Exhibit
3.2
FOURTH
AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS
OF
CAREER
EDUCATION CORPORATION
(Amended
and Restated effective as of November 16, 2007)
ARTICLE
I
OFFICES
Section
1.1 Registered
Office. The registered office of Career Education Corporation
(the “Corporation”) shall be in the City of Wilmington, County
of New Castle, State of Delaware.
Section
1.2 Other
Offices. The Corporation may also have offices at such other
places both within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of Directors
may from time to time determine or the business of the Corporation may
require.
ARTICLE
II
MEETINGS
OF STOCKHOLDERS
Section
2.1 Place
of Meeting. All meetings of the stockholders for the election of
directors shall be held at such place either within or without the State of
Delaware as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors
and
stated in the notice of the meeting. Meetings of stockholders for any other
purpose may be held at such time and place, within or without the State of
Delaware, as shall be stated by the Board of Directors in its notice of the
meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof.
Section
2.2 Time
of Annual Meeting. Annual meetings of stockholders shall be held
on the third Thursday in May, if not a legal holiday, and if a legal holiday,
then on the next secular day following, at 10:00 A.M., or at such other date
and
time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and
stated in the notice of the meeting, at which stockholders shall elect directors
to hold office for the term provided in Section 3.2 of these By-laws and conduct
such other business as shall be considered.
Section
2.3 Notice
of Annual Meetings. Except as otherwise required by law, written
notice of the annual meeting stating the place, date and hour of the meeting
shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not fewer
than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the
meeting.
Section
2.4 Director
Nominations. (a) Only persons who are nominated in accordance
with the following procedures shall be eligible to serve as directors.
Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation
at a meeting of stockholders may be made (i) by or at the direction of the
Board
of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder
of record at the time of the giving of notice provided herein, is entitled
to
vote in the election of directors at the meeting and complies with the notice
procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 2.4. For nominations to be
properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause
(ii) of the previous sentence, (A) the stockholder must have given timely notice
thereof in writing pursuant to the requirements set forth herein, (B) if the
stockholder, or beneficial owner on whose behalf any such nomination is made,
has provided the Corporation with a “Solicitation Notice” (as
defined herein), such stockholder or beneficial owner must have delivered a
proxy statement and form of proxy to the holders of a percentage of the
Corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or
beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, to be
sufficient to elect the nominee or nominees proposed to be nominated by such
stockholder and must have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice
and
(C) if no Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant
to this paragraph, such stockholder or beneficial owner must not have solicited
a number of proxies sufficient to have required the delivery of such a
Solicitation Notice under this paragraph. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice
must be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the
Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less
than
ninety (90) days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the previous
year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that if no annual
meeting of stockholders was held in the previous year or if the date of the
annual meeting is advanced by more than thirty (30) days prior to, or delayed
by
more than sixty (60) days after, such anniversary date, notice by the
stockholder to be timely must be so delivered, or mailed and received, not
later
than the close of business on the later of (a) the ninetieth (90th) day prior
to
such annual meeting or (b) the tenth (10th) day following the day on which
the
date of such meeting has been first “publicly disclosed” (in the manner provided
herein) by the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that
the
number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased and
neither the names of all of the nominees for director positions nor notice
specifying the size of the Board of Directors is “publicly disclosed” by the
Corporation at least one hundred (100) days prior to the date of the first
anniversary of the prior year’s annual meeting of stockholders, a stockholder’s
notice pursuant to this Article II, Section 2.4 shall also be considered timely,
but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such
increase, if it shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary
of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not
later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day
on
which such names or notice specifying the size of the Board of Directors has
been first “publicly disclosed” by the Corporation. Any stockholder’s notice
pursuant to this Article II, Section 2.4 shall set forth (i) as to each person
whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a
director, all information relating to such person that is required to be
disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise
required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (including such
person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and
to serving as director if elected); and (ii) as to the stockholder giving notice
and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made (A)
the
name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the Corporation’s books,
and of such beneficial owner, (B) the class and number of shares of the
Corporation which are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder
and
such beneficial owner and (C) whether either such stockholder or beneficial
owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to a sufficient
number of holders of the Corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or
nominees (an affirmative statement of such intent, a “Solicitation
Notice”). At the request of the Board of Directors, any person
nominated by the Board of Directors for election as a director shall furnish
to
the Secretary of the Corporation that information required to be set forth
in a
stockholder’s notice of nomination which pertains to the nominee. No person
shall be eligible to serve as a director of the Corporation unless nominated
in
accordance with the procedures set forth herein. The presiding officer shall,
if
the facts so warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination
was
not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these By-laws, and
if
such officer should so determine, such officer shall so declare to the meeting,
and the defective nomination shall be disregarded. For purposes of these
By-laws, “publicly disclosed” or “public disclosure” shall mean disclosure in a
press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or a
comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the
Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(b) Nominations
of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special
meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the
Corporation’s notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of record of the Corporation who is a
stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this
paragraph, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with
the notice procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 2.4(a). Nominations
by stockholders of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made
at
such a special meeting of stockholders if the stockholder’s notice required by
this Article II, Section 2.4(a) shall be delivered to the Secretary of the
Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later
than
the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such
special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public
disclosure is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees
proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting.
(c) Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Article II, Section 2.4, a stockholder shall
also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth
herein.
Section
2.5 Annual
Meeting Agenda Items. At an annual meeting of the stockholders,
only such business shall be conducted as shall have been brought before the
meeting (i) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice with respect to such meeting,
(ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (iii) by any
stockholder of the Corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of
the
giving of notice provided for herein, is entitled to vote at the meeting and
complies with the procedures set forth in this Article II, Section 2.5. For
business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder
pursuant to clause (iii) of the previous sentence, (A) the stockholder must
have
given timely notice thereof in writing pursuant to the requirements set forth
herein, (B) if the stockholder, or beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf
such proposal is made, has provided the Corporation with a Business Solicitation
Notice (as defined herein), such stockholder or beneficial owner must have
delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the
percentage of the Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law, the
Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws to carry any such
proposal, and (C) if no Business Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been
timely provided pursuant to this paragraph, the stockholder or beneficial owner,
if any, on whose behalf such proposal is made, proposing such business must
not
have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have required the delivery
of
such a Business Solicitation Notice under this paragraph. To be timely, the
stockholder must deliver written notice to, or mail such written notice so
that
it is received by, the Secretary of the Corporation, at the principal executive
offices of the Corporation, not less than ninety (90) days prior to the first
anniversary of the date of the previous year’s annual meeting of stockholders;
provided, however, that if no annual meeting of stockholders was held in the
previous year or if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than
thirty (30) days prior to, or delayed by more than sixty (60) days after, such
anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered,
or mailed and received, not later than the close of business on the later of
(a)
the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or (b) the tenth (10th)
day following the day on which the date of the meeting has been first “publicly
disclosed” (in the manner provided in Article II, Section 2.4 above) by the
Corporation. Any stockholder’s notice pursuant to this Article II, Section 2.5
shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before
the
annual meeting and as to the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the
proposal is made (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought
before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the
annual meeting, (B) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s
books, of the stockholder proposing such business and of such beneficial owner,
(C) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially
owned and held of record by the stockholder and such beneficial owner, (D)
any
material interest of such stockholder or such beneficial owner in such business
and (E) whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver
a
proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of
the
Corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law, the Corporation’s
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws to carry any such proposal (an
affirmative statement of such intent, a “Business Solicitation
Notice”). Whether or not the foregoing procedures are followed, no
matter which is not a proper matter for stockholder consideration shall be
brought before the meeting. At an annual meeting, the presiding officer shall,
if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was
not
properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this
Article II, Section 2.5, and if such officer should so determine, such officer
shall so declare to the meeting, and any such business not properly brought
before the meeting shall not be transacted. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this paragraph, a stockholder shall also comply with all
applicable requirements and regulations of the Exchange Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this paragraph.
Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders
to request inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant
to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act.
Section
2.6 Special
Meetings of the Stockholders.
(i) Special
meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation may be called only (A) by the
Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution approved by the Board of Directors
or (B) subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, at the request
of
holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 ⅔%) of the voting power
of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote at an election of directors (the “Required Number” of
shares) if such election were held on the date the first such request is
delivered to the Corporation; provided, however, that with respect to this
clause (B), such meeting shall be held only (x) to take action on the item
or
items of business set forth in such request and (y) to take action on such
other
item or items of business proposed by the Board of Directors if such action
can
be taken by such holders. The business transacted at any special meeting of
the
stockholders shall be limited to the purposes stated in the notice of the
meeting transmitted to stockholders.
(ii) Stockholders
may call a special meeting of stockholders by delivery, either by personal
delivery or by United States mail, postage pre-paid, to the Secretary of the
Corporation of one or more written demands, each signed by the appropriate
number of record holder or holders thereof. Each such demand must include (A)
a
brief description of the business to be conducted at a special meeting and
the
reasons for conducting the business at a special meeting; (B) the name and
address of each stockholder who has signed the demand and the date of such
signature and the name and address of the beneficial owner, if any, on whose
behalf such demand is made; (C) evidence of the number of shares of capital
stock of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by each
stockholder who has signed the demand; (D) the number of shares owned
beneficially and of record by any beneficial owner on whose behalf such demand
is made; and (E) any material interest of any stockholder who has signed the
demand, or of any beneficial owner on whose behalf such demand is made, in
the
business described in the demand. The Board of Directors shall (x) determine
the
place, and fix the date and time, of any stockholder-called special meeting,
which shall be held not more than 90 days after the date the Secretary receives
a demand or demands that comply with this Section 2.6(ii) and are signed by
the
holders of the Required Number of shares, and (y) fix a record date to determine
the stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting.
(iii) Each
item of business to be transacted at a special meeting must be lawful and be
an
appropriate subject for stockholder action under applicable law, the
Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation and these By-laws.
(iv) Notwithstanding
anything in these By-laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at
a
special meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this
Section 2.6. The Secretary of the Corporation shall determine in good faith
whether the requirements set forth in Sections 2.6(i), (ii) and (v) have been
satisfied, and such good faith determination shall be binding on the Corporation
and the stockholders. Prior to fixing the record date for a special meeting
called by the stockholders, the Board shall determine in good faith whether
the
items of business to be transacted at such meeting satisfy the requirements
of
Section 2.6(iii). If the Board of Directors determines that the requirements
of
Section 2.6(iii) have not been satisfied with respect to one or more items
of
business, the Corporation shall send notice of such determination to each
stockholder who delivered to the Corporation a demand with respect to such
item
or items of business. If none of the items of business satisfy such
requirements, the Board of Directors shall not convene a special meeting. The
Board of Director’s good faith determination whether an item of business
satisfies the requirements set forth in Section 2.6(iii) shall be binding on
the
Corporation and its stockholders.
(v) In
the event that the Secretary of the Corporation does not receive demands from
the holders of the Required Number of shares on or before the sixtieth (60th)
day after the Secretary’s receipt of the first written demand for a special
meeting of stockholders (the “Initial Demand Date”), then, for
purposes of demanding a special meeting of stockholders with respect to the
item
or items of business listed in such first written demand: (i) all such demands
delivered to the Secretary on or before such sixtieth (60th) day shall
thereafter be of no effect and (ii) all demands delivered after such sixtieth
(60th) day and before the one-year anniversary of the Initial Demand Date shall
be of no effect.
Section
2.7 Notice
of Special Meetings. Written notice of a special meeting stating
the place, date and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which
the meeting is called, shall be given by the Secretary of the Corporation,
not
fewer than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the
meeting, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting.
Section
2.8 Fixing
of Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders
or
any adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or
other
distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights
in
respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of
any
other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which shall
not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted
and which shall be (i) not more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days
before the date of a meeting, and (ii) not more than sixty (60) days prior
to
any other action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice
of, or to vote at, a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment
of
the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record
date for any adjourned meeting.
Section
2.9 Voting
Lists. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the
Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting
of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the
meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each
stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder.
Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose
germane to the meeting: (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network,
provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided
with the notice of meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours at the
principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the
Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network,
the
Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is
available only to stockholders of the Corporation. The list shall also be
produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time
thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.
Section
2.10 Quorum
and Adjournments. The holders of a majority of the voting power
of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present in
person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of
the
stockholders for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided
by
statute or by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation. If, however, such
quorum shall not be present or represented at any such meeting of the
stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person
or
represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to
time,
without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall
be
present or represented; provided that if the adjournment is for more than thirty
(30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed by the
directors for the adjourned meeting, a new notice shall be transmitted to the
stockholders of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting. At such
adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be present or represented, any
business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting
as
originally notified.
Section
2.11 Vote
Required. When a quorum is present at any meeting of all
stockholders, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting
power of the stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat, present
in person or represented by proxy, shall decide any question brought before
such
meeting, unless the question is one upon which, by express provision of statute
or of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, a different vote is
required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the
decision of such question; provided, however, all elections of directors shall
be determined in accordance with Article III, Section 3.2 of these
By-laws.
Section
2.12 Voting
Rights. Unless otherwise provided in the Corporation’s
Certificate of Incorporation, each stockholder having voting power shall at
every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one (1) vote in person or
by
proxy for each share of the capital stock having voting power held by such
stockholder, but no proxy shall be voted on after three (3) years from its
date,
unless the proxy provides for a longer period. At any meeting of the
stockholders, every stockholder entitled to vote may vote in person or by proxy
authorized by an instrument in writing or by a transmission permitted by law
filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting. Any copy,
facsimile telecommunication or other reliable reproduction of the writing or
transmission created pursuant to this paragraph may be substituted or used
in
lieu of the original writing or transmission for any and all purposes for which
the original writing or transmission could be used; provided that such copy,
facsimile telecommunication or other reproduction shall be a complete
reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission. All voting,
including on the election of directors, may (except where otherwise required
by
law) be by a voice vote; provided, however, that upon demand therefor by a
stockholder entitled to vote or by his or her proxy, a stock vote shall be
taken. Every stock vote shall be taken by ballots, each of which shall state
the
name of the stockholder or proxy voting and such other information as may be
required under the procedure established for the meeting. The Corporation may,
and to the extent required by law shall, in advance of any meeting of
stockholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make
a
written report thereof. The Corporation may designate one or more persons as
alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector
or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the person presiding
at the meeting may, and to the extent required by law shall, appoint one or
more
inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the
discharge of his or her duties, shall take and sign an oath to faithfully
execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the
best of his or her ability. Every vote taken by ballots shall be counted by
an
inspector or inspectors appointed by the chairman of the meeting.
Section
2.13 Presiding
Over Meetings. The Chairman of the Board of Directors or his
designee shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders. In the absence
or
inability to act of the Chairman or his designee, the Vice Chairman, the
President or a Vice President (in that order) shall preside, and in their
absence or inability to act another person designated by one of them shall
preside. The Secretary of the Corporation shall act as Secretary of each meeting
of the stockholders. In the event of his or her absence or inability to act,
the
chairman of the meeting shall appoint a person who need not be a stockholder
to
act as Secretary of the meeting.
Section
2.14 Conducting
Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders shall be conducted in a
fair manner but need not be governed by any prescribed rules of order. The
presiding officer of the meeting shall establish an agenda for the meeting.
The
presiding officer’s rulings on procedural matters shall be final. The presiding
officer is authorized to impose reasonable time limits on the remarks of
individual stockholders and may take such steps as such officer may deem
necessary or appropriate to assure that the business of the meeting is conducted
in a fair and orderly manner.
ARTICLE
III
DIRECTORS
Section
3.1 General
Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be
under the direction of, and managed by, a board comprised of directors, which
may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts
and
things as are not required by statute, by the Corporation’s Certificate of
Incorporation or by these By-laws to be done by the stockholders. Directors
need
not be residents of the State of Delaware or stockholders of the Corporation.
The number of directors shall be determined in the manner provided in the
Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation.
Section
3.2 Election. The
ballot for the election of directors shall provide stockholders with the ability
to vote “for” or “against” nominees unless the number of nominees exceeds the
number of directors to be elected. Except as provided in this Section or Section
3.4 of this Article, a nominee for director shall be elected to the Board of
Directors if the votes cast “for” such nominee exceed the votes cast “against”
such nominee, provided, however, that if the number of nominees exceeds the
number of directors to be elected, the directors shall be elected by the vote
of
a plurality of the shares represented in person or by proxy at any such meeting
and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Each director elected shall
hold office during the term for which he or she is elected and until his or
her
successor is elected and qualified, subject, however, to his or her prior death,
resignation, retirement or removal from office. If a director is not reelected
but would otherwise remain in office until his or her successor is elected
and
qualified, the director shall offer to tender his or her resignation to the
Board of Directors, which may be conditioned upon acceptance of such resignation
by the Board of Directors. If a resignation is so conditioned, the Nominating
and Governance Committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors
on
whether to accept or reject the resignation. The Board of Directors will decide
whether to accept or reject the resignation and will publicly disclose its
decision within ninety (90) days from the date of the certification of the
election results. A director who tenders his or her resignation will not
participate in the Board’s vote with respect to such decision on that
director.
Section
3.3 Removal. Except
as provided in the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation with respect to
Continuing Classified Directors (as defined in the Corporation’s Certificate of
Incorporation), any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed
from office, with or without cause, by holders of at least a majority of the
voting power of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote at an election
of
directors; provided, however, that whenever the holders of any class or series
are entitled to elect 1 or more directors by the Corporation’s Certificate of
Incorporation, this section shall apply, in respect to the removal without
cause
of a director or directors so elected, to the vote of the holders of the
outstanding shares of that class or series and not to the vote of the
outstanding shares as a whole.
Section
3.4 Vacancies. Any
vacancies occurring in the Board of Directors and newly created directorships
shall be filled in the manner provided in the Corporation’s Certificate of
Incorporation.
Section
3.5 Place
of Meetings. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold
meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of
Delaware. The first meeting of each newly elected Board of Directors shall
be
held immediately following the adjournment of the annual meeting of the
stockholders at the same place as such annual meeting and no notice of such
meeting shall be necessary to the newly elected directors in order to legally
constitute the meeting, provided a quorum shall be present. In the event such
meeting is not held at such time and place, the meeting may be held at such
time
and place as shall be specified in a notice given as hereinafter provided for
special meetings of the Board of Directors, or as shall be specified in a
written waiver signed by all of the directors.
Section
3.6 Participation
by Conference Telephone. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, members of the
Board of Directors, or any committee designated by the Board of Directors,
may
participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or committee, by means
of
conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which
all
persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation
by
such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.
Section
3.7 Regular
Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held,
without notice, at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be
determined by the Board of Directors.
Section
3.8 Special
Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be
called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or the
President on at least one day’s notice to each director, either personally, or
by mail, courier, telephone, telefax, mailgram, telex, telecopier or electronic
transmission. Special meetings shall be called by the Chairman, the Chief
Executive Officer or the President in like manner and on like notice at the
request, in writing or by electronic transmission, of two or more of the
directors comprising the Board of Directors stating the purpose or purposes
for
which such meeting is requested. Notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors
for which a notice is required may be waived by electronic transmission or
in a
writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before
or after the time of such meeting, and such waiver shall be equivalent to the
giving of such notice. Attendance of a director at any such meeting shall
constitute a waiver of notice thereof, except where a director attends a meeting
for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business because
such meeting is not lawfully convened. Neither the business to be transacted
at,
nor the purpose of, any meeting of the Board of Directors for which a notice
is
required need be specified in the notice, or waiver of notice, of such meeting.
The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. In the
absence or inability to act of the Chairman, then the Vice Chairman (if one
shall have been chosen by the Board), the Chief Executive Officer, the President
or the Chief Financial Officer (in that order) shall preside, and in their
absence or inability to act, another director designated by one of them shall
preside.
Section
3.9 Quorum;
No Action on Certain Matters. At all meetings of the Board of
Directors, a majority of the then duly elected directors shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the
directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act
of
the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by
statute or by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation. If a quorum shall
not be present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, the directors present
thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than
announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present.
Section
3.10 Resignations. Any
director of the Corporation may resign at any time by giving written notice,
or
notice by electronic transmission, to the Board of Directors, the Chairman
or
the President. Such resignation shall take effect at the time specified therein
and, unless tendered to take effect upon acceptance thereof, the acceptance
of
such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
Section
3.11 Informal
Action. Unless otherwise restricted by the Corporation’s
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, any action required or permitted
to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof
may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or
committee consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the
writing or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with
the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing
shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall
be
in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic
form.
Section
3.12 Presumption
of Assent. A director of the Corporation who is present at a
meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any corporate matter is
taken shall be conclusively presumed to have assented to the action taken unless
his or her dissent shall be entered in the minutes of the meeting or unless
he
or she shall file his or her written dissent to such action with the person
acting as the Secretary of the meeting before the adjournment thereof or shall
forward such dissent by registered mail to the secretary of the Corporation
immediately after the adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent shall
not apply to a director who voted in favor of such action.
Section
3.13 Compensation
of Directors. In the discretion of the Board of Directors, the
directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of attendance at each meeting
of
the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, may be paid a stated salary
or a
fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or a
committee thereof and may be awarded other compensation for their service as
directors. No such payment or award shall preclude any director from serving
the
Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor. Members
of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending
committee meetings.
ARTICLE
IV
COMMITTEES
OF DIRECTORS
Section
4.1 Appointment
and Powers. The Board of Directors may designate one or more
committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the
Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as
alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified
member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification
of a
member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting
and
not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute
a
quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to
act
at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any
such
committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors,
shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of
Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation,
and
may authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which
may
require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference
to the following matters: (a) approving or adopting, or recommending to the
stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the Delaware General
Corporation Law to be submitted to stockholders for approval or (b) adopting,
amending or repealing any of the By-laws.
Section
4.2 Committee
Minutes. Each committee shall keep regular minutes of its
meetings and shall file such minutes and all written consents executed by its
members with the Secretary of the Corporation. Each committee may determine
the
procedural rules for meeting and conducting its business and shall act in
accordance therewith, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law.
Adequate provision shall be made for notice to members of all meetings;
one-third of the members shall constitute a quorum unless the committee shall
consist of one or two members, in which event one member shall constitute a
quorum; and all matters shall be determined by a majority vote of the members
present. Action may be taken by any committee without a meeting if all members
thereof consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission and the writing
or writings or electronic transmission or transmissions are filed with the
minutes of the proceedings of such committee. Such filing shall be in paper
form
if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form
if
the minutes are maintained in electronic form.
ARTICLE
V
NOTICES
Section
5.1 Manner
of Notice. Whenever, under applicable law or the Corporation’s
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, notice is required to be given
to
any director or stockholder, unless otherwise provided in the Corporation’s
Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, such notice may be given in
writing, by courier or mail, addressed to such director or stockholder, at
such
director’s or stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the
Corporation, with freight or postage thereon prepaid, and such notice shall
be
deemed to be given at the time when the same shall have been deposited with
such
courier or in the United States mail. Notice may be given orally if such notice
is confirmed in writing in a manner provided therein. Notice to directors may
also be given by mail, courier, telephone, telefax, mailgram, telex, telecopier
or electronic transmission. Without limiting the manner by which notice
otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders
may be given by electronic transmission in the manner provided in Section 232
of
the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Section
5.2 Waiver. Whenever
any notice is required to be given under applicable law or the provisions of
the
Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, a waiver thereof in
writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to said notice, or a waiver
by
electronic transmission by such person or persons, whether before or after
the
time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent thereto. Neither the business
nor the purpose of any meeting need be specified in such a waiver. Attendance
at
any meeting shall constitute waiver of notice except attendance for the sole
purpose of objecting to the timeliness of notice.
ARTICLE
VI
OFFICERS
Section
6.1 Number
and Qualifications. The officers of the Corporation shall be
chosen by the Board of Directors and shall be a Chairman of the Board, a Chief
Executive Officer, a President, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice
Presidents, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also choose
a Vice Chairman for the Board (or Vice Chairman), one or more Assistant
Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers and such additional officers as the Board
of Directors may deem necessary or appropriate from time to time. Membership
on
the Board of Directors shall not be a prerequisite to the holding of any other
office. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless the
Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws otherwise
provide.
Section
6.2 Election. The
Board of Directors at its first meeting after each annual meeting of
stockholders shall elect a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer,
a
President, a Chief Financial Officer, one or more Vice Presidents, a Secretary
and a Treasurer, and may choose a Vice Chairman of the Board, one or more
Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers and such other officers as the
Board of Directors shall deem desirable.
Section
6.3 Other
Officers and Agents’. The Board of Directors may choose such
other officers and agents as it shall deem necessary, which officers and agents
shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and
perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of
Directors.
Section
6.4 Salaries. The
salaries or other compensation of the officers and agents of the Corporation
shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors, and no officer
shall
be prevented from receiving such salary or other compensation by reason of
the
fact that such officer is also a director of the Corporation.
Section
6.5 Term
of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall hold office
until their successors are chosen and qualified or until their earlier
resignation or removal. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of
Directors may be removed at any time, either with or without cause, by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office at any meeting
of
the Board of Directors. If a vacancy shall exist in the office of the
Corporation, the Board of Directors may elect any person to fill such vacancy,
such person to hold office as provided in Section 6.1 of this Article
VI.
Section
6.6 The
Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board (or Chairman)
shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors
and shall see that orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried
into effect. The Chairman of the Board shall perform such duties as may be
assigned to him by the Board of Directors.
Section
6.7 The
Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the
principal executive officer of the Corporation and shall, in general, supervise
and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation, unless otherwise
provided by the Board of Directors. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board,
the Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders
and of the Board of Directors and shall see that orders and resolutions of
the
Board of Directors are carried into effect. The Chief Executive Officer may
sign
bonds, mortgages, certificates for shares and all other contracts and documents,
whether or not under the seal of the Corporation, except in cases where the
signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by law, by the Board
of Directors or by these By-laws to some other officer or agent of the
Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall have general powers of
supervision and shall be the final arbiter of all differences between officers
of the Corporation, and the Chief Executive Officer’s decision as to any matter
affecting the Corporation shall be final and binding as between the officers
of
the Corporation, subject only to its Board of Directors.
Section
6.8 The
President. Unless another party has been designated as Chief
Operating Officer, the President shall be the Chief Operating Officer of the
Corporation responsible for the day-to-day active management of the business
of
the Corporation, under the general supervision of the Chief Executive Officer.
In the absence of the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall perform
the
duties of the Chief Executive Officer, and when so acting, shall have all the
powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chief Executive
Officer. The President shall have concurrent power with the Chief Executive
Officer to sign bonds, mortgages, certificates for shares and other contracts
and documents, whether or not under the seal of the Corporation, except in
cases
where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by law,
by
the Board of Directors or by these By-laws to some other officer or agent of
the
Corporation. In general, the President shall perform all duties incident to
the
office of the President and such other duties as the Chief Executive Officer
or
the Board of Directors may from time to time prescribe.
Section
6.9 The
Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall be the
principal financial and principal accounting officer of the Corporation. The
Chief Financial Officer shall: (a) have charge of and be responsible for the
maintenance of adequate books of account for the Corporation; (b) have charge
and custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation, and be responsible
therefor and for the receipt and disbursement thereof; and (c) perform all
the
duties incident to the office of the Chief Financial Officer and such other
duties as from time to time may be assigned to him by the President or by the
Board of Directors. If required by the Board of Directors, the Chief Financial
Officer shall give a bond for the faithful discharge of the Chief Financial
Officer’s duties in such sum and with such surety or sureties as the Board of
Directors may determine.
Section
6.10 The
Vice Presidents. In the absence of the President, or in the event
of the President’s inability or refusal to act, the Vice Presidents (in the
order designated, or in the absence of any designation, then in the order of
their election) shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting,
shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon,
the
President. The Vice Presidents shall perform such other duties and have such
other powers as the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors may from
time to time prescribe.
Section
6.11 The
Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board
of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders and record all the proceedings
of the meetings of the Corporation and of the Board of Directors in a book
to be
kept for that purpose and shall perform like duties for the standing committees
when required. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all
meetings of the stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors
and
shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors
or the Chief Executive Officer, under whose supervision the Secretary shall
be.
The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation and
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, shall have authority to affix the
same
to any instrument requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by the
Secretary’s signature or by the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board
of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal
of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by such officer’s
signature.
Section
6.12 The
Treasurer. In the event that the Chief Financial Officer is
unavailable to perform his duties or in the event of the Chief Financial
Officer’s inability or refusal to act, the Treasurer shall perform the duties of
the Chief Financial Officer, and when so acting, shall have all the powers
of
and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chief Financial Officer. The
Treasurer shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the
Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or the Board of Directors
may
from time to time prescribe.
Section
6.13 The
Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary, or if there be more
than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of
Directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their
election), shall, in the absence of the Secretary or in the event of the
Secretary’s inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the
powers of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other
powers as the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors may from time
to
time prescribe.
Section
6.14 The
Assistant Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer, or if there shall
be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined by the Board
of Directors (or if there be no such determination, then in the order of their
election), shall, in the absence of the Treasurer or in the event of the
Treasurer’s inability or refusal to act, perform the duties and exercise the
powers of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties and have such other
powers as the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors may from time
to
time prescribe.
ARTICLE
VII
CERTIFICATES
OF STOCK, TRANSFERS AND RECORD DATES
Section
7.1 Certificates
of Stock; Uncertificated Shares. The shares of stock of the Corporation
shall be represented by certificates, or by uncertificated shares that may
be
evidenced by a book-entry system maintained by the registrar of such stock,
or a
combination of both. If shares are represented by certificates (if
any), such certificates shall be in the form approved by the Board of
Directors. The certificates representing shares of stock of each
class shall be signed by, or in the name of, the Corporation by the Chairman,
the President or any Vice President, and by the Secretary, any Assistant
Secretary, the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer.
Section
7.2 Facsimile
Signatures. Any or all signatures on a certificate representing
stock of the Corporation may be a facsimile. In case any officer,
transfer agent or registrar who has signed, or whose facsimile signature has
been placed upon, a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer
agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the
Corporation with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer
agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Section
7.3 Lost
Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct that a new
certificate or certificates or uncertificated shares be issued in place of
any
certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to
have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that
fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or
destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate or certificates
or
uncertificated shares, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as
a
condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost,
stolen or destroyed certificate or certificates, or such owner’s legal
representative, to advertise the same in such manner as the Corporation shall
require and/or give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as
indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation or its
transfer agent or registrar with respect to the certificate alleged to have
been
lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section
7.4 Transfers
of Stock. Transfers of stock shall be made only on the stock
transfer books of the Corporation and (i) with respect to stock represented
by a
certificate, upon surrender of the certificate previously issued therefor which
is outstanding and not canceled, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate
evidence of succession, assignment or authority to transfer, and (ii) with
respect to uncertificated shares, upon receipt of proper transfer instructions
from the record holder thereof. Subject to the provisions of the
Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation and these By-Laws, the Board of
Directors may prescribe such additional rules and regulations as it may deem
appropriate relating to the issue, transfer and registration of shares of the
Corporation.
Section
7.5 Registered
Stockholders. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the
exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares
to
receive dividends and to vote as such owner and to hold liable for calls and
assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall
not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such
share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not the Corporation
shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by
the
laws of Delaware.
ARTICLE
VIII
CONFLICT
OF INTERESTS
Section
8.1 Contract
or Relationship Not Void. No contract or transaction between the
Corporation and one or more of its directors or officers, or between the
Corporation and any other corporation, partnership, association or other
organization in which one or more of its directors or officers are directors
or
officers or have a financial interest shall be void or voidable solely for
this
reason, or solely because such director or officer is present at, or
participates in, the meeting of the Board of Director’s or committee thereof
which authorizes the contract or transaction, or solely because such director’s
or officer’s vote is counted for such purpose, if:
(i) The
material facts as to such director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and
as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the Board of
Directors or the committee, and the board or committee in good faith authorizes
the contract or transaction by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
disinterested directors, even though the disinterested directors be less than
a
quorum; or
(ii) The
material facts as to such director’s or officer’s relationship or interest and
as to the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders
entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically
approved in good faith by vote of the stockholders; or
(iii) The
contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it is
authorized, approved or ratified by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof,
or the stockholders.
Section
8.2 Quorum. Common
or interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum
at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee which authorizes the
contract or transaction.
ARTICLE
IX
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
Section
9.1 Dividends. Dividends
upon the capital stock of the Corporation, subject to the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors
at any regular or special meeting, pursuant to law. Dividends may be paid in
cash, in property or in shares of the capital stock or rights to acquire same,
subject to the provisions of the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation.
Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of
the
Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the directors from
time
to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves
to
meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining
any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose as the directors
shall think conducive to the interest of the Corporation, and the directors
may
modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was
created.
Section
9.2 Checks. All
checks or demands for money and notes of the Corporation shall be signed by
such
officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors
may from time to time designate.
Section
9.3 Fiscal
Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be fixed by
resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section
9.4 Seal. The
corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation and
the
words “Corporate Seal, Delaware.” The seal may be used by causing it or a
facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or
otherwise.
Section
9.5 Stock
in Other Corporations. Shares of any other corporation which may
from time to time be held by this Corporation may be represented and voted
at
any meeting of stockholders of such corporation by the Chairman, the Chief
Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer or a Vice
President of the Corporation, or by any proxy appointed in writing by the
Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial
Officer or a Vice President of the Corporation, or by any other person or
persons thereunto authorized by the Board of Directors. Shares represented
by
certificates standing in the name of the Corporation may be endorsed for sale
or
transfer in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman, the Chief Executive
Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President of
the
Corporation or by any other officer or officers thereunto authorized by the
Board of Directors. Shares belonging to the Corporation need not stand in the
name of the Corporation, but may be held for the benefit of the Corporation
in
the individual name of the Chief Financial Officer or of any other nominee
designated for the purpose of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE
X
AMENDMENTS
These
By-laws may be altered, amended or repealed or new by-laws may be adopted only
in the manner provided in the Corporation’s Certificate of
Incorporation.