Samantha Hirschman | Assistant News Co-Editor

The Student Activities Board (SAB) at Buena Vista University (BVU) is responsible for scheduling majority of student activities on campus. SAB requires a significant amount of time and effort. The advisor, Dr. Becka Neary-DeLaPorte, Director of Student Activities, allows the students to make the decisions. DeLaPorte serves as a resource rather than a director.

“SAB members have a sense of pride in what we do – everyone loves the events we put on and values one another. It’s like one, big, loving, happy family. Honestly. There aren’t a lot of groups who are as close as we are, but I think that is part of the reason we are so successful,” SAB 2014 President Alexis Williams said.

SAB plans up to 55 events a year. They average one event a week by hosting themed events, such as Pinterest night and Midnight Movie, to comedians and hypnotists. They want to meet the needs of the students on campus.

“While there may be some people who still believe that SAB doesn’t put on great events, I feel that an overwhelming majority of students have grown to appreciate what we do and value the experiences that SAB offers,” Williams said.

“SAB has really become a force to be reckoned with. It has become the biggest it’s ever been, which has led to a change in how it works. We’ve really pushed to get bigger and better acts, hold more events than ever before, and really push to market our events in several new ways,” SAB president for the 2015 year Morgan Langan said.

This year SAB had 48 applicants for their positions.

“It was the most [applications] SAB has ever had! This was very exciting for us but also posed a huge challenge to the selection committee,” Williams said.

It is important for SAB to have an application process because SAB is university funded. SAB must have responsible and dedicated members that value the organization. The 2015 president Langan explains that SAB’s purpose is to make the student body happy.

“We don’t plan events for ourselves. We plan them so students can take a little time out to enjoy themselves and do something out of their normal routine,” Langan said

The 2015 SAB board consists of a mix between returners and new members.

“We tried our best to find a balance between both outspoken and quiet leaders, as well as considering the perspectives that they would bring to the group,” Williams said.

The goal when creating the board, as Williams describes, is to be diverse in order bring a wide range events that the campus wants. Langan explained that because there were so many applicants, there had to be students who were turned away from the board. She explained that it was unfortunate they couldn’t accept everyone, but it was necessary for making members feel important and to make SAB the best it can be.

“I have no idea what the new board will bring to the table, but my hope is there will be more events, amazing marketing campaigns, more partnerships with student organizations, and tons and tons of personal growth as leaders on the board,” Williams said.

Photo by Director of Student Activities and Leadership, Becka Neary-De La Porte