Ferrum Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
Updated: Monday, July 16, 2007


What is the SAAC?
A student-athlete advisory committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. The SAAC also offers input on the rules, regulations and policies that affect student-athletes' lives on NCAA member institution campuses. Presently, there are separate national SAACs for NCAA Divisions I, II and III. NCAA legislation mandates that all member institutions have SAAC's on their respective campuses. Further, NCAA legislation requires that all member conferences have SAAC's.

Ferrum's SAAC Contact
Vickie Van Kleeck, Senior Women Administrator, (540) 365-4489, vvankleeck@ferrum.edu

Ferrum's SAAC Mission Statement
"The mission of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare and fostering a positive student-athlete image."

Division III SAAC
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 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 Presidents 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.

Conference SAAC
Many NCAA conferences have created conference SAACs in order to strengthen the communication connection between the campus and national committees. Through increased communication and networking, the SAACs hope to better represent the views of all student-athletes.

Campus SAAC
Though the focus of campus SAACs is intended to be more parochial in nature, communication between campus and national SAACs offers student-athletes on individual member institution campuses the opportunity to shape the landscape of intercollegiate athletics.

Functions of Campus SAAC

• 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.
• 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 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.