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Student Activities is a student-led organization at Brigham Young University-Idaho designed to enable students to pursue their interests while developing valuable leadership skills. Students may participate as leaders or volunteers in Activities Areas including Sports, Fitness, Outdoor, Service, Social, and Talent.

About Student Activities

Stewardship Statement

Student Activities invites individuals to experience the power of acting for themselves through involvement in student-led programs and events.

Guiding Principles

• Students are the participants rather than the spectators
• Participants will develop personal and spiritual qualities that prepare them for life
• Participants have the opportunity to act rather than be acted upon
• A wide range of activities will meet the diverse interests and abilities of students
• Students choose their own level of participation

History

The creation of Student Activities began on June 21, 2001 when President Gordon B. Hinckley (then president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) announced the new Brigham Young University-Idaho would not have an intercollegiate athletics program, but instead would develop a more in-depth activities program. After that announcement, then-athletic director Garth Hall was asked to put together Student Activities.

At that time, a committee composed of students, faculty and staff who were already involved in various aspects of student life (including athletics and other campus organizations) was organized to form the new program. Though they were not given any formal direction, the committee succeeded in making many decisions vital to forming the current identity of Student Activities, including establishing the five guiding principles of the program.

As Student Activities was initially viewed as a replacement for the athletics program, the focus began with Sports Activities, developing a hyper-inclusive Competitive program for students wanting a more athletic experience, and evolving the existing intramurals program into a Recreational Sports program for students wanting to participate with a lesser time commitment. Outdoor and Fitness Activities were added later.

During all of this development, student dances, student government and other more socially-oriented programs were under the supervision of the vice president of student life, Robert C. Wilkes. Eventually, the two “silos” were brought together, and the result was an Activities program with six areas: Sports, Fitness, Outdoor, Social, Talent and Service. These are the areas that constitute Student Activities today.

Under the leadership of Activities Directors Devon Shaum, and later, Clark Gilbert, the current leadership structure of Student Activities formed, and the student-led organization structure now used in many campus organizations was born. Students took on the roles not only of leading, but of teaching each other how to lead.

Organization

Student Activities is a student-led, campus organization that is divided into six areas of emphasis: Fitness, Outdoor, Service, Social, Sports and Talent. Within each area, there are categories and specific programs or events that are organized, staffed and executed by volunteer managers and their council members. These managers are assisted by student coordinators who have experience serving in that specific Activities Area. Student coordinators are, in turn, assisted by student directors who work with the student area director to ensure a smooth, successful program.

The most important part of the program is the leadership experience that each student gains as he or she prepares, acts and then reflects on the results of his or her actions. While there are staff advisors assigned to work with each area of Student Activities, theirs is a role of mentoring and shadowing. It is truly a student-run organization.

Student Activities Areas

Fitness Activities

Fitness Stewardship Statement

Fitness Activities invites all individuals to discover and maintain healthy lifestyles.

About Fitness Activities

Fitness Activities provides student-led classes, workshops, programs and events centered on cardiovascular conditioning and strength training. The goal of Fitness Activities is to help all students—regardless of current fitness level—to live happier and healthier lifestyles. With a variety of class topics and times, every student has an opportunity to participate at their desired level.

Outdoor Activities

Outdoor Stewardship Statement

Outdoor Activities provides:

• Opportunities for growth through outdoor recreation experiences
• Opportunities for students to lead and teach other students
• Venues which will allow skill development, outdoor experiences and exploration of the outdoors

About Outdoor Activities

Outdoor Activities focuses its attention on taking advantage of the outdoor recreational activities available in southeastern Idaho. By providing guides, equipment rentals and planned events in a variety of outdoor settings, Outdoor Activities hopes to provide meaningful recreational opportunities no matter what the season: winter, summer or fall.

Service Activities

Service Stewardship Statement

Service Activities invites students to learn and grow through teaching doctrines of Christ-like service, rendering service to others and cultivating a desire for lifelong service.

About Service Activities

Service Activities offers opportunities for students to give meaningful acts of personal service to the local community, to the university community and to the world humanitarian community. By participating in selfless acts, students are encouraged to find joy and happiness in focusing on the needs of those around them.

Social Activities

Social Stewardship Statement

Social Activities creates opportunities for students to gather, develop socially, and make positive contributions to campus and community life.

About Social Activities

Social Activities is the organization behind the planning and execution of campus-wide dances, recreational dance instruction, and other events and parties designed to bring the student community together in a fun, socially positive environment.

Sports Activities

Sports Stewardship Statement

Sports Activities provides opportunities for participants to grow physically, spiritually, emotionally and socially, within a framework of competition and fellowship.

About Sports Activities

The Sports Activities area offers students options for participating in special sports-related events, competitive leagues or recreational leagues.

Competitive Sports is an intracollegiate sports program involving tryouts, student-coached teams, regular team practices (2-4 times per week) and team uniforms. Inclusion is a key as efforts are made to accommodate students who choose to participate at different skill and ability levels. Competitive Sports require a greater time commitment and focus when compared to leagues in RecSports.

RecSports leagues are open to co-ed groups, groups of friends, or wards that desire participation without the greater time commitment of Competitive Sports. There are various leagues in each available sport, supporting a level of competition suitable to participants’ desires.

Talent Activities

Talent Stewardship Statement

Talent Activities provides opportunities for students to discover, develop and share their talents as they create and participate in uplifting fine arts programs and events.

About Talent Activities

Talent Activities is the sponsoring organization of performance events on campus like Guitars Unplugged, Grand Pianos Live, Nashville Nights and Acoustic Café; lower-profile events that allow beginners to have experiences with expressing their talents and interests; and workshops and classes.