Claflin University Intercollegiate Athletics
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) 

 

2007-2008 Strategic Plan

The Claflin University Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a committee made up of both female and male student-athletes, assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience institutionally, conference wide and nationally.  The SAAC is charged with the responsibility of representing the voice of the student-athlete regarding issues, regulations and polices that affect student-athletes' lives on Claflin campus.

Guiding Principles:

• Provide increased communication and networking to represent the views of all student-athletes
• Will actively take the lead in addressing issues facing Claflin student-athletes
• Hold one another accountable for all actions, particularly those actions taking place during Claflin meetings, classroom and sports events
• Will operate and promote ethical conduct, integrity, fairness and respect for diversity, which shall include attention to gender, race, ethnicity and sport
• Promote the development of Claflin’s student-athletes

Mission Statement:

The mission of Claflin University’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is to enhance the total student-athlete experience by promoting opportunity, protecting student-athlete welfare, fostering a positive student-athlete image and encouraging “school spirit” through the unity of student-athletes and the entire student body.

Goals and Specific Actions:

Date for Completion: All goals are ongoing and will be assessed on an annual basis.

Goal 1. Promote educational enhancement and professional development for all Claflin student-athletes
                                                                                                                             
Specific Actions:

• Coordinate ideas to assist student-athletes with effective student life integration
• Assist with the timely communication of grant and scholarship opportunities available from external groups to SIAC student-athletes
• Work with conference office to provide career and professional development opportunities to SIAC student-athletes
• Develop recommendations to assist with establishment of priorities to enhance academic services and academic assistance opportunities for Claflin student-athletes
• Provide input regarding effective “training” for campus SAAC advisors\
• Support positive legislation that will raise graduation rates and enhance the academic integrity of intercollegiate athletics
• Enhance faculty/student-athlete relations
• Encourage coaches to take an active role in their team’s academic pursuits

Goal 2. Promote communication between conference member student-athletes

Specific Actions:

• Develop recommendations relative to organization and communication of      
    SAAC’s role and expectations within the SAAC itself
• Develop recommendations relative to organization and communication of SAAC’s role in the conference
• Ensure that information travels from the SAAC representatives to campus student -athletes

Goal 3. Promote a positive student-athlete image
                                                                                               
Specific Actions:

• Encourage Claflin SAAC’s to become more involved with other campus         organizations and to contribute to life on-campus
• Seek out media to publicize the positive stories of Claflin student athletes
• Enhance a sense of community within the athletics program involving all athletics teams.

Goal 4. Enhance student-athletes participation in the administrative process

Specific Actions:

• Create vehicles for student-athlete representation on Conference and campus-   
  wide committees (e.g., conference standing and special committees, campus
  student government)
• Review, react and comment to the Conference governance structure on legislation, activities and subjects of interest
• Submit Claflin student-athletes’ response to proposed Conference and NCAA legislation

Goal 5. Organize community service efforts

Specific Actions:

• Continue to both participate in and promote community service as a way of reaching out to surrounding campus community and setting a positive example for others
• Encourage campus SAAC’s to participate in as much community service as they can throughout the year