MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Shippensburg University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare, acting as a liaison between student-athletes and administration, and fostering a positive student-athlete image.
 

Article I. Name of Organization

This organization shall be known as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
 

Article II. Purpose

1. To generate a student-athlete voice within the institution.
2. To solicit student-athlete response to proposed NCAA legislation.
3. To suggest potential NCAA legislation.
4. To organize community service efforts.
5. To create a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus, conference-wide, and nationally.
 

Article III. Membership

1. Any student-athlete (scholarship or non-scholarship) is eligible for appointment. Representatives should be selected by their teammates or coaches.
2. Academic eligibility must be maintained. Upon becoming academically ineligible, the member will be replaced.
3. To provide continuity, membership will be for the duration of athletic career.
4. Each team should try to have at least one upperclassman and one underclassman.
5. There will be two voting members from each varsity team sport.
6. Each member will serve as a liaison between the committee and his/her respective team.
7. Each member will coordinate with their respective coach the appropriate time to address the team to communicate SAAC information, activities, etc.
8. Each team must be represented at each monthly meeting:
a. Attendance at all SAAC meetings and events are  required. Absences are excusable only in the following cases: scheduled class, family emergencies and athletics competitions occurring during the scheduled meeting/event or for extreme academic reasons.
b. A written notice (e-mail) explaining a missed SAAC meeting must be forwarded to the SAAC President before the meeting occurs.
c. At the conclusion of a missed SAAC meeting, it is the absent member’s responsibility to contact a SAAC officer to discuss the agenda items that were covered during the meeting.
d. Two unexcused absences are cause for dismissal.
9. While attending SAAC meetings, members must be open-minded and respectful of other people’s opinions.
10. Members accept the responsibility of representing approximately 500 SU student-athletes.
11. Members are required to actively participate in a minimum of one standing committee.
 

Article IV. Executive Council

1. Officers will be nominated at the second-to-last meeting and will be elected at the last meeting of the year.
2. A nomination will consist of nominating a member for the executive board with no specific position stated.
3. Upon nomination, the nominee may accept or deny the nomination. Individuals can also self-nominate to be considered for the executive council. .
4. On election day, nominations will continue to be taken. Once the call for nominations ends, nominees will give their speeches. Once all speeches have concluded, voting will occur.
5. The top five individuals receiving the most votes shall be elected to the executive.  Specific positions of those elected will be decided internally between the electees and the Administration.  
6. All officers shall serve for a one-year term. Officers are eligible for re-election for a consecutive term providing they will be a full-time student-athlete for another term of one-year.
7. Officers can only be elected if they have been a member on SAAC for at least one year.
8. Two members of the executive council and/or their designee must attend the PSAC SAAC meetings (fall and spring).
9. Members of the executive council must fulfill requirements to maintain the status of a Student Government Recognized group within the Student Government Association.
10. Each member of the executive council will act as a liaison to one of the subcommittees of SAAC with the exception of the President
11. In the event of removal, resignation, or vacancy of the President, the Vice-President will move into the President position, and the newly appointed President appoints the new Vice-President until the next official election.
12. In the event of removal, resignation, or vacancy of any officer or committee chair, the President will appoint a replacement until the next official election.
13. Impeachment of an elected officer can take place when two-thirds of the membership votes for impeachment. Two-thirds of the committee must be present for this to take place.
 
President
 
1. Presides over and creates the agenda for monthly meetings.
2. Communicates all relevant information to officers and members.
3. Serves as liaison and spokesperson to SU administration.
4. Functions as spokesperson to conference and national SAAC.
 
Vice-President
 
1. Presides over meetings when the President is absent.
2. Oversees subcommittees that may be formed as a response to the needs of the SU SAAC.
3. Oversees the legislation process in conjunction with the conference and national SAAC.
4. Exercises all functions of the President in absence of the President.
 
Secretary
 
1. Responsible for maintaining attendance records.
2. Responsible for a summary and distribution of minutes from meetings within 48-hours (distribute to members, advisor(s), athletics administration, FAR, coaches). This can be done through the President if necessary.
3. Responsible for creating and distributing agendas
3. Updates bulletin board.
 
Treasurer
 
1. Responsible for all financial transactions relating to SAAC.
2. Responsible for deposits and payment of bills through athletics office.
3. Provides budgetary report and updates at each SAAC meeting.
 
Public Relations and Engagement Officer
 

1. Responsible for managing the public image, social media needs, and external communications related to SAAC.
2. Provides leadership for the marketing of all events and programs sponsored/co-sponsored by SAAC including but not limited to working with the Shippensburg University Sports Information Office.
3. Responsible for creating engagement opportunities for SAAC and the entire SU student-athlete population.

 
Standing Committees
 
The chairperson(s) of each committee will be decided at the beginning of the year during committee signups and will be confirmed by the executive council.. Additional committees can be formed if necessary.
 
Community Service Committee
 
This committee was formed to help to organize and facilitate community service projects sponsored by SAAC.  This committee should consist of 8-10 members. 
 
Liaison
 
1. Oversees all community service events sponsored by SAAC.
2. Delegates responsibilities to committee members for each event.
3. Encourages participation from the SAAC members in community service events outside of those organized by SAAC and brainstorming for new events.
4.  Responsible for establishing, organizing, and communicating all meeting times to the committee.
5.  Responsible for providing information on all events to the Group Development and Marketing Committee. 
 
Group Development and Marketing Committee
 
This committee was formed to brainstorm, organize, and facilitate all activities involving the committee as a whole or any large scale gatherings sponsored by SAAC.  Additionally, this committee is responsible for the marketing and promotion responsibilities of SAAC.  In collaboration with the Public Relations and Engagement Officer, they will be in charge of the SAAC social media accounts.  This committee should consist of 8-10 members.
 
Liaison
 
1. Oversees all group development activities organized by SAAC. 
2. Oversee all social media accounts and marketing and promotion efforts to support SAAC.
3. Encourages group cohesiveness and coordinates events that enhance group development.
4.  Responsible for establishing, organizing, and communicating all meeting times to the committee and delegating responsibilities to the committee members for each event.
5.
 
 
Fundraising Committee
 
This committee was formed to generate events for SAAC involvement that are intended to raise money for organizations or initiatives deemed appropriate by SAAC. These fundraising efforts may be delegated to charities of SAAC’s choice or to fund future events.  This committee should consist of 10-12 members.
 
Liaison

1. Oversees all fundraising events sponsored by SAAC

2.   Delegates responsibilities to committee members for each event.
3.   Encourages participation from the SAAC members in fundraising events outside of  
      those organized by SAAC and brainstorming for new events.
4.   Responsible for establishing, organizing, and communicating all meeting times to the 
      Committee.
5.   Responsible for providing information on all events to the Group Development and Marketing Committee.
 
Wellness Committee
 
This committee was formed to promote and organize mental health initiatives and other professional development and leadership programs to promote the wholistic student-athlete.  The Wellness Committee will seek to collaborate across the department and campus to promote various events and programs.  This committee should consist of 8-10 members
 
Liaison

1. Oversees all wellness initiatives and collaboration with other campus groups and offices.

2.   Delegates responsibilities to committee members for each event.
3.   Encourages participation from the SAAC members and student-athlete population in all    
      department and campus-wide events promoting wellness. 
4.   Responsible for establishing, organizing, and communicating all meeting times to the 
      Committee.
5.   Responsible for providing information on all events to the Group Development and Marketing Committee.   

Article V.  Meetings

 
1. There will be at least one meeting per month unless it is otherwise determined by the executive council.
2. Meetings will be set for the academic year.
3. All meetings will follow Robert’s Rules of Order.
4. Special meetings may be called by the President when business demands immediate attention.
 

Article VI.  Voting

1. There will be two voting members from each varsity team sport.
2. The percentage of members that constitute a quorum shall be fifty-one percent.
3. In voting, a majority shall consist of fifty-one percent.
4. There must be a quorum in order for any official vote or election to occur.

Article VII.  Amendments

1. Amendments to this Constitution may be introduced at the conclusion of any meeting. Voting shall occur at the following meeting, with the new amendment taking effect following the decision.
2. If the amendment passes, it shall be written in the Constitution and followed immediately.
 


Approved: August 2007
Revised: October 2007
Revised: January 2008
Revised: August 2008
Revised: February 2009
Revised:  April 2009
Revised: November 2018
Revised: November 2021
Revised: September 2025