ARTICLE I
The name of the organization shall be COMMUNITY COLLEGE BACCALAUREATE ASSOCIATION (CCBA).
ARTICLE II
Philosophy
The Community College Baccalaureate Association believes an educated populace is the foundation of a free and prosperous society and the baccalaureate degree serves as a gateway to advanced career opportunities and an enhanced lifestyle.
As a result, the CCBA strives to ensure that all students who desire to pursue a baccalaureate degree can do so in a way that is convenient, accessible, and affordable.
Purpose
The Association was established for the purposes of educational research and information dissemination to promote the baccalaureate degree at and through community colleges as a means of helping to solve the national problem of student demand, student access, and costs relating to higher education; to promote better access to the baccalaureate degree on community college campuses; and to serve as a resource for information on various models for accomplishing this purpose.
The Association will raise funds through membership dues, gifts, grants, meetings, and other appropriate sources. The Association will have all necessary power and authority within the laws which govern its existence to do those things which are necessary and proper for carrying out its purpose and mission.
Vision, Mission and Values
Our Vision: Students in every community have direct access to high-value baccalaureate degrees.
Our Mission: CCBA is the nation’s leading network of community colleges who build and sustain high-value baccalaureate degree programs.
In fulfilling its mission, the Association engages with the following goals (or mission components):
- Encourage research; foster dialogue; and share research data, publications, best practices, state legislation and governing policies.
- Encourage development of baccalaureate degrees conferred by community colleges.
- Encourage the development of university centers on community college campuses.
- Encourage joint degree programs with universities on community college campuses.
- Serve as a catalyst for democratizing access to the baccalaureate degree.
- Function in an advisory capacity to community colleges and others regarding improving access to baccalaureate degrees on community college campuses
- Assess and address perceived barriers to the development of programs conferred by community colleges and/or made available through community colleges by the other models.
- Gather published articles, research, dissertations, legislation, state governing regulations, and other appropriate materials dealing with the baccalaureate degree at community colleges.
- Host an annual conference to share information and address issues related to baccalaureate degrees at community colleges.
Our Values: CCBA believes the community college baccalaureate degree:
- Is a credential that serves as a gateway to advanced career opportunities and economic mobility;
- Allows students who desire to pursue a baccalaureate degree to do so in a way that is accessible and affordable;
- Is a structural evolution of higher education by providing access to those would otherwise go unserved;
- Provides an environment that fosters a student’s growth and honors their personal story as they pursue a baccalaureate degree;
- Is responsive to employer needs;
- Ensures opportunity is grounded in social justice and equity; and
- Maintains/safeguards/protects the vibrancy of our communities.
ARTICLE III
Membership
Section 1. The Community College Baccalaureate Association’s membership shall consist of those institutions, individuals and organizations that have submitted applications and paid applicable membership dues.
ARTICLE IV
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of the CCBA shall not exceed 15 members and shall be comprised of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and At-Large Members.
Section 1. Authority – The Board is responsible for overall policy and direction of the Association and delegates responsibility for day-to-day operations to the President, who shall be appointed by the Executive Committee of the Board and report to the Chair.
Section 2. Tenure – To ensure consistency, membership development, and the establishment of sound operational procedures, the Community College Baccalaureate Association shall be housed at the location identified in the Articles of Incorporation and on the Exempt Organization Determination Letter. Elections for the Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and At-Large Member shall occur every three (3) years.
Section 3. Elections – Election of new board members or election of current members to additional terms will occur through e-mail balloting. Board members will be elected by a majority vote of the current Board members.
Section 4. Vacancies – A vacancy on the CCBA Board of Directors may be filled at any regular or special meetings by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Quorum – A quorum shall consist of one-half (50%) of the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Board Meetings – Board meetings may be held by telephone/video conference, in person or via e-mail.
Section 7. Board Member responsibilities – Participate as an active board member as outlined in the CCBA Board Leadership Manual.
ARTICLE V
Officers
Section 1. Officers and Duties – The officers of CCBA shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall consist of the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.
Their duties are as follows:
Chair – The Chair shall lead all meetings of the Board of Directors. The Chair shall appoint all committees, in consultation with other board members and the President. The Chair should also coordinate the hiring/appointment of the President, through consultation with the Board; conduct periodic evaluations; and recommend any compensation adjustments to the Board.
Vice Chair – The Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair in her/his absence.
Secretary – The Secretary shall review and report on the functions of record keeping, and communication as provided by the President, in addition to producing minutes of all meetings of the Board.
Treasurer – The Treasurer shall review and report on the functions of receiving the funds, depositing funds in a bank account, keeping accurate financial records, issuing financial reports, and producing an annual financial statement as provided by the President.
Section 2. Committees
The only standing committee of the Association is an executive committee that will be comprised of the officers of the Association with the current president serving as an ad hoc member.
Additional committees will be appointed by the executive committee as required. Possibilities may include conference planning, fund-raising, research production, membership, planning, or other topics. As additional committees are established, their status will be defined, including charge, length of operation, and more. All additional committees will be ad hoc committees and not contained within the Association’s by-laws.
ARTICLE VI
Association Meetings
Section 1. Annual Meeting – The annual meeting of Association shall be held with the date, time, and place set by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. Board meetings will be held quarterly and will be set by the President and Chair with scheduling input from the board. The time and dates of meetings will be sent out to board members 20 days in advance of the board meeting.
Section 3. Special Meetings of the Board of Directors – Special meetings may be called by the Board Chair.
Section 4. Voting – Each Board member in good standing is entitled to one (1) vote at Association meetings. In the event of a tie, the Chair’s vote shall be the deciding vote.
ARTICLE VII
The Community College Baccalaureate Association supports the mission of the American Association of Community Colleges that reads “building a nation of learners by advancing America’s community colleges.”
ARTICLE VIII
Amendments
Section 1. Proposal and Submission – Amendments to the bylaws may be proposed by any member of the Board of Directors. Amendments may not conflict with the Certificate of Incorporation or the provisions of the laws under which the Association is incorporated. Amendments may be voted on at regular or special meetings of the board.
Section 2. Approval – Amendments to the bylaws will be made by majority vote of the Association’s Board of Directors.
Adopted by the Board of Directors on November 2021 official bylaws of the Community College Baccalaureate Association, Inc.