Student Activities Spiritual Development
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. SMU offers a multitude of opportunities for involvement with 25 staff positions and more than 100 volunteers each year. They are located in the upper level of the Student Union Building and are open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They can also be reached at (562) 903-4881. Athletics Intercollegiate athletics at Biola University provide men and women with interest and ability in athletics an opportunity to compete with other institutions of higher education whose size and athletic policies are similar. Intercollegiate competition for men is conducted in the following sports: baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, soccer, swimming, tennis and track & field. Sports for women include basketball, cross-country, golf, softball, swimming, tennis, track & field, soccer and volleyball. Intramural activities are organized in both team and individual sports for men and women. This program is directed by the Associated Students. Student Media Students can gain experience and career preparation in reporting, writing, photojournalism, video production and radio work through one of Biola University ʼ s campus media outlets. Campus media at Biola University falls under the Biola Media Board, which oversees selection of leaders and budget processes. Students from across the university can participate in The Chimes, Biola ʼ s weekly newspaper (including a daily online edition); The Point, feature magazine of the Biola Journalism Department; Biola Radio, a Webcast operation providing music, news and sports coverage; EagleVision, Biola ʼ s news, feature and sports television Webcast, and The Biolan, a traditional yearbook. Some staff positions in these media receive scholarship funding, though funded positions tend to be chosen through competitive application based on job qualifications and prior media experience. Theatre Productions The Speech / Drama concentration within the Communication Studies Department provides fall and spring drama productions and many student-driven productions for the campus and immediate community. These productions are open for audition to all students, faculty and staff. Theatre seasons include serious drama, comedies, original student and family productions.
The Spiritual life of the individual student is central to the University's educational mission. The 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 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 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. 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.
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