MISSION: The Student Life Division supports the mission of Southern Seminary by cultivating an environment that fosters passionate personal devotion, practical Christian living, and authentic biblical community so that students are fully prepared to serve the church and impact the world for Christ.

Organizational Guidelines Please read the following guidelines carefully before submitting an application.

1. PURPOSE Student organizations should encourage spiritual growth, promote Christian fellowship, and develop ministerial skills that will further prepare students for ministry. All student organizations recognized by the seminary must fulfill all three of these criteria. Furthermore, each student organization must be committed to Southern’s Mission Statement:

Under the lordship of Jesus Christ, the mission of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary is to be totally committed to the Bible as the Word of God, to the Great Commission as our mandate, and to be a servant of the churches of the Southern Baptist Convention by training, educating, and preparing ministers of the gospel for more faithful service.

2. APPROVAL To receive formal approval, student groups must first pick up an application from the Student Life Coordinator. After completing the application they must schedule an interview with the Student Life Coordinator to demonstrate the following elements included in the formal proposal:

• Concise purpose and vision for the student group • Organizational structure including plans for officers, committees, and an advisor from

Southern’s faculty, staff, or administration • Proposed budget for the academic year • Proposed calendar of major events for the academic year

Upon completion of the proposal, both the Student Life Coordinator and the Dean of Students must approve of the formation of the organization.

3. EXPECTATIONS To receive and retain recognition, student organizations are expected to demonstrate that their vision

aligns with Southern’s Mission Statement and that their organization meets the criteria outlined above (see Purpose). In addition they must uphold the purpose of the Student Life Office and abide by the ethical standards and theological guidelines set out in the SBTS Student Handbook, the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, and the Abstract of Principles. Each student group and its members must not engage in or promote activities that are not consistent with Southern’s purpose or policies, nor that serve to threaten Southern’s public reputation. Any student group or members who violate this policy will jeopardize their relationship with Southern and may be subject to formal discipline and loss of privileges. In addition student groups at Southern are expected to:

• Maintain communication with the Student Life office about activities and provide attendance (normally either President or Vice President) for Student Life meetings

• Provide the contact information for current leadership and proposed event information (include dates, times, locations) to the Student Life office

• Student organizations may be required to assist the Student Life office with several campus events

4. PRIVELEGES

Any student in good standing may seek to create a student organization at Southern. Student groups must be formally recognized by both the Student Life Coordinator and the Dean of Students in order to function on campus. Upon formal recognition student groups will have the following privileges:

• The ability to reserve and use appropriate campus facilities • Recognition in campus publications • The ability to request designated funds for student groups • The use of Southern Seminary’s name in connection with the student group and their activities

5. RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

In order to request continued existence as a student organization for the following academic year, each student group must communicate their intentions to the Student Life Coordinator by the end of the previous academic year. In addition, they may be asked to demonstrate to the Student Life Coordinator that they have met the following requirements:

• Upheld established policies and procedures for the previous year • Conducted business in such a way that demonstrated a desire to reach their organizational

purpose and mission • Communicate any changes they would like to see take place the following year

STUDENT LIFE LEADERSHIP TEAM

• Dr. Jeremy Pierre, Dean of Students, jpierre@sbts.edu

• Garrett Milner, Student Life Coordinator, gmilner@sbts.edu

• Kari McCulloch, Women’s Ministry Coordinator, kmcculloch@sbts.edu

Student Organization Application

Please complete and return to the Student Life Office in Honeycutt 230

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name: Date: Last First MI

Student ID#: Email: Phone:

Local Address:

City: State: Zip:

Student Group Name:

Faculty, Staff Advisor:

Desired Semester to Begin:

PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS Please answer the following questions on the space provided. If additional space is needed, please attach a separate sheet of paper.

1. Have you read the Student Organization Guidelines? (Yes/No) Do you agree to follow the guidelines if your Student Organization is approved? (Yes/No)

2. What would be the purpose of this Student Organization? Is there a similar group or organization on campus already operating in this capacity?

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3. Do you foresee an interest among other students at Southern to be involved in this Student Group? Please explain.

4. Do you have an idea of a potential organizational structure (officers, advisors)? If so, please explain.

5. Have you discussed the idea of this Student Organization with a potential faculty or staff advisor or do you have someone who has already committed to being the advisor?

6. Do you have an idea of potential events or types of events that you would like to host? If so, please explain.

REFERENCES Please list at least 3 references from Southern who would be willing to speak with us on your behalf.

Name: Title: Phone #:

To the best of my knowledge, the information on this application is complete and honest.

Signature of applicant Date