Go Mustangs!

Student Athlete Advisory Committee

SAA

Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a partnership of the student athletes representing all 17 sports at SMU. Each year the SAAC elects an executive board, decides on various community service projects and events are discussed and planned. This leadership group is a governance organization which provides input and assistance in the management of these community service events, provides leadership opportunities and communication to administration. SAAC focuses on many levels of student welfare and provides guidance for proposed legislation at the Conference USA and NCAA levels.

2010-11 Executive Board
Kelvin Beachum
Football
President

Kylie Spurgeon
Track
Vice-President

Haley King
Rowing
Secretary

Max Buckley
Men's Golf
Treasurer

Delisha Wills
Women's Basketball
Compliance

Morgan Toal
Equestrian
Public Relations

Meredith Walter
Rowing
Community Service

SAAC's Purpose

  1. Promote communication between athletic administration and student-athletes.
  2. Disseminate information.
  3. Provide feedback and insight to athletic department issues.
  4. Generate a student-athlete voice within the campus athletic department formulation of policies.
  5. Build a sense of community within the athletic program involving all athletic teams.
  6. Solicit student-athlete responses to proposed conference and NCAA legislation.
  7. Organize community service efforts.
  8. Promote a positive student-athlete image on campus.

SAAC Membership A. Each team will be represented by two individuals. Cross country and Track is counted as one team.

1. Selection: Coaches will select two members from their team to participate on SAAC.
2. Each team is allowed one additional member. This person is considered on SAAC, but does not have the power to vote.
3. Any member of any team may come to any meeting if they so choose, but they do not have the power to vote.
4. All voting members and officers of SAAC must be currently enrolled in at least 12 credits at SMU.
5. Officers shall have earned at least 6 credit hours in their most recently completed term.
6. Members shall not be on disciplinary probation.
7. Officers shall have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 and not have been on probation for the most recently completed term prior to the term of election.
8. Membership shall not be denied to any student on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran status.

Officers
President
1. Presides over meetings.
2. Sets the agenda for meetings.
3. Serves as liaison to the Athletic Department.
4. Functions as spokesperson from SMU to community.
5. Sitting representative at Athletic Committee meetings.
6. Ensures all purposes of SAAC are carried out to the best of his or her ability.
7. Gathers student-athlete feedback for NCAA proposed legislation

Vice-President
1. Presides over meetings and functions when President is absent.
2. Oversees all standing committees and reports to Executive Board any relevant information.
3. Performs such duties as are incidental to the office and which are required of the office by the Committee.
4. Serves as liaison to Conference Office.

Secretary
1. Shall take attendance by a sign in sheet, which will be turned in or e-mailed to the SAAC advisor and SAAC members within 48 hours of each meeting.
2. Is responsible for taking active minutes of the meeting, and getting them to the SAAC advisor and SAAC members within 48 hours of each meeting.
3. Sitting representative on Athletics Council.

Treasurer 1. Keeps a record of every transaction made by SAAC with the assistance of the SAAC advisor.
2. Handles all monetary transactions when necessary.
3. Responsible for the food at meetings.
4. Research and distribute information on college, conference, and national scholarships.

Public Relations
1. Serves as liaison to Public Relations Department and Video Operations.
2. Works closely with President on matters which require an official statement.
3. Will coordinate and plan team tailgates for all sports.

Community Service
1. Responsible for the community outreach activities of the committee.
2. Ensures all purposes of the committee are carried out to the best of his or her ability.
3. Organize and create various Community Service events.
4. Record hours involved in community service; give hours to SAAC advisor.
5. Understands and knows what the C-USA Community Service initiative is for the academic year (Changing Lives Program).
6. Implements the Mustang Cup program and keeps point totals throughout the academic year.

Compliance
1. Publish quarterly student-athlete newsletter.
2. Provides weekly rules education to student-athletes.
3. Presents rules education for each SAAC meeting.
4. In conjunction with the SAAC President, will facilitate all feedback on NCAA proposed legislation.

Representatives
Two voting members and one additional non-voting member from each team.

1. Members may only miss meetings for: Competition Midterm & Final Testing Illness

2. Must let the Advisor know if you cannot attend a meeting.

  • At all times, SAAC members must keep their teams educated about relevant issues discussed during SAAC meetings.
  • Must act as leaders and liaisons within their teams.
  • Adhere to deadlines when submitting and responding to all forms of correspondence from staff and other SAAC members.

Advisorsv Advisors will be available to answer questions and to provide support, guidance and shall work with officers and executive committee in conducting the business of the committee. The advisor serves as a liaison to Senior Administrative TEAM of the Athletics Department.

Voting
In General
Each member will be allowed to cast 1 ballot vote to elect the Executive Board. Candidates interested in positions will fill out which committee they are interested in the meeting in approximately week two of Spring Term. Then the ballot will be made for the next meeting.

1. In a floor vote, the two voting members may cast one ballot each
2. Designated voting members for the following year are the only people allowed to run for an elected position
3. President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer may not be from the same team.

  • Voting will take place at the third meeting of spring term
  • Amendments will be made with 2/3-majority vote.

Responsibilities and Expectations

  • Due to their involvement at the local and team level, SAAC members must act as leaders and liaisons within their teams.
  • Members must remember that they represent the National Collegiate Athletic Association and SMUand are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner both inside and outside committee meetings. The committee and staff will handle any necessary disciplinary actions.
  • Adhere to deadlines when submitting and responding to all forms of correspondence from staff and other SAAC members.

Meetings
August 29, 2010
September 26, 2010
October 24, 2010