SAAC Mission Statement The mission statement of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and Weber State University s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare, and fostering a positive student-athlete image. The SAAC member s duties include, but are not limited to: 1. Attend all SAAC meetings; 2. Participate in SAAC discussions relating to NCAA legislation; 3. Help in organizing and implementing service projects with your team; 4. Relay information discussed in SAAC meetings with your team and coaches; 5. Act as a liaison between your team and the Department of Athletics; 6. Conduct him/herself in a manner which promotes a positive student-athlete image; AND 7. Have Fun!! BYLAWS The Weber State University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) was established in 1999. The WSU SAAC is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience and to offer input on rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes lives on NCAA member institution campuses. Article I 1. The Primary purpose of the SAAC is to act as a liaison between the Department of Athletics and the student-athletes at Weber State University. This is accomplished by: 2. To generate a student-athlete voice within the university structure by supplying a vehicle of communication between the athletic administration and student-athletes. Make recommendations to the administration for the improvement of the student-athlete s academic, athletic, and social experiences; 3. To provide equal and representative input of WSU student-athletes; 4. To solicit student-athlete responses to proposed conference and NCAA legislation;
5. To build a sense of community within the athletic program involving all athletics teams by encouraging unity, common purpose, and camaraderie between teams and among all athletes in the department; 6. Promote and support intercollegiate student-athletes at institutional, conference, and national levels which would include the review of proposed legislation at these various levels; 7. Provide service to the Athletic Department, Weber State, and the outside community; AND 8. To promote a positive student-athlete image on campus. SAAC is a vital tool in the continued success of Weber State Athletics. The SAAC is also a valuable voice on both the conference and national levels of Intercollegiate Athletics. ARTICLE II WSU SAAC is composed of one or more athletes from each Weber State varsity sponsored team and two representatives from the cheer/dance team. Ex-officio members include the Director of Athletics, the Associate Director of Athletics/ Senior Woman Administrator, the NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative, and the Director of Marketing. Structure: 1. Each team will annually select representatives during the spring semester. These representatives will serve for one year and may be selected for consecutive terms. 2. SAAC meetings are open to all persons wishing to attend. Each selected member of the committee is required to attend all meetings. The Executive Board reserves the right to call additional meetings when necessary. 3. The Director of Athletics will appoint a Department of Athletics employee to serve as a non-voting committee advisor. 4. Subcommittees may be appointed and a chair will be selected from the team representatives. 5. The Executive Board will meet with the advisor(s) to discuss general business and to set agendas prior to each SAAC meeting. 6. Parliamentary procedures will be followed at all SAAC meetings. REPRESENTATIVE SELECTION PROCESS
Terms for the student-athletes are parallel to their eligibility; as long as a student-athlete is eligible to compete in their sport and they are willing to serve on SAAC, they may remain on the committee. When a member completes their eligibility, it is their duty to select and mentor the next student-athlete to represent their team. This selection process will promote a sense of personal responsibility to the success of the WSU SAAC. MEETINGS The committee meets in person twice monthly, unless otherwise indicated by schedule. The committee may also meet and communicate via email and phone if necessary between meetings. ARTICLE III Membership: 1. In no aspect of SAAC s programs shall there be any difference in the treatment of persons as a result of their race, color, creed, sexual or association preferences, disability, age, or any other classification. 2. Membership is limited to student-athletes who participate on Weber State University intercollegiate sports teams. Additional members are obtained from the Weber State Cheer/Dance team and the WSUSA Purple Pack. 3. Members must be eligible students in accordance with NCAA, Big Sky Conference, and Weber State University rules. 4. Failure to fulfill membership requirements could disqualify a representative from the Council. Executive Board Members ARTICLE IV As mentioned above the SAAC also has an Executive Board that consists of a President, Vice President, Athletics Senator, Marketing/Promotions Chair, Communications Chair and Service Chair. Elections are held annually in the Spring for the Senator, Secretary and Chair positions and as needed for the President, Vice President as those positions become available due to student-athletes exhausting their eligibility. The Executive Board provides leadership for the organization, serves on institutional committees, and travels to league and national SAAC conferences. Procedures for the election of board members are as follows:
1. All nominations and voting will be conducted by the SAAC advisor. 2. All SAAC representatives and board members who are present are invited to make verbal nominations. Self-nominations are encouraged. 3. Final voting will be placed by private ballot and counted by the SAAC advisor. 4. The current Vice President will be ratified as the President for the following year. Should the Vice President forfeit the Presidential position, a new President will be verbally nominated and elected by Team Representatives. 5. All Team Representatives present will vote by private ballot for the remaining Executive Board Member positions and will do so in the following order: Vice President, Communications/Secretary, Marketing/Promotions, Service and Senator. 6. In the event of an officer resigning, the Executive Board will appoint a current team representative to fill the vacant position. 1. President DUTIES of EXECUTIVE BOARD a. Presides over meetings; b. Serves as a liaison for the Department of Athletics; c. Functions as a spokesperson for WSU to the local community; d. Represents WSU at Big Sky Conference SAAC meetings; e. Assists all positions on the Executive Committee as needed; AND f. Fulfills all responsibilities and duties designated by the Department of Athletics SAAC Advisor. 2. Vice President a. Exercises all the functions of the office of President in the absence of the President; b. Oversees all standing committees and reports to Executive Board any relevant information; c. Performs such duties as are incidental to the office and which are required of the office by the SAAC; AND d. May represent WSU at Big Sky Conference SAAC meetings.
3. Communications/Secretary a. Keeps written records of all WSU general meetings and common meetings; b. Performs such duties as are incidental to the office and which are required of the office by the SAAC; c. Notifies all SAAC representatives of upcoming events; AND d. May represent WSU at Big Sky Conference SAAC meetings. 4. Athletics Senator a. Represents SAAC and the athletic department at all WSU campus senate meetings; b. Act as the liaison between the athletes and the members of the WSUSA; c. Reports to SAAC pertinent information talked about in the senate meetings; d. Presides over meetings when president and vice president are absent; e. May represent WSU at Big Sky Conference SAAC meetings; AND f. Fulfills all responsibilities and duties designated by the executive board. 5. Marketing/Promotions Chair a. Serves as media relations for SAAC; b. Assists in updating WSU SAAC website; c. Responsible for designing and promoting all marketing materials for SAAC sponsored events; d. Notifies entities outside of SAAC council of upcoming events or activities; AND e. Fulfills all responsibilities and duties designated by the executive board. 6. Community Service Chair a. Organizes major and minor athletic department service projects; b. Reports all issues and information applicable to the executive board and SAAC council regarding service opportunities; c. Works with SAAC and the Student Involvement Center to setup committee activities and record all community service the committee and the individual athletics participate in; AND
d. Fulfills all responsibilities and duties designated by the executive board. ARTICLE V Activities: SAAC Members will: 1. Attend scheduled meetings to conduct business and provide a forum for discussion. 2. Participate in all SAAC and departmental activities. 3. Develop and promote ways to facilitate communication among and between athletes, teams, coaches, administration, and other staff. 4. Plan and participate in charitable activities and social events that accomplish SAAC s overall purpose. ARTICLE VI Finances 1. No dues will be collected. 2. Any financial affairs are to be handled by the Weber State University Department of Athletics. ARTICLE VII Voting Procedures Only Team Representatives and Executive Board Members will vote, although council meetings are open to all how want to attend. 1. Constitution: a. Changes to the constitution will first go through the Executive Board for approval. b. All amendments and changes must be submitted to the SAAC for approval one meeting prior to the meeting at which they will be voted upon. c. A majority of the SAAC membership is required to vote on a proposed amendment. d. A majority 2/3 vote is required for ratification of an amendment.
2. Policies: a. Approval of agenda items requires a simple majority of those team representatives in attendance.