Student Organizations

Philosophy

The learning that takes place in the setting of a university is not exclusive to the classroom. Students at Philadelphia Biblical University have an opportunity to learn experientially through internships, ministries, volunteer days and the many organizations that are on campus. All students are encouraged to participate in the activities that appeal to them and that will provide them with a rewarding experience. To encourage involvement of all students, the University promotes and encourages students to form organizations, clubs and activities.

Getting involved provides students with an opportunity to work collectively in an area of interest with fellow students. When students come together many opportunities arise from the gatherings that continue to provide learning and practical experience. Central to those opportunities is the ability for students to take on leadership roles. Many of these leadership positions involve work that others in the community will be counting on. At the same time, participation in student sponsored events allows students to learn how to follow and learn how to work through the acceptance of differing ideas.

Thus the philosophy of student organizations at Philadelphia Biblical University is multifaceted. The student organizations will:

• Provide an atmosphere that promotes spiritual maturation
• Promote cultural differences among the student body
• Assist students in making responsible decisions
• Provide leadership opportunities
• Foster an environment that enhances the students spiritually, academically, and
  socially.

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Student Organizations

Extracurricular activities at PBU are designed to broaden students' education and enrich their personal experience. Students preparing for vocational opportunities need skills in human relations, communications, leadership, and task accomplishment. Such abilities are often developed through co-curricular activities.

Benefits include fellowship with others, opportunities to accept responsibility and learn various skills, the satisfaction of achievement, and hours of enjoyment.

Normally students may not participate in any co-curricular activity while on Disciplinary Probation. However, under certain circumstances, students on Academic Probation may be permitted one activity. (For policies regarding disciplinary probation and academic probation, please refer to our Undergraduate Student Handbook.)

All groups will be classified into one of the following categories: an organization, a club or an activity. All three categories are approved student gatherings. The classification is needed to help distinguish the focus, funding, and openness of the group.

Organizations - Student groups of any size that are officially funded through the student
activity fee and are designed to provide a service or ministry to a significant portion of the PBU community.

Clubs - Student groups that are organized to promote fellowship, service, and
professional development among a portion of the community. These are most often associated with a major or program of the University. Additional clubs are sometimes formed and approved that would operate under a student organization. This might be for a temporary period of time or as a permanent structure. Funding for major clubs is provided through the student activity fee. Funding for clubs under student organizations is provided through the organization or through fund-raising.

Activities - Students will occasionally propose a student group that is formed to
pursue a common interest or to unite a select group of students. Such
groups will most often be designated as student activities. The focus of the
group will be centered around the membership or the common interest of the group. Student activities are not funded through the student activity fee and depend on fund-raising. Any funds held by the activity are to be in an account under the control of the Business Services Department.

The Director of Student Programs oversees all student-led organizations, clubs and class councils. A brief description of each is below.

Student Publications

Milestone - The Milestone, the University yearbook, strives to accurately represent the people, places, and events of PBU. Students with a strong sense of commitment and a flair for writing, photography, and graphic design are encouraged to volunteer.

Scroll - The Scroll, PBU's student newspaper, reports on campus and community-relevant news, ideas, and opinions. Those with a flair for creativity, journalistic writing, photography, and/or design, are undaunted by copy deadlines, and are eager to learn are welcome to participate.

Organizations

B.A.S.I.C / Mu Kappa - These groups provide opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to contribute to the University community. Activities include chapel presentations, community outreach, and special programs.

Commuter Council - Approximately 35 percent of the students at PBU are commuters. The Council represents their unique interests and needs and, in addition, assists entering students in getting involved in University life.

Cultural Awareness Association - This group provides opportunities for students to make the University aware of the unique contributions of various cultures. This is accomplished through social programming, discussing causes, and chapel presentations.

Student Missions Fellowship - This fellowship acquaints students with the various areas of missions outreach and sustains a prayer ministry for missionaries. Funds are raised to send students on summer missions assignments and to contribute to other missions projects.

Student Senate - The Student Senate is composed of elected representatives from each class and major extracurricular organization. It serves as the student representative body and liaison between students and the administration and faculty.

Student Theological Society - This fellowship exists to foster spiritual growth and intellectual development by encouraging the exchange of theological concepts among students.

Students In Free Enterprise - The mission of PBU-SIFE is to glorify God by educating and empowering others to create economic opportunity through free enterprise. Founded by students in the School of Business and Leadership, the PBU chapter is one of 1800 on university campuses around the world. The organization develops community service and ministry projects using business models to aid others, and at the end of the year, submits their projects for judging in a national competition. In recent years, the team has been selected as a Regional Champion and advanced to become one of the top twenty SIFE teams in the U.S. Members of PBU-SIFE are from all majors at the University.

University Social Committee - Composed of representatives from each class and various student interest groups, this committee is responsible for University social functions. It is an official component of the Student Senate.

Clubs

Alpha Chi Epsilon (Teacher Education Club) - The Education Club exists to support members by providing social opportunities, program information, and professional opportunities in order to help them grow and develop into reflective and highly skilled men and women of academic excellence and Christian character for the teaching profession.

Chi Beta Sigma (Social Work Club) - This organization endeavors to provide opportunities for fellowship, unity, and spiritual growth for the students. It also seeks to enhance a professional prospective on Social Work while providing educational opportunities for the membership.

Health and Physical Education Club - This club provides Health and Physical Education majors a chance to enhance professional identity and community. It also provides student interaction with professionals outside of PBU. Student leadership and service/ministry opportunities are afforded both to the PBU community and the community at large through the programs offered.

CMENC (Music Education Association) - This organization is open to all music education majors for the purpose of enhancing professional development and commitment through membership in the national association called MENC.

Music Majors Cabinet - The music major officers represent the needs of the music students to the Student Senate and seek to build a strong community among music majors that provides peer encouragement and enrichment through special events and projects.

Class Councils

Each academic class has a council that is formed by the election process of the student government. Each class will be funded through the student activity fee.

Each year, classes elect officers who lead them in their social, devotional, and service activities. In the freshman year, a faculty advisor is selected to guide the class through its University experience.

 

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