Brigham Young University Student Service Association

The Brigham Young University Student Service Association (BYUSA) is the official student association at Brigham Young University, located in Provo, Utah. Formerly ASBYU, BYUSA was reorganized and rechartered in 1998, while Jeffrey R. Holland was the university president.^[1]

Organization

BYUSA is charged with the two-fold responsibility to serve and advise,^[2] and receives administrative support and funding from the university, similar to other campus departments. Every March full-time students participate in electing^[3] a new President and Executive Vice President to a one-year term. Candidates for President and Executive Vice President must be in good honor code standing and have completed two semesters of service leadership experience at the university.^[4] The remaining members of the BYUSA presidency are appointed by the incoming President and Executive Vice President.

Currently, the BYUSA Presidency is made up of six distinct areas. Each area is led by an area vice president, with duties for campaign initiatives being assigned to the BYUSA Secretary. Each member of the presidency serves for a one-year term, alongside the President and Executive Vice President.^[5] Additionally, each area vice president appoints executive directors who serve as volunteers from the beginning of summer term to the end of the following winter semester.^[6]

Campus activities

The most prominent area of BYUSA, Campus Activities, receives the largest portion of the association's funding. Campus Activities, one of the most visible arms of BYUSA, plans, implements, and evaluates large-scale, campus-wide activities for the students, including popular activities like Battle of the Bands^[7] and True Blue Football.^[8]

Clubs

The Clubs area provides administrative oversight for around 50 chartered BYUSA student groups. This area "directs the chartering of campus clubs and the training of club officers to ensure the success of the clubs and involvement of students." ^[9]

Student Advisory Council

The Student Advisory Council, or SAC, helps to perform the organizational mission in advising the administration and students across campus. The BYUSA Charter^[10] outlines the following regarding the organization of this council: "To provide accessible representation to students, the Student Advisory Council consists of 41 members as follows: Twenty-six members elected by the college student councils or appointed by their deans according to the college guidelines. Twelve members, one each from the following groups: Freshman Academy, Freshmen, Graduate Students, Honors Student Advisory Council, International Students, Multicultural Students, Non-Traditional Students, Residence Halls Association, ROTC, Students of Other Faiths, University Clubs Council, and the University Accessibility Center. Three members at large appointed by the Student Advisory Council Chair. The general idea is to have two representatives from each college and one representative from the various interest groups. Should the number of colleges change, then, of course, the number of representatives in the SAC would change accordingly."

Under the Peterson-May (2010-2011) Administration, the SAC Vice President role was reorganized. Responsibilities previously assigned to the SAC VP, are now performed by the Executive Vice President.

Student Honor (also known as Student Honor Association)

Student Honor is the only organization on the BYU campus that is tasked with the primary mission of promoting the university Honor Code. While the campus Honor Code office has the responsibility to implement and enforce, the Student Honor Association was reorganized in the early 1990s as a stand-alone entity used to encourage adherence to campus policies.

In 2007, the Student Honor Association was placed under the BYUSA, with the role of Student Honor Association President becoming an official BYUSA Vice President.^[11] The Student Honor Association was later renamed "Student Honor"; however, the department continues to produce shows, marketing campaigns and other programming for the promotion of the university's honor code.

Communications

Communications helps to coordinate the marketing effort of the association.

Human Resources

The most addition to the association, HR was organized during the Ruri-Basinger (2008-2009) administration^[12] and continued by subsequent administrations. This area serves as a resource to the other areas of BYUSA to aid programming and retention of volunteers.

The Human Resources area was merged into a newly formed "Administration" area during the Peterson-May (2010-2011) Administration.

Administration

Administration is the new Human Resources of BYUSA. Admin is unique from the other areas because their purpose is to help the other areas be successful. The area focuses on volunteer placement, volunteer training, and volunteer appreciation. The Administration area also fills the role of historian for BYUSA.

Major events

Elections

In past years and due to various reasons, the BYUSA elections have caused campus-wide controversy. Across multiple years, candidates have been disqualified^[13][14] and, in 2006, a candidates disqualification led to the firing of a full-time employee.^[15][16] However, the elections continue to provide an opportunity for students to voice their support for the direction they wish the association to go.

Pass the Torch

After a successful election and at the end of the out-going administration's term, new BYUSA officers gather atop the Spencer W. Kimball Tower to perform the "Pass the Torch" Ceremony.^[17] During this ceremony the outgoing BYUSA President gives the "Oath of Office" to the incoming BYUSA President.

References

External links

• Official Site