About Athletics | - Athlete Advisory Council - | Department Staff | Men's Sports | Women's Sports | Recreation

Student Athlete Advisory Council

DSAAC Constitution

Article 1

The Denison Student-Athlete Advisory Council (DSAAC) is composed of student representatives from the Denison University intercollegiate varsity athletics program.

Article 2

Section 1: Statement

The mission of The Denison University Student Athletic Advisory Council (DSAAC) is to work with the university administration and student-athletes to build positive relationships, develop unity, and increase involvement in the campus community. The council promotes communication and offers feedback and insight into athletic department issues. The council also incorporates student-athlete opinions about proposed NCAC and NCAA legislation and encourages athletic teams to support one another. The council fosters and upholds programs to achieve these goals and works to fortify a positive student-athlete image on Denison University’s campus.

Section 2: Goals

a. Promote a positive student-athlete image on campus

b. Generate a student-athlete voice within the formulation of athletic department policies

c. Build a sense of community within the athletic program involving all athletic teams

d. Create a vehicle for student-athlete representation on campus-wide committees (e.g., student government) as well as for the NCAC and NCAA

e. Promote communication between athletic administration and student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers and faculty representatives

f. Disseminate information to the student-athlete body

g. Provide feedback and insight into athletics department issues

Section 3: Functions

a. Encourage athletic teams to support one another by promoting and attending athletic events

b. Discuss NCAC & NCAA legislation and obtain feedback from student-athletes

c. Organize social events for all varsity student athletes, coaches, administrators, and equipment staff to promote positive interactions

d. Promote community service opportunities for all varsity teams by sponsoring and organizing volunteer opportunities

e. Organize a National Student Athlete Day Sports Clinic

f. Organize a spring Athletic Awards Ceremony

Article 3

Section 1: Membership

The council strives to be composed of no fewer than two student-athlete representatives from each of the male and female varsity athletic teams at Denison University. The council encourages the participation of both upper-class and under-class student-athlete representatives.

Section 2: Qualifications

Each student-athlete representative must maintain academic and athletic eligibility during his or her membership on the council.

Section 3: Non-Discrimination

The council does not discriminate upon race, age, sex, religion, or sexual orientation.

Article 4

Section 1: Officers

The officers of the council shall be the President, Vice President, and Secretary.

a. The duties of the President shall be as follows:

1. Preside over council and executive board meetings

2. Serve as liaison to the Athletic Department

3. Function as a spokesperson for the student-athletes to the university and the community

4. Keep detailed accounts from year to year of council activities

5. Meet with the faculty advisor to review council activities, goals, and progress

6. Annually review the constitution and determine necessary amendments

b. The duties of the Vice President shall be as follows:

1. Preside over meetings for the President and exercise all functions of the President in the event that the President is absent

2. Oversee the chairs of the subcommittees and holds them accountable for their duties

3. Perform all duties which are required by the council

c. The duties of the Secretary shall be as follows:

1. Take the minutes at each council and executive board meeting and refer the minutes to the members of the meetings, respectively, preferably by email

2. Maintain correspondence via email with the members of the council to notify them of activities

3. Perform all other duties which are required by the council

Section 2: Executive Board

The executive board shall be composed of the officers of the council, with the addition of the chairs of the subcommittees and the faculty advisor.

Section 3: Voting and Elections

a. Nominations and elections shall take place prior to the end of the semester and the term of office shall span the length of the calendar year immediately following the election.

b. The elections shall be determined by majority vote.

c. The subcommittee chairs shall be chosen by the respective committee during the first meeting of the first semester of each school year and the term of the chair shall be the school year. In the absence of the chair, the committee shall choose a temporary replacement to carry on the activities of the chair until the chair resumes responsibilities.

Section 4: Removal

The officers may individually be removed from their position by a two-thirds vote of the council. In the case of removal, the nomination and election process will take place immediately following the removal.

Acceptable reasons for removal include the following:

a. Failure to adhere to the functions of the council as herein stated

b. Failure to complete the duties herein assigned to the officers in question

c. Failure to meet the qualifications for membership of the council

d. Failure to adhere to Article 3, Section 3 of this constitution

Section 5: Faculty Advisor

The council, by NCAA regulations, shall have a faculty advisor. The role of the faculty advisor shall include the duties herein listed:

a. Act as an advocate for student-athletes

b. Work with the athletic and the university administration to ensure the vocalization and acknowledgement of the student-athlete voice

c. Support the council.

d. Educate the council on NCAA and NCAC rules, legislation, and governance structure.

e. Secure needed resources for the council

f. Assist the President and Vice President of the council in ensuring full membership of the council each year

Article 5

Section 1: Meetings

The meetings of the council shall generally take place once a month at a time and place determined by the executive board. The meetings of the executive board shall generally take place during the week prior to the council meetings.

Section 2: Absence and Dismissal

It is by the request of the council that two representatives from each athletic team attend the council meetings. If a council member is absent from two consecutive meetings, the member will receive an email requesting either a confirmation of attendance at the next meeting of the council or a request that the member be replaced with an approved representative from their athletic team.

Article 6

Subcommittees

The council shall be composed of three subcommittees; social, publicity, and community service. Each subcommittee shall meet once a month, or as deemed necessary by the chair of the committee, outside of the council meetings at a time collectively convenient to the members.

Article 7

Amendments.

Any amendments to this constitution shall be made by the present council with a two-thirds vote.