Law School Student Organizations

Boston University is fortunate to have a vibrant Law School with over 30 registered student organizations. The Student Activities Office works to assure that student organizations have the most successful, enjoyable and safe events possible.

Recognized Law Student Organizations

American Civil Liberties Union - LAW
American Constitution Society
Asian Pacific American Law Students Association
Black Law Students Association
BUSL Coffeehouse
Children and the Law
Communication, Entertainment, Sports Law Assn.
Environmental Law Society
Federalist Society
Health Law Association
Intellectual Property Law Society
International Law Society
J. Reuben Clark Law Society
Jewish Law Students Association
Labor & Employment Law
Latin American Law Student Association
LAW Softball Team
Law Students for Choice
LAW: Real Estate Club
LAW
Legal Follies
Older Wiser Law Students
OutLaw
Phi Alpha Delta
Public Interest Project
Shelter Legal Services
Single-Malt Scotch Club
South Asian Law Students Association
South Asian Law Students Association
Student Government LAW School
Women's Law Association

We recognize that planning an event can be challenging, therefore we have outlined some common FAQ's.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does my group get money?
Q: How do I purchase stuff?
Q: Where is the Student Activities Office? Who can help me there?
Q: Why does it take a week to get a purchase order or check?
Q: Back-up documentation, why do you need it?
Q: What’s a requisition and how does is work?
Q: How do I pay another BU department like Catering?
Q: Why and when do I need a chaperone?
Q: Can I sign contracts?
Q: When do I need an advisor's signature?

Q: How does my group get money?

A: You will need to put in a budget request to the SGA (Law School Student Group Association).  If SGA approves your request, you will need to give your purchase order or check request to the SGA Treasurer so they can attach a Funds Transfer form. (You must have a Funds Transfer Form attached to the paperwork or else the money will be deducted from your student group account and you probably have little money in your account).

Q: How do I purchase stuff from my student group account?

A: You can purchase goods with either a purchase order or a check request. A purchase order is a promise of payment that gets billed at a later date. To use a purchase order, look at the SAO vendor book to see if your vendor accepts purchase orders. Then get a purchase order from the Student Activities Office, fill it out and then give it to the SGA Treasurer to have them attach a Funds Transfer Form.  It takes one week from the day you turn in a completed purchase order to have the completed PO available to you. You can pick up the purchase order at the Student Activities (9:30-5:00 p.m.)

Q: Where is the Student Activities Office? Who can help me there?

A: The Student Activities Office (SAO) is located at I University Road, just West of the George Sherman Union.  The SAO has 12 trained students called Activities Assistants; these students can help with all of your paperwork needs.  If you have a special request or need additional support, you can speak to a Programmer; this person is a full-time staff member.

Q: Why does it take a week to get a check or purchase order created?

A: There are over 450 student organizations at BU.  Each of these student organizations is planning events constantly.  In accordance with University guidelines each paper must get signed-off by four different people.  Therefore the week deadline is to allow for the heavy flow of paperwork through the Business Office.

Q: Why do I need to have an invoice or show proper back-up documentation when handing in a check request? Q: Back-up documentation, why do you need it?

A: The University Accounting department needs proof of why the vendor is getting this money. By having an invoice you are legitimizing the exact amount and the transaction. Purchase orders do not require back-up documentation up-front, because after you purchase the goods at a store or restaurant the vendor sends us an invoice, this invoice will then become the check that is cut to the vendor.

Q: What is a requisition and how does it work.

A:  If you want to hold an event at Boston University and you need to use a BU service like Buildings and Grounds or Catering, you will need to fill out a requisition form.  Requisitions are internal BU documents between offices. Concurrently, every student group that is recognized by Boston University has a bank account within the Student Activities Office. So when you fill out a requisition, your money is then transferred to the other office, like if you order pizza from Catering, your money will get transferred to Catering’s account.  (Requisitions take 2 weeks to process)

Q: When do I need to have a chaperone at my event? Q: Can I sign contracts?

A:  You will need a chaperone (a full time non-hourly Boston University employee, staff or faculty) for the following reasons. Some events you plan will need a chaperone because your group has taken on a liability. Therefore, according to BU policy, there has to be a full-time employee present.

a) if your group is purchasing alcohol for an event, this includes drink tickets

b) if your group is given a contract from a facility or company (never sign a contract or else you will be personally liable for anything that happens at the event, contracts are signed by 1 person at the University and have a three-week turn-around, so please plan ahead!)

Q: When do I need an advisor's signature?

A: You will need to acquire your advisor's signature if

a) you are spending over $500

b) purchasing alcohol for an event with your group’s money

c) given a contract from a facility or company (never sign a contract or else you will be personally liable, contracts are signed by 1 person at the University and have a three-week turn-around, so please plan ahead!)