Membership Requirements

Subchapter D

Subchapter D. MEMBERSHIP IN LEAGUE

Section 10: QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

A public school district or open enrollment charter school in Texas that is subject to accreditation by the Texas Education Agency, or a private school subject to accreditation by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission, may become a member of the UIL in accordance with the following:

(a) ALL HIGH SCHOOLS. A high school must fit the definition of “High School” in Section 5 in order to be eligible to participate in UIL competition.

(b) PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND OPEN ENROLLMENT CHARTER SCHOOLS. Unless its right to participate has been suspended or revoked by the UIL, an open enrollment charter school, and a public high school, junior high school or elementary school of a school district that is a member of the UIL and for which the district has paid the annual participation fee, is eligible to participate in UIL competition.

(c) PRIVATE SCHOOLS. Unless its right to participate has been suspended or revoked for violating rules or codes by another league similar to the UIL, a Texas non-public school may apply for UIL membership in the largest conference provided the school meets all the following conditions:

(1) school is accredited by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission;

(2) school does not qualify for membership in any other organization similar to the UIL.

Section 11: ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP

A school seeking membership in the UIL shall submit its application to the Executive Director. If the application (a) demonstrates that the school district or open enrollment charter school is eligible for membership, (b) states that the school board and superintendent comply and will comply with applicable state law, Texas Education Agency regulations and the terms of participation in UIL contests as set out in the Constitution and Contest Rules, (c) is signed by the superintendent, and (d) is accompanied by payment of the annual membership fee, the Executive Director shall enroll the school as a member of the UIL.

Section 12: MEMBERSHIP DUES

(a) ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES. A member school shall pay annual membership dues in an amount determined by the Legislative Council.

Section 13: INITIAL AND CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP AND RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE

(a) NEW MEMBERSHIP. After enrollment as a new member but before membership can be effective, a school must provide certification from the school superintendent that the school superintendent, member secondary school principals, and all coaches, sponsors, and directors of UIL activities have completed the new school training required by the UIL Legislative Council. All school personnel required to complete the training must do so no later than August 15 of the first school year in which the school will be participating in UIL activities. Any member school superintendent or secondary school principal who is employed after August 15 must complete the training within 60 days of employment in that position. Any school employee assigned as a UIL coach, director, or sponsor after August 15 must complete the training prior to the first organized activity.

(b) CONTINUATION. A member school or school district may continue its membership by paying the annual membership fee before October 1 for the membership year of August 1 through July 31. If it fails to pay the annual fee before October 1, a school’s or school district’s membership may be suspended. Eligibility to participate in activities after this time is subject to decision of the State Executive Committee. If a member school or school district fails to pay its fee before January 1, the school’s or school district’s membership for the current school year may be terminated. If the school’s membership is terminated, the school or school district may reapply for membership.

(c) SCHOOL PERSONNEL TRAINING. A member school’s right to continue to participate in UIL contests is subject to certification by the school superintendent that the superintendent, member secondary school principals, and all coaches, sponsors, and directors of UIL activities have completed the annual training required by the Legislative Council.

(d) LOSS OF ACCREDITATION. A school district that loses its accreditation by the Texas Education Agency, or a private school that loses accreditation by the Texas Private School Commission, ceases to be a member at the end of the membership year in which the loss occurs.

(e) DELINQUENT FEES. A school that participates in a UIL contest while its membership dues are delinquent may be suspended from participating in UIL contests in the current and following school year, unless the State Executive Committee finds on petition by the school or school district that there was a reasonable explanation for the failure to make timely payment.

Section 14: MANDATORY SUSPENSION

(a) A member school district and/or member school that files a lawsuit, which must be defended by the UIL, shall reimburse the UIL for all legal fees incurred to defend the suit upon a finding by the Court that the lawsuit was frivolous.

(b) The State Executive Committee shall suspend from participation in all UIL activities, for a period of one to three years, a member school district and/or member school which, after receiving written notice, fails to reimburse the UIL within 90 days for all legal expenses incurred in defending a frivolous lawsuit.