STUDENT-ATHLETE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

WSSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (WSSU-SAAC)

The WSSU student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on their collegiate experience. The SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses.

Presently, there are separate national SAACs for NCAA Divisions I, II and III. NCAA legislation mandates that all member institutions have SAACs on their respective campuses. Further, NCAA legislation requires that all member conferences have SAACs.

The Division I national SAAC consists of one student-athlete from each of the 31 Division I conferences. Members are selected by the current Division I SAAC members from a pool of three nominees from each of the represented conferences. Each student-athlete serves a two-year term.

The Division I SAAC reports directly to the Division I Management Council, and two SAAC members participate in each meeting of the Management Council as nonvoting members. It is through this representation on the Management Council and other Division I and Association-wide committees that NCAA Division I student-athletes offer input and assist in shaping the proposed legislation by which their division is governed.

WSSU On-Campus SAAC

Though the focus of campus SAAC's is intended to be more parochial in nature, communication among campus, conference and national SAACs offers student-athletes the opportunity to shape the landscape of intercollegiate athletics.

Functions of WSSU's campus SAAC

Promote communication between athletics administration and student-athletes.
Disseminate information.
Provide feedback and insight into athletics department issues.
Generate a student-athlete voice within the campus athletics department during its formulation of policies.
Build a sense of community within the athletics program involving all athletics teams.
Solicit student-athlete responses to proposed conference and NCAA legislation.
Organize community service efforts.
Create a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus-wide committees (e.g., student government).
Promote a positive student-athlete image on campus.

Members of WSSU's campus SAAC have the opportunity to address issues affecting student-athletes at WSSU, and issues within the conference (MEAC); furthermore, members have the opportunity to offer input on issues that may be national in scope.

The campus committee is meant to serve as a local student-athlete voice in addressing issues of student-athlete well-being at its respective institutions. Campus committees can facilitate better communication among student-athletes from various athletics teams to address issues common to all.

The campus SAAC may also serve as a conduit of communication among student-athletes, coaches and athletics administrators on issues to improve the student-athlete experience and promote growth and education through sports participation. Concerns can be voiced and solutions offered regarding any issue that may be relevant to NCAA student-athletes.

Through the grass-roots efforts of the campus SAACs communicating with the conference SAACs, and the conference SAACs communicating with the national SAAC, student-athletes have the opportunity to change the face of intercollegiate athletics.

WSSU-SAAC Constitution:

Article I

1.1 The name of the committee shall be Winston-Salem State University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, abbreviated "WSSU-SAAC".

Article II

2.1 Purpose Of The Student Athlete Advisory Committee
2.1.1 To act as a vehicle of communication between student-athletes, Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) and the Central Intercollegiate
Athletic Association (CIAA);
2.1.2 To promote student-athlete involvement on campus and in the community.;
2.1.3 To include other purposes objectives as outlined by the WSSU-SAAC, CIAA- SAAC and the NCAA--SAAC;
2.1.4 To improve the image of all student-athletes on campus and in the community;
2.1.5 To design and implement projects that will enhance academic achievement and social responsibility amongst student-athletes;
2.1.6 To provide assistance with the annual athletic banquet
2.1.7 To promote and assist with fund raising opportunities for all WSSU athletic teams.

Article III

3.1. Membership
3.1.1 Membership shall consist of 1-2 members of each athletic team. There shall be one (1) member from the volleyball, softball, bowling, men's tennis, women's tennis and varsity cheerleading teams. There shall be two (2) representatives from the women's basketball, men's basketball and football teams.
3.1.2 Members shall be selected annually by the coaches and staff of their representative teams.
Membership criteria follows:

a. Must be certified for participation by WSSU;

b. Must carry a GPA or higher during appointment;

c. Members at large must carry at 2.7 GPA (effective Fall 2004)

d. Must be in good standing with conduct at WSSU;

e. Must be at least a second year participant;

f. Must be enrolled as a full-time student;

g. Must be listed on his/her team as an active athlete.

3.1.3 Membership shall be terminated in the following ways:

a. Resignation by member;

b. Two thirds vote of the committee members;

c. Dismissed by respective coach or staff;

d. Member no longer meets the above criteria.

Article IV

4.1 Conduct
4.1.1 Athletes must be aware that they are representatives of not only of WSSU but also the CIAA and NCAA and should act in accordance with each of their codes of conduct.
4.1.2 Anyone who does not follow the policies expected of WSSU student-athletes will be asked to resign or shall be voted out of the organization, by provisions set forth in Article III - 3.1.3.

Article V

5.1 Executive Board Members/Duties
5.1.1 There shall be four (4) officers in the WSSU-SAAC

a. President

b. Vice-President

c. Secretary

d. Parliamentarian

5.1.2 Members of this executive board serve for one year and can be re-elected.

Their duties are as follows:

a. Attend all meetings;

b. Oversee all standing committees;

c. Serve as liaisons of information to the other committee members;

d. Be in charge of all finances;

e. Members should disseminate information for the conference SAAC to WSSU-SAAC

f. Report concerns of the WSSU-SAAC to the CIAA Office;

g. Serve on at least one of the standing committees

5.1.3 President and Vice-President must carry a 3.0 GPA (effective Fall 2004)

Article VI

6.1.1 Membership Duties

Each WSSU-SAAC member shall

a. Provide a bi-annual report of their sport to the President;

b. Attend all meetings and events;

c. Provide respective teams with the purpose and details regarding the WSSU-SAAC

Article VII

7.1 Meetings
7.1.1 Meetings shall be held at least once a month over the academic year
7.1.2 Future meetings and dates will be voted on a prior meeting
7.1.3 Meetings will follow parliamentary procedure

Article VIII

8.1 Ratifying and Voting
8.1.1 Any amendment to a policy that must be changed must be submitted to the executive board for approval. Suggestions must be submitted at least one meeting prior to the meeting in which it will be voted on;
8.1.2 Two-thirds of the members must be present to constitute a quorum-minimum number of members of a committee or organization needed for transaction of business;
8.1.3 A 2/3 vote from a quorum is required for ratification of an amendment on policies and amendments to the Constitution or any other agenda item;
8.1.4 Voting at meetings of the WSSU-SAAC is restricted to one (1) vote from each member. In no case may a WSSU-SAAC member cast two (2) votes.

Article IX

9.1 This constitution is subject to subject to all regulations governing affiliate organizations of the WSSU-CIAA and are subject to change and be amendment by provisions set forth by the Winston-Salem State University Student Athlete Advisory Committee Constitution I Article VIII - 8.1.3.