SAAC Constitution
PENN STATE BERKS
STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SAAC CONSTITUTION
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory
Committee (SAAC) is to enhance the total student-athlete experience
by promoting opportunity for all student-athletes; protecting
student-athlete welfare; and fostering a positive student-athlete
image, while maintaining the tenants of the Division III
philosophy. (www.ncaa.org)
DIVISION III PHILOSOPHY
Colleges and universities in Division III place highest priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of all students' academic programs. They seek to establish and maintain an environment in which a student-athlete's athletic activities are conducted as an integral part of the student-athlete's educational experience. They also seek to establish and maintain an environment that values cultural diversity and gender equity among their student-athletes and athletics staff. (www.ncaa.org)
PURPOSE OF PENN STATE BERKS SAAC:
1. To give student-athletes a voice in determining the rules,
regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on
campus and within the NCAA governance structure.
2. To promote effective communication among the Penn State Berks
athletic community including but not limited to: varsity athletes,
coaches, administrators, faculty, and the surrounding Penn State
community.
3. To promote a positive student-athlete image through involvement in the community.
4. To design and provide programs that will encourage academic achievement, good health and nutrition, social responsibility, and general awareness.
5. To promote communication and support among all athletes in
athletic programs at Penn State Berks.
I. MEMBERSHIP -
Representatives are chosen with an effort to increase diversity and
establish continuity within SAAC.
A. Varsity Team Representatives
1. Two SAAC representatives shall be elected for a one-year term by each varsity team at Penn State Berks.
2. One representative must be a first-year or sophomore, the
other must have had at least one year experience serving as a SAAC
representative (prior to the current year) at the time of election.
If the team is unable to come up with representatives that fit the
criteria, the SAAC Executive Board will approve selections on a
case-by-case basis.
3. Selections are held at each team's discretion and elected
representatives' names must be given to the secretary by March
31st of each year. Newly elected representatives will
start their term at the last meeting of each school year.
4. Team representatives are open to everyone on the team, including captains and will serve as voting members.
B. Coach Representative
1. One varsity coach shall be elected by the Executive Board at
the beginning of each year and will serve as a non-voting
member.
2. Coach representative shall serve as a liaison between coaches and athletes.
C. Advisors
1. The advisors of SAAC shall be selected by the Director of Student Affairs with the approval of the Athletics Director.
2. The advisors shall be an advocate for student-athletes in
supporting the ideas of SAAC while serving as non-voting
members.
3. The advisors shall work with other administrators and coaches
to get the student-athlete voice acknowledged and heard.
4. The advisors shall act as a sounding board for the committee
to help better articulate its concerns, ensuring a safe environment
for discussing all types of issues.
5. The advisors shall educate the student-athletes on NCAA rules
and governance structure, while providing administrating support by
securing resources needed by the committee.
II. EXECUTIVE BOARD
A. Selection
1. At the end of each year, the representatives of SAAC shall elect the Executive Board that will consist of a President, Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer.
B. Roles
1. President - The President shall preside over all meetings,
attend conference SAAC, delegate duties, and call for a vote when
warranted.
2. Vice President - The Vice President shall act as the
chairperson in the absence of the President, attend conference
SAAC, and oversee subcommittees that form as a response to the
needs of the SAAC.
3. Secretary/Treasurer - The Secretary/Treasurer shall record
all minutes of the committee's meetings and is in charge of keeping
track of attendance. The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep track of an
annual budget, be in charge of all fundraising, and report all
expenses at each meeting.
III. MEETINGS
A. Frequency
1. Meetings shall be held during lunch once a month,
and are to be attended by all representatives.
2. Subcommittees will have additional meetings as needed, and
will be called by the committee.
B. Attendance
1. Attendance is mandatory for all members. The
Executive Board and the Advisors must receive written excuses 3
days prior to a meeting.
2. Attendance will be recorded and reported to coaches and SAAC
members. Repeated unexcused absences will result in the selection
of a new representative.
3. At least one team representative will be present at all
meetings.
4. Each representative must report to the team and coach on the committee meetings and distribute the minutes of the meeting.
C. Voting Procedure
1. 51% of SAAC will suffice for a quorum, a full quorum of members must be present in order to vote.
2. Decisions shall be made by a simple majority vote of 51% of
the members present. If there is a tie vote, the 3 officers will
vote for majority to break the tie.
3. This constitution may be amended by two-thirds vote of the
total membership of the committee. Amendment proposals must
be submitted to the committee at least one meeting in advance so
that the membership may have time to contemplate the amendment
proposal
