Governance Structure & Organizational Roles

Governing Hierarchy

  1. Governing Board
    • 5–7 members, including founding directors, university representatives, and one student
    • Strategic oversight, fiduciary responsibility, and final voting authority
  2. Executive Director (CEO)
    • Operational leadership; reports to the Board
  3. Executive Council
    • Director of University Relations
    • Director of Events & Experiences
    • Director of Talent & Ethics
    • Director of Finance
    • Country Director (Is this necessary?)

Conflict of Interest Clause

Founders may serve dual roles during the first two years (e.g. governing board and executive council). Decisions involving compensation, equity, or reviews require recusal or third-party oversight. By Year 3, at least two independent board members must be appointed.

  1. University Advisory Assembly (UAA)
    • Each member-university appoints two representatives to serve on the University Advisory assembly. While the University Advisory Assembly primarily serves an advisory role, its members do hold voting power on select issues that require broader institutional input. In such cases, each UAB member is granted one vote, allowing universities to shape key decisions that directly impact athletes/artists, academic integrity, or partnership alignment. University representatives must include:
      1. ICAAA Artistic & Athletic Director (AAD): A full-time university staff member who serves as the primary point of contact between the university and ICAAA and has voting rights on the UAB. This staff member provides oversight of all athletic and artistic program operations, including coach management, facility coordination, scheduling, recruiting compliance, and athlete eligibility. They ensure that institutional policies align with ICAAA standards and facilitate smooth communication between campus leadership and ICAAA governance structure. Representatives may also choose to meet independently as a University AAD Committee
      2. ICAAA Student Representative: The ICAAA Student Representative is the lead student voice for their university within the ICAAA governance structure. Representing both athletes/artists and artists, they participate in the University Advisory assembly, contribute to policy discussions on campus, and cast one of the university’s two votes on select decisions. This role includes gathering feedback from peers, advocating for student interests, and promoting integrity, inclusion, and excellence across all ICAAA programs. ICAAA Student Representatives may also choose to meet independently as a Student Athlete & Artist Committee (SAAC)

 

 

  1. Operational Leadership & Stakeholder Roles
Role Responsibilities
Executive Director Day-to-day operations, staffing, execution of board strategy
Country Director (India) In-country coordination, inter-university compliance, regional development
Director of Events Scheduling, logistics, and competition oversight
Director of University Relations University onboarding, compliance, academic partnerships
Director of Talent & Ethics Athlete eligibility, education, ethics violations, mentorship
Director of Finance Budgeting, financial reporting, scholarship allocations
University Advisory assembly Advisory role for academic alignment and policy feedback
SAAC Advisory role for academic alignment and policy feedback

 

Ethics & Violation Procedures

Code of Conduct

  • Zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, or abuse
  • Mandatory orientation on ICAAA values
  • Annual acknowledgment of anti-doping and behavior standards

Violation Review Process

  1. Report to Director of Talent & Ethics (anonymous allowed)
  2. Initial Screening within 5 days
  3. Review Panel formed: Director + 1 Director + 1 University Rep
  4. Investigation: interviews, evidence, recommendation
  5. Executive Director makes final decision
  6. Appeal: Written, reviewed by Executive Director + Board member
  7. Reporting: Annual anonymized report to Board and Assembly
  1. Competition & Event Oversight
  • Directed by the Director of Events & Experiences
  • Institutions must report calendars, follow practice/travel rules
  • All events must meet standards of safety, fairness, and academic coordination
  1. Athlete Wellness & Safety Policies
  • Medical clearance is required prior to participation
  • Member institutions must offer or refer students to mental health support
  • ICAAA maintains a central library of wellness and safety best practices
  1. Financial Governance & Revenue Use
  • No member dues
  • Revenue sources: sponsorships, grants, events
  • Managed by Director of Finance
  • Annual report shared with the Board and Advisory Assembly
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