Stockton University Athletics

CONSTITUTION
1. NAME
The name of this organization shall be “Stockton University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee” (SAAC).
2. PURPOSES
The purposes of this committee are:
a) Improve the quality of the Student-Athlete experience at Stockton University
b) Provide a voice for student-athletes within the Office of Athletics and Campus Recreation and the University
c) Increase the total campus awareness of intercollegiate athletics
d) Develop relationships and a support system between athletes from different teams
e) Serve as a liaison between the Office of Athletics and Campus Recreation and the student-athletes
f) Enhance the overall image of student-athletes among all constituencies
g) Facilitate the building of a cohesive relationship between student-athletes and faculty members
3. FUNDAMENTAL POLICY
SAAC is a committee made up of student-athlete representatives. It will be governed by an executive board and will meet regularly to discuss the issues and concerns of the student athletes. The SAAC will be used as a vehicle to promote communication between the athletes and the athletics administration as well as the academic administration. SAAC will serve as the medium by which athletes can suggest and execute positive changes that will enhance their experience as a student-athlete.

BYLAWS
1. MEMBERSHIP
1.1 Composition.
The membership of the SAAC will consist of two (2) members from each NCAA intercollegiate team. The representatives shall be either coach-appointed or team-elected. Furthermore, any member of an intercollegiate team who is not elected as one of the representatives of their team is invited to participate, but will not be authorized to vote.
1. 2 Term of Appointment.
Members shall serve the committee for a term of one year at which point they may be reappointed for a period of up to four years. Performance and commitment of SAAC members will be evaluated annually by the executive committee. Official appointment of SAAC members will take place at the beginning of the new academic year in September.
1.3 Duties.
The members of the SAAC have several important responsibilities. They include, but are not limited to:
1.3.1 Attendance at all meetings
1.3.2 If unable to attend, arrange for an alternate to attend
2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
2.1 Composition.
The executive committee shall consist of the President, Vice-President, a Secretary and a NJAC Representative. These positions shall be elected and will be considered the officers of the committee.
2.2 Term of Appointment.
All officers will be appointed to a term of one year whereupon they may seek re-election for the following year. Anyone running for the position of President must have served on the SAAC for at least one year prior to the term of election.
2.3 Duties.
The executive committee oversees the operation of the SAAC. This committee shall meet periodically and will be responsible for certain tasks that include, but are not limited to the following:
2.3.1 President. Presides over all meeting and acts as the direct liaison with the athletic director. The President is responsible for the development of the committee as well as the maintenance of appropriate communication within and surrounding the committee. The President will serve as the official representative of the SAAC at college and/or intercollegiate functions where it is deemed necessary.
2.3.2 Vice President. Performs all duties of the President in his/her absence. The Vice President will work closely with the President and assist him/her in the daily operating tasks of the committee. Also, the Vice President is responsible for administering the sub-committees and their respective Chairpersons. The Vice President will monitor the progress of the sub-committees and assist with major events or planning of these committees.
2.3.3 Secretary. Records minutes at all meetings and provides copies to all SAAC members and appropriate administration within 10 days of the meeting. The Secretary will assist the President in developing the agenda for future meetings and also will be responsible for alerting members of meetings and other business.
2.3.4 NJAC Representative. The NJAC Representative is directly responsible for the management of all NJAC SAAC information. The NJAC Representative will participate in all NJAC SAAC conference calls and relay pertinent information at each meeting. Furthermore, if the NJAC Representative cannot participate in such actions, he/she must arrange for another member of the SAAC to perform this duty in his/her absence.
3. SUB COMMITTEES
Each committee will elect a Chairperson to preside over the committee. The Chairperson will be responsible for coordinating the subcommittee’s activities and producing timely progress reports at the request of the Vice President. Sub committees may be appointed at the discretion of the executive committee and can be reassigned to suit current issues.
3.1 Standing sub committees.
All members of the SAAC, excluding the President, Vice President and the Secretary must participate on a sub-committee.
3.1.1 Public Relations/Marketing Committee. This committee’s main objective is to increase awareness of the athletics program both on campus and throughout the community. Other objectives include, but are not limited to:
• improving attendance at home athletics events
• collaborating with the Office of Athletics and Campus Recreation to produce, post and distribute material advertising athletics activities as well as material advertising SAAC accomplishments
3.1.2 Community Service. This committee’s main focus will be giving back to the community. This committee will be responsible for organizing a SAAC sponsored community service projects, as well as taking charge of any NJAC sponsored service event. This committee may also assist the Public Relations Committee on advertising any event, and promoting the success of the SAAC at this event.
• creating and developing opportunities for Stockton athletes to represent the school in the local community
• working with the Office of Athletics and Recreation to organize programs aimed at getting the community involved in Stockton athletics
3.1.3 Finance/Budget. This committee will be responsible for all fund raising activities as well as the management and appropriate distribution of SAAC funds. The Budget/Finance committee will be responsible for all funding requests and will be In charge of any SAAC related material to be purchased.
4. MEETINGS
The SAAC will meet monthly while the college is in session according to a schedule determined at the first meeting of the fall semester. The meetings shall be held in the evening at a time that is convenient to all involved. The executive committee shall meet at least twice per semester as well as at their discretion to discuss the progress of the committee and to address the initiatives of the committee. Additional meetings may be called by the President should they be necessary.
4.1 Attendance.
All members will attend every meeting unless he/she has a legitimate excuse. Any unexcused absence will result in the loss of the vote for the absent representative’s sport unless an alternate is present.
4.2 Dismissal.
If any representative accumulates two unexcused absences, he/she may be dismissed at the discretion of the executive committee. A replacement will be made if one is available.
5. ELECTIONS
Elections will be held at the end of each spring term in order to appoint the executive officers for the following year. This election will be held on the last meeting date of the spring semester. Those wishing to run for an executive position must declare so at least one month prior to the final meeting. The candidate possessing the majority vote will be awarded the position. Executive officers are expected to maintain contact throughout the summer months.
5.1 Voting procedures.
Each official representative will be allowed one vote for the purpose of elections or any SAAC issue that is moved to a vote. If a representative is absent on the day of a vote, he/she must send an alternate from the team or forfeit his/her vote.
6. ADVISOR
The SAAC advisor shall oversee the operation of the SAAC and will act as a consultant where needed. He/she will be a member of the Office of Athletics and Recreation staff and will be appointed by the athletics director. All SAAC activities shall be reported to and approved by the Advisor.
7. AMENDMENTS
The constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote. The vote is only valid if at least two-thirds of the members are present. The proposal of the amendment must be submitted to the committee at least one month prior to voting or at the previous meeting.
8. NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The SAAC will not discriminate upon age, sex, race, or religion