CIAC
(Athletics Division)

ABOUT THE CONNECTICUT STUDENT ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE

The Student Activity Board of Control, commonly referred to as CSAC, is a committee of the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS).

CSAC is charged by the constitution of CAS with the responsibility of regulating all interschool activities of a NON- athletic nature where schools in more than two districts are involved.

"The (Student Activities) Board of Control shall consist of a chairperson, one representative for each of the three high school classifications, one representative for the middle schools and the elementary schools and five members at- large, at least three of whom must be from high schools. Two of the five at- large members may be assistant principals. A principal shall serve as chairperson."(Article VI, CAS Constitution)

The Board meets monthly to review and act upon applications for new activities or renewal applications submitted by schools and outside organizations seeking CSAC sanction of proposed activities. A majority vote decides approval, disapproval or "no jurisdiction." Following each meeting, the Board publishes a listing of all activities considered that month and the action taken on each one.

Art contests, research projects, essay contests, community parades, marching band contests, "hands-on" model building, televised quiz bowls, video projects, musical competitions of all types, commercial ventures intended to support schools with donations of equipment, scholarship opportunities and college fairs are some examples of the wide variety of activities which come before the Board for review.

All member schools within the Connecticut Association of Schools come under the jurisdiction of CSAC Through the annual act of applying for membership in CAS, member schools voluntarily agree to abide by all of the rules and regulations which govern the Association's members. Member schools are, therefore, required to comply with the rulings of the CSAC on activities which fall within the Board's jurisdiction.

Sponsors of activities must be established and recognized organizations, institutions or associations and must be approved by the Student Activities Board of Control. Sponsors must submit a written application to the Connecticut Student Activities Conference at least sixty (60) days before the date of the proposed event. In order to be placed on the annual approved list for the ensuing school year, sponsors must submit written applications before June 1.

APPROVED ACTIVITIES

Click here to download the current list of Approved Activities.

CRITERIA USED FOR DETERMINING APPROVED CONTESTS AND ACTIVITIES

Criteria used by the CSAC in evaluating activities include the following:

  1. The activity must be educationally sound, worthwhile and stimulating.

  2. The activity must not place undue burdens or obligations on students, their families, teachers or schools.

  3. The activity shall not be more than minimally commercial in its presentation or promotion, shall not be sectarian, and shall not promote or exploit issues controversial in nature or whose advocacy would be inappropriate for students.

  4. The activity must not exclude any student because of race, handicap, color, creed or gender except where such activities have been developed expressly to compensate for lack of opportunity for members of such groups.

  5. The activity must be well planned and organized and must provide for the adequate supervision and welfare of participating students at all times.

  6. Essay contests, which will be considered on their merits, are limited to those which promote good writing as process, which are properly supervised by educational agencies, and which do not interfere with the sound educational practices of a school. Essay contests approved by the NASSP or sponsored by the Connecticut State Department of Education and by professional educational organizations will be approved. Essay contests judged by the Board to be commercial in nature will be disapproved.

  7. Activities should be scheduled on non-school time. If scheduled during school time, every effort must be made to avoid excessive loss of school time. The loss of more than one school day will be considered excessive. Rare exceptions will be made if the activity is subject- related and provides a learning experience not usually available in the traditional school curriculum.

  8. Adequate and responsible adult supervision approved by the school administration must be provided for all activities.

  9. Reasonable registration or entry fees may be assessed, subject to the approval of the CSAC.

  10. A MEMBER SCHOOL MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITY WHICH THE CSAC HAS RULED "NOT APPROVED."

  11. Student activities will not be approved for Sunday under normal circumstances.

  12. School groups may participate in community-sponsored parades at any time at the discretion of the local school administration.

  13. In the case of out-of-state activities approved by a local school system, and upon application to CSAC, approval will be given when schools are invited to participate because of merit/excellence of an outstanding individual/group of students. Any unusual/special circumstances not covered by the above will be reviewed by the CSAC.

  14. It is the responsibility of the principals of member schools to determine the status of interscholastic activities. When in doubt, the principal should contact the Board chair or CAS for clarification.

Requests for application for the approval of an activity or any questions concerning the status of an activity or other matters over which the CSAC has jurisdiction may be addressed by phone or letter to either the chair of CSAC (Scott Leslie, Principal, RHAM High School, 85 Wall Street, Hebron, CT 06248 (860)228-9474 / Fax (860)228-5312) or the CAS central office liaison, David Maloney, 30 Realty Drive, Cheshire, CT 06410.(203) 250-1111 Fax:(203) 250-1345.

Applications

Thomas R. Flanagan Student Activity Memorial Grant
Sponsored by Big Y World Class Markets

Thomas Flanagan was the long-term principal of Waterford High School, whose untimely death in June of 1979 brought sadness to all who had come to know and love this good man.

Tom was a member of the Program Committee, the Basketball Committee and the Football Committee, but he was most closely identified with the CSAC during its years of transition and growth. He gradually began to change the direction of the Board from one that reacted to one that also created. His knowledge of CSAC responsibilities and the diligence and good humor he brought to his work were models for all of us.

Tom was also a highly respected member of the N.A.S.S.P. Standing Committee for Student Activities. In 1976 received C.A.S.' highest honor, a Citation.

Tom was a special person, a good person. The Thomas R. Flanagan Student Activities Memorial Grants are dedicated in his memory.

I. Sponsorship:

The Connecticut Association of Schools' Student Activities Board of Control sponsors these mini-grants, in accordance with Article II of its by-laws to "encourage" the development and effective operation of student activities other than athletes in member schools.

II. Objectives:

a. To stimulate the growth and improvement of student activities.
b. To provide recognition of outstanding student activities.

III. Mini-Grant Proposal Expectations:

a. The proposal must clearly indicate how the activity stimulates, broadens or improves student activities at the member school(s).
b. Activities being recognized must meet general CSAC guidelines for approved student activities.
c. Applications will be accepted only from C.A.S. member schools and/or C.A.S. recognized student activity associations.
d. Funding requests are held to a minimum of $200.00 and maximum of $1,000.00.

IV. Considerations:

All proposals meeting the above expectations will be evaluated on the following considerations:

a. The benefits to the participating member school(s) and/or community(ies).
b. The number of students involved in the activity (actual number and percentage of school's population).
c. The potential of the activity to continue.

V. Criteria:

a. The activity must be educationally sound, worthwhile and stimulating to the students and the school.
b. The activity must not place undue burdens or obligations on students, their families, teachers or school.
c. The activity shall not be commercial or sectarian in nature; nor shall it offer propaganda or advertisement for any product, company or organization.
d. The activity must not exclude any student because of race, handicap, creed or sex.
e. The activity must be well planned and organized and must provide for the adequate supervision and welfare of participating students at all times.
f. Awards and prizes for the activity must be adequate in number and quality.
g. The activity shall not be a contest.
h. The activity must be a new or creative idea going beyond traditional programs.

VI. Qualification Process:

a. Proposals recommended for final consideration may require an in-person presentation and review.
b. Groups or individuals receiving a grant may be required to provide a follow-up report describing how the grant funds are utilized.

Click here to download an application.