This site is brought to the students at BYU as a courtesy aimed at increasing student interest and involvement in service opportunities that enhance the academic experience.

Overview

To enhance the mission of the university, BYU facilitates the establishment of approved BYUSA clubs and student academic associations affiliated with colleges and academic departments.

Student Academic Associations

A student association or honor society affiliated with a college or department has an academic purpose or interest that is linked to its sponsor. There are several types of organizations:

• Those with a specific academic interest, such as law, food science, computer-aided design, or geology;
• Those affiliated with an external academic organization, such as Beta Alpha Psi or the American Society of Engineers. Often, the BYU student association is a chapter of a national or international organization;
• An honor society, such as Golden Key or Phi Kappa Phi;
• BYU performing groups, such as the Young Ambassadors or the Cougar Band, that facilitate group activities that are not supported by university funds;

A student academic association or honor society must be approved by the dean or director of the sponsoring college or school. As with BYUSA chartered clubs, student academic associations should not subject members to inordinate risks, require inordinate resources, or raise funds, unless fund raising is approved through the Dean of Students. Member dues should not exceed an organization s operating costs. Organizations must be governed by an approved charter, and members must be BYU students and/or employees who understand that the organization represents Brigham Young University. Student academic associations must also have an advisor who is currently full-time BYU faculty or full-time staff. The advisor is ultimately responsible for (1) working with student leaders in solving problems and making important decisions, (2) managing funds received and expenditures made from the organization s account, and (3) implementing applicable university policies. If organizations want to deviate from established policies, approval must be granted, in advance and in writing, from the appropriate dean or director, and endorsed by the Academic Vice President, or his/her designee. Colleges or departments should not sponsor organizations that are better aligned with the objectives of BYUSA chartered clubs.

BYUSA Chartered Clubs

BYUSA chartered clubs exist to give students with similar interests a place to meet, enjoy activities, render service, and develop leadership. These clubs are not exclusive to a particular academic department or college, nor are they affiliated with any off-campus organization. Accordingly, clubs that do not have a specific academic purpose or involve a specific academic department should be chartered with BYUSA. Clubs that meet the criteria outlined by BYUSA must apply for a charter and be accepted before they are officially recognized. Generally, these clubs should not subject members to inordinate risks, require inordinate resources or raise funds in excess of club operating costs. Members of BYUSA chartered clubs must be BYU students and/or employees, commit to follow the Church Educational System Honor Code, and understand that the club represents Brigham Young University.

BYUSA clubs must have an advisor who is either BYU full-time faculty or full-time staff. The advisor is ultimately responsible for: (1) working with student leaders to solve club problems and make important decisions, (2) managing the funds received and expenditures made from the club account, (3) holding agency accounts and check book receipts, and, (4) implementing applicable university policies.

About BYUSA

Historical Information about BYUSA

For several years leading up to 1988, there had been an increasing interest throughout the university community in changing the structure and function of the Associated Students of Brigham Young University. The desire was to create an organization that was more consistent with the nature of the university and more relevant to the majority of students. Several committees of students, faculty, and administrators met during this period to gather ideas regarding both the mission and structure for the association. During the 1987-88 academic year, President Jeffrey R. Holland appointed the Restructuring Committee to synthesize the ideas that had been developed by more than five years of committee work and research into a formal charter which was adopted in March of 1988 by the student body, President Holland, and the BYU Board of Trustees.

Vision

As part of a BYU education, the Student Service Association's vision is to be leaders centered on Jesus Christ, who contribute to the building of Zion communities which are united in heart and mind that there be no intellectually, spiritually, emotionally, or physically poor among us.

Mission

To attain this vision, our mission is to engage students in opportunities which cultivate:

1. A Sense of Belonging - uniting people to each other and to a cause
2. Refined Skills and Talents - training, development, and application of leadership and practical skills
3. Divine-Centered Leadership - developing highly capable leaders who desire, seek, and do the will of the Lord
4. Meaningful Contributions - planning with a purpose, implementing and assessing a variety of meaningful contributions
5. A Commitment to Future Service - reviewing key principles, reflecting on the experience and creating a vision for future service
6. A Spirit of Honor: inspiring and educating individual students to live with honor and develop ethical courage by abiding by the principles of the Honor Code.

Implementation

The association recognizes that value-based service is a key process by which students may grow and develop. In keeping with the university's mission to assist in "the balanced development of the total person," the association is organized to focus on growth and development of students through their involvement. All programs and activities of the association exist to provide experiences for organizers and participants. In striving to fulfill its mission, the BYU Student Service Association will do the following:

1. Contribute to the central role of the academic experience in the life of the student. The activities of the association will seek to enhance and support this important period of "intensive learning in a stimulating setting where commitment to excellence is expected."
2. Take an active educational role in support of the Church Educational System Honor Code and other standards of excellence.
3. Take an active educational role in support of the university mission, by providing information, encouragement, and example concerning specific kinds of Christian service.
4. Foster a great variety of kinds and amounts of service to the campus community, the local community, and the world. These will include a wide range of campus activities and programs.
5. Provide opportunities for students to learn and practice principles of leadership as taught by Christ, by presenting them with alternatives and the need to make informed decisions, in an environment that is both challenging and supportive.
6. Maintain a system whereby students may council directly with administrators and faculty regarding BYU community concerns and the means by which the mission of BYU and the association can be better fulfilled.