The Visionary Fall 2009

The Visionary – Fall 2009 • Page 28 students’ pages Student Government Association (SGA) The Student Government Association is having an awesome 2009-10 school year full of education both in and out of the classroom. The executive board consists of Elliott Snyder (president), Sarah Brehm (vice president), Carrie Carpenter (secretary), and Michelle Levin (treasurer). We have been keeping busy not only building school spirit and bringing classes together, but enhancing student life for all future optometry students that will be here after we have graduated. The year began with our second annual Organization Fair, which introduced the OD1s to the many ways they can get involved and enrich their NSU experience. Prior to the fair, students were given an Organization Booklet featuring info on each club as well as information on how to join and officer contact information. Before the fair, the first-year students were also introduced to their second-year big brothers and big sisters so they could walk around the fair while they got to know each other. A few weeks later, everyone was welcomed to our first-ever Treetops Park picnic. Students from all four classes came out to have some fun in the rain and sun. We enjoyed food, friends, volleyball, whiffleball, and some water balloon games followed by an awesome tug-o-war battle. The academic year also featured the annual Fall Equipment Fair, now in its fourth year of existence, for the first-year students. The purchase of equipment can be an overwhelming decision for students who do not initially know how to use it. As a result, before the night of the big purchases, the OD1s were invited to attend a workshop hosted by upperclassmen in order to inform students before they were faced with the decision of which equipment to purchase. American Academy of Optometry (AAO) The AAO exists “to enhance excellence in optometric practice by fostering research and disseminating knowledge in vision science through the continuing education presented at its annual meeting.” The Conversion of Students to Candidates program is an initiative by AAO board members that exists to recruit new graduates to apply for fellowship. This year in Orlando, we hope to have the greatest student representation of all the schools in the country. As part of the AAO’s Mentor Program, the plan is to have a local practicing O.D. who is a fellow come and speak to our students on how to apply for fellowship and the benefits of being a student member of the AAO. American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) The AOSA represents over 5,600 students attending the 19 schools and colleges of optometry throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Judy Posner (AOSA trustee) and Vicky Wong (AOSA trustee elect) are anxiously anticipating the annual Mini Super Bowl event during the spring semester, which selects the contestant for the Varilux Optometry Super Bowl at the annual AOA/AOSA meeting. This year, the annual meeting will be held in Orlando, Florida. The AOSA hopes to encourage as many students to attend this fun, exciting educational event. The association also hopes to win this year’s coveted Spirit Award, which is presented to the school that demonstrates the most school spirit in a creative way, because the winners get to create the rules’ video for the following year’s Super Bowl competition. Beta Sigma Kappa (BSK) Beta Sigma Kappa recently invited approximately 35 new members across the 2010, 2011, and 2012 classes to join the club. The induction dinner welcoming the new members was held in early September, as was the tutoring program. One goal of BSK is to help any and all of our fellow classmates in need of extra assistance. The recently mandated requirement of 20 hours of tutoring per year of all BSK members will again be implemented. Planning for the Mock Preclinical Proficiency Exam is anticipated to begin in January 2010 for the 2012 class. The mock exam is a great way for students to gauge their clinical skills and target areas they need improvement in while building their confidence for the upcoming exam. Also new this year, Dr. Pamela Oliver is taking over the adviser position for Dr. Scott Gorman. We would like to thank Dr. Gorman for his time and efforts in BSK; he will be greatly missed. Canadian Association of Optometry Students (CAOS) As the number of Canadian optometry students continues to grow each year, the CAOS strives to become a support group for all Canadian students. Co-founders Lisa Cossetto’s and Christina Chan’s goal for the CAOS is to provide Canadian students with support for all the common issues they face as Canadians studying in the United States. This encompasses everything from issues with immigration papers and provincial loans to obtaining a Florida driver’s license or writing the Canadian boards. In March, the CAOS invited Dr. Lillian Linton, CAO secretary- treasurer to speak to the Canadian students about the practice of optometry in Canada. This past summer, Cossetto attended the 31st Biennial Congress in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. CAOS will also be planning a Halloween bake sale and a Canadian Thanksgiving social in October. As one of the college’s newest organizations, the CAOS has over 30 members and strives to be the place our Canadian students come to get answers. The College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) The COVD is a nonprofit, international membership association of eye care professionals including optometrists, optometry students, and vision therapists. Established in 1971, the COVD provides board certification for eye doctors and vision therapists who are prepared to offer state-of-the-art services in behavioral and developmental vision care, vision therapy, and visual rehabilitation. These specialized vision care services develop and enhance visual abilities and correct many vision problems in infants, children, and adults. The COVD provides its members and the public with access to the latest research, educational programs, and information in the areas of behavioral vision care, vision therapy, and related fields. Information can be found on our national Web site at www.covd.org and includes topics such as our annual meeting, student grants and awards, externship manual, sites and director lists, and residency opportunity listings. Fellowship of Christian Optometrists (FCO) FCO’s primary mission is to help optometrists become established in the type of mission work that combines eye care and the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, both in the workplace and on mission fields around the world. We also Student Organizations Report By Elliott Snyder (Class of 2011) President, Student Government Association