Rutgers University - Newark Student-Athlete
Advisory Committee (SAAC) Constitution
About SAAC
The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a committee made up student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. SAAC offers input on the rules, regulations, and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives at Rutgers University - Newark.
Mission Statement
The mission statement of the Rutgers University - Newark Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is to enhance the 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.
Constitution
Article I. Name of Organization
This organization shall be known as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee or SAAC.
Article II. Purpose
1. To generate a student-athlete voice within the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC).
2. To solicit student-athlete response to proposed National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) legislation.
3. To suggest potential NCAA legislation.
4. To create a vision for student-athlete representation on campus, conference-wide, and nationally.
Article III. Membership
1. Any student-athlete is eligible for appointment.
a. Representatives should be selected by the coaches of each athletic team.
b. Two representatives from each team.
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. One voting member from each sports team.
5. Each member will serve as a liaison between the committee and his/her team.
6. Each team must be represented at every meeting:
a. Attendance is required. Absences are excusable only in the following cases: family emergencies,
athletic competitions occurring during the meeting, or for extreme academic reasons.
b. A written notice (e-mail) explaining a missed SAAC meeting must be given to proper position of power.
c. Potential discipline for unexcused absences.
7. While attending meetings, members must be open-minded and respectful of other people’s opinions.
8. Members accept the responsibility of representing the student-athlete population of Rutgers University - Newark.
Article IV. Executive council
1. Officers will be nominated at the second-to-last meeting and will be elected during the last meeting of the year.
2. Five total executive members.
a. Three position exec members
i. President, Vice-President, Secretary
b. Two members to be non-position execs
3. 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.
4. Officers can only be elected if they have been a member of SAAC for at least one year.
5. Only one member from each sport team can be on the executive council.
6. If elected to executive council, they give up voting rights.
7. Two members of the executive council must attend IIAC SAAC meetings.
8. In the event of removal, resignation, or vacancy of the president, the Vice-president will move into the President position, and the executive team announces a new Vice-President.
9. 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.
10. Additional exec meetings may be held on top of committee wide meetings.
President
1. Presides over and creates the agendas for the meetings.
2. Communicates all relevant information to officers and members.
3. Serves as liaison and spokesperson to Rutgers University - Newark administration.
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 Rutgers University - Newark SAAC
3. Exercises all functions of the President in absence of the President.
Secretary / Social Media
1. Responsible for maintaining attendance records
2. Responsible for a summary of meeting within 48-hours after meeting end.
a. Distribute to members, advisors, athletic administration, FARs, and coaches. Can be done
through the president if needed.
3. Develop & maintain social media presence for Rutgers University – Newark SAAC that reflects the mission of the council
Other Exec Members
1. Be the eyes and ears of the committee.
2. Help with any other tasks needed by the rest of the exec team.
3. Help make sure that the committee is keeping in line with mission statement.
Article V. Standing Committees
1. The chairperson of each committee will be decided at the beginning of the year during the committee sign-ups and will then be voted on by members of each committee.
2. Additional committees can be formed if necessary.
Article VI. Meetings
1. There will be one meeting on the first Tuesday of every month, during community time. This is subject to change if necessary.
2. Meetings will be set for the academic year.
3. Special meetings may be called by the President when business demands immediate attention.
Article VII. Voting
1. There will be one voting member from each team.
2. In a vote, the majority is needed.
3. If a majority cannot be attained, that piece of legislation shall be considered abstained.
Article VIII. Amendments
1. Amendments to this constitution may be introduced at the conclusion of any meeting. Voting shall occur at
the next 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.
