This is a copy of the charter.  The original should be here. However, this appears to be a dead link.

The Meridian College of Bardic Arts
4th edition

1. PURPOSE:

   To provide an environment in which all individuals can share and develop their love of the Bardic Arts for the betterment of themselves, the enjoyment of all, and the enrichment of the Kingdom of Meridies.

   We are stylized on a traditional Bardic College, focused on learning, teaching, and performing. Our goal is to instill the desire and courage to perform the Bardic Arts.

   We present the learning in fashion as to promote a balanced development of performance, a keeper and relater of histories, and the relating of information in a Bardic Fashion.

   
   

2. CRITERIA FOR ENROLLMENT/DISENROLLMENT
   1. The Meridian College of Bardic Arts embraces and welcomes all who wish to enroll.
   2. Anyone is welcome to participate in classes held by the College, however students must complete a registration form to be officially enrolled. Records will only be kept on those students who are officially enrolled in the College.
   3. Failure to complete / graduate IS NOT grounds for disenrollment of the College.
   4. The Only grounds for disenrollment is for the student to be absolutely banished by the Society, as covered by Corpora and Kingdom Law.
   5. All members of any preexisting College for Bardic Arts, within the Kingdom of Meridies are welcomed to join the College at their current status. Please send notification of your intent to join the College, in writing to the Dean of the College. Progression within the College will take place under the new curriculum. Mandatory classes must be taken or taught in order to receive credit for those classes.

   
   

3. CURRICULUM

   ALL COURSES ARE ONE HOUR CREDITS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF AND GUIDANCE ON THE SUBJECT.

   1. REQUIRED COURSES
      1. ROLE OF THE BARD in the MIDDLE AGES: An overview of what a Bard was, how they were trained, different courses of study, the role they played in society, and the political importance of Bards.
      2. HISTORY of MERIDIES: RUM course CMA101.  An overview of the history of our Kingdom.  This class will cover the history of Meridies from its early days with the East, the switch to Atenveldt, becoming a principality, and finally kingdom status.  It will also cover key people of the Kingdom, such as Duke John the Bearkiller, Duke Orlando, Mistress Rondallyn, Master Cathal, etx. and figures of local importance.
      3. MERIDIAN LAW: RUM course CMA202.  A survey course that covers The Kingdom Law of Meridies.  Explanation of the laws as they appear in the most recent publication of Kingdom Law will be discussed.  Also discussed will be the process to change Kingdom Law.
      4. HERALDRY: RUM course SCI400, BASIC HERALDRY.  An introduction to mundane English Heraldry covering the basic terms such as the colors, metals, furs, divisions and charges and an introduction to blazoning.  Also covered is the SCA rules for heraldic devices, a look at examples of kingdom and local arms and the submission process.
      5. LIFE in MEDIEVAL TIMES: RUM course HIS100.  A survey of peasants, nobles, and clerics.  This class will cover the details of everyday life:  how the manors and castles were run and by whom, who were the castle servants and where did they come from.  What the Lord and Lady of the Manor did, how children were trained for their future position, fostering and marriage among the nobility, feudal obligations, amusements and responsibilities.  It will also cover the daily life of the peasant, such as it was.  The class will also touch on the merchant class and the clergy, how their lives differed, and how one became a member of the clergy or a guild member.
      6. PERFORMING in the SCA: What to expect, what is expected, helpful hints on crowd pleasers and displeases.  Must also include information on Bardic Circles, their purpose and how to run one.
      7. FUNDAMENTALS of COMPOSING ORIGINAL WORKS: A course which describes the creative process used in composing original poetry, or song, using several as examples will also be part of the class.
      8. RESEARCH and DOCUMENTATION for the PERFORMING ARTS: This class will discuss suggestions on where to look, and how to organize documentation for Period and Original Work. (The LMoAS Handbook is an excellent guide for this course)
      9. ANALYSIS of PERIOD WORK: A class that discusses a period poem, story, or song chosen by the instructor. Discussion will include what is known about the author. An analysis of the work as for the mechanics and content will also be discussed.
      10. ANALYSIS of CURRENT MIDDLE-AGES WORK: A class that discusses a poem, story, or song that was written or composed during the existence of the SCA. Discussion will include what is known about the author, what might have been going on politically or socially that could have motivated the author. An analysis of the work as for the mechanics and content will also be discussed.
   2. ELECTIVES: Along with the ten required courses and ten hours of teaching, students are required to take six electives.  These electives bring the total number of class and instructional for graduation to 26.  Electives should be of the student's choice and can be taught by any Collegium that teaches performing arts.  These electives allow the student to customize his/her curriculum to their preferred area of study.

   
   

4. TITLES and REGALIA of ACHIEVMENT:
   1. REGALIA
      1. The College shall consult the Meridian College of Heraldry and the Crown for any possible regalia used by the College.
      2. We ask that a Belt Favor, Sable adorned with a single Argent mullet be used to signify the rank of Bard, a belt favor, Sable, adorned with two Argent mullets be used to signify the rank of Filidh, a belt favor, Sable, adorned with three Argent mullets be used to signify the rank of Ollamh, and a belt favor, Sable, adorned with three Argent mullets under an increscent be used to signify the rank of Lorekeeper.
   2. TITLES: These titles are non-armigerous and carry no precedence.
      1. BARD: Any student officially enrolled in the College and has completed the course ROLE of the BARD in the MIDDLE-AGES.
      2. FILIDH: A student who has completed all 10 (ten) required courses and has performed publicly 10 (ten) times since enrollment. (All performances mentioned are to be on individual honor)
      3. OLLAMH: A student who has reached the title of Filidh, completed all six electives, continues to perform publicly, (10 (ten) times since obtaining Filidh), and has competed in at least 1 (one) local Bardic Competition.
      4. LOREKEEPER: A student who has achieved the title Ollamh, has taught 10 (ten) courses within the College, continues to perform publicly, (10 (ten) times since obtaining Ollamh), and has competed in at least one Kingdom level Bardic Competition.
         1. The student is now considered a Graduate of the College and is invited to continue to teach as long as he/she wishes.
         2. Graduation is not considered justification for disenrollment from the College.

   
   

5. THE BARDIC COUNCIL
   1. PURPOSE
      1. To gather information on currently registered students and to recognize advancement within the College.
      2. To report on which classes were taught and where they were given since the last Council.
      3. To prepare / plan classes for up coming events / Collegiums.
      4. To discuss other matters pertinent to the College.
      5. The Bardic Council may vote to amend or modify this charter.  The Royal University of Meridies and The Crown must approve any changes.
   2. COMPOSITION
      1. All Bardic Councils will consist of Local group representation, within geographical regions, (i.e.: western, middle, eastern regions) of officially enrolled students and or teachers.
   3. ADMINISTRATION of COUNCILS
      1. The Dean of the College, or his/her designated representative will administrate councils.
      2. Councils will be coordinated through regional locations and take place at official SCA events as invited / permitted by the autocrat of the event.
      3. Councils will be held as required for the administration of the College. Not to exceed more than once per quarter.
      4. The Colleges web site/ newsletter will be updated with information from Bardic Councils.

   
   

6. OFFICERS/ REPORTS
   1. TERM of OFFICE
      1. ALL Offices are for a two year term. Deputies will be selected within the first year of office in order to insure the smooth continuation of the College.
   2. CRITERIA
      1. ALL Officers will be officially enrolled in the College.
   3. OFFICES
      1. DEAN
         1. Administrator of the College and Arbiter of the Bardic Council.
         2. Files reports with the Dean of Academic Studies, RUM.
         3. Designates Regional Deputies.
      2. REGIONAL DEPUTIES
         1. No Regional Deputy will have precedence over any other.
         2. Administrates as the Dean's representative at regional Bardic Councils.
         3. Receives and forwards all reports on student achievement with in the College to the Dean from local groups.
      3. REPORTS
         1. The Dean reports to the Dean of Academic Studies, RUM semi-annually.
         2. Regional Deputies report to the Dean of the Meridian College of Bardic Arts semi-annually.