American College Dance Association

Student Organizations

Leadership

Sara Pickett | Faculty Advisor

Maxwell VanNocken-Witmer | President

Sophia Anderson | Vice-President

Sean Sullivan | Treasurer

Purpose

The American College Dance Association (ACDA) exists to support and affirm dance in higher education through regional conferences, the adjudication process, and national festivals. The educational mission of ACDA is to foster creative potential, to honor multiple approaches to scholarly and creative research and activity, to promote excellence in choreography and/or performance, and to give presence and value to diversity in dance.

ACDA acts as a national membership service organization to strengthen the educational network for students and faculty within the academic dance community.

ACDA shall operate without profit so that no part of its earnings or assets shall ever be distributed as a dividend or inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. The Association does not discriminate in leadership, admission or access to its programs and activities.

ACDA allows any currently enrolled student or employee at the University of Utah to benefit and realize the goals of the organization’s missions statement, which is detailed above. Club members will have the opportunity to volunteer in the administrative processes necessary for the University of Utah School of Dance to either host or attend the High Desert Regional Conference.

Membership 

Membership shall be open to any currently enrolled student or employee of the University. In order to qualify for membership in ACDA, applicants must attend an informational meeting and sign up, via Campus Connect, with ACDA by March 1, 2025. Once a membership request has been accepted via the club’s Campus Connect webpage, new members must contact either the President or the Vice President to confirm their intent to participate and receive duties.

Notice of Non-Discrimination Policy

This organization shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, or status as an individual with disability, or as a protected veteran, and any other status protected by applicable state or federal law (University of Utah Policy 1-012).

Meetings 

In the first weeks of the Fall Semester, an informational meeting will be held at the School of Dance for students and employees of the University of Utah who are interested in becoming a member of ACDA. There will be additional meetings throughout the Fall and Spring semesters as needed to organize the team, which newly interested, potential members can attend to become familiar with the club. Members who cannot attend the meetings will be sent the meeting’s minutes via email to stay informed. At the end of the school year, there will be a final meeting.

Executive Board 

Undergraduate and graduate student members on the committee will serve as the executive board by mentoring incoming members until they graduate from the committee, at which point the remaining members will then become the executive board.

Vacancies will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If there are at least three members remaining on the executive board, no action will be required.

Duties of the Executive board and corresponding offices include but are not limited to: 

  • Ensure that the constitution is updated regularly and forwarded to each member of the committee

  • Ensure that every active member of the committee is following the rules outlined in the constitution

  • Follow up with committee members about current duties and jobs to ensure they are being completed in a timely manner

  • Guide meetings and bring up topics of discussion for the committee.

  • Communicate with outside organizations and people who are currently working with the committee

Elections

The following officers will be selected by the committee members: President, Vice President, and Treasurer. The terms of each officer will be the duration of one year. There is no term limit. The duties of each officer are as follows:

President: Charged with providing leadership and direction to the committee, the President is responsible for ensuring that the committee fulfills its responsibilities for the governance and success. The Presidents is generally the spokesperson and should work to maintain key relationships within and outside the committee.

Vice President: In the event that the President is unable or unwilling to fulfill his/her/their duties, the Vice President will then serve as President.

Treasurer: The Treasurer has a watchdog role over all aspects of financial management, working closely with other members of the Executive Board to safeguard the organization's finances.

At the last meeting of the academic year, Executive Board members will be chosen by the committee for the upcoming academic year. A different individual will hold each position. During the election meeting, nominees will state their qualifications for officer positions. The Executive Board will deliberate and vote. If a runoff is necessary, the Executive Board will request further information regarding their qualifications, and the nominee will be asked to state their case of why they want the position. Another vote will then be held.

Grounds for removal include the inadequate fulfillment of aforementioned duties or the violation of regulations described by University policies or any federal, state, or local laws. In the event that a member of the Executive Board needs to be removed, the other members of the board will consult with the faculty advisor and a motion will be brought before the committee in which all members will be able to vote.

Funds

ACDA will annually apply for grants for the following expenses:

  • Presentation Registration

  • Participant Registration

  • Lodging [when traveling]

  • Transportation [when traveling]

  • Production Fees [when hosting the festival]

  • Guest Artist Hosting Fees [when hosting the festival]

  • Performance Venue Rental [when hosting the festival]

Affiliations

ACDA will affiliate with local organizations for the purpose of receiving donations, advertising, and creating a community that will attend our shows. This committee has affiliations with the National American College Dance Association.

Advisor

The Director of the School of Dance will assign a faculty advisor to ACDA based on this faculty member’s experience and familiarity with the American College Dance Festival Organization and/or his/her/their expertise in dance administration. 

The advisor’s primary role will be to consult club members on the administrative and organizational duties necessary to apply for funding, schedule and hold meetings, enroll festival participants, facilitate conference attendance, and maintain ongoing contact with National ACDA officials.         

The advisor will not be a voting member of ACDA. 

Grounds for removal include the inadequate fulfillment of aforementioned duties or the violation of regulations described by University policies or any federal, state, or local laws.

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