Student Organization Leadership

There are six student-run, nationally-recognized law journals at BU Law. Membership typically consists of 2L’s, while Journal Editorial leadership consists of 3Ls.

Journals are allowed to use two sources of funds:

1. Dues* funds: funding provided by member contributions; spending overseen by Student Affairs and subject to University/departmental purchasing rules; and
2. Administrative funds: funding from publication revenue, if any, as well as law school budget allocation; spending overseen by the Library and subject to University/departmental purchasing rules

* Occasionally journals receive donations. These are treated similarly to dues funds.

Journals are subject to a variety of rules in their operations including:

1. Curricular requirements for credits earned
2. Internal law school purchasing rules, administered by Student Affairs and the Library
3. Faculty advisor guidance and expectations
4. Journal’s internal policies and practices

Administration of journals is overseen by Student Affairs while additional support is provided by Law Librarians.

There are 30+ Student Organizations which are registered with the Student Activities Office (SAO) (centralized student organization office for all of Boston University)

Student Organizations must follow:

1. SAO spending and programming rules
2. Law school rules regarding activities in the law community
3. SGA policies and procedures for student groups seeking funding
4. Alumni policies for working with alumni, particularly soliciting funds
5. CDO policies for working with employers and alumni

SAO has primary oversight for student organizations through event planning oversight (including risk management) and funding policies while general support is supplemented by Student Affairs. You can find more information on the differences between SAO and Student Affairs here.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) is a sub-category within Student Organizations which serves three primary functions:

1. Representatives of the student body on issues of interest or concern;
2. Provides funding to Student Organization; and
3. Plans social events for the student body, including large, signature events like 1L Orientation Social, Boat Cruise, Halloween Party, Barristers Ball, and 3L Week, as well as smaller events such as bar reviews, apple picking, ice skating, and others.

SGA is funded by the student activity fee (approximately $120,000 per year) and subject to:

1. SAO registration and spending rules
2. SGA constitution and bylaws for how funding is spent and allocated to student organizations

SGA is primarily advised by Student Affairs.

Affinity Groups

Another subcategory within Student Organizations are Affinity Groups. Out of the 30+ Student Organizations, 12 of them are Affinity Groups.

Affinity Groups are subject to:

1. SAO registration and spending rules
2. Recognition rules for new affinity organizations
3. Student Affairs rules for accessing donated funds in the law school, including internal law school purchasing rules