Beta Alpha Psi
As the school year ended, the BYU Gamma Alpha Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi reflected on a year of substantial growth and improvement. Membership expanded 60 percent over the 2007-2008 school year for a year-end membership total of 164 students. Much of the success can be attributed to the efforts of the officer team in organizing more than forty-five events throughout the school year.
Annie Iden, the 2008-2009 BAP President, commented, "Our chapter has grown remarkably as we have set out to provide our chapter members with better opportunities in professional development and community service. I am very pleased with all that was accomplished by the officer team, the members, and the new candidates?everyone did an outstanding job!"
VITA
The winter 2009 semester in Beta Alpha Psi kicked off with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) training. This year the VITA program provided more leadership opportunities and switched to an online appointment system to manage patron scheduling. These changes resulted in a more organized and efficient program. More than 2,200 tax returns were completed by the student volunteers, making the total refund amount more than $2.7 million. More than 100 students contributed more than five hours of service each during the nine-week program.
Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting
BAP Officers at the BAP Regional Meeting.The highlight of the semester was hosting the Beta Alpha Psi Rocky Mountain Regional Meeting in March, with 11 universities from the region participating. Dr. Stephanie Bryant, the Beta Alpha Psi International President from 2006-2009, commented that the event was "about as perfect as it could get." The keynote address was given by the infamous Drs. Kay and Jim Stice. The audience enjoyed the words of wisdom the duo presented in an unconventional fashion: Dr. Jim Stice addressed the audience from the front of the room, while Dr. Kay Stice was beamed in via video from his hotel in Singapore!
BYU's BAP chapter presented in the annual Best Practices competition on "Chapter Sustainability" at the Regional Meeting and won second place. The team was comprised of four student officers: Elizabeth Zenger, Quentin Stoker, Kevin Lang, and Annie Iden.
Professional Meetings
Students listen intently at a BAP Professional Meeting hosted by Ernst & Young.During winter semester, the chapter held numerous professional events including a career shadowing day and professional presentations. Members had the opportunity to learn more about the accounting profession through these activities. In March, Hillary Hansen, E&Y's lead audit partner on the Lehman Brothers audit, and Bill Schlich, EY's managing partner of global banking, discussed the current banking crisis to an audience of nearly 250 eager-to-learn students.
Service and Social Activities
In January, Deloitte sponsored a pre-game volleyball luau before the BYU vs. University of Hawaii match. The event was held in the new addition of the Tanner Building, taking advantage of the technological upgrades of the new building. Students agreed that it was the best BAP social yet.
In addition to VITA, the chapter participated in various other service projects including a service activity sponsored by PwC. Students and PwC professionals joined together in a spring pruning project at Timpanogos Park at the mouth of Provo Canyon.
In February the School of Accountancy and the School of Nursing hosted the third annual Ice Skating Social and Food Drive. This event is a great way to give back to the community while meeting students from outside the Marriott School.
