By Nathan Tingen
Feel like you might get lost among the more than 30,000 BYU students? The Student Advisory Council can help make sure that your voice does not get lost in the crowd.
“SAC gives input to the administration and the community about student opinion,” said John Bennion, 24, of Wenatchee, Wash., a senior majoring in mechanical engineering.
A branch of BYUSA, the Student Advisory Council was formed in 1988 to represent the voice of the BYU student body.
The Council is made up of 39 representatives chosen from the 13 major colleges of BYU and nine other special interest groups.
“We’re trying to make life better for people on campus,” said Don Bennion, 21, of Wenatchee, Wash., a sophomore majoring in mathematics. “It makes my BYU experience much more fulfilling.”
The Bennion brothers are excited to serve on SAC. John is a representative with the engineering and technology college and Don will be serving as an Executive Director this year.
With programs like the soapbox and the 100-hour board, SAC tries to involve students in the issues that are important to them.
The most prominent issue being tackled by SAC right now is SCAMP, a housing regulation being promoted for the area south of the BYU campus. Other smaller issues are keeping the computer kiosks around campus, visiting hours in the residence halls, and student course evaluations on the Internet.
With the many ways to contact SAC, getting involved can be very easy.
“You can become a representative by applying with your college,” John said.
“But the best way to get involved is to come to the BYUSA offices,” said Don.
SAC has their offices in 3400 WSC and officers are required to be there from 3pm to 5pm. Even though an officer may not be there at other hours, students are free to drop in anytime.
Students don’t have to make a long-term commitment to SAC if they feel they won’t have the time.
“We have a list of projects that people can volunteer for in our office,” Don said.
Volunteering on a project basis lets students work for the issues that matter the most to them as individuals.
If you have an issue that you think should be discussed, you can email SAC directly at or phone them at 378-7181.
SAC meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 4pm to 5:30pm.
“We’re getting a chance to have a student voice on key issues,” John said.
SAC encourages students to take advantage of that opportunity.
