Student Activities
services is chaired by the Vice President of Marketing & Communication and consists of the following members: Social Board Chair, Multi–cultural Relations Board Chair, Chapel Board Chair and Chair Elect, Intramural Board Chair, Spirit Board Chair, Director of Religious and Academic Relations, Marketing Director, International Student Association President, and Club Director. Other offices of AS include Vice–President of Finance, Controller, Secretaries, and the AS Office Manager. A.S. offers many avenues for involvement with many elected positions, over 40 appointed and hired positions, and many volunteer opportunities each year. They are located in the upper level of the Student Union Building and are open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. They can also be reached at (562) 903–4882.
Spiritual Development
73
The Spiritual life of the individual student is central to the University’s educational mission. The Associate Dean of Spiritual Development and his staff provide many, diverse ways for students to open to how God is working in their lives. There are more than 100 opportunities each semester for students to engage in corporate chapels, worship and lectures focused on the spiritual life. Full University chapels take place Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the Chase Gymnasium, while an additional chapel on Thursday takes place in a more intimate venue on campus.
The graduate schools plan separate chapel programs.
The chapel programs include: Speakers chosen from faculty, alumni, students, visiting guests; musical groups; Christian films; drama; and other special events. Once each semester the University observes a planned Day of Prayer, and informal prayer groups meet as a regular part of residence hall life. The Torrey Memorial Bible Conference and the Missions Conference are high points in the development of the spiritual life of the student. Chapel and Conference attendance is required of all undergraduates, and is encouraged for all graduate students. Additionally, students can participate in small groups focusing on prayer, discipleship, men’s and women’s growth (separate groups), and outreach. Each year hundreds of students also elect to receive one–on–one spiritual mentoring. Many resources are available to help students open to God through prayer and study in their individual devotional lives. Finally, spiritual formation occurs less formally but just as powerfully through the many discussions and prayer times that occur spontaneously among faculty, staff and students in a community where all are seeking to be shaped more and more in the image of Christ.
Student Government for Graduate Students
Each graduate school has an appropriate student government program which provides leadership and activities appropriate for graduate students. For additional information contact the respective graduate school offices.
Student Missionary Union
The Student Missionary Union (SMU) is a student–led organization, founded in 1923, that has at the heart of its mission to glorify God and to see Him glorified. All of history is moving to a time when God will restore all of creation to what He had intended from the beginning. God began His work of restoration through Christ, reconciling the world to Himself. God has made us agents of that restoration by making us His ambassadors. The Student Mission Union is a student–led organization that motivates and mobilizes students to align their lives toward the completion of the Great Commission. SMU facilitates the sending of short–term mission teams to locations all over the globe, including such places as China, Mozambique, Mexico, Holland and Romania. They sponsor an Unreached Simulation, weekly prayer meetings and other events through their Prayer Ministries. The entire student body attends Missions Conference, which includes exciting events such as Global Awareness, where students experience another culture, and Explorations, where they can visit such places as a mosque or a Mormon temple. The Long–Term Missions Department seeks to answer many practical questions from students interested in long–term cross–cultural work.
Student Government For Undergraduates
All registered undergraduate students are members of the Associated Students (A.S.), Biola’s undergraduate student government. The stated purpose of this organization is: “To represent the student body on an administrative level, giving ear to their voice, providing services, and facilitating events necessary to foster a Christ–centered community.” The A.S. President presides over two branches that comprise the student government, the Executive Branch and the Services Branch. The Executive Branch, which holds the legislative power of A.S., is chaired by the A.S. Senior Vice–President and consists of elected Senators. The Services Branch, which plans activities and provides
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker