Beta Alpha Psi Valdosta State University

About

Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) is an honorary organization for Financial Information students and professionals. The primary objective of Beta Alpha Psi is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the business information field. This includes promoting the study and practice of accounting, finance and information systems; providing opportunities for self-development, service and association among members and practicing professionals, and encouraging a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibility.

Beta Alpha Psi was founded in 1919. By 2006, there will be 263 chapters on college and university campuses with over 300,000 members initiated since Beta Alpha Psi’s formation.

 

Membership

Membership in Beta Alpha Psi includes those persons of good moral character who have achieved scholastic and/or professional excellence in the fields of accounting, finance, or information systems, who have been initiated by an existing chapter and who remain in good standing.

Minimum scholastic requirements for undergraduate membership are set forth in the by-laws. Graduate student initiates must have been accepted and matriculated into a masters degree level program. Individual chapters may establish higher admission criteria.

 

Organization

Beta Alpha Psi is governed by a constitution and bylaws. The governing body is the Board of Directors. The Board consists of thirteen financial information professionals or professors of Accounting, Finance or Information Systems, the chair of the International Advisory Forum, and two alumni representatives. The alumni representatives are chosen from recent graduates who were active in Beta Alpha Psi chapters.

The International Advisory Forum is comprised of prominent professionals who are active in professional service and consulting firms, industry, and government. The members serve three-year terms. The Forum provides the Board of Directors external advice and assistance in both regular operations and special projects of Beta Alpha Psi.

The International Chapter is comprised of all Faculty Advisors, student presidents, and past and present officers of Beta Alpha Psi. This body holds an annual meeting and banquet in August and provides advice and assistance to the Board of Directors.

A Local Chapter is comprised of student and faculty members at each school. Student officers guide the chapter’s operations and activities, supervised by the Faculty Advisors.

Beta Alpha Psi is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions to Beta Alpha Psi and its local chapters are deductible.

 

Funding

The Board establishes a program for chapter activities to serve as a guide and incentive for chapter competition. The goal of chapter activities is to involve all members fully in chapter affairs. SUCCESSFUL CHAPTER OPERATION REQUIRES PARTICIPATION BY MOST MEMBERS IN ATTENDING MEETINGS, SERVING ON COMMITTEES, PARTICIPATING IN ACTIVITIES, AND STRIVING FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

All chapters are evaluated annually on their service to members, campus, community, and profession. Superior chapters are recognized each year at the Beta Alpha Psi’s annual meeting.

Chapter activities are divided into categories according to: plan of activities and budget, initiations, professional programs, involvement in campus and professional activities, community service, and annual year-end report. Activities include speeches and panel discussions by students, faculty and professionals; field trips; business meetings; and a wide variety of professional, social, and service activities.

Employers of accounting, finance and information systems students are familiar with Beta Alpha Psi and its activities. It is understood that Beta Alpha Psi represents excellence and that its activities are designed to supplement a student’s education.

The activities of student members include: