Who Speaks for the CIC?

For Whom Does the CIC Speak?

The CIC Policy on Public Statements

The Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) is both a committee appointed by the presidents of the member institutions (traditionally the chief academic officers, or provosts), and an organization (an unincorporated association of universities). Insofar as the CIC has a public voice, it is the voice of its member institutions speaking in unison through their representatives.

The CIC as organization includes many affinity groups, committees, and working groups under the general umbrella called the CIC. Some of these are created by the parent Committee, some are loosely linked to the Committee, and some may have no direct links at all. The Committee itself, or any of these CIC groups, may speak, on behalf of the member institutions, through the CIC on matters of policy so long as these general guidelines are followed:

• Each member of the group must have authority to speak for his or her institution on the particular policy matter or issue.
• Agreement to the statement must be unanimous within the group.
• Dissemination of the statement must be authorized and coordinated by the Committee or its designee (ordinarily the Director of the CIC).

Members of the CIC staff may represent and interpret to the public (as appropriate) actions or positions taken by any of the CIC groups (including the provosts) that follow these guidelines. CIC staff will not represent a "CIC position" on issues the Committee has not discussed and agreed upon.

Approved 10-22-96