Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Bylaws

Mission

“The mission of the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare, and fostering a positive student-athlete image.” (Adopted from the mission statement of the National SAAC)

The Olivet College SAAC will maintain a philosophy similar to that of Division III. SAAC will place high priority on the overall quality of the educational experience and on the successful completion of all students’ academic programs. We will 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. We also will seek to establish and maintain an environment that values cultural diversity among our student-athletes and athletic staff. (Adopted from Division-III philosophy)

The name of this student organization shall be known as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

The purpose shall be to assist communication between student-athletes and administration and to help members further develop leadership skills, while promoting the opportunity for the exchange of ideas among student-athletes of different sports. Student-athletes should also strive to be “role models” for the Olivet College community and the larger community as well. This committee will also be assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience and to offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives.

Each athletic team will be responsible for selecting representatives, one or two depending on the size of the team, for the SAAC. These representatives shall be selected and their names should be submitted to the President of the SAAC by the first meeting in April. If special circumstances arise a third or additional member may be chosen at that time. All SAAC members will hold this position for one school year.
No first-year student or first-year athlete will be allowed to serve on the SAAC Executive Committee.

Varsity Sports Teams will be allowed membership into SAAC. A varsity sport is a sport that has been accorded that status by the institution’s chief executive officer or committee responsible for the intercollegiate athletics policy. One vote will be given to each varsity sport team. At present (January 1, 2011) these teams include: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball and wrestling. Any additional varsity sport that is created will not be allowed voting member status until they have been established for one fully year. A new team may petition SAAC for early membership representation; however, they will not become a voting member until that full “establishment” year has been fulfilled.

Attendance at all meetings and organizational events is required. Each member will only be given one unexcused absence. SAAC members that have a schedule conflict to the meeting or event should submit a written excuse to the President or Vice President at least twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting or event takes place. Prior to the meeting or event the SAAC member shall contact the President or Vice President to discuss the agenda. In the event of an emergency the President may grant an exemption to this rule.

The officers and members of this organization must meet the following requirements:
        -    Have at least a 2.50 GPA at the time of their selection and it should be maintained through the duration of their term.
        -    Enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours.
        -    Be in good standing with the college.
        -    All are subject to removal from this organization by the Executive Committee or SAAC advisor, should the SAAC member fail to maintain the requirements described above.

The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer, Fundraiser advisor, and an SAAC advisor.
It is their responsibility to establish committees at the beginning of the year that coincide with the objectives and goals the Executive Committee deems appropriate.
No single varsity team will occupy all positions of the Executive Committee.
Members must attend 3/4 of all meetings unless the president is informed of a valid excuse, one week before the scheduled meeting. In regards to not attending the meeting he or she must find a replacement to attend the meeting, from their sports team.

The President must be an entering senior and will be voted on by the council. Voting for all officers will take place in April each year. In the event that the President cannot fulfill their obligations, s/he must submit a letter of resignation. At that time the Vice-President would take over the remainder of the year. The election for the Vice-Presidency position would occur two weeks after the Vice-President has taken office. The Vice-President then would be allowed to hold the Presidential office for two years. (the interim year, and the actual year)
Must call and preside over all SAAC meetings.
Should regularly communicate with the SAAC advisor, MIAA Representatives, and the Board of Governance Representatives.
Will support and maintain the mission and philosophies of all councils.
Should create new committees if necessary and the communicate ideas between the existing council.

The Vice-President shall be voted into office on the first meeting in April. They should be entering their junior year. All nominations for the position should be submitted to the President by the last meeting in March. Each member of the SAAC will vote in the Vice-Presidential election, with the exception of the current President and Vice-President. A two-thirds majority vote must be given to one female/male. In the event that a two-thirds majority is not reached a new election will take place with the two candidates who received the most votes. The female/male that receives 50 percent plus one vote will be the new Vice President.
In the Presidents absence, should resume all responsibility.
Is responsible for the communication with council’s executives.
Should form reports on all councils activities, goals, and outlooks.
Should inform president of any thoughts or ideas proposed by any SAAC council.

The Secretary will be announced to SAAC by the first meeting in April. All interested applicants must give written intent to the President by the last meeting in March. A Joint decision between the President and Vice-President will be made to determine the secretary.
Will be responsible for all meeting minutes, creating agendas, tracking and taking attendance, creating and maintaining all SAAC bulletin boards, and recording and documenting all individual and team community service projects.
Is responsible for communicating all relevant information to SAAC council members.
Is responsible for sending SAAC minutes to all coaches, faculty members, and other athletic staff.

Will prepare and maintain an accurate record of all funds and disbursal of funds as directed by the president and the Executive Council.
Must be in charge of organizing and coordinating fund-raising activities within the SAAC.
Must work with Alumni Relations Manager to create alumni donations to Olivet College Athletic Department.