aware of PICU activities and establish relationships with appropriate community college personnel. The Regional Chairs are expected to facilitate the PICU counselor update sessions during the PICU fairs.
Section 3. PICU shall not compensate any member of the Steering Committee for services rendered to PICU, except for expenses incurred in the performance of duties to PICU that have been approved by a majority vote of the Steering Committee.
Section 4. The Steering Committee shall transact all necessary meeting of PICU all necessary business of PICU, formulate and recommend policies to the membership, and shall carry out such activities as directed by the membership.
Article V. Election of Officers
Section 1. The three presiding officers of PICU (i.e. the Steering Committee) shall be elected every three years at the annual summer meeting. If the election of officers shall not be held at such meeting, such election may be held soon thereafter as conveniently as may be. The members of the Steering Committee shall serve three-year terms. Nominations shall be made in the spring of each election year or at another time determined by the Steering Committee or the Chair.
Section 2. In the event that any Elected/Appointed position becomes vacant, the Committee Chairs shall appoint someone from the membership to assume that role and serve the remainder of the term. Officers may be removed from office by a majority vote of the Steering Committee and/or the membership for failure to perform the duties of the office or failure to uphold the provisions of the Bylaws.

Article VI. Amendments
Amendments to the Bylaws may be discussed at any PICU membership meeting and need to be presented in writing if significant changes are being proposed. Any amendments to the Bylaws require the consideration of a quorum of the members present. A Quorum shall consist of two-thirds of the PICU members present.

Article VII. Non-Discrimination Policy
PICU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, affectional/sexual orientation, or disability in any of its policies, procedures or practices. This non-discrimination policy covers membership and access to PICU programs and activities.