Main Menu

ARC Bylaws

Preamble

The members of the Atlantic Rugby Conference subscribe to the principle that intercollegiate athletics is a vital part of higher education and is regarded as an integral part of the educational programs. The intercollegiate athletic programs shall be administered and conducted in a manner consistent with the institutions’ educational policies. 

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

The members of this Conference are dedicated to a continuing effort to maintain intercollegiate athletics in harmony with the essential educational purposes of the institution. To reinforce these principles, the Atlantic Rugby Conference believes in and subscribes to the fundamental purposes, policies, and principles governing the conduct of intercollegiate athletics as adopted by the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR).

Article I: Name and Purpose

Section 1. Name
The official name of this organization shall be the Atlantic Rugby Conference (ARC), hereinafter referred to as the “Conference.”

Section 2. Purpose
The purpose of the Atlantic Rugby Conference is to promote the development, organization, and competitive play of men’s collegiate rugby teams in the Division I category across National College Rugby. The Conference aims to:

  • Foster a spirit of competition, sportsmanship, and unity among its member institutions.
  • Enhance the visibility and prestige of men’s rugby within collegiate athletics.
  • Recognize and enhance the student athlete experience.   
  • Provide a structured league for teams to compete at a high level of performance while ensuring fairness and integrity.
  • Coordinate the scheduling of regular season games, championship events, and other rugby-related activities.

Article II: Membership

Section 1. Eligibility
Membership in the Conference shall be open to men’s collegiate rugby teams that meet the following criteria:

  • The institution must be a recognized NCR Division I program.
  • The team must be actively competing in intercollegiate rugby, under the governance of their respective universities.
  • The team must adhere to all rules and regulations set forth by the Conference and National College Rugby.
  • The inaugural members are as follows: 
    • Belmont Abbey College
    • Kutztown University
    • St. Bonaventure University
    • Queens University 
    • Walsh University 
    • Wheeling University

Section 2. Membership Application and Approval
New teams wishing to join the Conference must submit a formal application to the Conference Board of Directors. Approval for membership will be granted by a majority vote of the Board, based on:

  • Institutional commitment to rugby.
  • Substantial roster depth and player sustainability
  • History and performance of the team.
  • Travel logistics and financial feasibility for participation in the Conference.

Section 3. Rights and Responsibilities
Member institutions are entitled to:

  • Participate in all Conference events and activities.
  • Vote on matters that require membership approval.
  • Represent the Conference in national and regional rugby events.

Member institutions are required to:

  • Comply with all Conference bylaws, rules, and regulations.
  • Submit rosters, schedules, and other required documentation on time.
  • Maintain proper conduct in accordance with the values of sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for the game.

Article III: Governance

Section 1. Members Board
The governing body of the Conference shall be the Members Board, which consists of the following positions:

  1. Administrator: The Administrator shall be the chief executive officer of the Conference, responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, enforcing bylaws, and representing the Conference in external matters.
  2. Member Representatives: Each member institution shall have one representative, typically the Head Coach or Athletic Director, who will participate in Board meetings, vote on issues, and represent the interests of their institution.

Section 2. Duties of the Board
The Members Board is responsible for:

  • Approving all policies, procedures, and changes to these bylaws.
  • Reviewing and deciding on disciplinary actions involving teams, coaches, or individuals.
  • Managing the overall schedule, including regular season matches, playoffs, and championships.
  • Ensuring compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.
  • Establishing annual membership fees and other financial requirements.

Section 3. Meetings

  • The Members Board shall meet at least twice annually, with one meeting occurring before the start of the season and another at the conclusion of the season.
  • Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the Administrator or upon the request of a majority of the Board members.

Article IV: Competition Structure

Section 1. Regular Season

Section 2. Playoffs and Championship

Section 3. Scheduling

  • The Conference shall be responsible for developing the match schedule, with consideration given to travel logistics, institutional preferences, and any other factors that may impact the competition.
  • Any team unable to fulfill a scheduled match must notify the Conference office in advance, with a valid reason, to avoid penalties.

Article V: Rules of Play

Section 1. Compliance with National Standards
All competition will be governed by the official rules and regulations set forth by National College Rugby unless specified otherwise by the Conference.

Section 2. Modifications to Rules
Any changes to the standard rules of play must be approved by the Members Board and communicated to all member institutions in advance of the season.

Section 3. Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in a match, players must:

  • Meet eligibility requirements set by the Conference, NCR, and individual member institutions.
  • Remain in good standing based on standards set by the Conference and NCR

Article VI: Disciplinary Actions

Section 1. Disciplinary Committee
The Conference will name an independent Disciplinary Committee to handle review of all disciplinary actions.

Section 2. Violations of Conference Rules
The following actions will be subject to disciplinary review by the Disciplinary Committee:

  • Violations of the Code of Conduct or sportsmanship standards.
  • Falsification of player eligibility or rosters.
  • Failure to meet obligations related to match scheduling, financial responsibilities, or other Conference duties.
  • On-field misconduct resulting in suspension or expulsion.

Section 3. Disciplinary Process

  • Upon the filing of a complaint or suspicion of a violation, the Disciplinary Committee will investigate and determine the appropriate course of action.
  • Penalties may include fines, forfeiture of matches, suspension of players or coaches, or expulsion from the Conference, depending on the severity of the violation.

Article VII: Amendments to Bylaws

Section 1. Proposals
Amendments to these bylaws may be proposed by any member of the Members Board or by a majority vote of the Conference membership.

Section 2. Approval Process
Proposed amendments will be discussed and voted upon during a regularly scheduled meeting of the Members Board. An amendment shall be adopted if it receives a two-thirds majority vote from the Board members present.

Article VIII: Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 1. Fiscal Year
The fiscal year for the Conference shall begin on August 1st and end on July 31st of the following year.

Section 2. Dissolution of the Conference
In the event of dissolution, any remaining assets of the Conference shall be distributed to a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of collegiate rugby, as decided by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Conflict Resolution
In the event of any disputes that cannot be resolved through discussion, the matter will be referred to NCR and/or it’s constituents for final resolution.

These bylaws were adopted on  and may be amended in accordance with the procedures outlined above.