How to Become an Official Society

All student academic societies, new or continuing, must meet the following conditions to be considered for annual recognition:

1. Academic purpose.
   The student academic society exists to enhance student learning and professional growth. It should provide opportunities for students to better prepare themselves academically and professionally. It does not exist to sponsor a series of recreational, community service, or well-being types of activities. The stated purposes and goals of the student academic society must clearly reflect this. 
   
   
2. Current set of bylaws.
   The society must have a set of bylaws that specify how it intends to operate. The bylaws should include the following information: (1) the official name; (2) purposes and goals; (3) officers and duties; (4) elections and voting procedures; (5) financial rules and policies; (6) meetings; (7) membership; and (8) any other governing rules, procedures, and policies that apply. Click here for an example of bylaws. Societies which are local chapters of a national organization may submit documentation from the national organization which describes the operation of the local unit. Please email these to Ralph Kern, at kernr@byui.edu
   
   
3. Active faculty advisor.
   The student academic society must have adequate faculty support. The advisor must be a full-time BYU-Idaho faculty member. Any other proposed advisor who is not a full-time faculty member must receive approval in writing from the College Dean with stewardship over the relevant discipline. The faculty advisor is expected to make some commitment of time to the society and its activities. As a minimum, he/she must be willing to meet with student leaders at least once a semester, attend events (including evening and weekend activities), and coordinate with the department chair and college dean on the society's activities. The faculty advisor's signature on the Basic Information Sheet indicates his/her willingness to make the foregoing commitment to the society.
   
   
4. Ten (10) members who are currently enrolled students.
   The membership list should include the name and student identification number of at least ten students who are members or potential members of the society.
   
   
5. Endorsement by the sponsoring department chair and dean.
   Discussions with the department chair about a new society within the sponsoring department should be initiated by the proposed faculty advisor and interested students. The department chair should endorse the proposal to the dean.
   
   
6. Each year complete and submit the Basic Information Sheet online.
   Previously recognized societies need to provide an updated Basic Information Sheet at the beginning of each school year.

Privileges of a Recognized Student Academic Society

Being recognized has a number of benefits. A recognized student academic society may:

1. Schedule university facilities and services for meetings and other approved activities.

2. Use the university mailing address.

3. Have an account through the BYU-Idaho Accounting Office. Societies may not set up a private off-campus account.

4. Levy dues according to established policy.

5. Invite approved speakers to the campus for society meetings (see Speaker Policy: http://www.byui.edu/studentpolicies/).

6. Maintain web pages on the BYU-Idaho web site.

7. Have access to I-Learn for conducting organizational business.

8. Acquire a listing of potential members from the institution (for recruiting purposes).