106th Edition of the
Constitution and
Contest Rules
of the
University Interscholastic League
2015-2016
Telephone: 512-471-5883
Theatre Only: 512-471-9996
P.O. Box 8028
Austin, Texas 78713
Fax: Administration – 512-471-5908
Fax: Academics – 512-232-7311
Fax: Athletics – 512-471-6589
Fax: Theatre – 512-471-7388
Fax: Order Department – 512-232-6471
E-mail Addresses:
Administration/Eligibility: [email protected]
Academics: [email protected]
Theatre: [email protected]
Music: [email protected]
Athletics: [email protected]
Media/Public Information: [email protected]
WEB Address: www.uiltexas.org
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
This publication is not copyrighted. Any or all sections may be duplicated.
The benefits of education and of useful knowledge, generally diffused through a community, are essential to the preservation of a
free government.
SAM HOUSTON
Cultivated mind is the guardian genius of Democracy, and while guided and controlled by virtue, the noblest attribute of man. It is
the only dictator that freemen acknowledge, and is the only security which freemen desire.
MIRABEAU B. LAMAR
School and community opinion should be so conditioned that every interschool contest dramatizes not only the reign of law but the
reign of a higher law giving the Spirit of the rules precedence over the Letter, thus establishing a jurisdiction in which Conscience
is the court of final appeal, empowered to confer the ultimate and most highly valued awards.
Educational Competition
The Story of the University Interscholastic League
by ROY BEDICHEK
UIL Director, 1921-1948
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
RICHARDSON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
A MESSAGE FROM THE
CHAIR OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Dear Students, Coaches, Administrators and Parents:
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as chair of the University Interscholastic League Legislative Council.
This position represents the ultimate honor in serving the UIL and the students of Texas. The Council is
responsible for establishing rules and policies which govern numerous events, contests, and competitions in
academics, fine arts, and athletics. Each year, the Council meets to review, refine, clarify and adopt procedures
within each of these areas. The Council represents students and districts across the state and is comprised of
members from each of the four regions within each of the six conferences. The UIL has a tremendous history in
expanding opportunities for student involvement and in supporting and promoting these activities with a spirit
of fairness and good sportsmanship. Equally important is the UIL’s instrumental role in developing life skills
and strengthening character traits.
My early experiences as a student formed my opinions and attitudes regarding UIL activities and competitions.
My later experiences as a teacher, administrator, and superintendent have solidified those opinions. I believe
the lessons taught and learned within UIL activities impact the lives of those who participate and facilitate. To
strive for achievement and excellence, one must develop skills in both leadership and teamwork. These skills,
along with dedication and commitment, are important life skills.
On behalf of the Council, I want to express appreciation for the outstanding leadership of Dr. Charles
Breithaupt. He and his team are dedicated, committed, and passionate about providing opportunities for
students to participate and excel.
I also want to express appreciation for your involvement with the UIL. Your engagement and support are
critical factors in providing a positive environment for the students of Texas. I genuinely look forward to
supporting your efforts within this esteemed organization.
Sincerely,
Kay Waggoner, PhD
RISD Superintendent
Chair, UIL Legislative Council
Statement of Purpose
The University Interscholastic League believes
that most students enjoy the pursuit of excellence and seek opportunities to test themselves against their
own accomplishments and those of their peers,
that such opportunities are best provided through properly conducted and equitably administered
competitive activities,
that the classroom is enriched by the flow of student energy into the more intensified arena of
competition and back into the classroom.
Therefore, we reaffirm that students are the focus of our endeavor and deserve an opportunity to:
refine physical and mental aptitudes,
nurture self-realization and build self-confidence,
feel a sense of pride and dignity,
experience teamwork and develop a sense of fair play,
develop the ability to lead and the willingness to follow,
foster self-discipline and perseverance,
appreciate that rules, consistently applied, create order and discipline,
learn to accept graciously the decisions of judges and officials,
affirm self-worth in times of disappointment as well as adulation,
cultivate lifetime skills,
complement their class work with practice and performance,
have fun,
experience the joy of achieving their potential in a wholesome environment and,
discover that ultimately the true meaning of winning is doing one’s best.
Legislative Council Officers
Chair: Kay Waggoner
First Vice Chair: Johnny Pineda
Second Vice Chair: Jim Waller
Legislative Council Representatives
Conf-Reg
6A-I
6A-II
6A-III
6A-IV
5A-I
5A-II
5A-III
5A-IV
4A-I
4A-II
4A-III
4A-IV
3A-I
3A-II
3A-III
3A-IV
2A-I
2A-II
2A-III
2A-IV
1A-I
1A-II
1A-III
1A-IV
I-At Large
I-At Large
II-At Large
II-At Large
III-At Large
III-At Large
IV-At Large
IV-At Large
Term
2017
2018
2016
2019
2018
2017
2019
2016
2016
2017
2019
2018
2018
2019
2017
2016
2017
2018
2019
2016
2019
2018
2016
2017
2017
2019
2017
2019
2017
2019
2017
2019
Name and Address
Supt Alfred Ray, Duncanville ISD, 802 South Main St., Duncanville 75137
Supt Kay Waggoner, Richardson ISD, 400 S. Greenville Ave, Richardson 75081
Supt Mark Henry, Cypress Fairbanks ISD, 10300 Jones Rd, Houston 77065
Supt Gonzalo Salazar, Los Fresnos CISD, PO Box 309, Los Fresnos 78566
Supt Berhl Robertson, Lubbock ISD, 1628 19th St., Lubbock 79401
Supt Kevin Worthy, Royse City ISD, PO Box 479, Royse City 75189
Supt Greg Poole, Barbers Hill ISD, PO Box 1108, Mont Belvieu 77580
Supt Robert Jaklich, Victoria ISD, 102 Profit Dr., Victoria 77901
Supt Joey Light, Abilene Wylie ISD, 6249 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene 79606
Supt Russell Marshall, Mabank ISD, 310 E. Market St., Mabank 75147
Supt Shannon Holmes, Hardin-Jefferson ISD, PO Box 490, Sour Lake 77659
Supt Curtis Rhodes, Needville ISD, PO Box 412, Needville 77461
Supt Jim Waller, Idalou ISD, 601 Walnut Street, Idalou 79329
Supt Jeff Adams, Farmersville ISD, 501-A Highway 78N, Farmersville 75442
Supt Richard Kilgore, Bruceville-Eddy ISD,1 Eagle Drive., Eddy 76524
Supt Jo Ann Bludau, Hallettsville ISD, PO Box 368., Hallettsville 77964
Supt Shane Fields, Albany ISD, PO Box 2050, Albany 76430
Supt Todd Morrison, Honey Grove ISD, 1206 N. 17th Street, Honey Grove 75446
Supt Mary Huckabay, Hull-Daisetta ISD, PO Box 477, Daisetta 77533
Supt Trey Lawrence, Shiner ISD, PO Box 804, Shiner 77984
Vacant
Supt Cliff Gilmore, Aspermont ISD, PO Box 549, Aspermont 79502
Supt Greg Enis, Slidell ISD, PO Box 69, Slidell 76267
Supt Cody Moree, Apple Springs ISD, PO Box 125, Apple Springs 75926
Vacant
Vacant
Dir of Secondary Education James Brewer, Longview ISD, PO Box 3268, Longview 75606
Vacant
Supt Thomas Randle, Lamar Consolidated ISD, 3911 Avenue I, Rosenberg 77471
Supt Alton Frailey, Katy ISD, PO Box 159, Katy 77492
Supt Dan Troxell, Kerrville ISD, 1009 Barnett St, Kerrville 78028
Supt Johnny Pineda, Raymondville ISD, 1 Bearkat Blvd, Raymondville 78580
2015-2016 Waiver Review Board
Conference
Term
Name and Address
1A
2018
Morris Lyon, Superintendent, North Zulch ISD
2A
2016
Randy Johnson, Superintendent, Forsan ISD
3A
2017
Steve Arthur, Superintendent, Whitewright ISD
4A
2018
Gary Martel, Superintendent, Diboll ISD
5A
2019
Roland Hernandez, Superintendent, Corpus Christi ISD
6A
2019
Randy Reid, Superintendent, Keller ISD
Appointed
2016
LaTonya Goffney, Superintendent, Lufkin ISD
Appointed
2016
Harry Miller, Belton
Appointed
2016
Jimmy Thomas, Lubbock
Appointed
2016
Diana Negrete, Austin
2015-2016 State Executive Committee
Robin Battershell, Superintendent, Temple ISD
James Colbert, Jr., Superintendent, Harris County Education
Johanna Denson, Athletic Director, Pflugerville ISD
Darrian Dover, Superintendent, Meadow ISD
Paul Galvan, Fort Worth
Gil Garza, Athletic Director, Dallas ISD
Amy Jacobs, Superintendent, Coahoma ISD
Phil Cotham, Superintendent, Lockney ISD
Teresa Long, Austin
Mike Motheral, Lubbock
Marcus Nelson, Superintendent, Laredo ISD
Daryl Wade, Houston
HOW TO USE THE
UIL CONSTITUTION AND CONTEST RULES
To use the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules most efficiently and effectively, try the following methods:
(1) TRY THE TABLE OF CONTENTS–the table provides you with an overview of the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules.
(2) TRY THE INDEX–the index provides you with page number by subject matter.
(3) Rules on which Official Interpretations have been issued by the State Executive Committee are cross referenced to Appendix
I, which contains the Official Interpretations.
(4) CALL THE UIL–Staff members are identified under UIL Administration, and in Appendix III.
(5) Rule changes for the 2015-2016 school year are listed in Appendix V.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(See Page 264 for Subject Index.)
2015-2016 UIL Constitution and Contest Rules
Official Calendar......................................................................... 3
Message from the Legislative Council Chair ........................... 9
Message from the President of UT Austin .............................. 10
Statement of Purpose ............................................................... 11
Legislative Council Representatives ........................................ 12
Waiver Review Board Members .............................................. 13
State Executive Committee Members..................................... 13
Table of Contents ..................................................................... 14
Introduction by the Director of the UIL ................................. 17
Administration ....................................................................... 18
CHAPTER 1
Subchapter A
Section 1
Subchapter B
Section 2
Subchapter C
Section 5
Section 6
Subchapter D
Section 10
Section 11
Section 12
Section 13
Section 14
Section 15
Subchapter E
Section 20
Section 21
Section 22
Section 23
Section 24
Section 25
Section 26
Section 27
Section 28
Section 29
Section 30
Constitution
NAME OF ORGANIZATION .................... 19
Name ............................................................. 19
OBJECTIVES .............................................. 19
Objectives of the League.............................. 19
DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL
PROVISIONS ............................................... 19
Definitions .................................................... 19
Computation of Time to Act ........................ 20
MEMBERSHIP IN LEAGUE ................... 21
Qualifications for Membership .................... 21
Admission to Membership ........................... 21
School’s Eligibility to Participate ................. 21
Membership Dues and Participation Fees .. 21
Continuation of Membership and Right
to Participate ................................................. 22
Mandatory Suspension ................................ 22
ORGANIZATION AND
ADMINISTRATION ................................... 22
Composition of the League .......................... 22
Responsibilities of the Superintendent ....... 22
UIL Director ................................................ 23
UIL Binding Actions .................................... 23
UIL Officers ................................................. 23
Legislative Council ....................................... 23
State Executive Committee ......................... 25
Penalties - State Executive Committee ....... 26
District Executive Committee ..................... 28
Penalties - District Executive Committee ... 30
Spring Meet Regional Executive
Section 31
Section 32
Subchapter F
Section 50
Section 51
Section 52
Section 53
Section 54
Section 55
Section 56
Subchapter G
Section 100
Section 150
Subchapter H
Section 300
Section 301
Section 302
Section 303
Section 304
Section 305
Section 306
Section 330
Section 331
Subchapter I
Section 350
Section 351
Section 352
Section 353
Section 354
Section 355
Section 356
Subchapter J
Section 360
Section 361
Subchapter L
Committee .................................................... 31
Waiver Review Board; UIL Hearing Officer;
Waiver Officer ............................................. .32
Sports Officials Committee...........................32
Classification of Violations; Protests ............ 33
Student Violations......................................... 33
Personnel Violations ..................................... 33
School Violations .......................................... 34
Conduct Subject to Protest .......................... 34
Filing a Protest.............................................. 34
Report of Violation ....................................... 34
Investigations ................................................ 34
COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND
APPEALS ..................................................... 35
General.......................................................... 35
Appeals .......................................................... 35
RULES AND AMENDMENTS ................. 35
General Purposes ......................................... 35
Notice of Proposed Rules ............................. 35
Public Hearing On Proposed Rules ............. 35
Rule Promulgation Process .......................... 36
Official Interpretation of Rules .................... 36
Official Staff Interpretations ........................ 36
Rules of Construction ................................... 36
Proposed Amendments to the
Constitution .................................................. 37
Amending the Constitution .......................... 37
CONFERENCES/DISTRICTS .................. 37
Establishing Conferences ............................. 37
Conference Based on Enrollment ............... 37
Non-Honors Football ................................... 38
Football Competition by New School ......... 38
First Appeal: District Reassignment
by Agreement ............................................... 38
District Assignment Appeals Committee .... 38
Final Assignments; Contracting Games ...... 39
NON-DISCRIMINATION IN UIL
CONTESTS .................................................. 39
Policy ............................................................. 39
Exceptions ..................................................... 39
CONTESTS .................................................. 40
Section 380
Section 381
Section 382
Subchapter M
Section 400
Section 401
Section 402
Section 403
Section 404
Section 405
Section 406
Section 407
Section 408
Section 409
Section 410
Section 420
Section 430
Section 440
Section 441
Section 442
Section 443
Section 445
Section 446
Subchapter N
Section 463
Section 464
Section 465
Section 466
Section 468
Section 469
Section 470
Subchapter O
Section 480
Section 481
Section 482
Subchapter P
Section 800
Section 801
Section 802
Subchapter Q
Section 825
Section 826
Section 827
Section 828
Section 829
Subchapter R
Section 866
Section 867
Section 868
CHAPTER 2
Subchapter A
Section 900
Section 901
Section 902
Section 903
Section 904
Section 906
Section 920
Section 924
Section 926
Section 928
League Contests ........................................... 40
Official Calendar Published ......................... 40
Rescheduling of Contests ............................. 40
ELIGIBILITY .............................................. 40
Eligibility For All UIL Contests .................. 40
State Law ...................................................... 41
High School Graduate .................................. 41
Full-Time Day Student ................................ 41
Regular Attendance ...................................... 41
Four Year Program of HS Courses .............. 42
Recruiting ..................................................... 42
Burden of Proof, Eligibility .......................... 42
Burden of Proof, Violations .......................... 42
Credit Requirements .................................... 42
Waiver of Contest Rules for Disability ........ 42
Eligibility - Academics .................................. 42
Eligibility - Music ......................................... 42
Eligibility - Athletics .................................... 43
Amateur Athletic Status ............................... 43
Residence in School District
Attendance Zone .......................................... 44
Changing Schools for Athletic Purposes...... 45
Repeating Grades for Athletic Purposes ..... 47
Age ................................................................ 47
WAIVER OF ELIGIBILITY RULES ........ 48
Application for Waiver ................................. 48
Submission to Waiver Officer ...................... 48
Decision by Waiver Officer .......................... 49
Review of Decisions .................................... 49
Review Decision Process.............................. 50
Retroactive Waiver ....................................... 51
Submitting False Information ...................... 51
AWARDS ...................................................... 51
Limitation of Awards .................................... 51
Gifts or Awards to Sponsor or Coach .......... 52
Music Awards ............................................... 52
RECORDS ................................................... 52
Open Records ............................................... 52
Requests for Access to Records ................... 53
Contest Records ........................................... 53
PUBLICATIONS ......................................... 53
Constitution and Contest Rules ................... 53
The Leaguer .................................................. 53
Forms ............................................................ 53
Other Publications ........................................ 53
Publication Charges...................................... 54
FINANCES .................................................. 54
Annual Report; Budget; Audit ..................... 54
Sources of Income ........................................ 54
Broadcasts of UIL Events ............................ 54
Contest Rules
ACADEMIC CONTESTS........................... 57
High School Spring Meet Plan .................... 57
Spring Meet Organization ............................ 58
District Meet ................................................ 59
Regional Meet .............................................. 63
State Meet ..................................................... 64
Invitational Meets ......................................... 65
Accounting (HS) ........................................... 66
Calculator Applications (HS) ....................... 69
Computer Applications (HS) ....................... 72
Computer Science (HS) ............................... 75
Section 932
Section 940
Section 942
Section 944
Section 948
Section 952
Section 956
Section 960
Section 965
Section 966
Section 1000
Section 1001
Section 1002
Section 1003
Section 1004
Section 1005
Section 1006
Section 1007
Section 1021
Section 1023
Section 1024
Section 1025
Section 1026
Section 1027
Section 1031
Section 1032
Section 1033
Section 1034
Section 1035
Subchapter B
Section 1100
Section 1101
Section 1102
Section 1103
Section 1104
Section 1105
Section 1106
Section 1107
Section 1108
Section 1109
Section 1110
Section 1111
Section 1112
Section 1113
Section 1114
Section 1115
Subchapter C
Section 1200
Section 1201
Section 1202
Section 1203
Section 1204
Section 1205
Section 1206
Section 1207
Section 1208
Section 1209
Section 1210
Section 1220
Section 1230
Section 1240
Section 1250
Section 1260
Section 1270
Section 1280
Section 1290
Section 1300
Section 1310
Current Issues and Events (HS) .................. 78
Literary Criticism (HS) ................................ 80
Mathematics (HS) ........................................ 82
Number Sense (HS) ..................................... 86
Ready Writing (HS) ...................................... 89
Science (HS) ................................................. 90
Social Studies (HS) ....................................... 95
Spelling and Vocabulary (HS) ...................... 97
Barbara Jordan Historical Essay..................101
Latino History Essay Competition..............101
Speech ......................................................... 102
Cross-Examination Team Debate.............. 102
Lincoln-Douglas Debate ............................ 108
Individual Speech Contests........................ 111
Extemporaneous Informative Speaking .... 115
Extemporaneous Persuasive Speaking ...... 118
Poetry Interpretation .................................. 121
Prose Interpretation ................................... 124
Journalism Program .................................... 127
Spring Meet Journalism ............................. 127
Feature Writing .......................................... 129
News Writing .............................................. 130
Editorial Writing......................................... 130
Headline Writing ........................................ 131
Theatre ........................................................ 132
Drama Loan Library .................................. 132
One-Act Play ............................................... 132
One-Act Play Codes ................................... 139
Theatrical Design ....................................... 140
MUSIC........................................................ 143
Music Contest Introduction ....................... 143
Policy and Ethics ........................................ 139
General Regulations ................................... 143
Entry Procedures ........................................ 147
Copyright Rule ........................................... 147
Region Marching Contest .......................... 148
Area Marching Contest .............................. 150
State Marching Contest.............................. 151
Solo-Small Ensemble ................................. 152
Medium Ensemble ..................................... 154
Concert Organization Contest ................... 155
Sightreading And Music Reading
Evaluation ................................................... 157
Adjudication ................................................ 160
Awards ......................................................... 162
Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest ...... 162
Wind Ensemble Festival ............................ 163
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC PLAN ...... 165
Purpose of High School Athletics .............. 165
Athletic Codes ............................................ 165
Employment of Coaches ............................ 166
Duties of Athletic District Executive
Committee .................................................. 167
Officials ....................................................... 169
Athletic Eligibility ....................................... 176
School Practice and Game Restrictions ..... 177
Rules, Violations and Penalties .................. 180
Athletic Regulations ................................... 181
Non-School Participation ........................... 185
Anabolic Steroid Testing ............................ 186
Baseball Plan ............................................... 186
Basketball Plan ........................................... 188
Cross Country Plan ..................................... 190
Football Plan ............................................... 190
Golf Plan ..................................................... 194
Soccer Plan ................................................. 196
Girls’ Softball Plan ...................................... 197
Swimming Plan ........................................... 199
Tennis Plan ................................................. 200
Team Tennis Plan ....................................... 201
Section 1320 Track and Field Plan .................................. 203
Section 1330 Girls’ Volleyball Plan .................................. 206
Section 1340 Wrestling Plan ............................................ 208
Subchapter D
Section 1400
Section 1401
Section 1405
Section 1408
Section 1410
Section 1414
Section 1416
Section 1418
Section 1422
Section 1424
Section 1426
Section 1430
Section 1434
Section 1438
Appendix V
ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE &
JUNIOR HIGH .......................................... 209
Junior High (7th & 8th Grades) ................. 209
A+ Program Academic Plan ....................... 211
Eligibility Requirements ............................ 213
Invitational & District Meets ..................... 213
Art ............................................................... 215
Calculator Applications (A+) ...................... 217
Chess Puzzle ............................................... 219
Creative Writing ........................................ 220
Dictionary Skills ......................................... 222
Editorial Writing (A+) ................................ 223
Impromptu Speaking ................................. 224
Listening .................................................... 226
Maps, Graphs & Charts ............................. 228
Mathematics (A+) ....................................... 229
Applicable Portion of Senate Bill 82 .......... 263
Section 1442
Section 1446
Section 1450
Section 1454
Section 1458
Section 1462
Section 1466
Section 1468
Section 1470
Section 1474
Section 1478
Modern Oratory ......................................... 230
Music Memory ........................................... 232
Number Sense (A+) ................................... 234
One-Act Play (A+) ...................................... 236
Oral Reading ............................................... 237
Ready Writing (A+) .................................... 239
Science (A+) ............................................... 241
Social Studies .............................................. 242
Spelling (A+) ............................................... 243
Storytelling .................................................. 245
7th & 8th Grade Athletic Plan ................... 247
APPENDICES
Appendix I State Executive Committee Official
Interpretations ............................................ 255
Appendix II Who To Call ................................................ 259
Appendix III Interscholastic League Press Conference . 260
Appendix IV Rule Changes for 2014-2015 ...................... 262