UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 29, 2014 (October 23, 2014)
Grand Canyon Education, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 001-34211 | 20-3356009 | ||
| (State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| 3300 W. Camelback Road | ||
| Phoenix, Arizona | 85017 | |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (602) 639-7500
(Former name or former address if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
On October 29, 2014, Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (the “University”) reported its results for the third quarter of 2014. The press release dated October 29, 2014 is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this report.
Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.
On October 23, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, approved and adopted an amendment to the Corporation’s Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (as so amended, the “Third Amended and Restated Bylaws”). Under the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, Article II, Section 2. was amended to change the voting standard for the election of directors from a plurality to a majority voting standard in uncontested elections. Under the new majority voting standard, a nominee for director shall be elected to the Board if the votes cast for such nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against such nominee’s election. Directors will continue to be elected by plurality vote at any meeting of stockholders for which the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected. The Third Amended and Restated Bylaws became effective immediately upon their adoption and the new majority vote standard will apply to the election of directors at the Company’s 2015 annual meeting of stockholders. The above description of the Bylaw Amendments does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Bylaw Amendments, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1.
Under a related change to the Company’s Corporate Governance Principles and Practices, also adopted on October 23, 2014, if an incumbent nominee does not receive a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election, that director shall promptly offer to tender his or her resignation to the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board will then consider whether to accept the director’s resignation and make a recommendation to the Board. The Board will then consider the resignation, and within 90 days after the date of certification of the election results, the Board shall publicly disclose its decision and the reasons for its decision. The director whose resignation is under consideration may not participate in any deliberation regarding his or her resignation unless none of the directors received a majority of the votes cast. If the Board accepts a director’s resignation, the Board may elect a replacement in accordance with the Third Amended and Restated Bylaws.
Item 8.01. Other Events
On October 29, 2014, the University also issued a press release regarding the decision of its board of directors to form a committee of independent directors to explore options aimed at enhancing stockholder value. The Board chose to form the committee after the University’s management expressed a desire to explore the possibility of effecting a conversion of the University to a nonprofit entity. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Board of Directors cautions the University’s stockholders and others considering trading in its securities that the Board of Directors has not yet received a proposal nor has the Board of Directors determined whether such a transaction would be feasible. There can be no assurance that any such proposal will ever be made or, if made, whether it would be accepted or that any agreement would be executed or any transaction consummated. In addition, the consummation of any such transaction would be subject to applicable legal, regulatory and accrediting body approvals. The committee intends to engage a financial advisor to aid in its review of any such proposal if made and any other alternatives that could enhance stockholder value.
Item 9.01. Consolidated Financial Statements and Exhibits.
| 3.1 | Third Amended and Restated Bylaws | |
| 99.1 | Press Release dated October 29, 2014 | |
| 99.2 | Press Release dated October 29, 2014 | |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC. | ||||||
| Date: October 29, 2014 | By: | /s/ Daniel E. Bachus | ||||
| Daniel E. Bachus | ||||||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||||||
| (Principal Financial and Principal Accounting Officer) | ||||||
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit |
Description | |
| 3.1 | Third Amended and Restated Bylaws | |
| 99.1 | Press Release dated October 29, 2014 | |
| 99.2 | Press Release dated October 29, 2014 | |
Exhibit 3.1
THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS
OF
GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.
A Delaware Corporation
PREAMBLE
These amended and restated bylaws (the “Bylaws”) are subject to, and governed by, the General Corporate Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and the certificate of incorporation, as amended and/or as amended and restated from time to time (the “Certificate”), of Grand Canyon Education, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”). In the event of a direct conflict between the provisions of these Bylaws and the mandatory provisions of the DGCL or the provisions of the Certificate, such provisions of the DGCL or the Certificate, as the case may be, will be controlling.
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
1.1 Registered Office and Agent. The registered office and registered agent of the Corporation shall be designated from time to time by the appropriate filing by the Corporation in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.
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 as the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS
2.1 Place of Meetings. All meetings of stockholders shall be held at such place (if any) within or without the State of Delaware as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.
2.2 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and for the transaction of such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting shall be held on a date to be fixed by the Board of Directors at the time and place to be fixed by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting. In lieu of holding an annual meeting of stockholders at a designated place, the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that any annual meeting of stockholders may be held solely by means of remote communication.
2.3 Special Meetings. Special meetings of stockholders may be called at any time by the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes prescribed in the notice of the meeting and shall be held at such place (if any), on such date and at such time as the Board may fix. In lieu of holding a special meeting of stockholders at a designated place, the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that any special meeting of stockholders may be held solely by means of remote communication. Business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be confined to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of meeting.
2.4 Notice of Meetings.
(a) Written notice of each meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date on which the meeting is to be held, to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, except as otherwise provided herein or as required by law (meaning here and hereafter, as required from time to time by the DGCL or the Certificate). The notice of any meeting shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting. The notice of a special meeting shall state, in addition, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at his, her or its address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.
(b) Notice to stockholders may be given by personal delivery, mail, or, with the consent of the stockholder entitled to receive notice, by facsimile or other means of electronic transmission. If mailed, such notice shall be delivered by postage prepaid envelope directed to each stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears in the records of the Corporation and shall be deemed given when deposited in the United States mail. Notice given by electronic transmission pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed given: (1) if by facsimile telecommunication, when directed to a facsimile telecommunication number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (2) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (3) if by posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; and (4) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder. An affidavit of the Secretary or an assistant Secretary or of the transfer agent or other agent of the Corporation that the notice has been given by personal delivery, by mail, or by a form of electronic transmission shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
(c) Notice of any meeting of stockholders need not be given to any stockholder if waived by such stockholder either in a writing signed by such stockholder or by electronic transmission, whether such waiver is given before or after such meeting is held. If such a waiver is given by electronic transmission, the electronic transmission must either set forth or be submitted with information from which it can be determined that the electronic transmission was authorized by the stockholder.
2.5 Voting List. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare, at least ten (10) days before each meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order for each class of stock 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 such stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, in the manner provided by law. The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time of the meeting, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. This list shall determine the identity of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting and the number of shares held by each of them.
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2.6 Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, the holders of a majority of the shares of the capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Where a separate class vote by a class or classes or series is required, a majority of the shares of such class or classes or series present in person or represented by proxy shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter.
2.7 Adjournments. Any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned to any other time and to any other place at which a meeting of stockholders may be held under these Bylaws by the chairman of the meeting or, in the absence of such person, by any officer entitled to preside at or to act as Secretary of such meeting, or by the holders of a majority of the shares of stock present or represented at the meeting and entitled to vote, although less than a quorum. When a meeting is adjourned to another place, date or time, written notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the date, time, and place and the means of remote communication, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken; provided, however, that if the date of any adjourned meeting is more than thirty (30) days after the date for which the meeting was originally noticed, or if a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, written notice of the place, if any, date, and time of the adjourned meeting and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting, shall be given in conformity with Section 2.4 hereof. At the adjourned meeting, the Corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting.
2.8 Voting and Proxies. Each stockholder shall have one vote for each share of stock entitled to vote held of record by such stockholder and a proportionate vote for each fractional share so held, unless otherwise provided by law or in the Certificate. Each stockholder of record entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders may vote in person or may authorize any other person or persons to vote or act for such stockholder by written proxy executed by the stockholder or its authorized agent or by a transmission permitted by law and delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation. Any copy, facsimile transmission or other reliable reproduction of the writing or transmission created pursuant to this Section 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 transmission or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing or transmission.
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2.9 Record Date. The Board of Directors may fix in advance a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights in respect of any change, concession or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action. Such record date shall not precede the date on which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted and shall not be more than sixty (60) nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action to which such record date relates. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day before the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day before the day on which the meeting is held. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating to such purpose. 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 the adjourned meeting.
2.10 Action at Meeting. At any meeting of stockholders for the election of one or more directors at which a quorum is present, each director shall be elected by the vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to the director, provided 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 votes cast by the stockholders entitled to vote at the election. For purposes of this Section 2.10, a majority of the votes cast means that the number of shares voted “for” a director exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director. If a director then serving on the Board of Directors does not receive the required majority, the director shall tender his or her resignation to the Board. Within 90 days after the date of the certification of the election results, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee or other committee that may be designated by the Board will make a recommendation to the Board on whether to accept or reject the resignation, or whether other action should be taken and the Board will act on such committee’s recommendation and publicly disclose its decision and the rationale behind it. All other matters shall be determined by a majority in voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter (or if there are two or more classes of stock entitled to vote as separate classes, then in the case of each such class, a majority of the shares of each such class present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter shall decide such matter), provided that a quorum is present, except when a different vote is required by express provision of law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. All voting, including on the election of directors, but excepting where otherwise required by law, may be by a voice vote; provided, however, that upon demand therefor by a stockholder entitled to vote or the stockholder’s proxy, a vote by ballot shall be taken. Each ballot shall state the name of the stockholder or proxy voting and such other information as may be required under the procedures 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 an alternate inspector 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.
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2.11 Notice of Stockholder Business.
(a) At an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (iii) properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder of record. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, it must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the DGCL and the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder proposal to be presented at an annual meeting shall be received at the Corporation’s principal executive offices not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day, nor later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day, prior to the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting as first specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (without regard to any postponements or adjournments of such meeting after such notice was first sent), except that if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days earlier or later than such anniversary date, notice by the stockholders to be timely must be received not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the date on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. “Public announcement” for purposes hereof shall have the meaning set forth in Article III, Section 3.15(c) of these Bylaws. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. For business to be properly brought before a special meeting by a stockholder, the business must be limited to the purpose or purposes set forth in a request under Section 2.3.
(b) A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary of the Corporation shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting and the text of the proposal or business, including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend these Bylaws, the language of the proposed amendment, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business and the names and addresses of the beneficial owners, if any, on whose behalf the business is being brought, (iii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at the meeting on the date of such notice and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose the business specified in the notice, (iv) any material interest of the stockholder and any such other beneficial owner in such business, and (v) the following information regarding the ownership interests of the stockholder or any such other beneficial owner, which shall be supplemented in writing by the stockholder not later than ten (10) days after the record date for voting at the meeting to disclose such interests as of such record date: (A) the class and number of shares of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by the stockholder and any such other beneficial owner; (B) any option, warrant, convertible security, stock appreciation right, or similar right with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of shares of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares of the Corporation, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in the underlying class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or otherwise (a “Derivative Instrument”) directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation; (C) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation; (D) any short interest in any security of the Corporation (for purposes of this Section 2.11 and Section 3.15, a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if such person, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security); (E) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation; (F) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner; and (G) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) to which such stockholder is entitled based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, including, without limitation, any such interests held by members of such stockholder’s immediate family sharing the same household.
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(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.11, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.11.
(d) Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, the notice requirements set forth in subsections (a) and (b) above shall be deemed satisfied by a stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Corporation of the stockholder’s intention to present a proposal at an annual meeting in compliance with applicable rules and regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act and such stockholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Corporation to solicit proxies for such annual meeting.
2.12 Conduct of Business. At every meeting of the stockholders, the Chairman of the Board, or, in his or her absence, the Chief Executive Officer, or, in his or her absence, such other person as may be appointed by the Board of Directors, shall act as chairman. The Secretary of the Corporation or a person designated by the chairman of the meeting shall act as Secretary of the meeting. Unless otherwise approved by the chairman of the meeting, attendance at the stockholders’ meeting is restricted to stockholders of record, persons authorized in accordance with Section 2.8 of these Bylaws to act by proxy, and officers of the Corporation. The chairman of the meeting shall call the meeting to order, establish the agenda, and conduct the business of the meeting in accordance therewith or, at the chairman’s discretion, it may be conducted otherwise in accordance with the wishes of the stockholders in attendance. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting. The chairman shall also conduct the meeting in an orderly manner, rule on the precedence of, and procedure on, motions and other procedural matters, and exercise discretion with respect to such procedural matters with fairness and good faith toward all those entitled to take part. Without limiting the foregoing, the chairman may (a) restrict attendance at any time to bona fide stockholders of record and their proxies and other persons in attendance at the invitation of the presiding officer or Board of Directors, (b) restrict use of audio or video recording devices at the meeting, and (c) impose reasonable limits on the amount of time taken up at the meeting on discussion in general or on remarks by any one stockholder. Should any person in attendance become unruly or obstruct the meeting proceedings, the chairman shall have the power to have such person removed from the meeting. Notwithstanding anything in the Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at a meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.12 and Section 2.11 above. The chairman of a meeting may determine and declare to the meeting that any proposed item of business was not brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.12 and Section 2.11, and if he or she should so determine, he or she shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
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2.13 No Stockholder Action Without Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.
2.14 Meetings by Remote Communication. If authorized by the Board of Directors, and subject to such guidelines and procedures as the Board may adopt, stockholders and proxy holders not physically present at a meeting of stockholders may, by means of remote communication, participate in the meeting and be deemed present in person and vote at the meeting, whether such meeting is to be held at a designated place or solely by means of remote communication, provided that (i) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by means of remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder, (ii) the Corporation shall implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (iii) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the Corporation.
ARTICLE III
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
3.1 General Powers. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of a Board of Directors, who may exercise all of the powers of the Corporation except as otherwise provided by law or the Certificate. In the event of a vacancy in the Board of Directors, the remaining directors, except as otherwise provided by law, may exercise the powers of the full Board until the vacancy is filled.
3.2 Number and Term of Office. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, the number of directors shall be fixed from time to time exclusively by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board for adoption). All directors shall hold office until the expiration of the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are elected, except in the case of the death, resignation or removal of any director.
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3.3 Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock then outstanding, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or other cause (including removal from office by a vote of the stockholders) may be filled only by a majority vote of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum (and not by stockholders), or by the sole remaining director, and directors so chosen shall hold office for a term expiring at the next annual meeting of stockholders or until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified. No decrease in the number of authorized directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
3.4 Resignation. Any director may resign by delivering notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman of the Board or Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event.
3.5 Removal. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock then outstanding, any directors, or the entire Board of Directors, may be removed from office at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class. Vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting from such removal may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by the sole remaining director. Directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.
3.6 Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors; provided that any director who is absent when such a determination is made shall be given notice of the determination. A regular meeting of the Board of Directors may be held without notice immediately after and at the same place as the annual meeting of stockholders.
3.7 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or two or more directors and may be held at any time and place, within or without the State of Delaware.
3.8 Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of any special meeting of directors shall be given to each director by whom it is not waived by the Secretary or by the officer or one of the directors calling the meeting. Notice shall be duly given to each director by (i) giving notice to such director in person or by telephone, electronic transmission or voice message system at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, (ii) sending a facsimile to his or her last known facsimile number, or delivering written notice by hand to his or her last known business or home address, at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, or (iii) mailing written notice to his or her last known business or home address at least three days in advance of the meeting. A notice or waiver of notice of a meeting of the Board of Directors need not specify the purposes of the meeting. Unless otherwise indicated in the notice thereof, any and all business may be transacted at a special meeting.
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3.9 Participation in Meetings by Telephone Conference Calls or Other Methods of Communication. Directors or any members of any committee designated by the directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of conference telephone or other 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.
3.10 Quorum. A majority of the total number of authorized directors shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors. In the absence of a quorum at any such meeting, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting from time to time without further notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall be present. Interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the Board of Directors or at a meeting of a committee which authorizes a particular contract or transaction.
3.11 Action at Meeting. At any meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of those present shall be sufficient to take any action, unless a different vote is specified by law, the Certificate or these Bylaws.
3.12 Action by Written Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board or committee, as the case may be, consent to the action in writing or by electronic transmission, and the writings or electronic transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board 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.
3.13 Committees. The Board of Directors shall designate an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and whatever other committees the Board of Directors deems advisable, each of which shall have and may exercise the powers and authority of the Board of Directors to the extent provided in the charters of each committee adopted by the Board of Directors in one or more resolutions. 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 of the committee present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he, she or they 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. Each such committee shall keep minutes and make such reports as the Board of Directors may from time to time request. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine, any committee may make rules for the conduct of its business, but unless otherwise provided by such rules, its business shall be conducted as nearly as possible in the same manner as is provided in these Bylaws for the Board of Directors.
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3.14 Compensation of Directors. Directors may be paid such compensation for their services and such reimbursement for expenses of attendance at meetings as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation or any of its parent or subsidiary corporations in any other capacity and receiving compensation for such service.
3.15 Nomination of Director Candidates.
(a) Subject to the rights of holders of any class or series of preferred stock then outstanding, nominations for the election of directors at an annual meeting may be made by (i) the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof or (ii) any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors generally who complies with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.15 and who is a stockholder of record at the time notice is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation. Any stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors generally may nominate one or more persons for election as directors at an annual meeting only if timely notice of such stockholder’s intent to make such nomination or nominations has been given in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder nomination for a director to be elected at an annual meeting shall be received at the Corporation’s principal executive offices not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day, nor later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day, prior to the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting as first specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (without regard to any postponements or adjournments of such meeting after such notice was first sent), except that if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days earlier or later than such anniversary date, notice by the stockholders to be timely must be received at the Corporation’s principal executive offices not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to the annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the date on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. Each such notice shall set forth (i) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder who intends to make the nomination and the names and addresses of the beneficial owners, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is being made and of the person or persons to be nominated, (ii) a representation that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors on the date of such notice and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice, (iii) the following information regarding the ownership interests of the stockholder and such other beneficial owners, which shall be supplemented in writing by the stockholder not later than ten (10) days after the record date for notice of the meeting to disclose such interests as of such record date: (A) the class and number of shares of the Corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by the stockholder or any such beneficial owner; (B) any Derivative Instrument directly or indirectly owned beneficially by such stockholder or any such beneficial owner and any other direct or indirect opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation; (C) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding, or relationship pursuant to which such stockholder or any such beneficial owner has a right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation; (D) any short interest in any security of the Corporation; (E) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder or any such beneficial owner that are separated or separable from the underlying shares of the Corporation; (F) any proportionate interest in shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a
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general or limited partnership in which such stockholder or any such beneficial owner is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner; and (G) any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) to which such stockholder or any such beneficial owner is entitled based on any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, if any, as of the date of such notice, including, without limitation, any such interests held by members of such stockholder’s or beneficial owner’s immediate family sharing the same household, (iv) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder or such beneficial owner and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder, (v) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three (3) years, and any other material relationships, between or among such stockholder and such other beneficial owner, if any, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the one hand, and each proposed nominee, and his respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert therewith, on the other hand, including, without limitation all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Rule 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination is made, if any, or any affiliate or associate thereof or person acting in concert therewith, were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the nominee were a director or executive officer of such registrant, (vi) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such stockholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed pursuant to the proxy rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, had the nominee been nominated, or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors, and (vii) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation if so elected. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Notwithstanding the third sentence of this Section 3.15(a), in the event that the number of directors to be elected at an annual meeting is increased and there is no public announcement by the Corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least one hundred thirty (130) days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting as first specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting (without regard to any postponements or adjournments of such meeting after such notice was first sent), a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3.15(a) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary 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 public announcement is first made by the Corporation.
(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 by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or a committee thereof or any stockholder of the Corporation who is entitled to vote at the meeting, who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 3.15 and who is a stockholder of record at the time such notice is delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as are specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice as required by paragraph (a) of this Bylaw shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the seventieth (70th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement 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. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.
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(c) For purposes of these Bylaws, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.15, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 3.15.
(e) Only persons nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.15 shall be eligible to serve as directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, the chairman of the meeting shall have the power and duty (i) to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3.15, and (ii) if any proposed nomination was not made in compliance with this Section 3.15, to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded.
(f) If the chairman of the meeting for the election of directors determines that a nomination of any candidate for election as a director at such meeting was not made in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Section 3.15, such nomination shall be void; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 3.15 shall be deemed to limit any voting rights upon the occurrence of dividend arrearages provided to holders of preferred stock pursuant to the preferred stock designation for any series of preferred stock.
ARTICLE IV
OFFICERS
4.1 Enumeration. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of a Chief Executive Officer, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Chief Financial Officer and such other officers with such other titles as the Board of Directors shall determine, including, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a Chairman of the Board (who may be an Executive Chairman), a President, and one or more Vice Presidents and Assistant Secretaries. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers as it may deem appropriate.
4.2 Election. Officers shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at its first meeting following the annual meeting of stockholders. Officers may be appointed by the Board of Directors at any other meeting.
4.3 Qualification. No officer need be a stockholder. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.
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4.4 Tenure. Except as otherwise provided by law, by the Certificate or by these Bylaws, each officer shall hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, unless a different term is specified in the vote appointing him or her, or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal.
4.5 Resignation and Removal. Any officer may resign by delivering his or her written resignation to the Corporation at its principal office or to the President or Secretary. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless it is specified to be effective at some other time or upon the happening of some other event. Any officer elected by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors.
4.6 Chairman of the Board. The Board of Directors may appoint a Chairman of the Board. If the Board of Directors appoints a Chairman of the Board, he or she shall perform such duties and possess such powers as are assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, he or she shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors.
4.7 Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and the officers of the Corporation. He shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and, in the absence or nonexistence of a Chairman of the Board, at all meetings of the Board of Directors. He shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the chief executive officer of a Corporation, including general supervision, direction and control of the business and supervision of other officers of the Corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws.
4.8 President. Subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and such supervisory powers as may be given by these Bylaws or the Board of Directors to the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer, if such titles be held by other officers, the President, if any, shall have general supervision, direction and control of the business and supervision of other officers of the Corporation. Unless otherwise designated by the Board of Directors, and in the absence of a Chief Executive Officer, the President, if any, shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation. The President shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these Bylaws. He or she shall have power to sign stock certificates, contracts and other instruments of the Corporation which are authorized and shall have general supervision and direction of all of the other officers, employees and agents of the Corporation, other than the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer.
4.9 Vice Presidents. Any Vice President shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Chief Executive Officer or President, the Vice President (or if there shall be more than one, the Vice Presidents in the order determined by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer or the President and when so performing shall have the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the Chief Executive Officer or President. The Board of Directors may assign to any Vice President the title of Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or any other title selected by the Board of Directors.
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4.10 Secretary and Assistant Secretaries. The Secretary shall perform such duties and shall have such powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President may from time to time prescribe. In addition, the Secretary shall perform such duties and have such powers as are incident to the office of the Secretary, including, without limitation, the duty and power to give notices of all meetings of stockholders and special meetings of the Board of Directors, to keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings of stockholders and the Board of Directors, to maintain a stock ledger and prepare lists of stockholders and their addresses as required, to be custodian of corporate records and the corporate seal and to affix and attest to the same on documents. Any Assistant Secretary shall perform such duties and possess such powers as the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Secretary may from time to time prescribe. In the event of the absence, inability or refusal to act of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary (or if there shall be more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors) shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary. In the absence of the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary at any meeting of stockholders or directors, the person presiding at the meeting shall designate a temporary Secretary to keep a record of the meeting.
4.11 Treasurer. The Treasurer shall perform such duties and have such powers as are incident to the office of treasurer, including without limitation, the duty and power to keep and be responsible for all funds and securities of the Corporation, to maintain the financial records of the Corporation, to deposit funds of the Corporation in depositories as authorized, to disburse such funds as authorized, to make proper accounts of such funds, and to render as required by the Board of Directors accounts of all such transactions and of the financial condition of the Corporation.
4.12 Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform such duties and shall have such powers as may from time to time be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President. Unless otherwise designated by the Board of Directors, the Chief Financial Officer shall be the Treasurer of the Corporation.
4.13 Salaries. Officers of the Corporation shall be entitled to such salaries, compensation or reimbursement as shall be fixed or allowed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
4.14 Delegation of Authority. The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officers or agents, notwithstanding any provision hereof.
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL STOCK
5.1 Issuance of Stock. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate, the whole or any part of any unissued balance of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation or the whole or any part of any unissued balance of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation held in its treasury may be issued, sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by vote of the Board of Directors in such manner, for such consideration and on such terms as the Board of Directors may determine.
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5.2 Certificates of Stock. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any class or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares; provided, however, that no such resolution shall apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Each certificate for shares of stock which are subject to any restriction on transfer pursuant to the Certificate, the Bylaws, applicable securities laws or any agreement among any number of shareholders or among such holders and the Corporation shall have conspicuously noted on the face or back of the certificate either the full text of the restriction or a statement of the existence of such restriction.
5.3 Transfers. Except as otherwise established by rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors, and subject to applicable law, shares of stock may be transferred on the books of the Corporation: (i) in the case of shares represented by a certificate, by the surrender to the Corporation or its transfer agent of the certificate representing such shares properly endorsed or accompanied by a written assignment or power of attorney properly executed, and with such proof of authority or authenticity of signature as the Corporation or its transfer agent may reasonably require; and (ii) in the case of uncertificated shares, upon the receipt of proper transfer instructions from the registered owner thereof. Except as may be otherwise required by law, the Certificate or the Bylaws, the Corporation shall be entitled to treat the record holder of stock as shown on its books as the owner of such stock for all purposes, including the payment of dividends and the right to vote with respect to such stock, regardless of any transfer, pledge or other disposition of such stock until the shares have been transferred on the books of the Corporation in accordance with the requirements of these Bylaws.
5.4 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Corporation may issue a new certificate of stock in place of any previously issued certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, or it may issue uncertificated shares if the shares represented by such certificate have been designated as uncertificated shares in accordance with Section 5.2, upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may prescribe, including the presentation of reasonable evidence of such loss, theft or destruction and the giving of such indemnity as the Board of Directors may require for the protection of the Corporation or any transfer agent or registrar.
ARTICLE VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
6.1 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be as fixed by the Board of Directors.
6.2 Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Board of Directors.
6.3 Waiver of Notice. Whenever any notice whatsoever is required to be given by law, by the Certificate or by these Bylaws, a waiver of such notice either in writing signed by the person entitled to such notice or such person’s duly authorized attorney, or by electronic transmission or any other method permitted under the DGCL, whether before, at or after the time stated in such waiver, or the appearance of such person or persons at such meeting in person or by proxy, shall be deemed equivalent to such notice. 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.
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6.4 Actions with Respect to Securities of Other Corporations. Except as the Board of Directors may otherwise designate, the Chief Executive Officer or President or any officer of the Corporation authorized by the Chief Executive Officer or President shall have the power to vote and otherwise act on behalf of the Corporation, in person or by proxy, and may waive notice of, and act as, or appoint any person or persons to act as, proxy or attorney-in-fact to this Corporation (with or without power of substitution) at any meeting of stockholders or shareholders (or with respect to any action of stockholders) of any other Corporation or organization, the securities of which may be held by this Corporation and otherwise to exercise any and all rights and powers which this Corporation may possess by reason of this Corporation’s ownership of securities in such other Corporation or other organization.
6.5 Evidence of Authority. A certificate by the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary, or a temporary Secretary, as to any action taken by the stockholders, directors, a committee or any officer or representative of the Corporation shall as to all persons who rely on the certificate in good faith be conclusive evidence of such action.
6.6 Certificate of Incorporation. All references in these Bylaws to the Certificate shall be deemed to refer to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, as amended and/or amended and restated and in effect from time to time.
6.7 Severability. Any determination that any provision of these Bylaws is for any reason inapplicable, illegal or ineffective shall not affect or invalidate any other provision of these Bylaws.
6.8 Pronouns. All pronouns used in these Bylaws shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine or neuter, singular or plural, as the identity of the person or persons may require.
6.9 Notices. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein or required by law, all notices required to be given to any stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent shall be in writing and may in every instance be effectively given by hand delivery to the recipient thereof, by depositing such notice in the mails, postage paid, or by sending such notice by commercial courier service, or by facsimile or other electronic transmission, provided that notice to stockholders by electronic transmission shall be given in the manner provided in Section 232 of the DGCL. Any such notice shall be addressed to such stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent at his or her last known address as the same appears on the books of the Corporation. The time when such notice shall be deemed to be given shall be the time such notice is received by such stockholder, director, officer, employee or agent, or by any person accepting such notice on behalf of such person, if delivered by hand, facsimile, other electronic transmission or commercial courier service, or the time such notice is dispatched, if delivered through the mails. Without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively, notice to any stockholder shall be deemed given: (1) if by facsimile, when directed to a number at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (2) if by electronic mail, when directed to an electronic mail address at which the stockholder has consented to receive notice; (3) if by a posting on an electronic network together with separate notice to the stockholder of such specific posting, upon the later of (A) such posting and (B) the giving of such separate notice; (4) if by any other form of electronic transmission, when directed to the stockholder; and (5) if by mail, when deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the Corporation.
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6.10 Reliance Upon Books, Reports and Records. Each director, each member of any committee designated by the Board of Directors, and each officer of the Corporation shall, in the performance of his or her duties, be fully protected in relying in good faith upon the books of account or other records of the Corporation as provided by law, including reports made to the Corporation by any of its officers, by an independent certified public accountant, or by an appraiser selected with reasonable care.
6.11 Time Periods. In applying any provision of these Bylaws which require that an act be done or not done a specified number of days prior to an event or that an act be done during a period of a specified number of days prior to an event, calendar days shall be used, the day of the doing of the act shall be excluded, and the day of the event shall be included.
6.12 Facsimile Signatures. In addition to the provisions for use of facsimile signatures elsewhere specifically authorized in these Bylaws, facsimile signatures of any officer or officers of the Corporation may be used whenever and as authorized by the Board of Directors or a committee thereof.
6.13 Forum for Disputes. The Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Corporation, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer of the Corporation to the Corporation or to the Corporation’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the Certificate, or the Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine.
ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENTS
7.1 By the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise set forth in these Bylaws, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present.
7.2 By the Stockholders. Except as otherwise set forth in these Bylaws, these Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed or new Bylaws may be adopted by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the voting power of all of the shares of capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote generally in any election of directors, voting together as a single class. Such vote may be held at any annual meeting of stockholders, or at any special meeting of stockholders provided that notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new Bylaws shall have been stated in the notice of such special meeting.
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ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
8.1 Right to Indemnification. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (“proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another Corporation, or as a controlling person of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official capacity as a director or officer, or in any other capacity while serving as a director or officer, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment) against all expenses, liability and loss reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and administrators; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 8.2 of this Article VIII, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnity in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if (a) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (b) the proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation, (c) such indemnification is provided by the Corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Corporation under the DGCL, or (d) the proceeding (or part thereof) is brought to establish or enforce a right to indemnification or advancement under an indemnity agreement or any other statute or law or otherwise as required under Section 145 of the DGCL. The rights hereunder shall be contract rights and shall include the right to be paid expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition; provided, however, that the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer of the Corporation in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is tendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of such proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it should be determined ultimately by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Section or otherwise.
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8.2 Right of Claimant to Bring Suit. If a claim under Section 8.1 is not paid in full by the Corporation within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, or 20 days in the case of a claim for advancement of expenses, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if such suit is not frivolous or brought in bad faith, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any, has been tendered to this Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct which make it permissible under the DGCL for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that the indemnitee has not met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, shall be on the Corporation.
8.3 Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification, and to the advancement of related expenses, to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article with respect to the indemnification of and advancement of expenses to directors and officers of the Corporation.
8.4 Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person in this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right which such persons may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
8.5 Indemnification Contracts. The Board of Directors is authorized to enter into a contract with any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or any person serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including employee benefit plans, providing for indemnification rights equivalent to or, if the Board of Directors so determines, greater than, those provided for in this Article VIII.
8.6 Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance to the extent reasonably available, at its expense, to protect itself and any such director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any such expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.
8.7 Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person in this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right which such persons may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Certificate, Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
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8.8 Effect of Amendment. Any amendment, repeal or modification of any provision of this Article VIII shall not adversely affect any right or protection of an indemnitee or his or her successor existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification.
The Third Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Corporation were adopted on October 23, 2014 by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
| GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Brent D. Richardson | |
| Brent D. Richardson, Executive Chairman | ||
| Attest: |
| /s/ Brian M. Roberts |
| Brian M. Roberts, Secretary |
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Exhibit 99.1
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Investor Relations Contact:
Dan Bachus
Chief Financial Officer
Grand Canyon Education, Inc.
602-639-6648
Media Contact:
Bob Romantic
Grand Canyon Education, Inc.
602-639-7611
GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC. REPORTS
THIRD QUARTER 2014 RESULTS
ARIZONA, October 29, 2014—Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: LOPE), a regionally accredited university focused on offering graduate and undergraduate degree programs in eight colleges across over 160 degree programs on its 186 acre traditional campus in Phoenix, Arizona and online, today announced financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.
(more)
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results
For the three months ended September 30, 2014:
| • | Net revenue increased 14.9% to $175.1 million for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $152.4 million for the third quarter of 2013. |
| • | At September 30, 2014, our enrollment was 68,122, an increase of 13.7% from our enrollment of 59,914 at September 30, 2013. Ground enrollment increased 24.9% to 12,904 from enrollment of 10,330 at September 30, 2013. Online enrollment increased 11.4% to 55,218 from enrollment of 49,584 at September 30, 2013. |
| • | Operating income for the third quarter of 2014 was $46.0 million, an increase of 23.3% as compared to $37.3 million for the same period in 2013. The operating margin for the third quarter of 2014 was 26.3%, compared to 24.5% for the same period in 2013. |
| • | Adjusted EBITDA increased 24.4% to $59.6 million for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $47.9 million for the same period in 2013. |
| • | The tax rate in the third quarter of 2014 was 36.1% compared to 41.1% in the third quarter of 2013. The effective tax rate was favorably affected in 2014 by our contributions in lieu of state income taxes to school tuition organizations made during the quarter as well as state tax rate changes that began a gradual phase-in process during the first quarter of 2014 and negatively impacted in 2013 by certain non-recurring tax items. |
| • | Net income increased 28.7% to $29.0 million for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $22.5 million for the same period in 2013. |
| • | Diluted net income per share was $0.62 for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $0.49 for the same period in 2013. |
For the nine months ended September 30, 2014:
| • | Net revenue increased 15.0% to $501.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $435.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. |
| • | Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was $127.3 million, an increase of 24.3% as compared to $102.4 million for the same period in 2013. The operating margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 25.4%, compared to 23.5% for the same period in 2013. |
| • | Adjusted EBITDA increased 23.5% to $163.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $132.6 million for the same period in 2013. |
| • | The tax rate in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 37.9% compared to 40.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The effective tax rate in 2014 is lower than the prior year due primarily to our contributions in lieu of state income taxes to school tuition organizations and state tax rate changes that began a gradual phase-in process during the first quarter of 2014. |
| • | Net income increased 25.3% to $78.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $62.6 million for the same period in 2013. |
| • | Diluted net income per share was $1.67 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, compared to $1.36 for the same period in 2013. |
Balance Sheet and Cash Flow
The University financed its operating activities and capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 primarily through cash provided by operating activities. Our unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and investments were $183.6 million and $164.2 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Our restricted cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were $58.8 million and $64.4 million, respectively.
The University generated $156.7 million in cash from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 compared to $101.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The increase in cash generated from operating activities between the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is primarily due to increased net income and the timing of income tax payments, deferred revenue and student deposits.
Net cash used in investing activities was $159.9 million and $104.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our cash used in investing activities was primarily related to the purchase of short-term investments and capital expenditures. Purchases of short-term investments net of proceeds of these investments was $18.7 million and $63.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Capital expenditures were $141.2 million and $59.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In 2014, capital expenditures primarily consisted of ground campus building projects such as the construction of an additional classroom building, additional residence halls that accommodate another 1,600 students and land purchases adjacent to our Phoenix campus to support our growing traditional student enrollment as well as purchases of computer equipment, other internal use software projects and furniture and equipment to support our increasing employee headcount. In 2013, capital expenditures primarily consisted of ground campus building projects such as the construction costs for two additional dormitories and an expansion of our food services and library to support our traditional student enrollment as well as purchases of computer equipment, other internal use software projects and furniture and equipment to support our increasing employee headcount. In addition, during the nine months of 2013 we spent $11.2 million to purchase and refurbish a building that is located less than two miles from our Phoenix, Arizona campus. Investing activities were reduced in the first nine months of 2013 by proceeds in the amount of $29.2 million received on a note receivable. In the second half of 2014 we will start construction on an additional classroom building that will be dedicated to our new Engineering and Information Technology programs, four additional residence halls that will accommodate another 3,000 students and one additional parking garage. In addition, the University intends to open a campus in the East Valley in the Fall of 2016. We anticipate capital expenditures in 2014 and 2015 for the projects described above as well as for technology enhancements and equipment for our growing employee base will be $175 million and $185 million, respectively.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $3.8 million and $4.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. During the first nine months of 2014, proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $7.0 million and excess tax benefits from share-based compensation of $7.2 million were partially offset by $5.3 million used to purchase treasury stock in accordance with the University’s share repurchase program and principal payments on notes payable and capital leases which totaled $5.0 million. During the first nine months of 2013, proceeds from the exercise of stock options of $14.8 million and excess tax benefits from share-based compensation of $3.7 million were partially offset by $9.0 million used to purchase treasury stock in accordance with the University’s share repurchase program and principal payments on notes payable and capital leases which totaled $5.0 million.
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Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results
2014 Outlook by Quarter
| Q4 2014: | Net revenue of $184.5 million; Target Operating Margin 27.8%; Diluted EPS of $0.66 using 47.4 million diluted shares; student counts of 67,300 | |
| Full Year 2014: | Net revenue of $685.6 million; Target Operating Margin 26.1%; Diluted EPS of $2.33 using 47.0 million diluted shares | |
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” which include information relating to future events, future financial performance, strategies expectations, competitive environment, regulation, and availability of resources. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding: projections, predictions, expectations, estimates, and forecasts as to our business, financial and operating results, and future economic performance; and statements of management’s goals and objectives and other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Words such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: our failure to comply with the extensive regulatory framework applicable to our industry, including Title IV of the Higher Education Act and the regulations thereunder, state laws and regulatory requirements, and accrediting commission requirements; the ability of our students to obtain federal Title IV funds, state financial aid, and private financing; risks associated with changes in applicable federal and state laws and regulations and accrediting commission standards, including pending rulemaking by the Department of Education; potential damage to our reputation or other adverse effects as a result of negative publicity in the media, in the industry or in connection with governmental reports or investigations or otherwise, affecting us or other companies in the for-profit postsecondary education sector; our ability to properly manage risks and challenges associated with potential acquisitions of, or investments in, new businesses, acquisitions of new properties, or the expansion of our campus to new locations; our ability to hire and train new, and develop and train existing, faculty and employees; the pace of growth of our enrollment; our ability to convert prospective students to enrolled students and to retain active students; our success in updating and expanding the content of existing programs and developing new programs in a cost-effective manner or on a timely basis; industry competition, including competition for qualified executives and other personnel; risks associated with the competitive environment for marketing our programs; failure on our part to keep up with advances in technology that could enhance the online experience for our students; the extent to which obligations under our loan agreement, including the need to comply with restrictive and financial covenants and to pay principal and interest payments, limits our ability to conduct our operations or seek new business opportunities; our ability to manage future growth effectively; general adverse economic conditions or other developments that affect job prospects in our core disciplines; and other factors discussed in reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.
(more)
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results
Conference Call
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. will discuss its third quarter 2014 results and fourth quarter 2014 outlook during a conference call scheduled for today, October 29, 2014 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time (ET). To participate in the live call, investors should dial 877-577-1769 (domestic and Canada) or 706-679-7806 (international), passcode 19050664 at 4:25 p.m. (ET). The Webcast will be available on the Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Web site at www.gcu.edu.
A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours following the conclusion of the call, at 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international), passcode 19050664. It will also be archived at www.gcu.edu in the investor relations section for 60 days.
About Grand Canyon Education, Inc.
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. is a regionally accredited university focused on offering graduate and undergraduate degree programs in eight colleges across over 160 degree programs on its 186 acre traditional campus in Phoenix, Arizona and online. Approximately 68,100 students were enrolled as of September 30, 2014. For more information about Grand Canyon Education, Inc., please visit http://www.gcu.edu.
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), http://www.ncahlc.org. Grand Canyon University, 3300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017, www.gcu.edu.
###
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results
GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.
Consolidated Income Statements
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except per share data) |
2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||||||
| Net revenue |
$ | 175,056 | $ | 152,399 | $ | 501,082 | $ | 435,892 | ||||||||
| Costs and expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
| Instructional costs and services |
71,714 | 64,704 | 210,239 | 186,448 | ||||||||||||
| Admissions advisory and related, including $762 and $953 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $2,373 and $2,574 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to related parties |
27,324 | 24,578 | 79,793 | 70,917 | ||||||||||||
| Advertising |
16,491 | 15,498 | 48,954 | 45,947 | ||||||||||||
| Marketing and promotional |
1,931 | 1,299 | 5,629 | 4,117 | ||||||||||||
| General and administrative |
11,640 | 9,035 | 29,188 | 26,064 | ||||||||||||
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| Total costs and expenses |
129,100 | 115,114 | 373,803 | 333,493 | ||||||||||||
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| Operating income |
45,956 | 37,285 | 127,279 | 102,399 | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
(576 | ) | (528 | ) | (1,455 | ) | (1,635 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest and other income |
43 | 1,502 | 377 | 3,759 | ||||||||||||
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| Income before income taxes |
45,423 | 38,259 | 126,201 | 104,523 | ||||||||||||
| Income tax expense |
16,407 | 15,714 | 47,828 | 41,969 | ||||||||||||
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| Net income |
$ | 29,016 | $ | 22,545 | $ | 78,373 | $ | 62,554 | ||||||||
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| Earnings per share: |
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| Basic income per share |
$ | 0.64 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 1.72 | $ | 1.40 | ||||||||
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| Diluted income per share |
$ | 0.62 | $ | 0.49 | $ | 1.67 | $ | 1.36 | ||||||||
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| Basic weighted average shares outstanding |
45,651 | 44,963 | 45,486 | 44,631 | ||||||||||||
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| Diluted weighted average shares outstanding |
47,051 | 46,424 | 46,962 | 45,936 | ||||||||||||
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Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results
GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income plus interest expense net of interest income, plus income tax expense, and plus depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), as adjusted for (i) the amortization of prepaid royalty payments recorded in conjunction with a settlement of a dispute with our former owner; (ii) contributions to Arizona school tuition organizations in lieu of the payment of state income taxes; (iii) share-based compensation and (iv) one-time, unusual charges or gains, such as litigation and regulatory reserves, impairment charges and asset write-offs, exit or lease termination costs or the gain recognized on the settlement of a third party note receivable. We present Adjusted EBITDA because we consider it to be an important supplemental measure of our operating performance. We also make certain compensation decisions based, in part, on our operating performance, as measured by Adjusted EBITDA, and our loan agreement requires us to comply with covenants that include performance metrics substantially similar to Adjusted EBITDA. All of the adjustments made in our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA are adjustments to items that management does not consider to be reflective of our core operating performance. Management considers our core operating performance to be that which can be affected by our managers in any particular period through their management of the resources that affect our underlying revenue and profit generating operations during that period. Royalty expenses paid to our former owner, contributions made to Arizona school tuition organizations in lieu of the payment of state income taxes, share-based compensation, one time unusual charges or gains such as estimated litigation and regulatory reserves, exit costs, contract and lease termination fees, and the gain recognized on the settlement of notes receivable are not considered reflective of our core performance.
We believe Adjusted EBITDA allows us to compare our current operating results with corresponding historical periods and with the operational performance of other companies in our industry because it does not give effect to potential differences caused by variations in capital structures (affecting relative interest expense, including the impact of write-offs of deferred financing costs when companies refinance their indebtedness), tax positions (such as the impact on periods or companies of changes in effective tax rates or net operating losses), the book amortization of intangibles (affecting relative amortization expense), and other items that we do not consider reflective of underlying operating performance. We also present Adjusted EBITDA because we believe it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties as a measure of performance.
In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, investors should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments described above. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by expenses that are unusual, non-routine, or non-recurring. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation, or as a substitute for net income, operating income, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with and reported under GAAP or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of our liquidity. Some of these limitations are that it does not reflect:
| • | cash expenditures for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; |
| • | changes in, or cash requirement for, our working capital requirements; |
| • | interest expense, or the cash required to replace assets that are being depreciated or amortized; and |
| • | the impact on our reported results of earnings or charges resulting from the items for which we make adjustments to our EBITDA, as described above and set forth in the table below. |
In addition, other companies, including other companies in our industry, may calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of Adjusted EBITDA as a comparative measure. Because of these limitations, Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute for net income, operating income, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of our liquidity. We compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on our GAAP results and only use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental performance measure.
The following table provides a reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP measure for the periods indicated:
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
| 2014 | 2013 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||
| (Unaudited, in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
| Net income |
$ | 29,016 | $ | 22,545 | $ | 78,373 | $ | 62,554 | ||||||||
| Plus: interest expense net of interest income |
533 | 485 | 1,078 | 1,522 | ||||||||||||
| Plus: income tax expense |
16,407 | 15,714 | 47,828 | 41,969 | ||||||||||||
| Plus: depreciation and amortization |
7,344 | 6,387 | 21,196 | 18,380 | ||||||||||||
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| EBITDA |
53,300 | 45,131 | 148,475 | 124,425 | ||||||||||||
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| Plus: royalty to former owner |
74 | 74 | 222 | 222 | ||||||||||||
| Plus: prepaid royalty impairment and other fixed asset impairments |
385 | — | 3,441 | — | ||||||||||||
| Plus: contributions in lieu of state income taxes |
2,750 | — | 2,750 | — | ||||||||||||
| Plus: lease termination costs |
518 | — | 518 | — | ||||||||||||
| Less: gain on proceeds received from note receivable |
— | (1,459 | ) | — | (3,646 | ) | ||||||||||
| Plus: estimated litigation and regulatory reserves |
— | 1,387 | 897 | 3,937 | ||||||||||||
| Plus: share-based compensation |
2,575 | 2,763 | 7,412 | 7,668 | ||||||||||||
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| Adjusted EBITDA |
$ | 59,602 | $ | 47,896 | $ | 163,715 | $ | 132,606 | ||||||||
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Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results
GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2014 | 2013 | |||||||
| (In thousands, except par value) |
(Unaudited) | |||||||
| ASSETS: | ||||||||
| Current assets |
||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 56,482 | $ | 55,824 | ||||
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
58,801 | 64,368 | ||||||
| Investments |
127,126 | 108,420 | ||||||
| Accounts receivable, net |
8,289 | 7,217 | ||||||
| Income taxes receivable |
22 | 3,599 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes |
4,940 | 5,159 | ||||||
| Other current assets |
19,511 | 19,116 | ||||||
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| Total current assets |
275,171 | 263,703 | ||||||
| Property and equipment, net |
469,294 | 339,596 | ||||||
| Prepaid royalties |
3,725 | 4,641 | ||||||
| Goodwill |
2,941 | 2,941 | ||||||
| Other assets |
4,367 | 5,219 | ||||||
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| Total assets |
$ | 755,498 | $ | 616,100 | ||||
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| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | ||||||||
| Current liabilities |
||||||||
| Accounts payable |
$ | 32,925 | $ | 24,231 | ||||
| Accrued compensation and benefits |
18,893 | 20,093 | ||||||
| Accrued liabilities |
14,084 | 14,554 | ||||||
| Income taxes payable |
7,799 | 7 | ||||||
| Student deposits |
60,472 | 66,772 | ||||||
| Deferred revenue |
76,908 | 32,816 | ||||||
| Due to related parties |
471 | 454 | ||||||
| Current portion of capital lease obligations |
91 | 89 | ||||||
| Current portion of notes payable |
6,613 | 6,607 | ||||||
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| Total current liabilities |
218,256 | 165,623 | ||||||
| Capital lease obligations, less current portion |
429 | 497 | ||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities |
4,075 | 6,811 | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes, noncurrent |
11,716 | 11,832 | ||||||
| Notes payable, less current portion |
81,532 | 86,493 | ||||||
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|
|||||
| Total liabilities |
316,008 | 271,256 | ||||||
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| Commitments and contingencies |
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| Stockholders’ equity |
||||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 |
— | — | ||||||
| Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 49,686 and 48,890 shares issued and 46,697 and 46,045 shares outstanding at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively |
497 | 489 | ||||||
| Treasury stock, at cost, 2,989 and 2,845 shares of common stock at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively |
(53,770 | ) | (48,432 | ) | ||||
| Additional paid-in capital |
154,636 | 132,904 | ||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income |
229 | 358 | ||||||
| Retained earnings |
337,898 | 259,525 | ||||||
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|
|||||
| Total stockholders’ equity |
439,490 | 344,844 | ||||||
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|||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
$ | 755,498 | $ | 616,100 | ||||
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Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results
GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||
| (In thousands) |
2014 | 2013 | ||||||
| Cash flows provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
| Net income |
$ | 78,373 | $ | 62,554 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
| Share-based compensation |
7,412 | 7,668 | ||||||
| Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation |
(7,232 | ) | (3,678 | ) | ||||
| Provision for bad debts |
10,835 | 14,881 | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
21,418 | 18,602 | ||||||
| Prepaid royalty impairment |
966 | — | ||||||
| Gain on proceeds received from note receivable |
— | (3,646 | ) | |||||
| Deferred income taxes |
(137 | ) | 2,404 | |||||
| Other including fixed asset impairments |
2,475 | — | ||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents |
5,567 | 6,249 | ||||||
| Accounts receivable |
(11,907 | ) | (14,916 | ) | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other |
(317 | ) | (5,854 | ) | ||||
| Due to/from related parties |
17 | (29 | ) | |||||
| Accounts payable |
(2,956 | ) | 1,859 | |||||
| Accrued liabilities and employee related liabilities |
(1,610 | ) | (3,753 | ) | ||||
| Income taxes receivable/payable |
18,782 | (4,055 | ) | |||||
| Deferred rent |
(2,736 | ) | (721 | ) | ||||
| Deferred revenue |
44,092 | 29,889 | ||||||
| Student deposits |
(6,300 | ) | (5,668 | ) | ||||
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| Net cash provided by operating activities |
156,742 | 101,786 | ||||||
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|||||
| Cash flows used in investing activities: |
||||||||
| Capital expenditures |
(141,217 | ) | (59,168 | ) | ||||
| Purchase of land and building related to off-site development |
— | (11,209 | ) | |||||
| Purchases of investments |
(101,185 | ) | (101,040 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from sale or maturity of investments |
82,479 | 37,548 | ||||||
| Restricted funds held for derivative collateral |
— | 140 | ||||||
| Proceeds received from note receivable |
— | 29,187 | ||||||
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|
|||||
| Net cash used in investing activities |
(159,923 | ) | (104,542 | ) | ||||
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|
|||||
| Cash flows provided by financing activities: |
||||||||
| Principal payments on notes payable and capital lease obligations |
(5,021 | ) | (5,024 | ) | ||||
| Repurchase of common shares including shares withheld in lieu of income taxes |
(5,338 | ) | (9,009 | ) | ||||
| Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation |
7,232 | 3,678 | ||||||
| Net proceeds from exercise of stock options |
6,966 | 14,816 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities |
3,839 | 4,461 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
658 | 1,705 | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period |
55,824 | 105,111 | ||||||
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|
|||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
$ | 56,482 | $ | 106,816 | ||||
|
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|
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|
|||||
| Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information |
||||||||
| Cash paid for interest |
$ | 1,327 | $ | 1,592 | ||||
| Cash paid for income taxes |
$ | 29,223 | $ | 44,108 | ||||
| Cash received for income tax refunds |
$ | 364 | $ | 715 | ||||
| Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities |
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| Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable |
$ | 11,650 | $ | 6,901 | ||||
| Tax benefit of Spirit warrant intangible |
$ | 195 | $ | 201 | ||||
| Shortfall tax expense from share-based compensation |
$ | 14 | $ | 206 | ||||
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2014 Results
The following is a summary of our student enrollment at September 30, 2014 and 2013 by degree type and by instructional delivery method:
| 2014(1) | 2013(1) | |||||||||||||||
| # of Students | % of Total | # of Students | % of Total | |||||||||||||
| Graduate degrees(2) |
26,007 | 38.2 | % | 22,394 | 37.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Undergraduate degree |
42,115 | 61.8 | % | 37,520 | 62.6 | % | ||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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| Total |
68,122 | 100.0 | % | 59,914 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||
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| 2014(1) | 2013(1) | |||||||||||||||
| # of Students | % of Total | # of Students | % of Total | |||||||||||||
| Online(3) |
55,218 | 81.1 | % | 49,584 | 82.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Ground(4) |
12,904 | 18.9 | % | 10,330 | 17.2 | % | ||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
| Total |
68,122 | 100.0 | % | 59,914 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||
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|
|
|
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|
|
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| (1) | Enrollment at September 30, 2014 and 2013 represents individual students who attended a course during the last two months of the calendar quarter. Included in enrollment at September 30, 2014 and 2013 are students pursuing non-degree certificates of 621 and 552, respectively. |
| (2) | Includes 5,336 and 3,971 students pursuing doctoral degrees at September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. |
| (3) | As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, 45.2% and 43.2%, respectively, of our online and professional studies students were pursuing graduate degrees. |
| (4) | Includes both our traditional on-campus ground students, as well as our professional studies students. |
Exhibit 99.2
GRAND CANYON EDUCATION, INC. BOARD FORMS INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE
PHOENIX – October 29, 2014 – Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (NASDAQ: LOPE), a regionally accredited university focused on offering graduate and undergraduate degree programs in eight colleges across over 160 degree programs on its 186 acre traditional campus in Phoenix, Arizona and online (the “University”), today announced that its Board of Directors has formed a committee of independent directors to explore options aimed at enhancing stockholder value. The Board chose to form the committee after the University’s management expressed a desire to explore the possibility of effecting a conversion of the University to a nonprofit entity. Such a transaction would enable the University to conduct itself in the future as a traditional nonprofit university on a level playing field with the other traditional universities with which the University competes and in a manner consistent with which it operated for 55 years prior to financial challenges which forced it to convert to a for-profit entity in 2004 as a means to solicit investment capital and remain in operation.
The Board of Directors cautions the University’s stockholders and others considering trading in its securities that the Board of Directors has not yet received a proposal nor has the Board of Directors determined whether such a transaction would be feasible. There can be no assurance that any such proposal will ever be made or, if made, whether it would be accepted or that any agreement would be executed or any transaction consummated. In addition, the consummation of any such transaction would be subject to applicable legal, regulatory and accrediting body approvals. The committee intends to engage a financial advisor to aid in its review of any such proposal if made and any other alternatives, which include remaining as a for profit public company.
About Grand Canyon Education, Inc.
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. is a regionally accredited university focused on offering graduate and undergraduate degree programs in eight colleges across over 160 degrees programs on its 186 acre traditional campus in Phoenix, Arizona and online. Approximately 68,100 students were enrolled as of September 30, 2014. For more information about Grand Canyon Education, Inc., please visit http://www.gcu.edu.
Grand Canyon Education, Inc. is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), http://www.ncahlc.org. Grand Canyon University, 3300 W. Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017, www.gcu.edu.
Forward-looking statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” which include information relating to future events, future financial performance, strategies expectations, competitive environment, regulation, and availability of resources. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the exploration of options aimed at enhancing stockholder value and whether those options could enhance stockholder value. Words such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar expressions, as well as statements in future tense, identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: uncertain outcome, impact, effects and results of the Company’s exploration of options to enhance stockholder value; our failure to comply with the extensive regulatory framework applicable to our industry, including Title IV of the Higher Education Act and the regulations thereunder, state laws and regulatory requirements, and accrediting commission requirements; the ability of our students to obtain federal Title IV funds, state financial aid, and private financing; risks associated with changes in applicable federal and state laws and regulations and accrediting commission standards, including pending rulemaking by the Department of Education; potential damage to our reputation or other adverse effects as a result of negative publicity in the media, in the industry or in connection with governmental reports or investigations or otherwise, affecting us or other companies in the for-profit postsecondary education sector; our ability to properly manage risks and challenges associated with potential acquisitions of, or investments in, new businesses, acquisitions of new properties, or the expansion of our campus to new locations; our ability to hire and train new, and develop and train existing, faculty and employees; the pace of growth of our enrollment; our ability to convert prospective students to enrolled students and to retain active students; our success in updating and expanding the content of existing programs and developing new programs in a cost-effective manner or on a timely basis; industry competition, including competition for qualified executives and other personnel; risks associated with the competitive environment for marketing our programs; failure on our part to keep up with advances in technology that could enhance the online experience for our students; the extent to which obligations under our loan agreement, including the need to comply with restrictive and financial covenants and to pay principal and interest payments, limits our ability to conduct our operations or seek new business opportunities; our ability to manage future growth effectively; general adverse economic conditions or other developments that affect job prospects in our core disciplines; and other factors discussed in reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. For additional information on these and other factors that arise when investing in the University, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K.