| SAAC Constitution |
| Student Athlete Handbook |
Student-athletes have a voice in the NCAA through advisory committees at the campus, conference, and national level. Each committee is made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience and offer input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on campus.
Though the focus of campus SAACs is intended to be more parochial in nature, communication among campus and national SAACs offers student-athletes the opportunity to shape the landscape of intercollegiate athletics.
Functions of campus SAACs:
- 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 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 a campus SAAC have the opportunity to address issues affecting student-athletes at their institution; 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 welfare at their 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 campus SAACs, student-athletes have the opportunity to change the face of intercollegiate athletics.
Campus SAAC Executive Board
The NCAA recommends the creation of some type of executive board to oversee the operation of campus SAACs. Traditional board member positions include chairperson, chair-elect, secretary/treasurer and chairpersons of any standing subcommittees. All of these positions should be held by student-athletes.
2019-20 Pitt-Bradford Executive Board
President - Andrew Bacha 2020 - Baseball
Vice President - Alayna Seggi 2021 - Volleyball
Constitution and Bylaws
The constitution of the campus SAAC is a document written by the executive board and approved by the representatives. The constitution is essential to outline the policies and operating procedures of the committee. It should include the name and purpose of the committee, membership, leadership structure, standing committees, philosophy, advisors, impeachment process, veto powers, ratification and amendment procedures, and voting and meeting requirements. It should be noted that many institutions require that an organization have bylaws to be an officially recognized student committee. Copies of campus SAAC bylaws and models are available through the NCAA national office.
Campus SAAC Enhancement Ideas
Create an annual report for your campus SAAC. Include concerns, committee actions, yearly activities, special honors or recognition received by teams or student-athletes, graduation rate information, and other relevant topics. Present and distribute the annual SAAC report to constituent groups (e.g., athletics administrators, athletics council, Board of Trustees, coaches, faculty, CHAMPS/Life Skills Advisory Team, your conference SAAC, and national SAAC). Collaborate with other student organizations on campus to organize activities. Support your institution's CHAMPS/ Life Skills Program.
Conference SAACs
Many NCAA conferences have created conference SAACs in order to strengthen the communication between the campus and national committees. Through increased communication and networking, the SAACs hope to better represent the views of all student-athletes.
Divisional SAACs
There are 24 members on the Division III SAAC, 16 of which are chosen from each of the four Division III regions across the nation, and eight student-athletes serve on the committee as at-large selections.
Two student-athletes from the committee are voting members on the Division III Management Council. In Division III, legislation is proposed to the Management Council from Division III committees, and the Management Council then has the option of forwarding the proposed legislation to the Division III Presidents Council for approval. If the legislation is approved by the President's Council, it is voted on annually at the NCAA Convention in January by each Division III member institution to determine if it will become new legislation.
